I love everything about makeup. Right from the colour play to the freedom, it gives one to explore one's own creativity. There’s nothing mundane about makeup. Every day is a new day. Every face is a new face. And every look is a new look.
1. Tell me about you and your journey.
Well, I’m academically a finance postgraduate and have worked in a leading financial institution for over 8 years. I’ve always been a creative person and loved experimenting with makeup on myself. Never thought I would pursue this as a career though.
I did a quick course from the renowned Cory Wallia in 2009.... but still couldn’t decide whether to quit my well-paying job and pursue something which was so hazy at that point in time and honestly I wasn’t even sure if makeup is something that I’d like to do professionally or was just a temporary whim and fancy. (At least that what my friends and family thought).
I knew nothing about the industry. Nothing about how things are done. And more so nothing about how to even get started. Wasnt an easy decision. So I continued with my corporate job! Then the urge and drive got stronger and stronger and finally in 2011, I quit my job and went to Singapore makeup forever academy to re-visit makeup as a career option. And since then there’s been no turning back. I love and enjoy every day of makeup in my life!
2. Why did you choose this career?
I always say that I didn’t choose it. It chose me. Coz I had logically planned out and had chosen finance as my career. Which I failed to pursue beyond some years. My calling was something creative. And it took me many many years to realise that and pursue it. Yet I have no regrets. Makeup has come to me at a much later stage but ever since then, I’ve enjoyed my work every day passionately.
3. What do you love most about makeup?
I love everything about makeup. Right from the colour play to the freedom, it gives one to explore one's own creativity. There’s nothing mundane about makeup. Every day is a new day. Every face is a new face. And every look is a new look.
So you see the excitement grows and boredom doesn’t ever set in. Every day we are dealing with new products, new looks, new faces, new trends so there’s lots of activity and hustle. I don't even realise how time has just flown by, even if we do the same thing every day there’s still a novelty to it. Simply because we are dealing with skin that is dynamic in nature and behaves differently each day.
4. How can one build a client as a makeup artist?
Well, it takes time. So one has to be patient. As an artist, we have to make sure that our hands are constantly working. We need to keep practising. If you are starting out as an MUA then I’d suggest catch hold of friends/family/sisters/cousins whoever you think is willing to lend you their faces. And work on them. Remember they are your brand ambassadors!!! And then by word of mouth your work and talent spread to more and more people and you are set on the journey of building a long-lasting clientele!
5. What are some of your top makeup tips?
My most favourite tip is to start with less. It’s always okay to build if you need it. So don’t be in a hurry. Work your way through. Build your makeup look. Bit by bit.
The second most important point I often talk about is don’t blindly follow social media trends. Stop. Watch. And evaluate. What your muse or your face needs may not be trending. So again remember always that each face is different. So each look will be different.
The requirements will be different. Blindly following trends may not always give you the desired results. It’s important to stay tuned to what’s going on around you. But what you choose to use from that information is totally your judgement.
6. What kind of job opportunities one can get after becoming a makeup artist?
Become a “Makeup artist” !!! That’s it. You become a makeup artist after you’ve studied makeup. I don’t understand what job opportunities can one want other than being able to do makeup after spending so much time and money on studying makeup as an art form.
That’s my viewpoint. Having said that you always have an option to pursue your career as a freelanced makeup artist or you can also take up a job as a makeup educator/ trainer in an academy or employment in any makeup brand store where you get opportunities to work on customers. You can also choose to intern with any established makeup artist too to gain experience!
7. What famous artists have influenced you, and how?
Well to be honest I follow a lot of makeup artists across the globe and all have something unique to offer and teach. I love learning new techniques from them. Apart from that I especially want to mention Natasha Denona as I feel her eyeshadow blending techniques are simple and fabulous and Pat McGrath for her colour palettes and the ease with which she works with glitters. Apart from that as an artist I love watching and following body painting and Mimi Choi and Alexa Meade happens to be two of my favourites. Their work is simply astounding!
8. Which professional courses would you suggest for aspiring artists?
Well, you can choose any professional course. It will almost teach you the same things. What matters is the teacher who teaches you and your hands-on experience after completion. How much you practice and how you use that experience going forward is what will decide if you have it in you. I have learnt from some of the most renowned artists.
Cory Wallia from India and some of the best international teachers handpicked by Danny Sanz in my stint at MAKEUP FOREVER academy in Singapore and yet I can confidently and with full conviction say today that I have learnt the most while being on the job - from my mistakes - from experiences - from seeing other fellow artists at work - in short by being hands-on and with practical exposure over time!
Let me end by reiterating that you have to be patient if you want to evolve as a true artist. There are no shortcuts to it. Keep practising. Keep learning. All the best.
Lekha Gupta - Celebrity Makeup Artist | Experimental Yet Artistic
Interviewed By: Farhana Khatoon
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