Conversations with Chanel Shank

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanel Shank.

Hi Chanel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Starting at the age of 19 years old, I discovered my love for makeup at a very pivotal time in social media entertainment. YOUTUBE TUTORIALS. My first makeup teachers were all Youtube/ Instagram artists! As I began to invest in my kit more and practice on friends and family, my sister one day asked me… “hey, why have you never considered this for your job?” A spark was lit, and from that point I set out to accomplish my dreams.
I paired up with some creatives from high school, collected photos in return for free work, built my portfolio, and landed my first makeup artist job with Nordstrom at Charlotte Tilbury, when I was 22. I felt on top of the world. I worked my way up from Beauty artist in little Mission Viejo, CA to Lead Artist at The Grove in Los Angeles. While living in LA I also attended the Prestigious, Cinema Makeup School, to not only sharpen my beauty skills, but learn how to do special FX makeup. While I no longer make monsters, I still really take pride in my beauty artistry and do normal glam regularly for my clients.
I now freelance only, but Charlotte, YouTube, and working for free is where it all began!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey has felt anything but easy. However, if you have a burning passion, none of those things feel like obstacles. They just feel like minor set backs.
I’ve had people, places, breakups, COVID, YOU NAME IT, hold me back, but I still continue to do what I love. I will probably do make-up and continue to learn new techniques until the day I die.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a professional makeup artist and I specialize in Beauty Artistry. I personally really enjoy doing dramatic and fashion forward looks, however, I specialize in taking my clients best natural features and bringing those to light. Giving them a very lit from within, yourself but elevated look. I’m definitely thriving as an artist in this “clean girl makeup” era. lol
I’m beyond proud of my journey as a whole. I’ve worked on fashion shows, met celebrity makeup artists, trained under the best pro artists in California. Charlotte Tilbury, herself, has sent me macarons and personal videos. I’m proud, grateful, and in awe of the journey makeup has led me through.
What sets me apart from others, is that I see every single person as a new canvas that is beautiful already from the beginning, without makeup. I truly treasure making people feel good about themselves. Watching people light up, that’s what sets me apart. I will make sure you feel the best you can feel, above just preforming a needed service and getting paid to do that.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
-Diary of a CEO. Hands down, my favorite podcast. If you’re looking to become a badass owner of your own business, Go listen, ASAP.
-Call Her Daddy, because it keeps me relevant with a lot of social things going on… Also, I absolutely study every guest’s makeup, every time.
-I personally also use this little app called “Finch”. It’s basically a phone Tamagotchi for self help… when you help yourself you help a little bird grow and honesty it’s so freaking cute and addicting and I see a REAL difference from it.
-Lastly, the bible. I’m nothing without Jesus and consider everything in my life a blessing.

Pricing:

• Bridal- $225
• Glam- $200
• Travel (outside OC) – $25

Contact Info:

• Instagram: ChanelMarieMua
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/chanel-shank-makeup-artistry-san-clemente?start=10
• Other: https://www.google.com/search?q=Chanel+Shank+Makeup+Artistry+Reviews&sca_esv=

Image Credits
Amber Peredes- Ambatambb (Instagram)
Jay Davis- jayanthony.co (instagram)
Jason Rivera- Jasonrivaart (Instagram)