Artist Profile: Robyn Ryan

by Ryan Meehan

Robyn Ryan is a fashion and commercial model, a makeup artist, and a diligent volunteer. Influenced by the rich colorful culture of the Caribbean, this Jamaican native was always inspired by beauty, gorgeous skin, red lipstick, and giving back. She has accomplished thirteen pageants and competition titles – four times Most Talented, Miss Congeniality, and TV Personnel & Talk Show Host – and is currently represented by four modeling and talent agencies. Robyn’s makeup journey started while she was modeling in her home country, and she remains passionate about the confidence with which her clients leave the artists’ chair. Ryan has worked with several top makeup and skincare companies as a model, makeup artist, and skincare specialist. Her experiences have led her to the development of her own label which she debut this spring of 2015 at Robynryan.com. Robyn is also heavily committed to making a difference in people’s lives as she continues to raise awareness and funding for Trinity Hospital, Dress for Success, Mary Kay Charitable Foundation, LiveFitWithLupus and the Miss YOU Can Do It Pageant. She is currently the Managing Director for Love Girls Magazine, a publication for girls by girls ages 13-19 years old. We are delighted to have Robyn Ryan as the subject of today’s artist profile. 

RM:  You just got back from a trip to Jamaica…How many times have you been back down there since you initially came to America; and what was the most enlightening aspect of this most recent visit?

RR: I have been back to Jamaica several times since I initially came to America. I love going back, I love being around people who “sound” Jamaican like I do…eat the same food, understand my gestures, and like the same entertainment. Jamaicans are a loving people and I love being around them, it’s comfortable. It’s hard to label one aspect as the most enlightening, there were so many parts that were great, after I dealt with the primary reason that I was there this time. My Auntie passed away from breast cancer so I went to attend her funeral. After that, enlightening experiences were with my family, going to the beach as often as I wanted, eating a truly ripe East Indian mango or eating fresh crabs…I love food! Lol. The scent of roast fish or jerk food cooking on the road, the music that never stops playing, conversations with my cousins, and seeing the stars; they always appear so much closer in Jamaica.

RM:  What is one thing about Jamaica that most people aren’t aware of or would be surprised to learn? Why do you think individuals in America aren’t familiar with that piece of information?

RR: One thing most people aren’t aware of or would be surprised to learn about Jamaica is that our dialect “Patois” (or Patwa) is made up of several languages, hence its difficulty in understanding. Patois exists mostly as a spoken language. Standard British English is the official language of Jamaica, that’s what is taught there and used for most writing.  I think some individuals in America are not familiar with this piece of information because Patois is so widely used, many people ask me if we have our own language.

RM:  For those who might not be familiar with the term, what exactly is meant by the word “Irie”? Is it something that can be put into words, or is it more of an aura that can be defined only by feeling?

RR: This question makes me smile, I get asked about it all of the time. Irie – “To be at total peace with your current state of being. The way you feel when you have no worries.”  The word is often used by those who have Rastafarian beliefs, artists like Bob Marley made it popular.

RM:  Take us through some of the feelings you experienced when you first realized that makeup artistry could change the way a woman carried herself in daily life…How long after that initial realization did you actually begin the practice of working on other women’s skin; and what is the most rewarding part of getting to share your talents within that particular craft?

RR:  It was refreshing when I realized that makeup artistry could change the way a woman feels, because most women’s concept of makeup is negative. It’s not meant to change how you look, but highlight and enhance your best features. I started playing with faces while I was in high school, but got serious about it 2002 when I paused my modeling career. My concept of makeup comes from a fashion and pageant modeling perspective, so I needed to learn how to work with the “girl next door”. The most rewarding part is that first initial look in the mirror…how it provokes them. My work is meant to provoke thoughts and feelings, whether or not you like it, it’s important to me. As the seconds go by and they realize how truly beautiful they are, their shoulders straighten and their smile becomes brighter. I believe every woman is beautiful, they may just have to find their best features and enhance them.

RM:  What are some of your favorite makeup techniques to employ; and what are some pointers you could give our female readers as to how they can keep their makeup looking great throughout the later portion of the day?

RR: Some of my favorite techniques to employ are quality over quantity, quality skincare, quality makeup, quality tools and quality time. Wearing the right make-up and applying it properly allows you to have a worry free day. It’s about how you look, not copying someone else’s look and thinking it’s going to look the same on you. And, definitely knowing the difference between beauty makeup and fashion make-up makes a difference.

RM:  How would you best describe the belief system which carries the acronym LOVE; and how would you best summarize the importance of each of the four steps?

RR: I love this acronym, the founder of Love Girls Magazine, Jasmine, is brilliant! It’s quiet simple, you must be willing to set a positive example for the next person to follow. The purpose of the foundation is to mentor our new generation of girls to think more positively and to live for a purpose. Lead; Over-come; Value; Empower; A community with girls having this belief system puts us on the right path to have a community of successful girls, who one day will become successful women!

RM:  How can younger individuals looking to better themselves go about making a difference in their communities much in the same way that you have done? What’s the first step you would recommend them taking so that they can begin to understand the importance of giving back?

RR: A younger individual looking to better themselves and making a difference in their community, must first realize, it’s not about them. Self-betterment comes on your own time, developing your crafts and skills. When you volunteer, you take yourself out of the equation…you do it purely to help. And, you must truly want to help others. You cannot help if your motives are untrue. When you give, you give from the heart. Only then is it rewarding.

The first step they can take is realizing their own strengths and weaknesses. Perfecting their strengths and be willing to work on their weaknesses. You can’t give back if you don’t have something positive to give.

RM:  What can you tell us about the Miss Jetset Illinois contest that you’re currently participating in? How does this contest differ from some of the other pageantry work you’ve done; and how can our readers go about voting for you or any of the other contestants in the competition?

RR: Jetset Magazine is an affluent lifestyle magazine; this is the 2nd Miss contest for ladies 18+. They are looking for a woman who is worldly, ambitious, stylish, sophisticated, respected and ready to take on the world. This is me! I was born ready to take on the world! This competition differs from some of the other pageantry work I have done because the winner is based on public voting, much like the “So you think you can dance” T.V. show, except this competition also has a section for paid votes. I was selected to represent Illinois; fans get 2 free votes daily. One via Facebook and the other via Twitter. You can vote for me @ miss.jetsetmag.com/vote-for/robyn-ryan

RM:  When you’re having a bad day and things aren’t necessarily headed in the direction that you’d like them to go, what kind of inner dialogue do you have with yourself to try to pick up your spirits and return to the positive method of thinking that has helped mold you into the person you are today?

RR: When I am having a bad day and things aren’t necessarily headed in the direction that I would like them to go, the kind of inner dialogue I have with myself is intended to pick up my spirits and return to the positive method of thinking that has helped mold me into the person I am today. It includes reading positives quotes, saying daily affirmations, dancing it off and sometimes meditation. I try to focus on the journey, be appreciative; Find the good parts, be grateful for them and not put energy into negativity, it’s such a waste of useful energy. Sometimes the mood calls for a “pity party”, but it only gets 5 minutes. I set the timer, eat some chocolate, and know this too will pass. Having a positive mentor or role model to tap into also contributes immensely, they encourage us to re-focus, re-energize, and overcome.

RM:  When you aren’t hard at work on makeup artistry, modeling, or any of your other passions, how do you go about relaxing and savoring the few moments you have to spend with friends and family? Have you taken up any new interests as of late?  (If so, why do you find that leisure activity so pleasurable?)

RR: When I am not hard at work on makeup artistry, modeling, or any of my other passions, I go about relaxing and savoring the few moments I have to spend with friends and family by cooking and sharing dinners. I love to host dinner parties, like I mentioned earlier, I love food. And, I very much like sharing Jamaican cuisines with my foreign friends. I also love going to the park, I enjoy nature. I haven’t spent a lot of time lately drawing or painting, I guess that part of me is being fulfilled through my make-up artistry. The truth is my work hardly ever seems like I am working. I love what I do and I am always doing some part of it. Spending time with a client is making a new friend. And what girl does not have a blast trying on different outfits and showing them off?

RM:  Twenty years from now, what do want those who are close to you to think about what you have accomplished during this period of your life? How does that differ from the way you want people that you haven’t met yet to think about you when they come to meet your acquaintance for the first time?

RR: Twenty years from now, I want those who are close to me to think about what I have accomplished during this period of my life as the continuation of my legacy, giving back, my story, my journey, which is still being written. I am influenced by the rich colorful culture of the Caribbean, inspired by beauty and giving back. It will not be different from the way I want people that I haven’t met yet, to think about me when they come to meet my acquaintance for the first time.

RM:  What’s up next for you in the remainder of 2015  and into the new year?  Anything big in the works that we should know about?

RR: I am excited about the remainder of 2015 and the New Year, winning Miss Jetset Magazine 2015! Marketing my make-up & skin care products, and launching them in stores; Giving back to my community, raising awareness and fundings one runway at a time, one face at a time.

Official Website:  http://www.robynryan.com/

Vote for Robyn:  https://miss.jetsetmag.com/vote-for/robyn-ryan

Facebook Link:  https://www.facebook.com/RobynRyanforMissJetset2015

Robyn on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Robyn.G.Ryan

Robyn on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TheRobynRyan

Once again thanks for visiting First Order Historians and enjoying more of the internet’s finest in user generated content.

Meehan