By Shelby Stewart
Staff Writer
“Quoth the Raven never more.”
The mournful poetic quote of Edger Allen Poe from “The Raven” has inspired make-up artist Alexandria Bishop to create a look that could soon pay off.
Bishop, a 2011 Brandon High School graduate, will fly to California with five other finalists for the NYX face awards. The nation-wide competition in Los Angeles Aug. 11-25 attracts some of the top make-up professionals in the world. There have already been three challenges in the competition, and the competitors have been voted on by the public, bringing the 30 competitors down to only six.
“At first, my icon was going to be Tim Burton, but I figured someone else would do him, and two other people did,” said Bishop. “I thought about other dark artists that inspire me, especially with my horror looks, and the first one I thought of was Edgar Allen Poe. Plus I’ve always wanted to do a head dress so this was my chance.”
The challenge that got her voted into the top six had the theme of ‘Icons’. Competitors chose an iconic person to inspire them in their make up looks.
“In those two weeks, I’ll be filming my final challenge and a 60 second video and a story along with it,” she said.

“I get to go to different PR events and parties. Each top six competitor gets $15 grand, and the winner gets $50 grand, will travel internationally with the company for a year, be the face of NYX and of course get a bunch of free make up.”
Bishop primarily does special effects and horror make up, previously being featured on Tosh.0, the Star Wars official vine, in two short horror films and in various music videos.
“I’m excited to get myself out there, I’m usually a pretty closed off person,” said Bishop. “The exposure, and getting to meet the people I will, you meet really influential people. Kelly Clarkson hosted the awards last year.”
The NYX Face Awards will be live-streamed online on Aug. 25, and a panel of judges will be deciding the winner. There will be viewer votes that will count for a small portion of the judging as well.