Hay gurl haaaaay! My name is Stephen or Amy, Amy Vodkahaus. I am a Bosnian-American makeup artist from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. First let me start off by saying thank you… Thank you for visiting my profile and thank you for being interested in what I do! You came to the right place. What I do can be summed up as changing lives and making people feel good about themselves by helping them acheive the look on the outside how they feel on the inside. I been into crossdressing for as long as I can remember. I used to sing around the house in my mom's clothes and play with her makeup. Poor thing thought I was gonna be a fashion designer and have a gorgeous wife. Looking back now I don't understand that logic. I haven't changed much since then except now I make my own clothes, I landed a gig in Kill Dolly Kill (a punk rock horror comedy musical by Troma) and makeup is my obsession and what I do for living. First time I dressed up in public was in 2005. Like most T-girls I used Halloween as an excuse to go out all dolled up. I started doing drag "professionally" meaning I was getting paid for it in 2010. Eventually people started coming up to me asking me to do their makeup. I been painting faces regularly over the years but makeup artistry was not my main source of income. I went to school for hospitality management thinking I'd work on a gay cruise line, be away for a few years and come back pay off my mortgage and student loans, and have this exciting career. Gurl…what a fucking joke. Even though I was really good at managing a hotel and people loved me I got burned out because I worked over 60 hours a week on salary. I made good money which I had no time to spend. Talk about the typical American imbalance of work life and personal time. People end up following their bills and not their dreams out of fear. I really hated my life and in May 2017 I said screw this shit, y'all can eat my ass, I am out. I took a leap of faith and decided to invest everything I had into making the crossdressing makeovers my occupation. I was terrified because up until then I had a steady secure income and freelancing is the exact opposite. I had to invest so much into assembling a full makeup kit, wigs, clothes and shoes in various sizes, all the photo equipment…and the list just kept getting longer. At the time Craigslist still had personals section and I advertised under M4T and T4T. I got so many responses and quickly started building the clientele. There isn't anyone around who does what I do as well as I do. I don't need to say that. My work speaks for itself. Take a look. I love and enjoy what I do! I really really do! My dog is very happy too because I am home a lot and we spend so much time together. I meet so many wonderful people and my favorite part of each makeover session is the reveal. The reactions are so rewardin. People are amazed, in disbelief and some even cry. Sometimes it gets me too because some of my clients are transwomen who aren't able to live their truth for the reasons you can guess. Majority of my clients are married and closeted and this is the outlet for them to be themselves even just for a moment. However, not all my clients are transfgendered, to some crossdressing is a fetish and purely sexual so they book me for photo shoots or just to get made up for a date. It is important for me that you understand that you are not alone. I work with many people just like you. I want you to feel welcome and safe. I started the YouTube channel and I also upload videos on here too so you can connect what you read on my website to the face and personality. You should not fear booking me if this is your first time. We all want to feel loved and accepted, no judgements. When it comes to makeover sessions I always take my time with everyone, I would not want you to ever feel rushed or cheated out of money. Let's be honest, you are paying me and my job is complete only when you are happy with the look and the photos we have taken. Right now I am working out of my home and I travel to client's locations. Eventually I want to own a business space big enough to fit a store that sells everything you could possibly need. I am networking and the goal is to be a vendor at all conferences across country.
Amy
What a fantastic and personal article.. thank you for making us girls feel so welcome and not alone in wanting to express our feminine alter ego… you have the personality and the energy to open your own “store” … I wish you all the luck in your dream and wish you were closer because I am hooked for trying your makeover.
Be well… Leonara
Aww thank you!
All the money I make I invest right back into the business.
Right now three more conferences and electrolysis hair removal machine.
I do not want to do anything else with my life, this is it.
With all that “can do” attitude you will succeed…
Yoy are absolutely gorgeous and I admire you for the way you live your life and for the help,you give to the other girls like us .
Aww thank you!
I found my happiness by doing what I do now.
Amy, you look fab! I wish I was there taking the class. Thanks for all you do.
Thank you very much!
Gorgeous, love your outfit! I am hoping to take a makeup class sometime soon!
Thank you! There’s a lot on YouTube nowadays. You always learn something from other people.
Awesome girl! Glad it was a success! And you look gorgeous as always. 🙂
Thanks a lot!
Amy you do an amazing job with the makeup..wish I had the skills but am getting better. If your ever in buffalo will have to meet and hit the town.
Misti
Aww thank you! My dad and brother actually going to Buffalo tomorrow. I would have gone too but I do not feel like leaving my dog alone all day. Maybe some other time.
Hey, M2F…
Love what you have done for those at the conference.
Of course you look fabulous.
Glad you are here in CDH.
– Terri Anne
Aww thank you very much 🙂
congrats girlfriend! Someone’s living the dream!
xo,
Sapphire
New fan. Lovely!
Everything. Awesome personality too I’m gathering.
Hi Amy, i loved your story, passion and outlook on life and for reminding me im not alone in my crossdressing.
I wish you all the luck in the world with your business. I would gladly come along but im in the Uk….still, not impossible.
I have been complimented on my make up which i have just read about or practised although i still have a fair way to go in my opinion and im not getting any younger so need to keep on improving
Stay safe and stay classy Nicole.