Australian Makeup Artist of the Year Ava Belle talks Lux Bridal and more.

Send us Fan MailThis week: getting personal with Ava Belle, Australian makeup artist of the year.  From face painting at children’s parties in Dubai, to glamour studios in London and nightclub body painting in Soho, Ava is a Byron-born Aussie creative star! With over 15 years’ experience, Ava’s makeup journey started when she was just a little girl watching her mum face paint at School fates.  Are you interested in performing arts, bridal makeup, assisting, editorial shoots, fashion week and runways, creating headshots, glamour shoots, freelancing or working across diverse client portfolios? Then Ava’s story is for you! KEY TAKEAWAYS:HUSTLEDid you know Ava booked her first gig before she’d even bought her first kit?! How’s that for hustlin’. Ava’s skills grew exponentially when she started assisting and travelling back and forth from Sydney to London, working on high profile jobs….  Attributing her success to constantly learning, being in the right (positive, educational) environments and putting herself out there, Ava encourages mua’s to create opportunities, have persistence, leverage your networks and just show up ready to go. ADAPTIt’s been a hell-of-a-year, again. And for our industry, this couldn’t ring truer! If the past two years have taught us anything, it’s to be agile and savvy enough to adapt.  Ava pivoted from bridal to content, recognising the need to ‘adapt’ to the market around her. But also talked to us about an expensive lesson she learnt early in her career about trying to launch a product and business model in another country without doing her research.“It’s been interesting times and I think that adapting has been the keyword over the last two years… My predominant business (pre-covid-19) was bridal, which had to take a backseat while I focused on producing lots of content during lockdowns and restrictions.Through this time I also won Australian Makeup Artist of the Year, it was a nice surprise and a lovely title to hold.”Ava Belle    COLLABYou will have clients with different nationalities, different nuances, from all around the world. The important challenge is finding that common middle-ground, making your client on your seat feel comfortable and making sure you kick a$$ with your work.  While some collaborations happen organically through your networks, or from your business listings online - there are important steps you can take to assist this process.  1. Build your portfolio, always be open to creating new content from your existing bookings or through new opportunities 2. Don’t be afraid to have sponsored brand collaborations 3. Know your worth - make sure your costs are covered if you have to travel, stay the night, etc. 4. Be the best version of you. Show up, do the best work you possibly can and network with those around you.I’ve always been business minded and entrepreneurial… when I realised I could run my business on my phone from anywhere in the world, it just gave me this freedom to go travel, explore (and work).Ava BelleThe Hair Edit Waitlist Weekly Newsletter Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTokThe Gifting Checklist