Surviving in the Beauty Industry

Photographer: Klara Waldberg Model: Lauren SoYung Lim Makeup: Kate Glanfield Hair: Lewis O’Dowling Styling: Bianca Nicole

As a makeup artist, I have made a few mistakes and picked up a few pearls of wisdom along the way, which if aren’t useful or inspiring may at least be semi entertaining. Here are some of the things I’ve sussed so far…

Don’t Panic

Quite early on in my artistry days I realised that - unlike in my old office job - whilst being your own manager in this industry has its many benefits, there’s also no one to bail you out of a clammy situation. Essentially, there’ll come a moment when you’re up shit creek without a paddle and it’s entirely down to you to sail your way out of it. We’re working on live canvases not mannequins after all and stuff is bound to go wrong. When it does, the real art becomes thinking on your feet and keeping your panic to yourself. I’ve seen hairstylists have to rethink a hand-stitched wig 30 minutes before a client has to leave, or try and remould a gel cemented updo because the photographer didn’t like it, whilst admirably keeping their cool. One of the times I realised I’d gone up a gear as a makeup artist was when a client jolted during a winged liner application which made a big black smear all under her eye. On the outside it was a car crash, but knowing my usual cleanser was going to do absolutely nothing, I clapped eyes on my good old lip balm which removed it no problem at all - with the client being completely clueless of the emergency that just happened. If you can calmly solve a problem while the outer world is collapsing, you’re doing great sweetie.

Plan - For the Unexpected

It’s always a good idea to be prepared and I’m the first to admit I’m a fan of a swatch when it comes to planning a look for an important event. That said, don’t be so fixated on one idea that you’re caught off guard for any last minute spanners in the works. You can bet your bottom dollar that the one time you leave your red lip palette at home is the time you’re going to need it. I once planned a whole look around a black 90s dress, only to discover on arrival that the client had changed to a peach number, for which I was entirely caught off guard and had to use blusher as eyeshadow. Sometimes my favourite look actually turns out to be the one that’s done completely off the cuff with not that much thought - so plan, but keep an open mind and prepare for the unexpected.

No = No(t Now)

It’s a competitive industry which means that however hard it might be, rejection is inevitable. Over the years I’ve contacted models, brands, other makeup artists, photographers, hair stylists, you name it, with not even an acknowledgement (and it still happens now) - but no isn’t always a definite no, it’s usually just a not now and it’s funny who will come back to you at the right time. On a shoot I was at recently, pretty much all of us (photographer, model, hair and makeup) had previously and ironically reached out to one of the others and been canned. Rejection is normal - don’t take it personally and definitely don’t give up. Just trust the timing and move on. The right opportunities and people will come when you’re ready.

Always Use a Postcode

Not that long ago a hairstylist I work with put me forward for a job with a VIP - and when I say VIP, I mean Royalty has been to visit. Needless to say I was sweating it a little and I also had another booking first thing - but I’d done the logistics and figured out that if I stuck to schedule I’d be able to make it in time to the next location. All went well and I entered the street name (as in the street name) in Uber for the 30-minute journey, answering emails and messages from my excited friends and family, knowing I was safely en route to one of the biggest jobs of my life. With about 2 minutes to spare and the hairstylist messaging to see if I was nearly there too, I looked up and out the window, anticipating the sweeping pavements and grandiose architecture of central London - only to be met by the sight of a kebab shop with a few bin bags outside. I was clearly in the wrong location. After a horrified and panicked conversation with the Uber driver and A LOT of swearing, it turns out I was somewhere near Enfield, 30 minutes (and now an hour away from the final destination) in the opposite direction, on a street with the same name and too far away to be able to make the appointment on time. Needless to say that is the first and last time I will ever put a street name into Uber again.

There’s no I in Team

I heard Jen Atkin say on a Hailey Bieber red carpet GRWM YouTube video (what?! It’s personal development lol) that it’s important to know when to take a back seat and let your styling/ makeup/hair colleagues have their moment for the sake of the bigger picture. It’s so true and something that’s only recently really occurred to me. A great look has all elements pulling together for a final vision, rather than everything competing for attention. Of course we’re all keen to showcase what we can do, but there’s a level of professional maturity involved in knowing when to hold back on the epic graphic winged eye with purple gems if there’s just too much going on elsewhere.

Back Yourself

It comes with confidence and experience but a photographer once told me to ‘back myself’ as I was umming and ahhing on what to do - I wasn’t really sure how to at first but it’s been pretty good advice. Backing yourself doesn’t mean that you go about like a bull in a china shop and completely ignoring point 5 because you’re hell bent on telling everyone what’s best. It could be that you’re on a shoot and spot something with your work that you’re not happy with - even if no one else notices, thinks it’s ok or it’s the smallest thing, my advice is change it as it will forever haunt you and you can’t always rely on someone else to pick it up or retouch it away. Whether it’s a gappy lash or uneven lip line, if you notice something and you’re not happy with it, change it.

The Power of a Journal

I always used to think that a journal was for the super in control, dear diary, have your shit together types (i.e. not me), until my friend bought one and showed me exactly what you could do with it. You can write down your dreams (invaluable if you believe in manifestation!) figure out and focus on what you want to achieve (and it doesn’t just have to be work related - think hobbies, health and relationships) and more importantly make visible steps towards getting there. Since I’ve had one I’ve achieved so much more than I would normally, probably because I’ve actually bothered to document my actions and accomplishments. It’s all too easy to get swept along with daily life but with a journal you can literally see how far you’ve come - or give yourself a kick up the arse if you’re drifting. It really helps you transform from being the person saying ‘I always wanted to do that’ or ‘I wish I did this’ to the one that says ‘I did it’.