The Makeup Insider

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  From the Opera House to Viral TikTok: Ask Ellen on Building a Beauty Career That Actually Lasts 08.09.2026 1год 49хв

  Ellen's Blog Post From the Opera House to Viral TikTok, with Ask Ellen.This week I sat down with Ellen Malone — makeup artist, beauty content creator, and reigning Australian and New Zealand Beauty and Fashion Creator of the Year. She's also, quietly, a trained opera singer who's performed at the Sydney Opera House and played the lead in Carmen. Yes, really.We got into everything. Her start on a Mac counter at 20, the year she completely flopped online before anything took off, the real numbers behind influencer pay, and the makeup technique she thinks the whole industry has been teaching wrong.We cover:Winning Creator of the Year and why the win itself hit different to the metricsWhy "creative careers choose you," and Ellen's double life as an opera singerThe real earnings gap between male and female influencers in AustraliaWhy "natural" is the most useless brief a client can give youHer first ever wedding, done via six buses and a train with a metal fold-out kitGetting hired at Mac at 20 with no formal training and having to prove herselfHer hot take that 80% of artists can't colour match properlyThe real history of underpainting, and why she thinks a whole generation of artists were taught it wrongThe wedding that got called off mid-makeup (and why it had nothing to do with the makeup)Why she'll never tell you her best client storiesHow COVID, a redundancy, and a full year of flopping led to her actual careerHer current kit favourites, from an underrated blush trio to a foundation for mature, textured skin.
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  A Full Face, Live: Every Product Michael Brown Reached For. Watch on Youtube. 01.09.2026 59хв

  Send us Fan MailMichael Brown is back on The Insider Edit, and this time it's not a chat, it's a full face, live, start to finish. Michael's been in the industry since the early 2000s (he started at Estée Lauder back in 2000), trained under Gucci Westman during her years as Lancôme's creative director, and now works mostly red carpet and event glam: Melbourne Cup, the Logies, Farmer Wants A Wife, Today Show appearances, and a week of 6am glams at Royal Ascot in London. In this episode he puts a full face on our model Kate and talks through every product and every step as he goes. To watch this episode head to Youtube. Head to The Makeup Insider Blog for a full list and links to all products used. What we covered:Skin prep with the reformulated Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream (peptides and niacinamides now in the formula, built not to pill under foundation), plus Naturium as a lighter, no-actives alternativeTarte's new mattifying ball primer, used just in the centre of the faceCharlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter as a glow and blur step, used under the eyes, above the lip, and down the centre of the faceTrying the brand new Make Up For Ever HD Foundation live for the first time, in shade 222N Neutral, applied with an Hourglass foundation brushWhy Michael's whole kit runs neutral shades, and how that compares to Hung Vanngo's all-neutral foundation rangeA rundown of the long-wear foundations Michael rates: Double Wear back in the day, NARS Longwear, and YSL All Hours on his to-try listConcealer with Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless, applied sparingly with a tiny Kitology spongeContour with a Westman Atelier stick (shade Truffle) and why Michael's placing contour higher for lift rather than lower for sculptingBronzer with Haus Labs (no shimmer, ever) and the one spot everyone forgets: the neckBlush with the Haus Labs Glassy Blush Balm in Ginger, used high on the orbital bone as a blush-highlighter hybridEyes with three of the Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-eyes sticks: Cashmere Sculpt, Mink Sculpt and Ballet QuartzTight lining with Fenty eyeliner, and why Michael's doing more tight line and less top eyeliner these daysTaking the look from day to night with Make Up For Ever's Limitless Brown liner along the lash lineBrows with the Anastasia Beverly Hills ArchiBrow pencil and Brow Freeze WaxThe Charlotte Tilbury Magic Vanish as a final brightening step under the eyesLips with the Make Up For Ever Artist Pencil in Anywhere Caffeine, buffed out with an eyeshadow brush, topped with the new Haus Labs Lip LacquerSetting the whole look with a touch of Fenty powder and MCo Beauty's brand new All Day-a spray, an official Skindinavia collaboration built on the original All-Nighter formula, not a dupeThe Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  Inside Michael Brown's Kit: Charlotte Tilbury, House Labs And A $4 Amazon Find. 24.08.2026 34хв

  Send us Fan MailMichael Brown is back on The Insider Edit for round two. He's a freelance makeup artist with 25 years in the industry, he started out on retail counters for the Lauder Group, then moved in-house at L'Oréal, and he's been freelance for the last 12 years, mostly doing event and red carpet work. We kick off talking about the reality of PR gifting (15 to 20 deliveries a week is his average) before going full kit rundown, complexion through to tools. We're also trialling a new segment where we'll put some of these products on a model's face in real time.Watch on Youtube. What we covered:Michael's system for sorting through 15 to 20 PR gifts a week: straight to kit, a gift for someone else, or "I'll see how it goes"Why he only posts about a gift when it's genuinely new, like Tarte's primers with roller balls built inBrands trusting him with pre-launch samples, including lab samples that aren't even in packaging yetAll products are Listed on the blog. The Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  Growth Wins And Gifting: My Instagram Update Plus A 5-Step Checklist to Gifting 17.08.2026 14хв

  Send us Fan MailIt's just me this episode. I'm giving you an update on the last couple of weeks in my world, where Project 10K is really at, and a full five-step checklist for makeup artists trying to get gifting from brands.What I cover:Why it's finally busy again in the Sydney makeup world after a slow, quiet stretchMy last two weeks on the tools: five days of shoots, grooming Shep Rose from a US reality show, and grooming for the LogiesMy Project 10K update: I'm sitting at 5,500 followers, up around 500 in the last week aloneThe one reel that's driving most of my growth, and why I keep reposting it instead of chasing new contentThe five-step gifting checklist: write your wish list, optimise your page, find the contact, write your pitch, follow upWhy knowing someone's name matters before you pitch themHow to track your outreach, and why persistence is the whole game (I've had people respond after five follow-ups)"Shoot Your Shot Wednesday" and the 100 Rejections challengeA possible workshop on gifting, if you're interested, DM meGrab the checklist: download my free 5-step gifting checklist here.The Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  Rejection, Reinvention And Taking Back Your Career 10.08.2026 56хв

  Send us Fan MailBlog post Adam Garland is back on The Insider Diary for episode 116. He's a UK-based session hairstylist who spent five years as the face of global brand Authentic Beauty Concept. These days he's building his own path: mentoring other artists, shooting his own images, and working with heritage beauty brands he actually believes in. His first episode with us got such a good response we're turning this into a monthly chat.This episode was sparked by a listener question from Australia about brand loyalty, so we went deep on trust, rejection, and how to stop taking it personally when a client doesn't rebook you.What we covered:A listener's question about brand loyalty: a client took a whole team interstate for a shoot and left the makeup artist behindWhy a first option is never a confirmed booking, especially during fashion weekThe idea of "reducing uncertainty": clients don't book the best artist, they book the one they know won't cause complicationsVanessa's own story about brand loyalty, and never getting booked againWhy rejection in this industry is rarely personal, even when it feels like itThe Guido example: why a top hairstylist still gets ticked for a job before the shoot even startsWorking from your own essence instead of chasing what you think will get seenHairstylists and makeup artists building their own image worlds instead of waiting on brands: Mustafa Yanas, Joey George, Benjamin Mueller and Anataka HashiAdam's own move into photography, shooting his own models at Workroom Studios in Limehouse, London, with his mentee ZoranWhy heritage brands hit different: Isles Formula, Keune and Gisou, and what makes their stories genuineWhy asking for help is harder than it should be, for both of usThe Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  From Sephora to Touring with Kesha: Alana Lucky on Building a Career in Makeup 03.08.2026 1год 18хв

  Send us Fan MailLink to blog - all products mentioned linked. Watch on YoutubeAlana has been doing makeup for 12 years. She started fresh out of high school, worked the floor at Sephora's Broadway store, moved to London at 21 with zero plan and a backpack full of kit, built a career doing campaigns for Jaded London, came back to Australia during COVID, assisted the incredible Gillian Campbell, and has most recently been touring the world with Kesha.Oh, and she's now signed with a talent agency for her content. The girl moves.In this episode we get into:Why working retail at Sephora is the best foundation you'll ever get (and why it's also exhausting as hell)What it's actually like to do hair and makeup in London for an Uber-style beauty appThe Jaded London campaign that changed everythingCOVID killing her momentum right when things were starting to move — and coming back from thatAssisting Gillian Campbell and why feeling valued on set matters more than people admitWhat a day on tour with Kesha actually looks like (spoiler: you can't poo on the bus)The longevity routine she used to make Kesha's base last through a full concertHow a TikTok she almost didn't post got her 27,000 followers in a monthWhy people don't care who you are on TikTok — they just want to learn somethingEverything being an exchange and why that's not a bad thingWhat's next: Europe, Canada, America and a product line in the worksWebsite Talent The Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  Inside Edit with Katie Moore's Kit: Merit, Westman Atelier and more. 27.07.2026 52хв

  Send us Fan MailAll products mentioned linked in blog. Watch on YoutubeThis week I'm joined by Sydney makeup artist Katie Moore. If you follow her work you'll know her style straight away, soft, skin focused, never overdone. We talked career, bridal work, and how she keeps things running without burning out. Then we did what we always do and pulled apart our kits.Katie Moore is a Sydney-based makeup artist, trained in New Zealand about 17 years ago at a four month full time makeup course focused on film and TV.She started out on the MECCA Cosmetica counter in Ponsonby, Auckland, then freelanced on music videos and worked on the TV series Spartacus in New Zealand.She moved to Australia in 2014 and broke into TV commercials after meeting a fashion stylist while waitressing in a Surry Hills cafe.Her work now spans fashion campaigns, lookbooks, e-com shoots, special events and bridal.Bridal work really kicked off for her after she had her son, and she's represented by an agent Kellie from The Future Mrs who handles her wedding bookings, trials and admin.Most of her work comes through referrals and word of mouth, plus Instagram, which she treats as an unofficial portfolio.She doesn't set hard goals, she calls it "manifesting" instead, and this year that included a wedding that landed in Vogue.July is her quiet month. She uses it for admin, taxes and catching up with other makeup artists before things pick back up around October with regional weddings.Her advice for makeup artists starting out: stay connected to your network, ask questions, say yes to hard jobs, and know there's no union for makeup artists so open conversations between artists matter.Katie and Vanessa go through their kit favourites, kit tools and personal skincare and haircare picks. Full list with notes in the blog post.The Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  25 Years, Two Continents, One Agency: Heidi Scarlett King on Building a Career That Actually Lasts 20.07.2026 1год 22хв

  Send us Fan MailFrom Mac OG to Agency Founder with Heidi Scarlett KingThis week I sat down with Sydney-based makeup artist and King Co Creative founder Heidi Scarlett King — and yes.Heidi has one of those careers that sounds like fiction. She started at Mac in Sydney when the brand had just launched, assisting Fashion Week shows a season. Then she packed up and moved to London with no plan, started again from scratch, ended up at the Mac Pro Store in Soho, ended up on ITV This Morning as a beauty expert, got on Pat McGrath's runway team in Paris, and came home in 2014 to build an agency with 45 artists on the books.This one covers the full arc. The exciting bits, the lonely bits, and the hard-won truths that only come from doing this for a really long time.We cover:Starting at Mac in the 2000s and what Australian Fashion Week looked like at its peakAssisting legend Dottie and why those early years were the making of herStarting over in London and what six years there taught her about resilienceGetting onto Pat McGrath's team at Paris Fashion Week and what that world is really likeAccidentally becoming a TV beauty expert on ITV This MorningWhy she moved back to Sydney in 2014 and how hard it was to restart — againHow the industry shifted post-Instagram and why events became where the money wentDirecting Australian Idol and The Voice — and how that gave birth to King Co CreativeManaging 45 artists: what she values more than talent, and why integrity can't be taughtThe Cartier Opera House event: 63 hair and makeup artists across 10 Sydney hotelsThe best advice she has for artists just starting outPlus Heidi shares her current kit favourites — the By Terry powder she's been using for 15 years, her new Tarte tubing mascara obsession, and why the Half Percent lip liner is her ride or die right now.The Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  I Grew Almost 2,000 Followers in 5 Weeks. Here's What Actually Worked. 13.07.2026 14хв

  Send us Fan MailIn 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 new followers in about five weeks.Biggest lesson from the whole run: people only watch for 7 to 13 seconds. The hook decides whether they stay.My workflow: uses ChatGPT to help with captions, hooks and on-screen prompts, edits everything in the Edits app, posts to Instagram first, pulls the original file from Edits (not a re-download from Instagram) to post on TikTok, then reposts from TikTok to YouTube Shorts.Next move: repost her best performers again with a reworked hook, using ChatGPT to help tweak them.Advice for anyone starting out: just start. Mistakes are part of it. You'll find your style along the way. Collaboration helps (like her episode with Max) but isn't essential.Announcement: the waitlist is open for her hair masterclass. Format isn't locked in yet (leaning look-and-learn), and it'll be offered virtually too, so it's not just for Sydney or Australia.The Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  You Were Born Enough: Adam Garland on Small Towns, Big Industry, and Letting Go 06.07.2026 1год 23хв

  Send us Fan MailAdam 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 also shares the products he genuinely uses on set and why the humble ponytail elastic deserves way more respect than it gets.How Adam fell into hairdressing at 14 and went from a village salon to Vidal Sassoon, Tony & Guy, and eventually session workFinding his way into editorial around 2008-2010 via Model Mayhem, testing before he even knew testing was a thingAssisting Sam McKnight backstage at Chanel with Karl Lagerfeld and Kendall Jenner in the chairWhat nobody tells you about walking into those environments for the first time when you're from a small townThe industry language nobody teaches you: options, confirms, releases, pencils, hard outsThe pay debate: why working for free is not a free university, it's one day of universityHis experience on Guido Palau's team, twice, and why it didn't work out either timeAddiction, recovery, and how starting his recovery journey around 2018 changed everythingWhy Sam McKnight's team stood by him for five years through the hard stuffAI in the creative industry and why "AI slop" is the wrong responseLetting go of the agency dream and what happened to his career when he didBuilding sessionhair.com: 1:1 mentoring, a free initial consult, and an education platform coming soonArchive research and why knowing your references is how you find your visual identityProducts covered in this episode:Bedhead TIGI Queen for a Day thickening sprayKeune Get a Grip texturiserKeune Sea FoamSam McKnight Modern HairspraySession Kit elastics (sessionkit.co.uk)Connect with Adam Instagram YouTubeSession Hair The Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  25 Years, No Rules, No Regrets — with Max May 29.06.2026 1год 40хв

  Send us Fan MailThis 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 training and why he still thinks assisting is the best way to learn this industryWhat it was actually like to assist in those early days — it was tough, the industry was different, and he got on a bus to pick up dog poop for the person he worked underHis years doing fashion weeks in Paris, New York and MilanBeing the Australian Armani ambassador and what that role actually looked likeDirecting fashion shows in Australia for ten years straightWorking with Jennifer Hawkins, Laura Bingle, Sarah Murdoch, Cheyenne Tozzi, Miranda Kerr and Mel B on The Masked SingerWhy he finds editorial more creatively satisfying than TVBeing one of the first Australian makeup artists to go digital — he lost work and friends over it and did it anywayHis social media formula: how many times he posts a week and what the algorithm actually wants right nowWhy he has zero interest in TikTok and is not sorry about itHis thoughts on AI and staying relevant in a changing industryFull list of products mentioned over on The Makeup Insider. Max May The Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  The Inside Edit - From Retail Counter to Global Artistry: How Tannia T Built a Career That Lasts 22.06.2026 1год 2хв

  Send us Fan Mail3. 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 kit, the tools, the booking system, the products she keeps coming back to, and the real talk about social media as a working artist.We cover:How Tannia went from Napoleon Perdis retail to global artistryTraining staff and creating content for a major brandTravelling to LA and New York for industry eventsBuilding and running her own home studioBalancing bridal work, one-on-one clients, and being a mumHer Surratt eyelash curler obsession (and why it's worth it)Sonya G brushes — quality over quantityBy Terry CC Brightening and Benefit Brow GlazeHer honest take on social media as a business toolHow she manages bookings: manual tracking meets Google CalendarThe Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  From the Mecca Counter to Agency Repped with Kiana Mei 15.06.2026 58хв

  Send us Fan MailKiana 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 she didn't even know existed, and why finding your own aesthetic matters more than chasing trends.We cover:How Kiana got back into the industry through The Iconic's e-commerce teamWhy cold-calling creative agencies actually worksHow assisting at Fashion Weeks changed her careerBuilding a skin-focused, mood-driven styleHer kit essentials — including NARS Sheer Glow and Giorgio Armani Luminous SilkWhat she wishes she'd known earlierFor aspiring and working artists, this one is worth a listen.The Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  Set Secrets: What Every Hair and Makeup Artist Needs to Know About Working With a Stylist with Kate Lauren Harper 01.06.2026 1год 7хв

  Send us Fan MailWhat A Stylist Actually Does with Kate Lauren HarperRecently 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 final lookHow mood boards, client decks, and feedback rounds shape the whole shootWhy timelines and budgets are never as simple as they seemThe unspoken etiquette of working on setHow the stylist x hair and makeup relationship works (and when it does not)Kate's path from Wollongong to lead stylist, including the ecomm grind that built her skillsWhy boundaries matter more than you think, for stylists and for usThe Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  The Insider Edit: Kit Faves & Why You Need to Back Yourself 25.05.2026 21хв

  Send us Fan MailEpisode 2 of  The Insider Edit | The Makeup InsiderIt'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 EpisodeHow Vanessa gets PR gifting (hint: she asks for it)Overcoming the fear of pitching yourselfWhy a 'no' just means 'not yet'The scheduling technique that changed how she reaches outThe Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  Welcome to The Insider Diaries: Where I have actually been for the last six months. 18.05.2026 26хв

  Send us Fan MailWelcome 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 coverWhere I'd been for the last six monthsMy fertility journey, IVF and where I am at nowHashimoto's, mood, motivation and how it has affected my workWhy two episodes sat in my drafts folder for six monthsThe new podcast format: two guest interviews, plus Insider Diaries and Insider Edit each monthA listener comp to be a guest on The Insider EditVisibility as a makeup artist and why it matters nowPosting daily on Instagram and what I have learnedThe Yana and Perth makeup artist situation, and my honest takeWhy I no longer do unpaid collaborationsWhat to get in writing before you say yes to any collabMentioned in this episodeCiara from Pro Shine and her blog on visibilityMarissa Grace - Bridalpreneur Socials Ask Ellen two part reel series on discretionWant to be on The Insider Edit?I am running a listener comp. If you would love to come on the podcast and chat about your favourite kit products, DM me on Instagram with your pitch.Loved this episode?Share it with another makeup artist or beauty lover, follow the show, and leave a review. It genuinely helps me reach more people.The Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  Why Taste Level Beats Technique Every Time, with Molly Warkentin 11.05.2026 1год 1хв

  Send us Fan MailThis 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, and why building real relationships will always outperform chasing follower counts.In this episode we coverMolly's start in the UK and the pivot to SydneyStudying at Chichester College and what she would do differentlyLife at Mac and the network that became the Makeup MafiaAdding hairdressing to her offering and why she resisted at firstTaste level and how to build itStepping back from bridal to protect family timeHer honest advice for new artists trying to break inQuotable moments"Skill gets you in the room. Taste keeps you there.""The best opportunities I had came from people, not posts."Molly WarkentinThe Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  Inside the Life of a Beauty Editor: From Glossy Magazines to an Online Presence with Sadaf Razi 04.05.2026 1год 19хв

  Send us Fan MailMagazines 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 to dayWhy interviewing dermatologists on TikTok is the new normalWhat this shift means for anyone trying to break into the industryGuest: SadafThe Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  Insider Edit: The 5 Products Pro MUAs Can't Work Without 27.04.2026 31хв

  Send us Fan MailIn 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 like nothing elseEveryday personal favourites from both artistsThe Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist  
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  From Accounting to Pat McGrath's Runway: Lottie's Self-Taught Makeup Career 20.04.2026 1год 10хв

  Send us Fan MailLottie — makeup artist, educator and co-host of We Speak Beauty podcastEpisode 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-employment, the pressure of social media and why so many artists undervalue themselves.In this episode:How Lottie transitioned from accounting to makeup artistry in Los AngelesTeaching herself through magazines and on-the-job experienceThe MySpace moment that led to working with Pat McGrathWhat fashion runway work actually looks and feels likeWhy resilience and authenticity matter more than credentialsLottie's masterclasses and the We Speak Beauty podcastHow social media has changed the industry and what artists should focus on insteadGuest links:Instagram: @lotstarWebsite: www.lotstar.comThe Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist