Life & Work with Ellen Rollins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellen Rollins.

Hi Ellen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Originally from Monroe, North Carolina, I moved to Los Angeles 5 years ago to pursue my dreams of becoming a Celebrity Makeup Artist. The roots of my artistic journey trace back to my upbringing, where my mother, an art teacher of three decades, always encouraged my brother and me to explore and express our creativity freely. Art was always been a part of our everyday lives.

My middle school years were the beginning of the age of YouTube beauty gurus. I was obsessed with watching makeup tutorials, and I remember being so excited to go home after school every day to practice and experiment with the new techniques I had learned. As I got older my love for makeup never faded but it wasn’t until later that I recognized it as a viable career path. In a world where makeup was deemed as a pastime, social media became my window into the professional makeup artist realm.

A pivotal moment occurred when I overheard my mother encouraging my brother to pursue art in college—a revelation that crystallized my unconventional path. I felt empowered by the unwavering support of my family. My senior year marked the definitive decision to pursue makeup artistry. I was committed to pushing my boundaries, I wanted to prove myself and decided to move to LA. I will always love my hometown but my desire for more out of life was unshakeable. I always dreamed of living in the city and LA had a promising industry for makeup artistry.

I moved just one month after graduating from high school, not even two weeks after turning 18. I used all the money I had saved from my retail job, which I was working while in school, and my graduation money to make the move. Upon arriving in LA, I quickly secured a service job, allowing me to save enough to share a quaint apartment with my cousin. We were so thrilled, and I was so proud of myself for this accomplishment. Little did I anticipate the tumultuous turn of events a year later when COVID brought life to an abrupt halt.

Despite the initial feelings of helplessness and confusion, the unexpected hiatus allowed time for introspection, research, and planning. I was constantly looking for any makeup job I could get my hands on. A pivotal moment arrived in 2020 when I secured a makeup artist position with Priv and Glamsquad, marking my entry into the professional makeup world and opening doors to working with real-life clients. Little did I know, the next year was going to be life-changing for my career.

In 2021 I saw an inquiry for a Makeup Artist Assistant on Instagram stories. I decided to apply with no prior experience and was hoping for a miracle. A couple of weeks later, I was hired to assist Celebrity Makeup Artist Alexis Oakley. I am forever grateful that Alexis saw my potential and took a chance on me. This serendipitous opportunity led to further collaborations, including assisting Celebrity Makeup Artist Ash K Holm. I got to assist for celebrities such as Khloe Kardashian, Shay Mitchell, Gwen Stefani, and many more on photoshoots, red carpets, and other fun projects. I was able to experience the industry firsthand and really got a glimpse of how my future would look and what steps to take to get there.

The invaluable experiences and knowledge I gained from my mentors is immeasurable, and I am beyond grateful for the experience. This laid the foundation for my personal career and the clients that I now work with on red carpets, photoshoots, music videos, and more. I have so many goals for my future and am eager to continue learning the ins and outs of the industry as well as continuing to become a better artist. I feel so blessed to share my journey with you all.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey has been far from seamless, yet undeniably fulfilling. Not only was I navigating my career, I was, and still am, navigating life on my own in a big city as a young adult. I can now look back on every struggle I endured and see what crucial lesson I needed to learn from each one. No matter what path you choose, challenges will always be presented. What matters is what you learn from those lessons and how you bounce back. I wholeheartedly believe that this resilience distinguishes the good from the truly great.

I have found imposter syndrome and comparison to be challenges that often come up for myself and other creatives. Discovering one’s place in the industry and understanding the intrinsic value of one’s art is an ongoing practice. There is no playbook, you have to let your own specific path unfold in its own time. Being a creative has its ups and downs, its slow seasons, and creative blocks are inevitable, but you have to have a knowing that your are doing what you are meant to do and you are exactly where you are meant to be.

I’ve come to stand firmly by the quote, “People don’t fail; they quit.” It’s a quote that stresses the importance of persistence, suggesting the belief that success is often found in the determination rather than in the absence of challenges.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Makeup Artist specializing in glam makeup. While my expertise lies in the realm of glam, I pride myself on my versatility—a crucial asset when different occasions demand entirely different looks. I love using bright colors and a more artistic approach to create out of the box looks, however some events and clients call for a softer look that aims to enhance natural beauty.

Above all, my ultimate goal is to ensure my clients feel their absolute best. One standout moment in my career was the privilege of doing makeup for Sarah Hyland’s bridal party. Being part of such a significant day for Sarah and Wells was a breathtaking experience that has left its mark on my professional journey. Collaborating with Makeup Artists and Hairstylists, I admired back when I was in North Carolina added an extra layer of surrealism. It really made me realize just how far I have come.

I feel that what sets me apart is my focus on giving my clients the best experience possible. I recognize that makeup is very personal and often times clients are extremely nervous to get their makeup done professionally or by a new artist. I feel extremely passionate about using makeup as a tool to make others feel like their most confident, empowered selves and I hope to express the power in looking and feeling your absolute best.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
For anyone starting out my number one piece of advice would be to never stray from your vision. I often had others telling me that things might not work out for me and why don’t I look into a different path. Thankfully, I always had a deep knowing that this was exactly what I was meant to do. I was patient and eager to prove myself to anyone who doubted me.

Your vision is uniquely yours, and not everyone will understand it. Yet, trust that you have an innate knowing of what’s meant for you! Embrace discomfort as an undeniable part of your journey; it is within the unknown and the challenges that true magic unfolds! It could all turn out better than you could have ever imagined. Remember, the journey is as significant as the destination.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ellenrollinsmakeup.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeupbyellenrollins/?hl=en