Here, the Aussie social media stars, YouTubers, hair and makeup artists whose names youll want to remember and advice youll want to heed.
With countless celebrity clients and millions of followers between them, who better to ask for practical career advice than the beauty experts and influencers at the top of their game right now?
And with Australias current status as an up-and-coming beauty epicenter, we turned our attention to the land down under to find a fresh, new crop of talent.
Lauren Curtis
The super-successful Lauren Curtis boasts more than 3. 6 million YouTube subscribers alone, and is considered one of the industrys OG influencers in Australia. Known for her hair and makeup tutorials, travel vlogs and more, shes easily the best-known beauty blogger in the country. So its no wonder she has sound advice for those seeking a career in the industry, too.
“Dont concern yourself with what others are doing around you,” she says. “Focusing on your competitors and their actions only takes your focus away from creating your own success. Everyone has their own unique path, and what works for them may not work for you. ” Curtis also believes the key to success is loving what you do. “Life is too short to spend your precious time on something that doesnt make you happy. Find something that feeds your soul and it will never feel like work. ”
Nicole Thompson
More commonly known as Pinky, the Senior Global Makeup Artist for MACs client listis star-studded, including Kate Hudson, Elsa Hosk and Romee Strijd, as well as a resumé that includes working backstage with legends like Val Garland and Tom Pecheux.
Her career philosophy? Firstly, dont be deterred by unpaid work. “In the makeup industry, there is no one way to get in,” she says. “Its all about taking every opportunity you can, being available, hungry and proactive. Opportunity comes in many forms and people often say no to an unpaid job. One of those jobs led me to meet an incredible photographer that filled up my portfolio with amazing images, and a producer who put me forward for my first paid campaign. ”
Thompson also believes in “the magic of assisting to kick-start your makeup career. I was watching and listening more than I was talking, and this is the most important thing. It will give you invaluable lessons on how things work on the job that you cant be taught at a makeup college, or on YouTube. Its best to see as much as you possibly can before you land on the job yourself and the pressure is all on you. ”
Related ArticlesThis Is How Much it Costs to Wake Up Like an InfluencerAre Influencers Influencing Where Young People Travel? Hey, Quick Question: Are Computer-Generated Influencers About to Take Over the Beauty Industry?
Renya Xydis
A hairstylist withmultiple salonsunder her ownership, Xydishas tended to the tresses of celebrities like Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts and Hailey Baldwin. Her career advice is simple: “Get back to the basics. Think about the concept first, then ask questions. Always stay until the end of the job, and remember to be humble, yet strong. ” She also says it pays off to surround yourself with positive, inspiring people.
Elle Ferguson
An influencer in every sense of the word, Ferguson boasts more than 635,000 followers on Instagram alone. She as a fashion blogger before realizing her year-round bronzed skin was garnering attention, and recentlyadded entrepreneur to her multi-hyphenate title after having founder her own self-tanner brand, Elle Effect. Oh, and did we mention she’s friends with the ultimate beauty industry influencers, Kris Jenner and Kim Kardshian West?
Fergusons best advice is about having integrity and authenticity:“Stay true to your brand, remember who you are and what your brand stands for. Dont ever sacrifice it for anything,” she says.
Its also crucial to remember that the beauty industry is a small one, according to Ferguson. “Everyone knows everyone. The people you meet on the way up are the people you meet on the way down,” she says. And finally, she believes in the old adage: “dress for the job you want, not the job you have. ”
Anthony Nader
Kendall Jenner, Gisele, Olivia Palermo and Karlie Kloss – talk about a celebrity clientele worth swooning over. Nader has worked with all of them and also runs Sydneys top salons, Raw Anthony Nader. Hes also a staple backstage at fashion weeks around the world, most often in New York, where he has lived on and off for the past decade. Never one to shy away from sharing his well-respected advice, he reveals three key notions that guide his professional philosophy.
First, be prepared. “When you get the interview, do your homework and research the company. Look at their website, Instagram account, blog, Facebook and Twitter. ” It seems obvious, but for Nader it bears repeating.
“Make sure when youre going for that dream job, your appearance is on-brand,” he adds. “Youll win major bonus points walking into the interview, looking like you know what the companys image is. ”
Last, but not least, attitude and work ethic count. “Dont be a clock-watcher,” he advises. “The manager sees everything. Stay that extra 30 minutes if you have to; its not going to kill you. There are always more potentials that want the job youve got. ”
Nikkia Joy
Shes a professional makeup artist and beauty blogger with more than half a million subscribers to her YouTube channel, on top of beinga practicing paramedic and nurse. Does the word over-achiever come to mind? Wait, shes created her own brand of fake eyelashes, too. So if it didnt initially, were betting it does now.
“My first piece of advice is to be yourself,” says Joy. “Youre special and your viewers connect with you because of who you are. People can very easily spot it when someone is being disingenuous, so just be yourself and have fun. ” And because content is king, “Post regularly and consistently. If you want people to continue coming back to your channel, then you need to be consistently giving them something new to watch. Just remember that its always quality over quantity, though – dont ever post content that youre not happy with just for the sake of it. ”
Nigel Stanislaus
Thanks to his decade-long brand ambassadorship, Singapore-born, Melbourne-basedStanislaus is formerly known as Mr. Maybelline, and has painted the faces of A-listers like Bella Hadid, Ruby Rose and Shanina Shaik. The makeup artist has also regularly appeared as a judge on “Asias Next Top Model” and can whip up a drag queen beat with the best of em. His diverse set of makeup skills and hilarious, fun-loving personality makes Stanislaus memorable for all the right reasons.
When it comes to his career advice, his insights are especially motivational: “Be hungry for what you want. That authenticity and joy just shines right through, and people appreciate that. ”
