Makeup Artist Phoebe Dawson

KL: HOW DID YOU GET STARTED OUT IN THE MAKEUP INDUSTRY?

PD: I grew up in a small beach town in New Zealand called Nelson. When I was 13 years old I decided I wanted to be a Makeup Artist and move to Los Angeles. I dropped out of high school a year early (yes I am a high school drop out) this allowed me to work two full time jobs and save money to go to makeup school. At 17 I moved to Australia alone and went to makeup school. I worked on any small, free, low budget makeup gigs I could do, while also in school and working two jobs. At 19 I moved alone to Los Angeles, I didn't know how to drive and I didn't know a single person, I just knew I would work everyday to make my dream of being a Makeup Artist in Hollywood happen. I assisted a lot in the beginning, I would spend a lot of spare time setting up test shoots and building my portfolio while waitressing every night, I had no life outside of working towards my goals those first few years. Now I am incredibly blessed to say I am really busy and have been flown all over the USA, and internationally to do what I love and I get to work with the most beautiful and talented people!

KL: HOW DO YOU GET INSPIRATION FOR YOUR MAKEUP LOOKS?

PD: I spend at least one hour everyday on Pinterest looking at beautiful makeup looks that I would love to do. I love looking at other artist’s pages on Instagram and through fashion magazines; there are so many talented people in the business. I don’t like to plan too much and feel like the best looks I’ve done are created in the moment with my clients. It’s a collaboration; I’m lucky to work with some amazing ladies that like trying different looks!

 

KL: ANY ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT IN THE INDUSTRY?

PD: To be successful you really have to be a hustler and be a good entrepreneur, always learning and growing is so important. I’m always reading books about business, investing in business/self growth seminars so that I can grow and be the best person I can be. This is a people business, you are spending 12-14 hours a day often with your clients. Stay humble, be professional, always be on time and work really hard. Assisting is an amazing thing to do in the beginning; you can learn so much from assisting different artists. Going to makeup workshops and classes is a great way to learn and get inspired.

 

KL: WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE JOB YOU'VE EVER DONE?

PD: I’ve been able to work on so many amazing jobs it’s hard to pick just one. I had the opportunity to do makeup for a very talented producer Mara Akil who was interviewed by Oprah at her OWN Network offices in Hollywood. To do makeup on someone interviewed by Oprah was definitely a great day. Flying to NYC and working on Good Morning America with singer Skylar Stecker for her performance and interview was a pinch me moment. I adore her and have been working with her since the beginning of her career so to watch and be part of her journey is awesome! Working on Tonya Harding for last years Golden Globes and to see my work on the Red Carpet and during the show was a great moment. 

 

KL: CAN YOU GIVE US SOME LASH TIPS AND BEST WAYS TO APPLY FALSE EYELASHES?

PD: For both strip and individual lashes I tell clients to keep their eyes open and to look down, which allows them to blink and move their eyes around without the glue going everywhere. For strip lashes I suggest putting the glue on the band then waiting for about 15 seconds, this way the glue has time to dry and get tacky. If you have lash extensions and they’re in the falling out stage you can fill in any gaps with a few individual lashes to tie you over until you get them filled in!

KL: WHICH KASHA STYLES DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST AND WHY?

PD: I would say I enjoy and use the medium individual lashes the most because they look so natural, I love the packaging, I love how thin and slim the base of the lash cluster is, you can’t tell someone has lashes on because of how light they are. I love to apply a ton on each eye to achieve full and beautiful lashes that don’t feel heavy or uncomfortable to the client.