Meet Devin Dollface Alexis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Devin Dollface Alexis.

Devin, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am originally from New York City. I have been drawing since I could hold a pencil at 15 months old. At that age, I was also diagnosed with Type One Juvenile Diabetes.

I attended Montessori preschool in Las Vegas, Nevada. I then moved back to New York City in which I attended PS 116 Mary Lindley Murray in Midtown, Manhattan. From an early age, I was receiving Certificates of Accomplishment in Arts (Visual and Performing) and Writing.

I was published as a Poet and my work displayed at Cooper Union School of the Arts.

I attended the JCC in Tarrytown, New York in which I did Modeling, Acting, Singing and Dancing and took vocal lessons from an accomplished Opera Singer who was one of the leads in the Broadway Musical CATS. I took eight years of Opera and Broadway Style training.

I took Tap, Ballet and Modern Dance training at the Southampton Ballet Company in South Hampton, New York.

I attended Clinton School for Artists and Writers in which I received an additional Certificate of Accomplishments in both the Visual and Performing Arts.

I was then accepted to Art and Design high school where I majored in Comics and Animation and Commercial Arts. I transferred to City As Highschool where I did internships in Music Consulting for companies such as BUZZ Publicity and The Knitting Factory Music Venue Manhattan.

I then received a Scholarship in Sculpting to the prestigious Cooper Union School of the Arts after attending a Saturday Sculpting class.

I started tattooing when I was 16 years old. I was a Tattoo Apprentice in Las Vegas and New York City.

I attended Tricoci University of Beauty Culture in Chicago with a major in Esthetics.
My goal was to be a Cosmetology Tattooist.

It was then that I discovered my passion for Makeup and Special Effects Makeup far surpassed what I could do as an Esthetician. I moved back to New York City and attended Makeup Designory Soho majoring in Film and Television HD Makeup.

Right after attending MUD, I had severe complications with my diabetes due to unknown autoimmune compromises. At the age of 20, I had a heart attack.

I was losing almost all of my hair and wearing cheap wigs I would find at the beauty supply store.
I then decided to start my own wig line called Dollface WIGS.

After this experience, I knew I had to become more serious about my advocacy work for Diabetes. I became an Advocate for the JDRF and was published by Beyond Type One. You can find my article on their site under “Type 1 Makeup Artist Takes Over Hollywood”.

Eight months later, I lost my home to seven feet of water in Hurricane Sandy. I relocated from Rockaway Beach back to my hometown of Brooklyn where I continued to pursue my career.

In October of 2013, I was Lead Stylist and Special Effects Makeup Artist at Ricky’s New York Costume Division.
I was asked to cosplay as Snow White for New York Comic Con, which leads to an opportunity to play Snow White for St. Jude’s Research Foundation. I also started cosplay’ing as Tara Normal Supernatural Investigator in which I am published for.

I was Lead Makeup and Special Effects Artist on my first film for Image Entertainment, Universal Pictures in 2011.

In 2014, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Makeup and Special Effects.

Upon embarking on my journey, I landed an opportunity to be a Casting Agent (Booker) for BLAZE MODELS.

While living in Los Angeles, I had several amazing opportunities I will never forget. I have been afforded to work on the likes of Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russel, Zach Braff, Madison Iseman, Cee Lo Green, Jared Leto, Miley Cyrus, Rose McGowan, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, James Franco’s Rabbit Bandini, Celebrity Apprentice and more.

My work ranges from Beauty, Glam, Fashion, Avant Gard, Boudoir, Wedding, Face and Body Painting to Special Effects and Character Development.

In 2015, I started working with St. Martin’s Animal Research Foundation which evolved into The Vegan Beauty Revolution. My best friend Marianne Beer (@tanyperfect) and I have done all of the campaign work for VBR since.

I have also had the amazing experience to be in a Slipknot video as well as an extra in a Chris Brown video.

On January 17th, 2017, I woke up and I was blind in my right eye. I was diagnosed with Diabetic Retinopathy.
Since then, I have had eleven laser eye treatments, two detached retina surgeries and injections in both eyes. I was diagnosed with Neuropathy, Celiac Disease and Gastroparesis. Since then, I have lost more than 50 pounds, started to eat clean/gluten-free and strength train. It has truly transformed my health and given me not only my life back, but my drive.

As of now, in 2019, I almost fully have my vision back! I have decided to relocate full time to Arizona and am looking to build both my Makeup, Special Effects and Commercial Modeling Portfolios and continue my Advocacy work with diabetes.

I am always looking to inspire others to reach their full potential, feel beautiful and confident about themselves and be a role model in letting ALL people know that no matter what your circumstance is, you have the power to change your situation and gain the success you have always dreamed of. It all starts with you. Beyond believing in yourself, believing it’s already yours; having the tenacity to make it a reality and keep that momentum flowing!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My journey has not been smooth, mostly due to my diabetes complications.

What my health has taught me, is that I am more resilient than I ever thought I would be.

When I had a heart attack at 20, I was placed in the ICU next to a child that was autistic. On top of it, he had a brain tumor, a feeding tube and he could not swallow his saliva on his own so he had to have someone help him every few minutes.

But when his parents walked into that room, what I heard from him was pure joy. When a certain tv show came on, he cheered.

My veins had collapsed, I was losing chunks of my hair and I was too weak to get out of the bed on my own. But I thought to myself, if he can do it, I can.

Whenever I am having a hard moment, a rough day, a tough week. I think about that moment in the ICU. And I push myself because I know, whatever my purpose on Earth is, I haven’t fulfilled it yet.

Please tell us about your business.
Devin Dollface Alexis Makeup & FX is more than just what’s in the title.

Before Makeup, I am a Visual Artist. My work ranges from Sketching, Drawing, Charcoal, Pastels, Painting (Watercolor to Oil), Portraits, Pinups, Murals, Graffiti, Furniture and Accessories.

Some of my favorite mediums to work are Chalk and Nail Polish on Reclaimed Wood.

My Makeup work ranges from Natural, Beauty, Glamour, Wedding, Event, Fashion, Runway, Avant-Garde, Face, and Body Painting.

My Special Effects work ranges from Character Development, Basic Wounds, Blood, Laying Hair and Prosthetic Work.

When I consult with a client, I want to know who they are so I can fulfill exactly what they are looking for.
If requested, I come with mood boards, physical samples, overlays and a full breakdown of the budget for what the final result could potentially be, I do my best to execute the idea thoroughly and make the client happy.

Besides Makeup, I also Model. I am looking to build my Commercial, Lifestyle, Promo and Pinup Portfolios.
I have the ability to provide Makeup and Wig Services in addition to modeling.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Not one thing. I am grateful for every good and bad experience and opportunity that has come my way.
My experiences have helped me grow and develop in my career as well as life in general.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.devindollfacealexis.com
• Phone: 6467957786
• Email: devindollfacealexis@yahoo.com
• Instagram: @devindalexis
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devin.alexis.794
• Other: https://beyondtype1.org/type-1-makeup-artist-takes-hollywood/

Image Credit:
(Personal Photo) Georgia Y. Shu

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