What’s it like to work with one of the biggest pop stars – ahem – Miley Cyrus? Celebrity Makeup Artist Denika Bedrossian takes it all in stride. Makeup artistry seems to have been her calling from a very young age. “As a child, my sister and I used to paint in a studio every day. Oil and acrylics, watercolor and charcoal… whatever it was, it was always my favorite part of the day. The older I got, I began to realize I was meant to move from canvas to faces,” she says. By the time she turned fifteen, she began a side job doing makeup. These days, she’s busy working with a bevy of clientele. In addition to making up Miley, you might find her painting the gorgeous faces of Kelly Osbourne, New Girl’s Hannah Simone, or Kylie and Kendall (do we really need to give you their full names?!). Find out what personally influences her, what her favorite Miley look is, and what advice she’d give to her younger self.

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR FIRST BIG BREAK? WHAT WAS THAT MOMENT LIKE FOR YOU?
The day I turned 18, I applied at MAC and was hired a week later. It was the moment I realized I was going to be a "MAC girl." [It is] every girl’s dream. Almost seven years later, I began working with the Pussycat Dolls full time and everything took off from there.

YOU HAVE A UNIQUE PERSONAL STYLE. WHO AND WHAT INFLUENCES YOU?
So many things around me influence me and my style. I love old 50's vintage films, clothes, makeup, hair and homes. I find it to be the most beautiful and feminine era.

WHAT FALL BEAUTY TREND ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT?
Fall is bringing so many beautiful looks. I'm loving the various color and shapes of eyeliner, the glossy lids and darker, bold lips.

THROUGHOUT THE EVOLUTION OF YOUR CLIENT, MILEY CYRUS, WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE BEAUTY MOMENTS WITH HER?
Miley's had so many amazing beauty moments over the years. I loved her look for the 2012 Oscars. It was classic and beautiful. The “Can't Stop” video was another great look. I feel like so many girls wanted her look after the video released. And my final fave is the all-glitter look I gave her for the “Real and True” video [with rapper Future, featuring singer Mr. Hudson]. Miley looked like a perfectly shiny diamond.

IF WE RAIDED YOUR PURSE, WHAT NEVER-LEAVE-HOME-WITHOUT-THEM PRODUCTS WOULD WE FIND?
My purse has several of my must-haves…my signature red lip, MAC Ruby Woo, JAO Hand Sanitizer, BY TERRY Touche Veloutee Concealer and Cle de Peau Powder Foundation.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNGER VERSION OF YOURSELF JUST STARTING OUT IN THE BUSINESS?
My advice would be to be patient, continue to learn, learn, learn, and never say no to an opportunity.

WHAT’S NEXT UP FOR YOU?
I'm hoping this year will bring new clients, new opportunities and more beautiful makeup!!

Denika is repped by Cloutier Remix. To view her portfolio, click here.