What got me started in the beauty industry?

I want to start out by saying, I am not a writer. But I really want to start sharing my story with all of you on how I got into the beauty industry and why.

My mom was never big on makeup and never really showed me anything so I didn’t pick up any interest on it. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a marine biologist, or a vet, or something to do with animals or I really wasn’t sure. I mean, they start asking you in elementary school what you want to be when you grow up, who really knows!? When I entered high school though, I knew I wanted to be in business for myself. I think it was in grade 8 or 9 that a friend of mine had introduced me to makeup. I was so intrigued by how just a little makeup can enhance your beauty or just make you feel beautiful. There was so much you could do with it including looking like a totally different person. From there, I was hooked. I didn’t wear a lot myself at first, then I started experimenting with different looks for a while. Eventually, I went down to just simple foundation and mascara. I had horrible skin so I felt that I needed the foundation to cover it up and make myself feel better (self confidence.) I started to find myself more interested in doing other peoples makeup and not so much my own. I used the face as my canvas and got creative.

While at this point, I didn’t know much about how to properly apply makeup, it was all just for fun until I decided this is what I want to go to school for. I thought about getting into the tv and film industry, it sounded like a great idea so I started researching makeup schools and decided on the world renowned Blanche MacDonald Center. Shortly after I graduated high school, I started the 9 month Makeup Artistry Diploma program in 2006 (which has since changed since I attended).

That was when my real journey began.

The program had various different modules from wedding makeup, basic hairstyling, fashion, tv and film, airbrushing, special effects and some editing classes. It was so amazing to be able to learn all these different aspects of the makeup industry. After we  
did the tv and film module, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to get into that part of the industry anymore. So I decided to volunteer on a couple film sets to get a feel for it. I’m not sure if the ones I was on were just not organized enough or I just didn’t have the experience needed yet, but I found myself lost and not sure what I was supposed to do, when they explained it all in school, it seemed much simpler. Unfortunately, I did not have anyone to guide me that day and show me how it’s done. I tried another one, and it felt the same so I decided, this is not what I want to get into. Not only that, but the long days and various different lengths of contracts was not appealing to me. I wanted more. It didn’t make me feel good, it just felt like a job. However, I did have LOTS of fun in school playing with different looks! I included a few photos for you here

 

 

I volunteered for various fashion shows doing the hair and makeup and connected with some photographers to start building my portfolio. At this point, I was still experimenting with different styles and what I liked and didn’t like, trying to find the area in the industry that suited me best. I did freelance work for many years on various projects and worked at a few makeup places as well building my skills and portfolio.

But I somehow got bored of it, I obviously had not found my passion in makeup artistry yet, it was hiding, it was hard to find. I felt like giving up on makeup artistry all together. I stepped back for a few years and didn’t do much at all, maybe a few photoshoots here and there and makeup and hair for friends and family. It wasn’t until 2012 when I did a full day of makeup for a boudoir marathon for a photographer that I completely fell in love again.

 

It was making women feel  beautiful that really made me happy and gave me so much satisfaction in what I was doing that I wanted more.

Shortly after, I discovered doing weddings in 2013. Although I had done a few here and there on this journey, I was doing contract work for another business at their studio and it was also something I really enjoyed, making a bride feel and look beautiful on
one of the biggest days of her life. So I put myself out there and got a few bookings for the upcoming wedding season and I was hooked. That’s what I loved to do. Help women not only look good, but FEEL good! Boosting their self confidence so they can let their inner beauty shine bright! It was such an amazing feeling that I can’t get enough of!

In 2013, I started my own company. I decided to go all in and build my reputation and portfolio around weddings and boudoir. It was one of the best decisions I have made. Since then, I have built a team of artists that share the same passions as I do, and it has been fabulous working with all of them! My company is now called Organic Makeup Artistry. Why organic? That’s a blog post for another day.

As for lash extensions, I have always been a lash girl. I LOVE lashes and have had them done many times before deciding to get trained on how to do them. I was pregnant at the time when I decided to take the course, and thought it would be a

great service that I could do at home with my little one while I wasn’t able to do my full time job. And since I work for immediate family, I do not qualify for EI benefits. Since the first course, I took another with a different company for the advanced volume lash technique. I absolutely love doing lashes and it’s been a great to be able to work from home more. Especially since I’m expecting again 🙂

 

To this day, I am definitely not a beauty queen. I don’t wear a lot of makeup myself, even when I go out. I just prefer to apply it on others instead, I find it more fun. However, I do like getting my hair styled! And my lashes done, when I have time. What girl doesn’t like someone playing with her hair? So I want to thank my team, and everyone else that has supported me on this venture in the past years and made this possible. It really is a blessing to have such wonderful artists to work with and such wonderful clients to beautify!

What you can expect from this blog..  I want to share how I got into organic and non-toxic beauty but first I do want to reflect a little on 2016. Other things to expect here is some green beauty tips, connecting health with beauty, makeup tips, skin tips, wedding beauty stuff, lifestyle posts, and generally just whatever I feel like talking about! I won’t make this all about me though, I will share with you some other amazing local business that I love and/or have worked with! There will be contests and giveaways from time to time, and other exciting news as 2017 progresses! I do have a few things I’m working on getting set up.

To kick off the new year and my new blog, I want to do a giveaway! Please comment
with WHY you love YOUR business (please don’t actually post your links though, thank you). If you don’t have a business, share something you love about your life right now. I just want to know what drives you to keep doing what you are doing, what lights the fire. I will do a draw for $50 credit towards ANY services! Must be located in the lower mainland, BC.  Draw will be on  Jan 12 at 9:30pm. Please do leave your email or a way of contacting you!

Thank you so much! Good luck 🙂 Thanks for reading!