October 15, 2016

Meet Makeup Artist, Hairstylist & Beauty Editor: Shiree Collier

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shiree Collier.

Shiree is an agency represented Makeup Artist & Hairstylist with 19 years international experience under her ‘tool belt’.

Born and raised in New Zealand, she left school at an early age to pursue her passion for beauty, getting a job as an apprentice hairdresser and working in-salon is where it all started. Loving the work but not enjoying the routine of a salon schedule, she decided to expand her skill set and ventured out on her own to move to Auckland at 18 years old. One year later, at the age of 19, she was a fully qualified hair and makeup artist, eager and ready to put in the hard work, to strive for the top and become well respected in the Industry.

Her rise was quick, doing advertising campaigns for large companies and brands and soon was immersed in her work. She was interviewed by a television show and written about in a print published magazine for her involvement in the music industry, having worked as an artist on ‘Top of the Pops’ music show, on many celebrity musicians, and on over 40 music videos. But her passion was no harnessed to particular direction, she was also employed by Hilton Hotel to write and conducted beauty courses for the front line employees.

Keeping attention to fine details with the overall look is what gives Shiree the ability to produce a high standard of work and are key attributes to her success. Her depth of involvement in the process of concept design and development have been essential to her rise in the industry and opened many doors of opportunity for her.

After 6 years in New Zealand, she then decided to make the move to Australia to continue on her dreams and success. Over the years she has taken on many different roles trying on all ‘hats’ in the industry, doing all types of work, from the most subtle to the most outrageous of avante garde. Now living in the US for the past 5 and a half years, a master of her craft with 19 years experience, she continues to maintain her passion, on occasion traveling around the states working with notable celebrities, companies and brands.

She has since been interviewed regarding her expertise with hair and makeup work by 2 international magazines, been the head makeup artist for many runway fashion shows, judged American state beauty pageants and is lucky enough to currently be living three of her dream jobs. Beauty Editor since 2013, She co-created a multi-cultural high fashion magazine, that is print published and distributed on the west coast of U.S.

As a booking agent with La Bella MAFIA beauty agency, being the West coast and Hawaii representative, and last but not least as a Mother to her two young darling daughters.

Recently Shiree also launched her own line of professional makeup brushes, wanting to educate people on tools and offering them a quality that would last for decades. You can find LORELEI BEAUTY makeup brushes at www.loreleibeauty.com

Her next venture is to start an agency for the beauty industry in Australia and New Zealand, managing specialized elite artists for every type of beauty service.

Has it been a smooth road?
Being an artist of any sort generally has its high and low times, hence the common term ‘starving artist’. And with the beauty industry, this is no exception, you have peak times of the year and times you are turning jobs away.

I personally have made my road harder on myself as I have moved so much, first Auckland New Zealand then to Australia; Gold coast, Sydney, and Melbourne. Then we moved to America; working in Seattle, Silicon Valley, and LA. Each time pretty much starting from scratch, getting yourself out there, letting people know you exist, doing some trade work to try and get in with companies. The longer you stay somewhere the more ingrained you are.

At the end of the day, if you have a talent, are a delightful person, have a good amount of appropriate input and are reliable, then the work starts rolling in.

Any predictions for the industry over the next few years?
In my 19 years in the industry, there have been may shifts and changes. The internet and bloggers have made the most significant change for the average person learning this trade for themselves, but doing makeup on others professionally, in any and all types of styles that may be required is an entirely different ball game.

I also see that cosmetic companies are at an all time peak at present, but in the future there will be many more ‘create your own’ type machines that you can have in home, and create and liquid, powder, gel or cream product with a touch of a few buttons and some inexpensive materials. This will be so fun!

Has there been a particular challenge that you’ve faced over the years?
My biggest struggle has been that I have moved countries and states rather a lot, each time starting from scratch again. But with a better portfolio each time it gets easier and easier. If you can stick to living in one place, your clients and business will grow and only get bigger.

That is my one career downfall, moving, but without the moves, I would have not gotten the chance to work on the Oprah Winfrey Tour or on the U.S Secretary of State so I am happy with the outcome!

Let’s change gears – is there any advice you’d like to give?
It is a hard industry, when I began it was more about who you know and how you networked. Now, because everyone seems to be a ‘makeup artist’ these days it is harder to get seen and it seems to be about how many followers you can get on social media.

My advice is do it as your hobby as well as your career. Immerse yourself in it. The only real way to get noticed where it really counts is to be meeting people, doing test shoots, building relationships and getting better at your trade. Then trying to get an agent to represent you.

I think it is odd when I see amateurs who say ‘no trade’. Yes we all have to live, but if it is your passion then get out there and make it your paycheck instead of waiting for it to come to you because it won’t. There is always someone else there who will do the job.

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