Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shirah Klein. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Shirah, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I can honestly say that I know both worlds and I am super happy as an artist pursuing my passions. For many years I had a “regular” 9-5 job in the healthcare field. And for those years I was grateful for that position because it paid the bills and had rewarding aspects to it as well. But I don’t regret the decision to change career paths and pursue what I am passionate about- I was fortunate and blessed to be able to change course, and take my creativity to the next level. I have an ability to look at a blank canvas, be it a face for makeup, or one of the many other crafts that I make, and see a vision for it. Artists have the capability to envision something and see potential in something otherwise seemingly blank. Makeup artists see one’s bare face and add creative elements to emphasize the beauty and/or hide the blemishes. I’m lucky to have seen both sides of the coin- a regular type of job versus a creative one- and I’m very happy with my choices.

Shirah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those who don’t me at all – I came into the “makeup” industry a little late in the game. For years I worked in healthcare providing occupational therapy to patients/clients mainly in the Geriatric population. While I absolutely loved that career and definitely miss aspects of patient care- I decided a shift was necessary. I used to use my creativity in ways of therapeutic intervention- one of my favorite stories was discovering a lonely quiet and misunderstood patient was in actuality a very famous painter in his home country. Through drawings and painting I drew out the “recluse” in him and he became somewhat of a “celebrity” in the nursing home. My cherished momento being a drawing he did of me. This was just an example of ways I used creativity to bring out potentials in my patients. When I stepped away from the healthcare arena I wanted to nourish the creativity I always had inside but was too busy working to really let it out. I decided to attend a program for Multi Media Makeup artistry and it was there I gained the edge I needed to start professionally. I pride myself on my natural esthetic. Skin matching is very important to me as well as creating a young, luminous and fresh complexion for my clients. While I appreciate the “instagram” worthy makeup looks and the extreme contouring that looks fabulous in edited photos, I believe that natural and fresh is the way to go for the everyday face.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The best and most rewarding part of being a makeup artist is seeing the client finally look in the mirror. Their expression of “WOW I never looked this good!” makes my job amazing and reminds me why I started it in the first place.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Society as a whole can support local artists and creatives by creating more spaces for art to flow and prosper. In this climate its hard to compete with big corporations and online marketplace- having local affordable venues available for artisans of all kinds to show and sell their work is crucial for the everyday creative.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @makeup_by_shirah
• Facebook: Makeup By Shirah

Image Credits
@photographynate.07 @beccameyerphotography @gocoactivewear @shalom_serraf @estherhin @shiraonfringe @rayiswalking @miamimodestfashionweek @pheebified