We were lucky to catch up with Hannah Lyle recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Hannah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

The journey to becoming a makeup artist has not been a straight line. For as long as I can remember, I’ve continually gone back and forth with the idea of doing makeup professionally. My hesitation has been driven by the fear of turning my passion into a chore, thus potentially ruining the relationship between artist and medium. Would I grow tired of it? Could burnout breed resentment of the craft? While I currently do freelance artistry, there were a few years where my fear was so paralyzing, I stopped doing makeup altogether. It wasn’t until an interaction with a fellow creative that I felt empowered to embrace the artist I’d been trying to silence for so long:

Recently, I had the honor of collaborating with some of Springfield’s most talented creatives. During the collaboration – as I was weaving yarn across the planes of my model’s face – the other model stated, “You can really tell that you’re in your element.”

Now, that may seem like a simple observation, but to me, it meant everything. As a self-taught makeup artist, I’ve spent years combatting imposter syndrome, convincing myself that I was “less than.” So for someone to recognize that I was “in my element,” and to feel compelled to share the sentiment, was powerful.

Powerful enough to light the fire I’d extinguished so long ago. From that moment forward, I worked harder than ever to establish myself as a professional makeup artist in the community. Since embarking on this endeavor, I have steadily built a clientele base (whom I love!), as well as a network of talented individuals, and I couldn’t be more in my element.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Hannah, and I am a self-taught, professional makeup artist! I have been doing freelance makeup professionally since 2015, and while I dabble in special effects, “glam” is the name of my game. I specialize in all things glamorous – soft glam, full glam, bridal, bright, colorful, you name it! The beauty industry is ever-evolving, and I love being along for the ride!

In addition to my experience behind the brush, I have been a Salon Director for four years, which has allowed me to play in the hair world, as well! One of my favorite things is building relationships, and in this line of work, I’m able to do that with my team, as well as my clients. Needless to say, I am incredibly fortunate to have a career that blends the analytic and creative worlds; it keeps my skills sharp, and my cup full.

Something I am most proud of is a project I did in 2020. The project was called “Operation 366,” and it involved me sharing a new makeup look to my Instagram every day for a year (if you recall, 2020 was a leap year). By sheer determination – and my innately stubborn nature – I completed the project! It was quite the challenge, but I grew so much as an artist, and I was so proud of myself by the end of it. Oh! And one of the photos I posted landed me in the Top 25 for the One Shot Hair Awards in 2021! So that was really cool.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative is seeing how my work impacts others.

In one regard, I love seeing the confidence my clients exude after they’ve received a makeup service. The beauty in bringing forth a person’s innermost self-love is incredibly rewarding, and I’m honored to share in that experience.

On the other hand, much of my work in special effects is reflective of how I interpret/channel pain. Whether it be stress, confusion, frustration, anxiety, etc., I enjoy creating a visual representation of my heavier emotions. Not only is it a cathartic outlet, but it also shines a light on the subtle beauty of connection and vulnerability. When that facet of my work resonates with someone, it assures us that we are not alone in our thoughts or feelings, and that is the most rewarding thing of all.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn is the idea that being an artist is not a feasible career choice. Growing up, I feel like I was taught that to be a professional, you could be one of three things – a lawyer, a doctor, or an accountant. I wish that I’d known more about other career paths; frankly, I wasn’t sure what a trade school was until I was already in college. Had I known about the different paths and industries, however, I wonder if I would have pursued makeup more heavily at an earlier age. In being the Salon Director at one of Paul Mitchell’s top 3 salons in the *world,* I’ve seen unparalleled skill, talent, and expertise. The stylists I work with are forces of nature, and they have built substantial businesses for themselves. Naturally, these women have been huge inspirations, and have largely influenced me in pursuing my own creative and professional endeavors.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @hannahlovesmakeup

Image Credits
Sydney Evans, Ally Jeppsen