Conversations with Elena Weston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elena Weston.

Hi Elena, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I never planned my career in the makeup field! When I was a student studying graphics and interior design at the university, my mom noticed that I’m always talking about outfits and looks. She sent me to some classes for stylists . You need to understand that it is in my Hometown Ufa somewhere in the middle of Russia and I barely knew anything about Fashion weeks or makeup. But I have graduated from the Art-graphic school and I was a design student. Part of my classes were in makeup. And it was so fun! As a practice, we were doing makeup for participants of the Reality TV show – singers, models, dancers, and TV hosts. It was a local TV show and the people were so talented and fun – that’s all I needed to fall in love with the profession! As soon as I finished training, I got an offer to work as a freelancer at a Beauty salon – I did a lot of shoots for magazines, TV, and all types of collaborations. When I graduated from University, I didn’t understand what my career path will look like. Somehow I got offered to be an intern makeup artist on the City TV channel – where I met my mentor and was surrounded by a lot of fun and artistic people again.

During my professional life, I was lucky to have great mentors at every step. Just after a couple of weeks, State TV channel needed a Head of the Hair, Makeup, and Costume department – it was a huge challenge and a big responsibility – the CEO told me that if she will see results in the first month – I’ll be hired full time. I was working with a team of hairstylists more experienced than I, but my goal was to bring a new vision and create a new look for a conservative TV channel. It was tough but I got hired and worked there for 1,5 years. Then I felt I needed a new challenge – and I found it when I moved to Moscow, the capital of Russia. To start from scratch in the big city was hard and I didn’t understand what I was doing but couldn’t quit – there was no option to move back to hometown. I went to a few interviews and finally got hired by my dream company – MAC Cosmetics – it was known for its best makeup artist! Everyone was so stylish and cool there. It was hard work but very rewarding – I learned a lot from the best makeup artists, managers, and trainers. I have always been good at organizing and managing – so naturally, I started my training as Manager’s assistant, and after a few years of assistant work, I passed the interview for the Store Manager. I loved my team and my store – we won two awards for best sales and highest growth in the first year of work! Also, I kept myself busy doing freelance with a TV crew on the side – I was working with many celebrities and actors.

After one year of work, I passed the interview for the Operation Manager position and started to work more on the business side and help other managers with their teams. My MAC coworkers are still like a family to me. People in this company gave me a lot and taught me a lot. But it was time to move forward – I applied for an extraordinary talent visa and moved to New York City – the city of my dream. To work in New York for me was a new level! I worked hard, looking for opportunities to do any project and meet more people in the industry. My friends supported me every day – without them, it couldn’t be possible! My dreams were coming true – with my friend photographer, we started a creative headshots studio, I worked for the TV show ‘Stupid Cupid’ with the most amazing crew and did makeup at New York Fashion Week for Nicole Miller’s show. Right after that – it was March 2020 – Covid lockdown shuttered everything down. My boyfriend lived in Los Angeles – so I decided to visit for a few days to figure out what to do next. It was scary cause nobody knew how our industry will survive. Lockdown in LA was probably longest. I started to work in business administration again – got a job in a jewelry company and was a hostess at a restaurant on the weekends. I didn’t go back to NYC.

In 2021 I felt the beauty industry started to get busy again in LA, people went out more, demand for makeup services increased. So I started to work again as a makeup artist on the weekends first. After a few weekends, I realized I can do only makeup the whole week – it brings me so much joy and word of mouth worked well for me – people were booking my servisec and I got many returning clients.

Now I’m working mostly with private clients but I never miss a chance to do creative shoots for magazines, music videos, or TV! I love to be surrounded by people, make them feel beautiful, and see happy faces.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My main struggle is to start in a new city every time! I already moved three times and every time, I’m networking and building new clientele. But I’m lucky cause a lot of people are traveling, living bicoastal, or moving like me.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My main specialty is commercial, editorial, TV, and video makeup. I’m working for red carpet appearances. I like to do very clean, light makeup which does not change the client’s face but brings up beauty. I’m working with all ages and appearances, including POC and non-binary models. Every client is special and I’m there to bring my expertise and product knowledge.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can always reach me through web site elenaweston.com or Instagram page @el_lena. I’m open to any type of project.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

1. Photographer David Burlaku 2. Photographer Ollya Andreeva Model Timur Katz 3. MAC cosmetics Theme day 4. MAC cosmetics event 5. Stupid Cupid BTS 6. Stupid Cupid TV show 7. Photographer Logan Poe 8. Photographer Jordan Walczak