As they work their way up, young up-and-coming beauty professionals are blazing trails and making waves. We scoured the country to find out who is doing what and how it all began. Here is our chat with up-and-coming beauty professional, Marika D’Auteuil.
Salon Magazine: How did you get your start in makeup, why did you decide to be a part of this industry?
Marika D’Auteuil: As a teenager, I put on make-up and organized my own “photoshoots” in my room while my mom took the pictures. When I realized that it was possible to do this as a job, I wanted to give it a try. I lived in a small town, so I had no idea what the fashion industry was. I think I was naïve to blindly jump into this career because, had I known the challenges and the realities of the industry, I might not have had the courage to do it. I realised that afterwards, but it was a bit too late because I was already hooked. I didn’t have the choice but to fight to make my name.
SM: What drives and motivates you as a makeup artist?
MD: I always have the urge to create something new. It may sound cliché, but I really do not feel like I’m working when I do makeup. I could literally be in a creative photoshoot every day and I would never get tired of it. I always have a lot of ideas, so I need to give them life.
SM: What is your expertise? what do you specialize in or excel at?
MD: I think I stand out with the avant-garde looks I create. I do a little bit of everything else, but my strength is artistic makeup that’s more editorial.
SM: What is the one lesson you’ve learned throughout your education and career that you still keep in mind today?
MD: I learned not to be influenced by the opinions of others. At the beginning of my career, I needed so much validation and approval, that I ended up forgetting myself. I no longer conform to the likes of others and I have a lot more fun! I’m also much more creative now that I’m doing it.
SM: Who is your mentor or who do you look up to when it comes to makeup. anyone on social media?
MD: I could name hundreds of people, but I love everything Pat McGrath creates. I also like the artistic and sometimes chaotic vision of Alex Box and the theatrical characters created by Roshar. These are all great sources of inspiration.
SM: Who is your makeup hero, who you want to work with?
MD: I had the amazing opportunity to work with Pat McGrath, who is my number one makeup hero. I think that Alex Box would be the next logical step. She has a very special approach in all her creations, which not everybody likes, but it’s really an artistic performance every time. She is super impressive.
SM: What has been the biggest challenge you had to face?
MD: The volatility of the industry was very difficult to manage in my early years. It’s tough on your spirit when you have to find a part-time job because your company is not making enough money. I had to come to terms with the realities of being self-employed. There’s no magic formula. It’s only with time, work and perseverance that things come together. It’s been three years and I still get those ups and downs, but it’s part of the game!
SM: Who gave you the best advice as your embarked on your career?
MD: My mother. She told me: “We can only pay your studies once. Don’t fail”. Words I live by to this day! Gotta make mama and papa proud!
SM: What is your must-have one product?
MD: Wow, that’s not easy to answer! For me, beautiful makeup always starts with beautiful skin, so I start off by using rose oil by Pixi Beauty. It nourishes skin and makes it super luminous, on top of smelling divinely good!
SM: What are your goals for the next 5-10 years?
MD: I started teaching master classes this year, in both Canada and Europe and it really brings a lot of great opportunities for the future. I did not consider the opportunity to teach before, but it came to me this year and I really believe that it’s great for me, who dreams of traveling and being creatively free. I hope I can gain experience in the field and push it as far as possible!
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