The Makeup Insider

Епизоде

• I Grew Almost 2,000 Followers in 5 Weeks. Here's What Actually Worked. 14.07.2026 14мин

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Insider Diary, I give a personal update on how work and content creation have been going. The main focus is my Instagram growth, I've picked up almost 2,000 followers in five weeks by posting reels daily, and I break down exactly which reels worked, which ones flopped, and the workflow behind it all. I also cover my content days and open the waitlist for my upcoming hair masterclass. Started posting reels daily from 18 March this year. Nearly 2,000...
• You Were Born Enough: Adam Garland on Small Towns, Big Industry, and Letting Go 07.07.2026 1ч 22мин

  Send us Fan Mail Adam Garland has worked backstage, assisted Sam McKnight, and had two shots at getting onto Guido Palau's team. Right now he's in his dad's garage in Somerset, UK, building a hair education platform from scratch. In this episode we talk about how he broke into session work (Model Mayhem, zero plan), the real cost of working for free, imposter syndrome, addiction and recovery, why chasing the agency dream was holding him back, and what changed when he finally let it go. He als...
• 25 Years, No Rules, No Regrets — with Max May 30.06.2026 1ч 40мин

  Send us Fan Mail This week I sat down with Sydney makeup artist Max May. Nearly 30 years in the industry, self-taught, Armani Australia ambassador, Charlotte Tilbury Glow Squad, and one of the first artists in this country to build a blog and digital presence when the industry told him it would ruin his career. In this episode we cover: How Max got started — growing up in the country, moving to Sydney, falling into hairdressing by accident and discovering makeup on setWhy he never did formal ...
• The Inside Edit - From Retail Counter to Global Artistry: How Tannia T Built a Career That Lasts 23.06.2026 1ч 2мин

  Send us Fan Mail 3. The Inside Edit Tannia T has been doing this for over two decades. She started at the Napoleon Perdis counter and worked her way to global artistry — training staff, creating content, and travelling to LA and New York for major industry events. Today she runs her own home studio, takes one-on-one clients, does bridal work, and has some clients who have been with her for over ten years. In this episode, we get into what that kind of longevity actually looks like. The ...
• From the Mecca Counter to Agency Repped with Kiana Mei 16.06.2026 58мин

  Send us Fan Mail Kiana has been in and around the makeup industry for 13 years. But her path wasn't straight. She started on the Mecca counters, stepped away to work in disability support, and came back in 2022 through The Iconic's e-commerce team. Since then? Sydney, Milan, Paris Fashion Weeks. A freelance career built on cold calls, genuine connections, and trusting her own eye. In this episode, we talk about what it actually takes to rebuild in this industry, how networking opened doors sh...
• Set Secrets: What Every Hair and Makeup Artist Needs to Know About Working With a Stylist with Kate Lauren Harper 02.06.2026 1ч 7мин

  Send us Fan Mail What A Stylist Actually Does with Kate Lauren Harper Recently week I sat down with Sydney-based stylist Kate Lauren Harper for a refreshingly honest conversation about what stylists really do and what that means for us as hair and makeup artists on set. If you have ever wondered what the stylist is actually doing while you are in kit, or how to build a better working relationship with styling, this episode is for you. We cover: What a stylist actually does, from brief to fina...
• The Insider Edit: Kit Faves & Why You Need to Back Yourself 26.05.2026 21мин

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 2 of The Insider Edit | The Makeup Insider It's just me this week — and I'm bringing you 10 products I genuinely can't live without. Five from my kit, five I use on myself every day. Plus a quick chat about PR gifting, asking for what you want, and why a 'no' is never the end of the story. Full list of products Also in This Episode How Vanessa gets PR gifting (hint: she asks for it)Overcoming the fear of pitching yourselfWhy a 'no' just means 'not yet'The ...
• Welcome to The Insider Diaries: Where I have actually been for the last six months. 19.05.2026 26мин

  Send us Fan Mail Welcome to The Insider Diaries. This is the first of a new monthly segment where I sit down solo and chat through what is going on in my world, in the industry, and the conversations I think we should be having as makeup artists. In this episode I am pulling the curtain back on the last six months, sharing why I went quiet, and unpacking two big topics: visibility, and the Yana and Perth makeup artist situation. What we cover Where I'd been for the last six monthsMy fertility...
• Why Taste Level Beats Technique Every Time, with Molly Warkentin 12.05.2026 1ч

  Send us Fan Mail This week on The Makeup Insider, I sit down with Sydney based makeup artist Molly Warkentin for a chat that covers more than two decades in the beauty industry. Molly takes us from her UK beginnings at Chichester College, through her time at Mac and the tight knit crew she calls the Makeup Mafia, all the way to the moment she chose to step back from bridal work to make space for family. We talk about taste level, the quiet skill that separates good artists from great ones, an...
• Inside the Life of a Beauty Editor: From Glossy Magazines to an Online Presence with Sadaf Razi 05.05.2026 1ч 19мин

  Send us Fan Mail Magazines have fallen. So what does a beauty or fashion editor actually do now? In this episode, Vanessa sits down with Sadaf to unpack how the role has changed, what "cross channel pollinating" really means, and why your favourite beauty experts are now on TikTok instead of glossy pages. What we cover: The traditional beauty editor role and why it no longer existsHow editors now work across websites, video, social and podcastsWhat "cross channel pollinating" looks like day t...
• Insider Edit: The 5 Products Pro MUAs Can't Work Without 28.04.2026 31мин

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Vanessa sits down with Julia from Co Contour to spill the products they reach for on every job. From skin prep to setting spray, this is a full walk through of what's actually inside a working makeup artist's kit. What you'll learn: The skin prep routine Julia uses on every brideWhy Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter is a non negotiableThe foundation that survives Aussie humidityJulia's favourite concealer for smoothing textureThe mascara that holds a curl lik...
• From Accounting to Pat McGrath's Runway: Lottie's Self-Taught Makeup Career 21.04.2026 1ч 10мин

  Send us Fan Mail Lottie — makeup artist, educator and co-host of We Speak Beauty podcast Episode summary: Vanessa sits down with LA-based makeup artist Lottie, who made an unlikely leap from an accounting career into the beauty industry without any formal training. Lottie shares how she taught herself through magazines and hands-on experience, got discovered by Pat McGrath on MySpace, and built a career working on some of fashion's biggest runways. She also talks about the realities of self-e...
• If You Don't Ask, the Answer Is Always No - What I’ve learnt after 99 episodes of The Makeup 14.04.2026 1ч 6мин

  Send us Fan Mail SHOW NOTES Episode 100: Celebrating 100 Episodes with Vanessa Barney This week we flip the mic. For our 100th episode, I'm the one being interviewed — and honestly, it felt strange and wonderful at the same time. We go deep on what it's really been like building The Makeup Insider from the ground up, the lessons that have stayed with me, and where this podcast is heading next. If you've been here from the start, thank you. If you're new, welcome — this is a great place to jum...
• Maddy's 110 Euro Wedding Season: Lessons, Logistics & Levelling Up 18.11.2025 51мин

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Maddy Baucia returns after an incredible season completing 110 weddings across Tuscany, Umbria, and stunning destinations including the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, and Sicily. She shares the realities behind such a high-volume year: the logistics, the challenges, the systems she relied on, and the lessons she’ll carry forward. We dive into how she plans to reduce her workload to 80 weddings next season, restructure her pricing, streamline her business model, and...
• What It Really Takes to Work Destination Weddings Abroad with Jacqui Bradfield 21.10.2025 1ч 1мин

  Send us Fan Mail Navigating the European Wedding Circuit: Lessons from a Pro Makeup Artist Episode Summary In this episode of The Makeup Insider, Vanessa chats with pro makeup artist Jacqui, who recently returned from a whirlwind season working across Europe’s wedding circuit. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the bustle of Rome, Jacqui shares what it’s really like to take your artistry abroad. The highs, the hurdles, and the lessons learned from nine weddings in quick succession. Whether ...
• Celebrity Glam and TV Beauty: Michael Brown’s Journey from Dance to Lancôme. 07.10.2025 1ч 36мин

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Makeup Insider, Vanessa sits down with the incredible Michael Brown, one of Australia’s most loved and trusted makeup artists. Michael’s 25-year career has taken him from a dancer in Perth to a leading Sydney-based artist, educator, and television beauty expert. Known for his versatility and genuine connection with clients, Michael shares the story of how stage makeup sparked his love for beauty, his years representing global brands like Shiseido, Lancô...
• Elevating Your Content Game – The Four Must-Have Content Types with Suz Chadwick 23.09.2025 45мин

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Makeup Insider, I’m joined by personal branding and business coach Suz Chadwick to break down the four essential content types every creator needs to master. Whether you’re a makeup artist building your portfolio or a creative entrepreneur growing your digital presence, these content strategies will help you stand out, connect deeply with your audience, and build a brand that sells. What We Cover in This Episode: Authority Content – how to showcase your...
• The Business of Bridal: Pricing Strategies with Vanessa, Megan & Adele 09.09.2025 1ч 19мин

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Vanessa chats with bridal makeup artists Megan and Adele about the realities of working in the bridal industry. You’ll hear: Getting started in bridal makeup – how retail counters, experimentation, and building a signature style lay the foundation.Pricing strategies – packages vs à la carte, setting fair yet sustainable rates, and communicating transparently with clients.Managing extras – travel, accommodation, and why clear boundaries upfront matter.Marketin...
• Navigating the World of Creative Representation with Dolores Lavin 26.08.2025 29мин

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Makeup Insider, I sit down with Dolores Lavin, the powerhouse behind DLM Management, to unpack the world of creative representation and what it really takes to build a successful career as a creative agent. Dolores has been in the industry since the early ’90s, building a reputation as a dedicated agent who not only manages the business side but also nurtures the personal growth of the artists she represents. With nearly four decades of experience, she ...
• What’s in the Price? Bridal Makeup Insights from 4 Artists. 12.08.2025 1ч 34мин

  Send us Fan Mail Navigating the Bridal Makeup Industry: Pricing Strategies & Insights from Experienced Artists Pricing your services as a makeup artist can feel like walking a tightrope balancing your skills, expenses, market value, and confidence. In this episode of The Makeup Insider, Vanessa is joined by fellow artists Mel, Megan, Jacqui, and more to unpack what really goes into setting your rates and building a sustainable bridal business. Together, they share candid insights on...