We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sophia Artistry a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sophia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
Being a makeup artist is more than just learning how to apply good makeup. You have to know how to give a good client experience because you are also providing a service. I’m from a small town where opportunities for growth felt limited. I was already expressing interest in special effects makeup and fine art body painting. I had friends who would host local art shows where I was able to showcase my work. But that didn’t last very long. I wanted to be consistent, so I knew in order for me to break into in the makeup industry as a full time career meant that I would need to leave my hometown. I had no money saved and I didn’t know anyone in the industry to give me any guidance. It was around 2010, YouTube makeup tutorials were just becoming a thing. However, I wanted to gain hands-on experience so my next best option was to work at a beauty counter. I remember trying to get hired to work at a very popular makeup company because that was the ‘it’ place to work. Whether it was sweet sixteens, interviews, halloween…everyone got their makeup done there. It’s where most of the great artists of today started. Unfortunately, I was never a good fit for them. I applied multiple times and would get interviews but never got in. Was I not good at makeup? How else will I gain experience? It made me feel very discouraged.
I moved from Waco to Austin, Texas, where I began working for brands such as Lancôme and Chanel Beauty. Working with these brands is where I gained most of my core makeup knowledge. I was so eager to learn about products, ingredients, skin, and everything else beyond the actual makeup application. All those things were just as important. I was the annoying kid who would constantly ask my colleagues questions, I wanted to know everything.
One of the obstacles I came across working for these luxury brands was to gain trust from their clientele base who was mostly geared towards an older demographic at that time. I was 21 years old trying to convince people with mature skin why they should purchase a two hundred dollar face cream. I had to put myself out there. As an introvert, it was a lot of pressure and very intimidating. Working with these brands has forced me to grow and work in an advanced setting. These brands taught me that the best makeup application comes with a proper skin regimen as well as giving a luxury experience. I still incorporate a lot of what I learned into my makeup services today. Learning the importance of skin care at an early age is like gold now. As much as I wanted to become the artist at that ‘cool girl’ and trendy beauty counter, my path was different.
Moving to Austin was probably the best decision I’ve made because I feel like I have evolved alongside the city. I was always looking for ways to network with other creatives such as photographers, models, and hair stylists. I was doing trade shoots and plenty of free work to gain experience to build a solid portfolio. I always made sure I said ‘yes’ to every job that came my way to stay consistent as possible.
In 2017, I began contracting as an artist with one of the major bridal beauty teams in Austin, Texas called LoLa Beauty. Weddings were great way to learn hands on with clients and you meet so many people in such a short amount of time during every job. I was also able to grow even more working alongside an entire team who I was able to share ideas and knowledge with other artists.
Ultimately, I learned that every hardship and rejection has aligned me to where I am today. I have met so many people throughout the years and it has led me to build my own full-time clientele who also feel like friends and family to me. I am forever grateful.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I was always fascinated with how makeup can really transform someone as well as how it can make them feel a certain way. I see clients in their most vulnerable places like their home, meeting their family and children. I see them before they walk out into the world. Getting someone ready on their most important day can really set the tone for how the rest of that day will go for them. And that’s pretty powerful.
Within my 12 years of professional experience, I have worked on some pretty big names, brands, and have traveled all over the world through my job. I’m proud to say my work represents a very inclusive clientele. My style of makeup showcases the enhancements of a persons natural features with a timeless but never boring application. I’m comfortable with working in different settings and situations because of the obstacles that have been thrown my way at such an early time in my career. Those things have really helped me shaped me as an artist.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
This industry is known for being glamorous, but just like any other job it has its fluctuations. We’re artists, so naturally we enjoy feeling validated but it is very important to have tough skin in this industry. You have to accept the fact that you may not satisfy every client that sits in your chair. And that’s okay! We absorb the energies of different personalities all day. You have to navigate on your own most of the time. There’s really no handbook. We have to always be ready to adapt to change. It can be mentally draining but I find the best way to navigate through it all is to just be yourself. Otherwise, it can reflect on your creativity and the quality of your work.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I think that a lot of artists who are also entrepreneurs struggle with having a work-life balance. I’m pretty obsessed with my job so I find it hard to turn off the switch and live a normal life. I’m constantly thinking of things I could improve or figuring out my next project. I can’t go out unless I know my brushes have been washed! It has taken some practice but making sure I take time for myself whether its another creative outlet or meditation is essential to avoid burn out.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sophiaartistry.com
- Instagram: Sophiaartistry
- Other: TikTok: Sophiaartistry
Image Credits
J’kevya Garrett Whit McGuire Janell Shirtcliff Sheridan Montgomery