Check Out Vlada Haggerty’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vlada Haggerty.

Vlada, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up and began my makeup artist career in Ukraine. I moved to Los Angeles in 2013. This is when I also started posting my makeup looks and lip art regularly on Instagram. I love creative makeup that tells stories or holds memories, and I use the lip art process as a type of meditation. It is surprisingly relaxing for my brain. So much so, I ended up creating a whole photo book of my lip art, “Art of the Lips”.
During my 16-year makeup artist career, I have done bridal, TV, commercials, music videos, makeup brand campaigns, and too many photoshoots I could count. In the last 8 to 10 years, I have been studying photography so I can photograph my own work on the level it deserves to be seen. It is important to me as an artist to retain full ownership of my work.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being an artist, an immigrant, and a neurodivergent person has too many to name. Probably the biggest challenge so far has been recovering from the global pandemic. The “clean girl aesthetic” changed the trajectory of my career a little bitas well. I am very happy to see the resurgence of creative, bold makeup because makeup is an art form. We need more art in our lives. It has healing powers.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a makeup artist and a photographer specializing in commercial and editorial makeup. I love a glowy skin paired with a statement runway-worthy eye or a lip, oh to hell with the rules, why not both? I think if I am known for anything, it would be lip art, as I hyper-focused on it for multiple years. I am fascinated by different textures and colours that do not normally “go” on the face. I love crafty makeup. At the same time, I work as a makeup artist on set and create wearable, commercial-ready makeup for cosmetic brands. These two sides of my artistry are seemingly opposite, but create a full picture of who I am as a creative.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My biggest supporter and a cheerleader of my entire life has been my amazing mom. I would not have the opportunity to pursue a makeup career without her support and faith in my talent. My wonderful husband has also been by my side, cheering me on and helping me to get through tough times and career dips. I am also very grateful to Smashbox for supporting my work for many years. It is due to this collaboration that I was able to create so many images for my book. I will always be grateful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vladahaggerty.art
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vladamua
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vlada.haggerty
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Vladamua

Image Credits
Copyright belongs to Vlada Haggerty