The Makeup Insider

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to pivot from a stable career to chase a passion at 37? Meet Nichole Lee, the face behind "Nichole Lee  Makeup" on Instagram, who left her successful role as a fashion buyer to dive into the unpredictable realm of freelance makeup artistry. Nichole opens up about the emotional and financial hurdles she faced, highlighting the crucial role of savings and...

Send us Fan Mail Kath Carlin , a Melbourne hair and makeup artist, shares her journey and experiences in the industry. She discusses her work across various platforms, including network TV, TV commercials, fashion events, and sports broadcasts. Kath emphasises the importance of adaptability, building connections, and having a positive attitude in the industry. She also highlights the value of know...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it's like to transition from an 11-year-old hairdressing prodigy to a celebrated makeup artist? Join us as we chat with Rae Morris , whose journey from owning a salon by 18 to battling carpal tunnel syndrome opened new doors in the world of makeup artistry. From her groundbreaking collaborations with plastic surgeons to her ventures in designing innovative...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it takes to ascend to the top tiers of the makeup industry? Join us as we sit down with Stoj , a makeup artist whose 22-year journey spans continents and couture runways. From her humble beginnings in Brisbane to the high-fashion scenes of New York and Paris, Stoj’s story is a testament to passion, resilience, and the power of seizing opportunities. She candidly...

Send us Fan Mail Keeping Your Makeup Portfolio Interesting and Up-to-Date Guest: Ashleigh Carpenter @ashleighcarpenter Topic: The importance of testing in the makeup industry and the collaborative effort behind creating stunning portfolio images. Episode Highlights: 1. The Art of Testing: Overview: How creatives come together to produce breathtaking, portfolio-worthy images without commercial cons...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as Kat , Melbourne hair and makeup artist, shares her inspirational story of leaving an administrative job, moving to Melbourne, and diving into the world of makeup. Learn about the crucial steps she took, from gaining experience and reaching out to established artists, to becoming a hairdresser to be taken seriously in the industry. Kat's journey highlights the impor...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating Tax Pitfalls and Maximizing Deductions for Creative Professionals with Lucas from Darkwave Consulting. What we talk about: Introduction to Tax Obligations for Creatives:  Understanding the unique tax landscape for arts, entertainment, and media production industries.  Key differences between tax obligations for creatives vs. traditional nine-to-five workers. Importance...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, Vanessa Barney sits down with makeup industry expert Maxi to explore the essential strategies for building a standout makeup portfolio. Maxi shares invaluable tips and practical advice on creating a portfolio that not only showcases your skills. Key Topics Discussed: 1. The Essence of a Makeup Portfolio:   A portfolio is more than just a collection of i...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Highlights: Guest: Rowena , a seasoned expert from Pretty Creative Topic: Creating a brand that captures your individuality and speaks directly to your ideal clientele in the beauty industry Key Takeaways: 1. Beyond the Logo:   A brand is more than just a logo; it's about visual consistency, communication, and engaging content.  Focus on your unique qualities rather t...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on an exciting journey as we uncover the secrets behind a chic and efficient makeup kit with Susan Lilian from Smith Kit.  Explore the process of transitioning from clutter to clarity in your makeup collection, including depotting techniques, the debate over repressing powders, and the significance of a tidy workspace.  Key Points: Navigate product selection and organisatio...

Send us Fan Mail Aussie makeup artist Susan Lilian has been part of this wonderful industry for 18+ wonderful years. With a focus on editorial makeup, Susan enjoys a dark gothic aesthetic and clean beauty. Fusing her creative skills, Susan creates looks for high-end fashion labels, commercial brands and is a makeup director during Fashion Week. Vanessa Barney engages in an intimate conversation wi...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating the financial side of the beauty business can be as complex as a smoky eye tutorial—but it doesn't have to be! On the latest Makeup Insider podcast, we're joined by business money mentor and BAS agent Justine McLean to shed light on financial literacy for makeup artists and entrepreneurs. Justine unpacks the necessity of a positive financial mindset and how th...

Send us Fan Mail This weeks episode of  is with Nadine Monley , a Sydney-based makeup artist, champions a 'less is more' philosophy in a world dominated by high-glam looks. Her journey into beauty was serendipitous, driven by a friend's influence. Nadine's brand, Beauty Department , reflects her ethos, offering environmentally conscious products like biodegradable oil pads. She...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to turning your social media influence into a lucrative business with me, Vanessa Barney, and the insightful Victoria from Hairstyling Formula . We're peeling back the curtain on the untapped potential of digital content for beauty professionals, questioning the common practice of tagging brands in posts. Should you really be giving away your marketing magi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Makeup Insider Podcast, join Sarah Laidlaw , a prominent figure in the world of hair and makeup, as she offers a candid look into her journey from a hairdresser to freelance artist to leading the hair and makeup direction at Priceline. Sarah shares firsthand experiences from her career, including insights into fashion photo shoots and the balance between cli...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to a powerful social media presence with Mariah from Content Queen, who joins Vanessa to talk content strategy. What we talk about: - Overcoming Common Business Challenges: Finding the Best Time to Post and Staying Consistent - Mixing Up Your Content: Not Just Sticking to Instagram - Using Data to Shape Your Content and Bring in the Right Audience - Making the M...

Send us Fan Mail When the colours of a makeup palette meet the highs and lows of a dynamic career, you get the inspiring story of Justin Henry.  I had the pleasure of sitting down with this renowned makeup artist and hairstylist to talk about his journey—from working on music videos in Melbourne to becoming Creative Director for Maybelline. In this episode, Justin shares how his natural talent for...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Makeup Insider , we're joined by the incredibly talented Liz Tieu — Sydney-based hairdresser and makeup artist — as she shares her inspiring journey from studying business to becoming a powerhouse in the styling industry. Liz takes us behind the scenes of her career transformation: from eager apprentice to salon owner, and from backstage glam to TV scre...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Vanessa Barney @the.makeupinsider Guest: Nicki from The Digital Exchange Episode Focus: - Mastering digital marketing essentials for the beauty industry - Capturing target market attention and boosting income milestones Key Points: 1. **Pinpointing Dream Clients:**    - Art of identifying and attracting ideal clients    - Understanding digital arenas where they gather 2. **T...

Send us Fan Mail The Makeup Insider is a fortnightly podcast exploring the life and career of makeup artists, hosted by freelance MUA Vanessa Barney. Meet Casey Malady , a Melbourne based hair and makeup artist.  Topics covered: Wedding Season in Europe: Casey shares her invaluable insights and tips on how to navigate the wedding season in Europe. From dos and don'ts to quoting for travel and...

Send us Fan Mail The Makeup Insider is a fortnightly podcast exploring the life and career of makeup artists, hosted by freelance MUA Vanessa Barney. Meet Celeste Speziale , makeup artist, hairdresser, and beauty therapist based in Melbourne. In this episode, Celeste shares her experiences of getting lost in her makeup career and how she is redirecting it.  Topics covered include: 1. Mindset Matte...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Makeup Insider, host Vanessa Barney sits down with Sydney-based hair and makeup artist Camilla Leary . With experience spanning multiple genres and industries, Camilla offers a fascinating glimpse into her diverse and successful career. Episode Highlights: Camilla's unique perspective on e-commerce jobs and why she finds them engaging rather than mundan...

Send us Fan Mail The Makeup Insider is a fortnightly podcast exploring the life and career of makeup artists, hosted by freelance MUA Vanessa Barney. "Meet Kerrie Stanley : The Multifaceted Creative Extraordinaire – Makeup Magician, Hair Guru, Wig Wizard, Millinery Maven, and Innovative Creator . Key Takeaways: Tackling Creative Butterflies: Kerrie's here to remind us that no matter wher...

Send us Fan Mail The Makeup Insider is a fortnightly podcast exploring the life and career of makeup artists, hosted by freelance MUA Vanessa Barney. This week: Getting personal with Makeup artist Jade Kisnorbo , known as Jade K , has carved out a diverse and successful career in the industry.  Based in Melbourne, Australia, she has worked on various projects, from Wellness Australia to Grand Prix...

Send us Fan Mail The Makeup Insider is a fortnightly podcast exploring the life and career of makeup artists, hosted by freelance MUA Vanessa Barney. This week: Getting personal with Creative Director and founder Justine from Malone Co.  Justine shares insights into the role of a creative director and how it relates to makeup artists.  Key takeaways: •Portfolio building tip, what clients look for...