The Makeup Insider

Send us Fan Mail

This week: getting personal with Chelsea Nieper, an experienced advertising producer who pushes boundaries to make the impossible, possible.

Producers are quintessential in aligning a client’s vision with the agency’s brief. With over 15 years’ experience, generally in the advertising agency realm, Chelsea reveals her top tips to getting a foot in the door with producers, gives insight into makeup clients through case studies and offers some sage advice for up-and-coming mua.

“BE GOOD AT YOUR CRAFT. BE EXCEPTIONAL. THAT’S WHAT PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER. BUT… WHAT PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER MORE, IS THE CONVERSATION YOU HAD ON SET. THE LAUGHS YOU SHARED OVER COFFEE… THEY’RE THE THINGS THAT MAKE PEOPLE WANT TO WORK WITH YOU AGAIN.”

Chelsea Nieper

The Hair Edit Waitlist 

Weekly Newsletter 

Follow TMI on IG 

Follow Vanessa on IG

The Makeup Insider Blog 

The Makeup Insider TikTok

The Gifting Checklist 

Send us Fan Mail

The Makeup Insider is a weekly one-on-one podcast exploring the life and career of makeup artists, hosted by freelance mua Vanessa Barney. This week: getting personal with Stella Tu, Taiwan-born mua who launched her own line, Tu+Kit and grew her following from 8,000 to 80,000 through Instagram Reels.

***Language warning***

Ever felt the cold sting of rejection? Yikes! It’s something none of us like and are rarely comfortable with. But what if I told you that rejection doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough; it means the other person failed to notice what you have to offer^.

As artists, we face rejection all too often – and what it does is actually fire up a response in our brains. For Stella, this response motivated her to self-improve and focus on what she brought to the table.

   “I still get anxious on every job, but you need to know how to pick yourself up [after rejection] and learn to embrace failure – it’s through failure we learn.”

Stella Tu 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The REELS of engagement.

1. Audit
2. Be consistent
3. Do reels

If you’re looking to grow your following, then stop scrolling and take a peak at some insta reels.

R•E•E•L

A short, entertaining video, where you can express your creativity. Good for brands, artists (and dog lovers... ok we just added that one in 😉😉)

For an artist, we need to be excellent at using the tools we have. When there is an opportunity to showcase your skills and creativity, we should be shouting HELL- YES!

Stella grew her Instagram following from 8,000 to 80,000 followers by using videos of applications on models recorded during photoshoots and model collabs.

Her best tip? Record short clips every time you do an application, that way you can easily combine them into an engaging reel.

“Take the time to analyse your content... What content is performing well and what isn’t? Be content critical – your audience will be, but don’t be too hard on yourself – REMEMBER: YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH.”

Stella Tu

What I learnt about Bridal.

I often hear artists are weary about getting into bridal because of the ‘bridezilla’ persona… but have you done makeup on a model who hasn’t eaten all day?

REOW – same vibes!
As an artist, if you love all things bridal, then making the transition into this area can be worth the effort. From face-to-face courses to online masterclasses, there are plenty of ways to gain experience across bridal hair and makeup. With 3 mannequins at home to practice on (blonde, red and black), Stella cautions you to practice… a lot. Bridal makeup isn’t about what you think is best for the bride, it’s about what the bride wants. Of course, you must input some of your expertise, but leave your pride at the door – today is all about THEM.

Creative ideas.
Be inspired by those who inspire you. Whether it’s an artist you can relate to, or one you admire – be passionate about your creativity.

Tu&Kit evolved during Australia’s first pandemic lockdown period. Inspired by the UK line, Stella designed the kit herself, after always having to dig around for her pencils in the bottom of her makeup bag.

The Hair Edit Waitlist 

Weekly Newsletter 

Follow TMI on IG 

Follow Vanessa on IG

The Makeup Insider Blog 

The Makeup Insider TikTok

The Gifting Checklist 

Send us Fan Mail

The Makeup Insider is a weekly one-on-one podcast exploring the life and career of makeup artists, hosted by freelance mua Vanessa Barney. This week: getting personal with Mia Connor, fashion and red carpet-style makeup artist.

For freelance makeup artists, content creation days are the new TFP’s (time for print). Mua’s often use this time to build their portfolio with work that shows their strengths, skills and diversity - ultimately helping them land the sort of work they want to be doing (and getting paid for!). Mua’s can also use this time to unleash their creativity and keep their work up-to-date.

Mia Connor, self-confessed quality control freak runs content creation masterclasses, born from many years of trial, training and transition.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

What does well.

Makeup artists need to stay abreast of trends, have an intuitive knowledge of colours, lighting, and style, fit the brief AND always have the end goal of making our clients look the absolute best. Easy, huh!

From juicy skin to dramatic eyes, Mia loves to mix up her style, while keeping synonymous with her brand and the environment.

2021 has seen the fresh no-makeup look remain a top favourite, alongside the ‘American’ glamour with heavy foundation, manicured brows, and deep contouring.

Wear different hats.

Having exposure to and training across, as many different areas of makeup as you can, ultimately will help build your portfolio and increase your scope of availability for jobs.

For Mia, training across multiple genres including glamour, editorial, fashion, lifestyle and special effects – to hairstyling, hair extensions, tanning and eyebrows (what can’t this woman do!), meant she could turn her side hustle into a career.

In the makeup industry, everything is pigeon holed. You can’t be seen to be the ‘jack of all trades’, you need to own one... or so we’ve been conditioned to think. Mia is happily an exception to the rule – and a great role model to other mua’s looking to switch specialities.

Shake up your career.

From paralegal to successful entrepreneur and well- regarded makeup artist. Mia’s career path is anything but ordinary.

Leaving a secure job to open your own business can be incredibly daunting, but ultimately if you’re happy to take the plunge and give it everything you’ve got – it can be very rewarding. 

“It’s hard to start freelancing when you don’t know anyone in your city, so I hustled every hour I had outside of my 9-5, until I was busy enough to make the decision to do makeup full-time.” 

Mia Connor 

The Hair Edit Waitlist 

Weekly Newsletter 

Follow TMI on IG 

Follow Vanessa on IG

The Makeup Insider Blog 

The Makeup Insider TikTok

The Gifting Checklist 

Send us Fan Mail

The Makeup Insider is a weekly one-on-one podcast exploring the life and career of makeup artists, hosted by freelance mua Vanessa Barney. 

Integral to the success of any makeup artist is their ability to pivot styles to suit the brief. Makeup often needs to change to complement the client, the lighting, the photographer or the trend.

@Julia Green is thankful makeup has come such a long way. Inspired by an article in @Vogue when she was in year 8 of people doing makeup on models backstage in the Milan and Paris Fashion Shows, she was roused to “create”.

FUN FACT: Julia still has the Vogue article which set her on her path to becoming a makeup artist!

If you’re just starting out or have been in the industry for a long time, tune in now, check out the key takeaways and subscribe for future updates below.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

CREATE.

Makeup artists don’t just ‘do’, we ‘create’. Julia found her spark early on, putting her hand up to do makeup at every opportunity she could. The School Play? Yes, a perfect place to get hands on practice and an introduction to products. Through your course instructors? Yes, you’ll be surprised the good stead these connections will put you in, in years to come.

Beauty styles, special effects, period makeup, character makeup and development – get a good overview of everything, so that when it’s your time to create, you can show off that spark of yours!

“At the start (of my career) there wasn’t a lot of makeup available... think thick crayons, aqua colour, pan sticks and grease paints – these weren’t very inspiring when you love CREATING. Makeup has come such a long way, which is one of the most exciting things, with technology changes, you have to understand your formulas for makeup.”

Julia Green

 Your work hours are all over the place and yes a 4am start is a very possible reality. Make sure you are reliable and consistent with your clients.

Don’t underestimate WOM.

From cold calling clients to the ole’ grapevine (now called the Googles!), word of mouth is critical and can make or break your career.

Julia employed the “go see” technique, calling up photographers and artists to get her foot in the door and show them her portfolio.

Building a solid, loyal client base takes time, patience and a little bit of savvy (wine optional!). Find artists and brands you want to be aligned with, be professional and show up.

Communication (is Queen!).

What happens when sh*t doesn’t go the right way? Communicate, communicate, communicate.

Exceptional customer service skills are extremely important; this means learning the hierarchy and when you can step in. It’s building your community and keeping their bookings (yes, that hangover is going to have to be fixed with a breaky burger & large Coke enroute to the booking).

This industry is crazy fun and crazy hours – and you’ll find communication does a lot more than just keep the lights on.

“I went from grooming footy players for retail ads to being a lead mua for Fashion Week. Communication is so important, realise your capabilities and advocate for yourself. You can grow your community organically by being reliable.”

Julia Green

The Hair Edit Waitlist 

Weekly Newsletter 

Follow TMI on IG 

Follow Vanessa on IG

The Makeup Insider Blog 

The Makeup Insider TikTok

The Gifting Checklist 

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 1

This week: getting personal with Monica Gingold, a highly skilled, go-to makeup artist who transforms current trends into relevant concepts for the makeup industry.

For Monica Gingold, everything fell naturally in to place once she built up her little black book of industry connections (and put a hell-of-a-lot of work in along the way!).

If you’re just starting out or have been in the industry for a long time, tune in now, check out the key takeaways and subscribe for future updates.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Starting out.

Get exposure to the industry any way you can. Take a short course, do work experience in a beauty salon or retail. Practice doing makeup for family and friends and build your portfolio.

Monica always loved hair and makeup, from watching her grandma get glam on the daily to helping do the makeup at her school play – something sparked in her that she loved and she continued to chase that spark long into her career. As a junior, the best tip Monica would give is to be confident and always offer up your skills.

“I had good direction very young and knew I wanted to work in the makeup industry, but I had no life experience and grew up in a small community. I put my hand up to work for free and assist as much as I could to start building my portfolio and learning as much as I could along the way.”

Monica Gingold 

Be a chameleon.

Monica emphasises the importance of learning how to read a room. Sometimes you’ll have a client who wants to chat, other times it will be an opportunity for you to network with the other artists in the room, and sometimes it pays to just be quiet.

Learn by watching those around you and find a mentor in the industry that has opposite strengths to you. Makeup is more about how your client feels, rather than how they look. Read that again.

“Making it”.

When did Monica make it?

She is an overnight success, 10 years in the making.

Monica has experience in theatre, film tv, special effects, fashion, bridal, events, everything... and encourages all mua’s to gain experience working across different demographics. You need to constantly practice to truly master your skills and be prepared for anything – every client and every job is unique. Your skills need to be versatile enough to slay no matter the job.

Realising her strengths lay in the artistry, not the admin (and you better believe there is A LOT of admin being a freelance mua) Monica launched @Tonic – a makeup education cross bridal agency company.

“Tonic works because we were really smart about

Having good relationships in the industry is

everything. If you don’t have that organically

then having an agent is important.”

Monica Gingold

@monicagingold_beauty 

tonicagency.com.au 

@tonic.makeup.hair

@the.makeupinsider

The Hair Edit Waitlist 

Weekly Newsletter 

Follow TMI on IG 

Follow Vanessa on IG

The Makeup Insider Blog 

The Makeup Insider TikTok

The Gifting Checklist