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

Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Taking a risk is the only way you were going to stand out! Stepping out of your comfort zone and pushing yourself to the next level shows you that you can do things that you did not know you could do.

I have been a make up artist for 10 years, I took a break when I became my mom to spend time with my children, but I would still freelance on the side. A few years ago a photographer approached me and wanted to do a theatrical shoot with me… We did a half body skeleton and I had never done body painting before. I had no idea how to approach this situation, I had only ever done some special effects make up on myself just for fun but never on anyone else and definitely not with a photographer. I researched so much about the anatomy of the body and doing make up, such as a skeleton, and doing it on their bone structure to where it looked more natural whenever they posed the model.
When the time came I was so nervous because I have never pushed myself to that limit nor have I done body painting… The project took me several hours, I ended up doing the models wife, also. My hands were shaking which made me even more nervous because the line work had to be perfect and I wanted these bones to look realistic, I wanted it to look like he was an actual skeleton not just painted. I do not believe in half assing anything, I fully believe if you are going to commit to something you do it with everything you have, no matter what it is, and do it right. Anyway, it actually turned out pretty amazing and I was so proud of that shoot because it opened up an opportunity to work with more photographers doing theatrical looks further into my career.

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

Of course, I have been a make up artist for over 10 years. I started out as a 21-year-old at make up counter and doing makeovers on clients just for fun as I sold them product! I have always had a passion for making people feel beautiful, I was not new to the Makeup world when I began my career as I had been doing make up for fun since I was around 12 years old. I remember doing my mom‘s friends make up for their special events and family members make up during holidays. I became an independent artist in 2019 and launched my own business. I do all types of make up from soft natural high school proms and homecomings, to dramatic and fun boudoir, to bridal, to editorial and theatrical! I love to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself as I perform best under stress. With my clients, I love to get them involved in the process so that they still feel that they have control over their look. Not everyone is comfortable with having someone else do their make up, a lot of clients have actually never had their make up professionally done! With that said, I like to get them involved in the process when picking their lashes and their colors as well as their inspiration for their finished book. I make sure to treat all of my clients with love and respect and showing them kindness and comfort the entire session. I guess my style would be warm pallets, I really love working with earthtones versus vibrant colors, I like to leave those to my theatrical looks. Glam is probably my favorite style, I love it when a client comes in and says they want full coverage, full glam, big lashes and bold contour! As far as being proud goes, I am just proud of how far I have come in the short amount of time and that has passed. I’ve had many obstacles with being a military spouse with frequent moves and Covid shortly after launching my business. Every client is a steppingstone to my future and they all mean so much to me, no client is just that, they are truly a building block to success.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

When I turn them around and they see their makeup! There’s nothing that compares to that first look, that smile, the tears, the squeals, the “oh my gosh”! That is my why! That is all I need! I love meeting so many amazing women and men from all walks of life, you sit down with a stranger, time just passes by, and you stand up with a new best friend! There’s nothing like it.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think a lot of people forget that make up is an art, an expression/ a thought put into make up. It isn’t just a bunch of product slapped onto your face or body, it is what makes your photos on your wedding day! It is what drops the jaw of your partner when they see you! It is the reflections and angles the camera captures. It is the idea of a creative look painted of the canvas of the body. You do have to have talent! You have to know color theory! You have to know photography and lighting! You have to have product and skin care knowledge! My medical background helps me excel in that aspect. I use products that even the most sensitive skin can tolerate.
What starts out as a hobby, can become a passion! Anyone can learn, the internet has made that so easy for aspiring artist these days. Chase your dreams and chase them hard!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://makeupbysarahcasey.wixsite.com/makeupbysarahcasey
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebeautyroomstudio/

Image Credits
Melissa Photography