Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Harper.
Hi Emily, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Life’s full of hard knocks, and after experiencing a few, I decided I rather work as little as possible. I mean, who wouldn’t! I enrolled in makeup school after losing a sibling, and I never looked back. The joke was on me though! I started production work in school and put many, many hours in. However, doing the work I love feels amazing. And now that I’ve been at it a while, I can kick back.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The early years were really tough. I started makeup school in a new country without a car. I was taking two buses and a train to get to school and work every day. Carrying all my gear on foot in rainy Vancouver was probably one of the worst struggles I faced. Ha! On top of that, as a new MUA, I was volunteering to work on set for free for weeks at a time. This did land me a great job, but it was exhausting. Then I moved to LA and started over again. Lots of ups and downs!
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 an LA-based makeup artist and content creator. I specialize in special event makeup, but I love to do weddings and client appointments. I also like putzing around on social media – making makeup videos and connecting with people online. The combination of client work and social media is really amazing for me. I grew up in Wisconsin, which is not a very glamorous place. I often cannot believe this is my job, so I am proud of making this happen! As for what sets me apart, I would hope it is the care I have for my clients and fellow artists. I love them.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Makeup and hair artists in the industry have helped me so much. Many of my clients come to me as referrals from other artists. Every time you refer someone, you put your trust in them to arrive and kick a**. I feel so grateful to the other pros who trusted in me. I also have a deep appreciation for the people who hired me onto my first production gigs, beauty apps, etc… There are so many people who have helped me along the way. The list is SO long.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://emilyharpermakeup.squarespace.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily_harper_/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@emily_harper_/shorts
Image Credits
Taraneh Jafari
Jamie Kang
