Check Out Brie Horshaw’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brie Horshaw.

Hi Brie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m Brie, a Chicago native who grew up in Minneapolis. And yes, no matter how long we’ve been gone, a Chicagoan will never miss an opportunity to let you know where home is. During my high school years, I would visit MAC Cosmetics, which was the leading makeup brand at the time, and I’d swatch and play with new shades from their latest collection launch. But because my parents didn’t allow me to wear much makeup, I was limited to eyeliners and lip gloss. And because I didn’t have money to afford department store makeup, I would go to Target and try on dupes from more cost-efficient brands. My favorite of these was this two-sided black and green eyeliner pencil. The green made my eyes look like I was wearing hazel contacts, and that was my first dive into color theory with no real knowledge. I saw instantly how a subtle addition of color could playfully transform my look and fell in love on the spot. A makeup artist working at one of those MAC counters took notice of my frequent visits and later encouraged me to apply to work at one of the locations. I laughed and gave her a million excuses as to how I didn’t know how to do makeup, and without hesitation, she assured me that I would not only be a great artist but that she would teach me the fundamentals of makeup. I was 21, approaching 22, and at that moment, I couldn’t see what she saw, but the fact that someone outside of my parents was willing to pour into me… into the start of my career, best believe I didn’t take that invite for granted. I worked as a MAC associate for three years, learning not only the artistic side of things, but also product knowledge, backstage, production, and how to scale a product.

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?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road, but the gravel eventually evens out a lil. What I love most about my artistry primarily reflects how much I’ve grown through curiosity and my hunger to learn. Being halfway across the country away from family and real friends comes with its own challenges. Not getting booked or knowing where to start in a new city is a whole new set of challenges in itself. Unlike undergrad, there’s no direct career path to becoming a successful and thriving mua. Figuring out who I was as an artist and what I had to offer clients was when the real work started. Instead of fixating on what I wasn’t good at or how booked and busy my peers were, and I was or was not, I focused on MY thing, and that was being a thorough makeup artist. No matter what, I wanted every makeup application to feel secure and complete. Even if time was crammed or space was limited, I was determined to complete the look. There’s confidence in completion, and that’s been my driving force: making it to the finish line. Things happen quickly in production, so it was important for me to find ways to pivot on the spot in order to complete the requested task in a timelely matter. I love the challenges of makeup because I love a good solution, and being thorough will always pay off.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a professional makeup artist and licensed esthetician specializing in commercial, production, red carpet glam, and men’s grooming. My work has been published throughout the entertainment industry for just shy of 6 years. I’m known for velvet skin finished makeup that makes my clients feel rich and expensive. I’m also the friend who doesn’t gatekeep. That’s right I’m a book of product knowledge, and I encourage you to chat with me about all things beauty!

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Honestly, keep God frist. Don’t talk often, listen more than you speak, and when you do speak, let it be meaningful. Don’t be afraid of inspiration; gravitate towards it, and create from that. Know that your path may not look traditional, things may take longer, but still go through that fire for the refinement.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.briemakeup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briemakeup/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brie-horshaw-1b81a1112/