Working in fashion is one of those dream jobs, on par with being a marine biologist or actor or astronaut. It straddles all the creative disciplines and is in constant conversation with culture. But how do you get a foot in the door? We put this question to 7 makeup artists and hairstylists who live and breathe their craft. Below they tell RUSSH how they got their start, the products they can't live without and share the best career advice they've ever received.
Laura Mazikana
Hair Artist
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How did you get your start?
I started doing hair at home as a side hustle while I was at uni. My clientele saw my potential and inspired me to tap deeper and take this more seriously and I did just that.
What’s the look you’re most proud of?
A structural wired look that I did on Tkay Maidza for PAPER. It just came together so organically and collaboratively, igniting my artistic taste and at the same time revealing the rewards of doing something intentional.
Have you always been creative?
I’d like to believe from the minute I took my first breath on this earth I just knew I was creative. Performing has been the theme of my childhood, from dancing as a means of entertaining my family to being a theatre kid. Following a creative path really hasn’t been much of a surprise to people that know me.
Describe your style in three words…
Avant-garde, clean and versatile.
Who is your beauty muse?
I’ve got four main muses. Nikki Nelms, Jawara Wauchope, Evanie Frausto and Fesa Nu.
What’s one product you can’t live without?
Shine 'n Jam Magic Fingers. It’s just so consistent and reliable.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
To not internalise negative experiences. These experiences are unfortunately inevitable in this industry especially as a freelancer since HR is non-existent. The best thing we can do is release it out of our system and be sure of ourselves, it’s easier said than done but it’s a step closer to creating your own peace.
What’s inspiring your world right now?
People. I think I’ve always been and most likely will always be inspired by people, their experiences, ambitions and character.
Make a beauty prediction. In 2023 we’ll all be wearing…
Shoulder pads.
Tina Matti
Makeup Artist
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How did you get your start?
I got my start working as a makeup artist in a beauty store where I got hooked and immediately started an Instagram page to shoot my work for fun. It's flourished into a career that honours my innate passion for beauty and community.
What look are you most proud of?
This is hard to answer because instinctively, I'd be most proud of recent looks as my skill set has improved, but I would say it's the neon green look I did on Miski in 2019. It was the first time I booked a studio to shoot a look with the ultimate muse so I'm most proud of that.
Have you always been creative?
Yes! When I think of creativity, I think of our inner child and all the things we enjoyed as children. Earliest memory is having drawing competitions with my younger sister and having my mum judge.
Describe your makeup style in three words…
Pretty, limitless and audacious.
Who is your beauty muse?
Haifa Wehbe and Pat McGrath.
What’s one product you can’t live without?
Personally, it's the L'Oreal Telescopic mascara. I've even been using it to stamp a winged liner when I'm lazy and it's great! Kit wise it would be the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream and the Hollywood Flawless Filter.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
There's nothing to be scared of, just do it!
What’s inspiring your world right now?
The people surrounding me and my dreams.
Make a beauty prediction. In 2023 we’ll all be wearing…
SILVER!
Gillian Campbell
Makeup Artist
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How did you get your start?
Oh wow, there are so many iterations of this. I've been doing makeup on and off for close to 20 years. I started by working at the MAC counter in Perth with a host of incredible artists like Thomas De Kluyver, Carol Mackie, Clare Read, Claire Allanson (Wendy Rowe's first assistant for years), before eventually moving to London and assisting Thomas De Kluyver, Lauren Parsons, Isamaya Ffrench and Lucia Pica to name a few.
What look are you most proud of?
I think I'm often most proud of the beauty looks that I create on my own shoots – the times I get to be my experimental best self. Then aside from this I would say working with FKA Twigs and Charli XCX. It's always special collaborating on looks with artists that I admire who encourage creative expression within the realm of their overall vision.
Have you always been creative?
I think I would say yes. As a child I was always experimenting with my personal style. I have always been drawn to fashion and the concept of a transformation.
Describe your style in three words…
Experimental, fresh, fun.
Who is your beauty muse?
Georgia Harper. I'm so inspired by their beauty inside and out. I can see infinite makeup options for their face, the full potential to transform. Their style and creativity knows no bounds.
What’s one product you can’t live without?
Mecca Max Off Duty Blur Stick – I'm obsessed with this product's ability to blur skin texture.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Authenticity! Be true to yourself and your style. Take risks with beauty.
What’s inspiring your world right now?
I'm often inspired by my community. The looks that come out of queer parties and raves are what inspire me the most.
Make a beauty prediction. In 2023 we’ll all be wearing…
Brow augmentation. I keep seeing creativity within brows. Makeup used to create skinny brows, bleached brows, colourful brows, new shapes and accents. Makeup is a powerful tool and playing with new eyebrow shapes can really transform a face.
Gina Yates
Hair Stylist
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How did you get your start?
I started cutting my best friend's hair in my garden when I was about 15. I had clippers and kitchen scissors and the hair was always chaotic.
I dropped out of school in 2011 and started working on Saturdays shampooing and sweeping hair at a small salon in Darlinghurst where my mum used to get her hair done. Fast forward a year to 2012, I was in a dark place and needed a job; my mum suggested a hairdressing apprenticeship (a plot for her to have a personal hairstylist). She took me to a salon in Potts Point to hand in my resume – People Hairdressing by Hamish Glianos who at the time was arguably the best precision hair cutter in Sydney. I landed a job there which is where I did in fact get my apprenticeship (thanks Mum).
In 2018 I made a move to my current home A-H Salon in Newtown. It was here I met my now mentor and dear friend Madison Voloshin, I was incredibly lucky to start assisting him on editorial photoshoots.
The commercial and editorial world is very different and you need someone to show you the ropes. He saw something in me and showed me how to work hair with my bare hands. Now I’m on set all the time with my own vision and direction, it’s a lot of fun and I love to be around other creatives.
What look are you most proud of?
I directed my own collection of looks back in 2019 before I got into editorial/commercial work. It was a men’s series and I didn’t know a damn thing about styling hair for photos. Even though I’ve grown so much, I wouldn’t change a thing about it. That work was a turning point in my career which is why I’m most proud of it.
Have you always been creative?
I definitely have but in my own way. I’ve always been into art and performance, both as a spectator and by practice. My parents are both creatives and they’ve always been encouraging of that. I’ve harnessed my creativity and style through cutting and styling hair, I feel incredibly grateful to have made a career out of it.
Describe your style in three words…
Precise, fluid and chic.
Who is your beauty muse?
This one’s easy: Rei Kawakubo.
What’s the one product you can’t live without?
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
“Nothing is beneath you, remember that." This is so important to me, it reminds me everyday to stay humble and remember where I started from.
What’s inspiring your world right now?
The Sydney ballroom scene. It’s just everything.
Make a beauty prediction. In 2023 we’ll all be wearing…
Tailored Suits.
Lisa Fulginiti
Makeup Artist
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How did you get your start?
After 10 years working in a salon, I was ready to quit hair altogether. Randomly a friend from school gave my contact to the right person and an agency from Sydney contacted me to assist an incredible celebrity makeup artist.
Arriving on set for my first shoot, I had no idea what to do. I wasn't even a makeup artist. I just knew I had to make a good first impression. I didn't know my life was about to change, I'd say now that it was destiny.
I eventually assisted full time for both hair stylists and makeup artists learning as much as I could until it was time to move on and go out my own. I am eternally grateful for every artist who gave me an opportunity to work and learn without them I wouldn't be where I am today.
What look are you most proud of?
I don't have one look I’m most proud of. I find it really hard to decide because in each look there is always one area I am proud of. I'm most proud of my versatile skill set, something I am always working on. This is what helps me to confidently execute any looks my clients ask of me.
Have you always been creative?
Yes, my hobbies are sewing and drawing. I love thrifting clothes, cutting them up and adding random pieces I have collected. I always create hair and makeup looks to go with each outfit. My mum is my biggest support, she always pushes me to be my true self. Her confidence in me helped unleash who I am today.
Describe your style in three words…
Vintage, earthy, urban.
Who is your beauty muse?
Zoë Kravitz morphes from street style to red carpet effortlessly. I love all her hairstyles and makeups looks. She is absolute perfection!
What’s one product you can’t live without?
Lip balm – dry lips are not allowed, the feeling irritates me. Everywhere I go I have a lip balm with me. Whether that's Bite Beauty Agave Intensive Lip Mask or Carmex.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Personality is key! Your energy is what people see, if you create a good vibe and a safe place everyone is happy. It all starts in the H/MUA chair. It's important to take care of all talent, when they are comfortable and feel good in themselves they perform confidently. Ultimately I brush the brows, spray the hair and cheer them on!
What’s inspiring your world right now?
I feel inspired by working on my inner child/self, finding that spark of creativity that comes organically without fear. I'm taking some time off to travel and go get lost in the world. This is my Eat, Pray, Love moment and I'm excited to see what it brings.
Make a beauty prediction. In 2023 we’ll all be wearing…
Whatever we want. I think trends pass too fast, who can keep up? The ultimate trend is your own distinct personal style. Own it and bring it.
Kim Pham
Makeup Artist
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How did you get your start?
I was working in makeup retail for a few years and befriended a model agent there who told me to get into assisting. I honestly had no idea how to get started in the industry but she was such a great guide and let me know who to email/what to do etc. Through many years of assisting and testing with upcoming photographers I was able to build the skills that have helped me today. At one point I was even cold calling brands to ask for work.
What’s the look you’re most proud of?
There are so many... It's a toss between an eyeliner story I did on model Dohyun with Kristina Yenko and a blush shoot with Chantelle Kemkemian. The eyeliner was a fun challenge to create so many shapes and the blush shoot I see referenced EVERYWHERE which makes me super proud.
Have you always been creative?
Yes definitely. Especially when it comes to makeup. My fondest memory was when I was 9 years old, going to the pharmacy (before Mecca or Sephora days) and heading straight to the tiny makeup shelf to see the pretty eyeshadows.
Describe your style in three words…
Diffused, radiant, and imperfect.
Who is your beauty muse?
I've been loving working with Yasmin Suteja for years now and this year again for her AAFW looks. It has been the best collaborative experience.
What’s one product you can’t live without?
On myself, Sunday Riley Good Genes. In my kit, RMS Living Luminizer.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
What have you got to lose?
What’s inspiring your world right now?
Listening to people's journey's and obstacles they overcome.
Make a beauty prediction. In 2023 we’ll all be wearing…
Lip liner instead of lipstick.
Sean Brady
Makeup Artist
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How did you get your start?
Playing around in lockdown. It was the first time I didn’t feel the constraints of money and time. Temporary reprieve from the crippling capitalist pressure on creatives.
What look are you most proud of?
I couldn’t name a look I’m most proud of, but I think the projects I’ve worked on that are collaborative and conceptual mean the most to me. Building an image as opposed to just doing makeup.
Have you always been creative?
I think so. I used to make my favourite Pokémon out of felt scraps, focusing a lot of detail on the eyes.
Describe your style in three words…
Intuitive, explorative, dramatic.
Who is your beauty muse?
Any supernatural movie heroine.
What’s one product you can’t live without?
Black gel liner.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
No one is waiting for you to be great, you have to show them.
What’s inspiring your world right now?
Refinement! It’s easy to be expressive, hard to narrow down the beauty.
Make a beauty prediction. In 2023 we’ll all be wearing…
I think matte skin is coming in in an updated way. Beware dewwy skinners, your days are numbered!
Images: @gillielove; @lauraamaz; Gina Yates; @jackbennett
