You've caused a few of the biggest brands within the beauty industry – whoever else learnt at RMS working with 'all-natural' products, and how has it influenced your work?
“Meeting Rose-Marie Swift when she launched RMS in Australia would be a pivotal moment within my career. She has a no fuss, no rules approach to application and beauty, that was so refreshing and just made sense in my experience. She's genius with regards to improving the face with minor tweaks to colour and placement.”
What continues to be the biggest challenge of the career?
“It was leaving what was my dream job – Senior Artist for MECCA Brands, where I spent 11 years. I'd always wanted to live overseas and work the ecu Fashion Week circuit within my own right, and so i moved to London to freelance in 2022. I'd put it off until I was 30 and so i had no choice but to make the jump. London was definitely difficult, I felt like I was beginning again on your own and that i experienced a lot of anxiety which was new for me personally – however it was so humbling to work alongside artists from around the world who had been working their in place the ranks on backstage teams for a long time before I got there. I recieve a remove to be reminded that there are always more to strive for. It had been a brief 7 months because of Covid however i achieved more than I figured I would – it was all worth it in the end.”
Makeup artistry is one of the most 'hands on' professions – how have you manage the challenges Covid presented and just what perhaps you have learnt?
“I had just returned from Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks and was being employed as a freelancer for NARS in London when Covid got serious. I left everything in March 2022 thinking I'd be back over a couple of months Body year on and I've resettled in Melbourne! I had been lucky to possess met with my pal Rose-Marie Swift in Paris to go over working as a trainer for RMS Beauty in Europe. As i was sitting out Covid in Adelaide I started creating weekly IGTV videos for their Instagram which eventually resulted in the positioning of worldwide Brand Ambassador in August last year. As i ran RMS' IGTV I had been also supplementing my income with one-on-one makeup lessons over Zoom with people interstate plus person after lockdown. A lot of people have no idea simple techniques that can enhance their features or take full advantage of these products they already own.”
What's been your most rewarding moment?
“Developing artists and helping people express themselves with makeup is definitely rewarding for me and that i feel so lucky so that you can do this. It was also dealing with my all-time favourite artists on editorial jobs and shows across Europe that provided several pinch-myself moments.”
What continues to be the best lesson inside your time as an MUA?
“I have three rules. Firstly, ego doesn't have devote artistry. Secondly, be your own biggest critic (or, my more blunt motto “tear your work apart due to there being always something you can improve”). And thirdly, our industry is really about relationships and who you know, so make sure to be kind on the way.”
What would you tell an aspiring makeup artist seeking to get their start?
“Getting employment in a beauty retailer is crucial – and less expensive than likely to makeup school! I'm biased as that's how I started, however i do believe it's the best spot to learn makeup because you will focus on every complexion and type, face shape, and personality. It teaches you how to interact with strangers, negotiate and manage your time and effort – all necessary things if you wish to focus on shoots, shows and weddings.”
What's your go-to product?
“I'm loving the RMS Tinted Daily Lip Balms, especially Twilight Lane you can use it like a cream blush. It's dewy and sheer and gives you a super-natural flushed cheek.”
What are some top trends you're noticing for Autumn/Winter? “I don't get into trends if I might help it, although something I have noticed is the fact that makeup looks on Instagram and Tik Tok are aligning more with editorial or 'natural' makeup. Classically the design that receive the most likes are the type with the biggest transformations, but as somebody that creates educational videos for individuals attempting to apply makeup within their day-to-day, its nice to see a more natural approach getting into the mainstream also it makes me feel like less of an outsider!”
What are some of your best application “tips and tricks”?
“With complexion products, the thinner the layers the more the wear and also the less it'll warm up and move around onto the skin. Get the clients to frown and smile so you can see where they'll get movement lines throughout the day, and then take out any excess product from those areas because they most likely don't need coverage there anyway. Take any excess blush through the eye socket, ideally after you've finished the eye, to produce harmony and steer clear of the elements from the makeup looking too separate. I was lucky to understand some skills from Rae Morris and I use her “eye phi” technique on every client; its a foolproof method that creates every eye shape, so long as you stick to it! I pay a lot of attention to texture of products and texture within the look itself. I like to spot powder with a small brush through the T-zone to further highlight the glow alternatively regions of the face, as well as using high-pigment lip and eye products and pressing them in with my finger to thin them out and not overload those delicate areas.”
“Before you begin, look at the natural colours in your client's skin. Instead of blanking it all out with eye primer, foundation or concealer – simply to place it all in artificially – use the tones already there. A trick I learnt at fashion week overseas was removing product from freckles or beauty spots having a small cotton tip after you have finished the complexion. It provides the illusion the wearer does not have much product on and avoids any ashiness. Overall it's important to keep in mind that what makes makeup beautiful isn't how long it stays on; it's reflective, hydrated skin, a sheen towards the eyelids, an all natural sheen to the brow hairs even – all indications of health, which then equals beauty.”
Favourite treatment to unwind?
“I've only heard about this second-hand however that i am back in Melbourne I'm very keen to reserve along with Valli Shubere at Herbario for any Signature Treatment. I love their ethos and every product of theirs that I've tried!”
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