We get the pleasure of meeting so many incredible people at Vim & Co and Erin Maie is no exception. Erin came into our lives whilst living on the street behind our store in Northbridge. Naturally, with her love for beauty and skincare (Erin is an extremely talented freelance makeup artist) and regular pop-ins, it wasn’t long before we realised just how much we had in common. She is grounded, beautiful – inside and out, celebrates skin – flaws and all, and is one of Perth’s most highly regarded makeup artists. We love her natural, glowy style, no-fuss down to earth attitude and emphasis on enhancing skin, not just covering to create confidence. Needless to say, getting to know Erin has been amazing.
Fast forward a couple of years, countless in-store play sessions and a whole lot of fun and we are so excited to be working with Erin on a series of in-store beauty workshops. Ahead of our first workshop (which you can check out here), we asked Erin a couple of questions about how she found herself in the beauty industry and what beauty means to her.
What was your first introduction to makeup?
Funnily enough, I still own the first makeup my mum ever bought me. It was a loose illuminator and pot of glitter from Red Earth. I used to just put the illuminator over my whole face. I remember a boy at school asking me why my face was glittery and then I realised maybe I had used it wrong! I had no idea what I was doing.
How did you come to be a makeup artist? What did you see in makeup?
While I was studying to be a Nurse, I was working in a pharmacy and LOVED playing with all the makeup testers, doing our makeup in-store before going out after work on a Friday night.
That job introduced me to the idea of being a makeup artist and actually getting paid for it. After I had finished my studies, I realised how much I craved the creativity. I saw makeup as an opportunity to use my painting/drawing abilities in a way that I had never thought of before while providing the balance I needed from what could be a stressful job (nursing).
What would you say is your signature look?
I love creating a makeup look that truly enhances someone’s natural features without masking the skin and all its beauty. It’s not necessarily flawless. But it’s definitely a celebration of skin, and making it look its best. A hint of a warm brown smokey eye with some wispy, fluffy individual lashes. I will always attempt a brushed up brow, whether or not people let me leave it that way is another story!
Makeup artistry is a true form of creativity and expression – what is your creative process as a makeup artist and what does your make up style say about you?
It can be very tough these days being surrounded by images and not being heavily influenced by what other artists are doing. I’ll quite often spend time before a shoot planning what looks I will do, playing around on myself (or whoever is home that night!). Sometimes you just wing it on the day and nail it, sometimes it really doesn’t work. So it pays to be a bit organised but also willing to just smash it on and see what you get. To be honest, I think that sums me up pretty well, somehow super organised but happy to be spontaneous in the moment.
What area of the makeup industry do you love the most? What are your favourite types of projects?
I love working on photoshoots, I really like being given a brief and working within a team to create the client’s vision. The satisfaction of seeing the final result in print, or online, on the side of a bus or in a catalogue or magazine. It still surprises me, the variety of work that there can be.
Working in the industry, you are surrounded by beauty every day. What is beauty to you?
I feel like you could answer this in so many ways, But I guess I would say that I find beauty in confidence, and not giving a %$*& about what people think.
How do you keep grounded?
Quality time with my family, music, sunshine, and swimming. Dancing. As often as I can. Karaoke whenever possible.
What do you love the most about the industry and working in Perth?
I love the people I get to work with. Hairstylists, photographers, stylists, other makeup artists, designers, assistants. I have met some of my favourite people and had so many belly laughs. It’s really fun to be able to get together with a team of people and all work together to create something beautiful.
What would you say are the top 3 trends in makeup at the moment?
Oh, I don’t even know. Some of it is pretty full-on. I am enjoying the shift towards multi-use products though, I love being able to use something on the eyes, cheeks and lips!
Who would you love to work with the most?
SO MANY PEOPLE! If I stick with Australians that makes it easier. I’d love to shoot with Jennifer Stenglein (photographer) and Renya Xydis (Hair).
