We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maxine Christians a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Maxine , thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I knew I wanted to be a Makeup Artist since I was 5 years old. I loved watching fashion shows and seeing the makeup prep behind the curtains. My mom wasn’t a makeup girly so I didn’t have much to play with as far as makeup goes. But I would draw on magazine covers adding colors and textures to the models makeup. Once I found out that it was a job I knew that that’s what I would end up doing. And it never wavered.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I went to makeup school right after graduating from high school. I didn’t know anyone in the industry so I wrote to all agencies trying to get into their assistant roster. Ready to assist any and everyone. I did the retail route in between shooting my own shoots with friends. I worked at the Body Shop which was more skin than makeup but definitely gave me a love of skincare especially natural skincare and makeup. Like everyone back then I tried to work for all the beloved lines like M.A.C. and NARS but I never wore enough makeup to get in there. It was so different back then.
I eventually started assisting and learning so much more about the industry. I’m forever grateful to all the very epic makeup artists that let me assist and helped me grow.
I started out wanting to pursue only special effects makeup and quickly fell back onto my love of fashion. So I do personal clients, red carpet, commercial, photo shoots (my favorite). I don’t know what sets me a part from others because I really can’t think about that. I’d probably end up very mentally unstable. Giving unwell. All I allow myself to do is continually love what I do and never let my ego take over. I always want to grow as an artist, which I think is infinite. We learn from each other constantly.
Regardless of jobs Ans people I’ve worked with. I’ll always be most proud of the fact that I get to do what I’ve always wanted to do. What else matters?

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish that instagram was around when I started my makeup journey. I had no idea how to get into the industry for so long. Constantly shooting but nowhere to really show my work. So Instagram would have been a game changer. And honestly im so happy for everyone who got to start there!!!!!!!!!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the collaborative world!!!!! You get to create something fun and sometimes do magical by doing something you’re passionate about with other artists. It can be hard and stressful but at the end of the day we get to play!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maxinechristians.com
• Instagram: @maxine_christians

Image Credits

Julia Silverman photo (makeup pic)

Me in jacket and pants (Emily Sandifer photo)