When it comes to the words makeup,artist or cosmetics my attention is instantly taken and everything thing else around me seems to fade away. This is probably because I am so in my element with any of the above that my whole life pretty much revolves around colour and the magical beauty it can create.
Now mention LA based makeup artist Elle Leary to me and ain't that just another story! My heart will just about jump right out at you. This beautiful woman has a way with a makeup brush in hand!
As a true makeup artist I love to follow a lot of inspiring artists through social media, makeup artist magazines, and of course I have also learnt a lot from the brands I have been lucky enough to work for.
I love to surround myself in their world sometimes as its nice to learn new trends and wee tips and tricks to up skill myself .Living in NZ where the industry is a little more reserved in their way of colour display following artists like Elle helps to inspire my own creativity.
So basically I found the lovely Elle a few years back when I came across an image in which she was the artist and from then I was instantly hooked on following her flawlessly polished journey.I love watching her Youtube channel and especially her videos for the Grammy awards on http://www.grammy.com/user/elle-leary they are super fun and make you want to get your brushes out to follow along in an instant!
Elle is quite possibly one of the most inspiring down to earth artists I have ever spoken to and I was completely fan girling when she replied to me straight away . It has been super hard keeping my fingers from posting earlier on my blog than planned believe me, but I have been good and stuck to my guns.
I am ever so grateful that she has taken the time out of her hectic lifestyle to chat to me and share an insight into "Elle's world" for all Painted Lips followers to be apart of and being a New Zealand first makes it all the more special!
This beauties talent has her sought after by some of Hollywood's Hottest Celebs who of course are all wanting to be the canvas of her amazing art. Her portfolio spans from music videos, fashion,Editorial(Check out Robin Thicke on the cover of Treats Magazine) film, television and red carpet with that only being an overview to an incredible career in which I have huge starry eyes for!!
Be sure to follow Elle on:
Instagram:@ELLELEARYARTISTRY
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/elle.learyartistry
So with out further a do let me introduce you all to the beautiful Elle Leary!!!
Elle for those of my followers new to artist's beyond Australasia and Youtube tell us a little about yourself and how your amazing career started?
I grew up in San Diego CA, I have danced since I was 2, sang since I was 8 and been on stage since I can remember. I have always worn makeup and my mom is a huge beauty lover. She is one of those that can put lipstick on without a mirror and that always fascinated me.
At age 15 my mother, best friend and I decided to open a dance studio and teach kids 2- adult. These kids competed weekly and I noticed something was missing so I tried to spice up their makeup, that was it.
Before long there was a line down the studio waiting of me to do their makeup!!
Around 18 I decided to work on my days off from the studio ( Saturdays after 3 and Sundays) at the Make Up For Ever Counter. I absolutely loved this job, I had caught the bug. When I completed college I decide to move to LA and peruse my dreams. I work corporate for a little bit while I worked my way up. Then one day I decided it was time, so I cut off the full time job and become the makeup artist I knew I could be. Now here we are today!!!
@ELLELEARYARTISTRY
Speaking of Youtube you have a channel yourself , what would be your favourite videos to film?
Yes I do!! It is Elle Leary Artistry and I started it just a little over a year ago. I actually love to do requested videos. I love to hear from my beauty family and see what topics are on their minds.
I also really like to do video's for aspiring makeup artists. Usually in most video's I will give some tips for them. I just feel sometimes new MUA's don't get to have the extra play by play tips.
What would you define your strengths and weaknesses as within the industry, as being only human I'm sure you get nervous sometimes too ;)
I would fear that I might get board!! Even when I work with the same person we do a different look, we try to change it up. I also feel that being in front of the camera is another one of my strengths. I just love it and I love being able to connect and help people.
I think my weakness is that I am little to trusting and giving of my heart. Unfortunately not everyone has your best interests at heart. It is a very competitive environment and you just need to keep your wits about you. But for the most part people in the industry are loving, extremely welcoming and friendly.
You must really love getting up every morning knowing you get to go and make people feel amazing about themselves, that must be very humbling for you ..did you ever expect to be where you are today?
Your portfolio stretches to making up some of the hottest celebs in the world ! Which look would be the most memorable for you ?
It isn't the celebs I get to do or campaigns or anything else, they are great, but it is about interacting with people and hearing their stories. I love meeting new people and hopefully inspiring them for a day or making them feel good. Everyday is amazing and I am so thankful to be able to do what I love.
Within the Hollywood circle do you see any particular trends evolving at the moment for the season ahead?
I recently did a beauty story, that will be out soon, that shows you several ways to wear this colour. There are also so many shades for us to play with, whether it is a bold lip, light wash of colour on the eye or high/pop of a cheek colour.
You will also see a play back to more matte skin, which I love. I feel we were getting a little carried away with the dewy, ha! So it won't be completely matte, but definitely semi-matte. Lastly, bold brows are here to stay which makes me very happy because every face deserves am amazing frame.
What tips can you let us in on to ensure a camera ready look?
1. make sure skincare is high on your list of musts to be red carpet ready. Getting facials every 4 weeks is a must as well as a good at home routine. Makeup can only do so much.
2. Eat healthy!! Our skin reacts what is going on, on the inside. So make sure you are eating fruits, vegies proteins etc. There are some great juices you can make at home to combat skin conditions like acne. I will be blogging about this over the coming weeks.
3. Use a primer that is a pore minimizer. This will give you an even canvas to start with and a smooth finish.
4. When applying foundation, apply from the inside of the face out. Really only using it in the areas where you need it and then conceal.
5. Remember to always bring a small amount of powder, blush and your lip with you in your purse. I make "to-go" kits for each client so they can do on the carpet touch-ups.
6. Make sure you feel like you!! Incorporate something that is signature you, don't get so plied under the makeup that we can't see you
I am in ♥♥♥ with this look!
http://www.elleleary.com/editorial.html
Having access to all of the cosmetics a girl could ever wish for ,which brands or products do you tend to have a preference for?
Oh my gosh this is a hard question because there are so many brands I like for different things, so I will break them down...
Skincare: Murad, Le Meiux, First Aid beauty, Babor
Foundation: Armani, Chanel, Dior, Emani, Hourglass, Kevyn Aucion, Make Up For Ever
Lips: Almost always either Dior, Chanel or Hourglass
Blush, Shadow, Highlighter: Hourglass, Dior, Emani, IT Cosmetics, TARTE, Colorescience, Nars, Urban Decay, Make Up For Ever
Skincare: Murad, Le Meiux, First Aid beauty, Babor
Foundation: Armani, Chanel, Dior, Emani, Hourglass, Kevyn Aucion, Make Up For Ever
Lips: Almost always either Dior, Chanel or Hourglass
Blush, Shadow, Highlighter: Hourglass, Dior, Emani, IT Cosmetics, TARTE, Colorescience, Nars, Urban Decay, Make Up For Ever
Mascara: Dior Show, Kevyn Aucoin Volumizing & my ultimate fave IT Cosmetics mascara
This brings our Q&A to an end , it has been so amazing chatting with you and thank you so much for taking the time to support a fellow artist and of course a true fan.. Any last minute words of advice you would like to share with us all?
If this is what you have decided to do as a career then go for it!!! I will be an amazing ride. Just remember that it takes a lot of hard work, dedication, humility and constant learning. Take every opportunity because you never know what can come from it!!!
To follow on with elle's Q&A with me here on www.paintedlips.co.nz I also have something very exciting to share with you all.
I thought it would be a great idea to share Elle with you all and have you ladies ask any questions you personally have for her so keep your eyes peeled in the facebook group below!
I will be creating a file tonight (Monday) In this file you can post anything beauty related for Elle to answer and on Thursday NZ time Elle will be popping up in the group to answer all of your beautiful questions!
So make the most of this amazing chance to talk to an artist to the stars lets be honest... living in NZ chances like these don't happen to often so have fun and get posting! xx
Love and Lipsticks
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