September 12, 2016

Meet Glendale Makeup Artist: Page Mahan

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Page Mahan.

Page, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My interest in makeup started when I was a little girl. I used to love the shimmering colors of my Mom’s eyeshadows and blushes as well the smell of her face creams. I then began to practice applying makeup on my friend’s in high school. While in high school, I received Kevin Aucoin’s book “Making Faces” and I was hooked! While in college I studied art and worked at a makeup counter on the weekends. This lead to work as a regional artist for the brand I worked for at the time, Prescriptives. I worked throughout the San Francisco Bay Area as a regional artist for Prescritives and eventually expanded to local fashion shows and some work at Pixar Studios. After college, I moved to LA to attend MUD in Burbank which led to a year-long internship with celebrity makeup artist Taylor Babaian, author of the beauty book “Asian Faces”. While working with Taylor I assisted on photo-shoots as well as her appearances throughout Los Angeles as an author and established brand. Of the work I’ve done throughout Los Angeles and San Francisco, I found the most rewarding work is with people I meet for special events or charity events. They are so enthusiastic to get their makeup done and love every minute of it!

Has it been a smooth road?
While pursuing something unconventional your passion is really tested! While my friends were starting their careers I was working part time and shooting every chance I got to build up my portfolio. It was difficult at times to remember why I had chosen such a difficult path. However, each time I brought out my makeup brushes and worked on someone new, I remembered how much I love the before and after impact of a well-executed makeup. As well as the smiling face of the person who absolutely loved how they look! It is so satisfying to enhance a person’s individual beauty and make them feel incredible.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see the way people finding local event artists shifting. In the last few years, a wedding party would have to do their own legwork in finding an artist. Searching through different websites and sifting through reviews. Now there are apps that consolidate all that information for you. Someone can go to one place and find any local beauty service they want. Artists then have to adjust how they are marketing themselves.

Has there been a particular challenge that you’ve faced over the years?
A big challenge for a working makeup artist is to avoid becoming stale. A really successful artist is always innovative and stays in touch with makeup trends. You have to stay up to speed on makeup, hair and business trends.

Let’s change gears – is there any advice you’d like to give?
I think the most important thing when you are starting out is accountability. Show up to the gig on time and prepared. Your talent as a makeup artist or hairstylist will shine through. Someone can be an amazing makeup artist but they will not get booked if they arrive at events or gigs a half an hour late. If you develop a reputation as someone who is reliable, you will do very well!

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