1. How did you become a make-up artist?
I had just finished a three year Bachelor of International Studies and was feeling quite lost. Having always being interested in the arts I stumbled upon an Open Day for the Academy and never looked back. I enrolled in the Diploma straight away and six months later I was a qualified makeup artist!
2. Which other career paths did you consider?
LOTS! From a young age I always wanted to be a shoemaker… but after school I choose the academic path and went to University. As well as completing university, I’ve also done a teaching English as a second language course as well as working with children with disabilities for years. So I’ve definitely already gone down a wide variety of career paths before settling on makeup!
3.What are the best and worst parts of your job?
The best parts of the jobs are the creativity, freedom and that the opportunities are endless. This career is what you make it, which in itself is a scary concept but if you’re willing to push your boundaries you can create anything. And who else can say that they get to play with glitter, paint and makeup and get paid!
While there are the obvious downsides to the job like washing brushes and tax time etc. The worst part of the job would definitely have to be the uncertainty of a stable income. As a freelancer you live a precarious life of continually weighing up “the fun jobs” (glitter, body art, creative freedom), which generally aren’t well paid, for the “boring” well-paid jobs. It’s a tricky life balancing these things and budgeting.
4.What was your worst make-up or fashion faux pas?
Too much bronzer!! I remember in high school I got a uniform infringement for wearing too much bronzer and I was mortified. I wish I could give makeup infringements out on the street!
Bronzer is not designed to be applied heavily all over the face.. concentrate on areas where the sun actually hits or try and create a contour with a matte bronzer.
5. Which products/skincare would you recommend to someone who doesn't really know how to use make-up?
I would recommend always using a primer and brushes. Those who don’t really know how to use makeup will at least have a foundation of some kind. You’d be surprised at how much of a difference using a primer and then buffing in your foundation will makeup a difference, not only on how the skin looks but also the longevity of it!
Val Garland, Heath Ledger and David Walsh (owner of MONA).