We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karma Lush. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karma below.

Karma , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

The most unexpected issue or problem that I’ve had is asking myself the questions: Where do I want to go with my art? Why do I create? What do I want to create? Questioning your own ambition and answering those questions honestly for yourself and no one else.

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

My name is Casey Mackay also known as Karma Lush. I’ve had a fascination with makeup starting at a young age. The thought of transforming the face with different colors, shapes, and blending techniques infatuated me. It eventually led me to pursuing the art of drag. Along with a career in makeup, I attended Makeup Designory to become a makeup artist, not only to increase my skills as a Drag Queen but to have a skill set that I could utilize in multiple forms.

I am a multimedia makeup artist for film, TV, and fashion/editorial. The art, Karma Lush, is a Drag Queen, a visual artist, an enigma. Believe it or not, everybody needs makeup! There is looking natural to the human eye, and there is looking natural for the camera. Being a makeup artist, you can bring out the inherent beauty within for any occasion or transform and create an elevated persona. On top of that, everyone loves a Drag Queen—a spectacle of fashion, glamor, and entertainment.

What sets me apart overall is my perspective as an artist. The way I look at the face as a blank canvas, how I see myself as my own canvas, drawing inspiration from my unique experiences to create a world of my own and share it with others.

I make myself proud by being better than I was before with every project that I produce, watching myself grow as an artist! I have been part of some cool productions. I worked on set for Grammy-nominated artist Becky G, I’ve recently worked with viral TikTok musician Nicky Youre, and I’m currently working with celebrity photographer Rory Lewis. I have the privilege to be able to look at the screen and say, “Wow, I did that!”

I think one thing that everybody should know about me is I love to collaborate with others, no matter what it is. I feel that perspective amongst artists is meant to be exchanged. It helps you see through the eyes of another person, what they think, how they feel. Everybody in the entertainment industry, to some form, is an artist. There is craftsmanship to what they do, from the director to the cameraman, all the way to the person lighting the set—a diaspora of people coming together with different talents and skill sets, all to create one picture, one film, one work of art!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson that I had to unlearn, and this applies to being both a Makeup Artist and a Drag Queen, is working for free. You don’t have to say yes to everything. When you first start out in any craft, you are always going to be unsure of yourself, no matter what. This also includes taking on any and every job. I was always afraid to ask for money for some weird reason. Instead of asking “how much,” I started asking “what is your budget” and started working with the right people.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

When working in entertainment, whether it’s on set as a makeup artist or backstage at a drag show, I think the most important thing is becoming somebody that people want to work with. Now, you’re not going to get along with everybody that you meet in life—that’s a fact—but that shouldn’t stop you from doing your job and acting in a professional manner. We were all called to the same job for different reasons. We all have a common goal at the end of the day. So show up, do your job, and, most importantly, BE NICE! No one wants to work with someone who’s not a decent person.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @karmalush

Image Credits