September 13, 2016

Meet Makeup Artist: Sabrina Bates-Whited

Local Stories

Image Credt: Shalon Goss

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Bates-Whited .

Sabrina, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always felt like I needed a creative outlet but didn’t know how to channel it. I started doing makeup because it’s the perfect way for me to create something aesthetic and beautiful that isn’t particularly about me. Once I’m done with my creative contribution the attention turns to the model, actor or client. I also love interacting with people and as a makeup artist, you’re pretty up close and personal with the person from the start. I’ve had so many lovely interactions, conversations and connections with people whilst doing their makeup.

Has it been a smooth road?
Just like anything in life, there have been challenges and obstacles to overcome. But I can’t say it has been hard. Hard to me is doing something you hate for a living, I’ve enjoyed every process of my career. Of course starting out I had to prove myself. There were a lot of calls I made or messages sent that were not returned. But I guess the biggest struggle along the way was just getting out of my own head. Discarding all that inner dialogue that I think a lot of us go through. The “I can’t” and the “I’m not good enoughs” As a freelance artist, you really have to put yourself out there and stand by your work, and gaining that confidence was a major struggle I had to overcome. But its also been one of the most rewarding accomplishments in my life.

Any predictions for the industry over the next few years?
Something that I find so wonderful about the makeup industry is the fact that it has the potential of going really anywhere on a creative scale. Which keeps the field very exciting and ever evolving.

People are more interested in makeup now than ever before. Techniques that were once industry secrets are known on a broad scale. I hope that this takes the beauty industry in a more innovative direction. As far as my prediction on trends. I think the whole over contouring and highlighting is on its way out. Or at least one should hope. Whenever my clients ask for makeup advice I always tell them Blend blend blend and when you think you’re done blend a little bit more

What would you say has been the biggest challenge for you over the course of your career?
Starting out the biggest challenge was getting people to give me a chance and not giving up on myself through that difficult process. The best thing for me was to continue to work through that “no” stage and believe that my work and my drive would eventually see me through. I tirelessly went to work building my portfolio. And of course along the way I was always on time. Always prepared, and always kind to everyone. It’s such a challenge when you’re starting out to always hear “no” if you get a response at all. It can be discouraging. But I just continued to believe that working hard having Grace and humility would get me to my goal.

What advice do you wish to give to those thinking about pursuing a path similar to yours?
That’s a tough question because I feel as though my career still has a long way to go. I’ve been able to work on some incredible projects that I loved being a part of but I still have a multitude of goals that I have set for myself that I still want to accomplish. I suppose I would just say to start! Don’t think about it. Don’t be in your head about it. just begin! Makeup is incredible because there’s so many industries that require makeup. There’s bridal, Photography, editorial, fashion, red carpet and special effects just to name a few. For anyone starting out, I would suggest for them to decide on what facet of the industry they’d like to work in and get going on building your portfolio. That means you’ll have to assist people. That means you’ll have to clean a lot of brushes and touch up a lot of other people’s work on set for example. But in the process, if you pay attention (while staying out of the way) you’ll learn a great deal and it will make you stronger as an artist. And of course. Always be on time and always smile and be kind. People will notice and want to work with you again. I promise.

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