Today we’d like to introduce you to Michaeline Becker.
Hi Michaeline, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have quite an unusual story as to how I established a career in the beauty industry. A lot of people ask me if I always knew I wanted to be a makeup artist. And the answer is not really.
It was 2011, and I had been working and studying as a biomedical engineer for nine years and was finishing my master’s in the same field. I worked really hard and dedicated a lot of time to get to this point in my life. However, I woke up most days feeling unfulfilled. I craved more creativity in my job and more autonomy in my schedule. I felt lost as to my purpose in life, and I was talking to a therapist about how I should decide my next career move. They asked me, “Well, what do you enjoy doing?” Taking some time to reflect, I thought of doing hair and makeup on my friends. Over the course of the next year, I gained enough courage to pursue my dream – being a working makeup artist. And in the summer of 2012, I left my engineering job and enrolled in cosmetology school.
To support myself financially and also make my debut into the beauty industry, I took a job at a hair color company. At night I would attend school, and on the weekends, I would do hair and makeup for test shoots in order to network and build my professional portfolio.
Once I graduated, I started taking more paid bookings. When I felt confident enough to support myself, I left my day job and became a self-employed full-time artist.
It has been a really rewarding experience to build a business from scratch. Honoring myself and pursuing my dream has impacted my life in so many positive ways.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey as a makeup artist hasn’t always been smooth sailing. I have a specific aesthetic when it comes to makeup. I prefer a natural application, one that ranges from a no-makeup makeup look to a soft glam. Although this style is a little more popular today, it wasn’t when I first started in beauty. Full glam with heavier applications was trending, and I questioned my artistry every now and then. I even had someone tell me to my face that I was in the wrong industry. Being an artist is vulnerable by nature because you give a lot of yourself when you are creating. When I felt insecure and felt the pressures of social media trends, I looked to well-known, established artists that I admired and followed their work. I also assisted working beauty professionals that had the same aesthetic as me, and I allowed myself to be inspired by them. I honed my craft and found clients that had the same appreciation for a natural makeup look as I did.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My philosophy on makeup and hair goes deep. I believe that beauty can be transformative. For me, putting makeup on your face isn’t just following trends, or looking like your favorite celeb, or trying the newest product releases. Beauty for me is a form of self-expression, and makeup is a tool to get you there and to help communicate your truest self in that moment. When I am consulting with a client, I really like to understand that moment in a person’s life and create a look with them that will give them the confidence to share their story. I’m also passionate about diversity and representation in fashion and media and have continued to build my portfolio around it.
What makes you happy?
Balance and variety make me happy. I like to have a balanced schedule. A little bit of work and a little bit of fun. Some creative expression, and then time to recharge. I find that when I have balance in my life, I feel less anxious and can be more present. Variety is essential for me as an artist. Having variety in my career allows me to draw inspiration from all parts of my life. Each job inspires the next one and gives me the drive to keep growing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mickbeauty.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mickbeauty
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/mickbeauty
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@mick.beauty
Image Credits
Amber McKee, Bradley Calder, Sergio Garcia, Beth Sternbaum, Fer Pina
