Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Spivey.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Heather. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was super insecure & used my own makeup to hide.
Never in a million years did I think I’d make a living from doing makeup on others!!
In 2001, I got a job in cosmetics for a department store. I had no idea you could make a career out of it doing makeup!
While working retail, I’d see these strong confident gorgeous women come in to buy cosmetics, but when they walked out, it was like their confidence was gone. We were taught to be intimidating, how to look intimidating, how to convey to guests that they had no idea what they were talking about. We basically crushed their spirits.
I HATED seeing these amazing, confident women walking away, crushed… because of me and my coworkers.
During my time in retail, I had a private client who sang in her prime in the ’70s, she was probably in her late 60’s when I did her makeup, she also had MS.
She was singing for a tribute on a television show and asked me to do her makeup, she could barely walk or sing but she was determined. When she got off the stage, she called me over and said that she felt BEAUTIFUL, she felt like she was 20 again and could have danced across the stage.
As soon as she said it, I knew THAT was how I wanted to make women feel.
I’ve now been doing makeup for 19 years and can’t imagine life any other way.
My biggest insecurity became my calling.
The majority of makeup I do is television, authors, musicians & live events, with one or two weddings a year.
Every time someone sits in my chair, I ask the Lord to show me how HE sees that person and to help me bring out their unique individual beauty.
In 2016, I was voted one of Fort Worth’s Top 10 Most Beautiful and that opened the door for me to go into schools & women’s groups talking about the beauty industry & how it’s changed with the rise of social media.
It’s been a fun few years.
In 2013, I had a little girl and having her changed my view of beauty more than I knew was possible!
I’m now very careful with how I talk about myself and other women. If we see someone that looks different than ourselves, we always list at least three things we find beautiful about that person.
She helps me see the beauty in myself and in people in ways I didn’t know was possible. It’s honestly helped my business so much.
I’ve had a great career but in the last five years, I’ve been blessed more than I can hold. Literally my cup runs over.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not at all. Lol.
It’s funny because with social media, being a makeup artist has changed SO MUCH!
Instagram & YouTube weren’t a thing when I started. Being a makeup artist wasn’t a “celebrity” type thing.
I did a LOT of work for free, did a lot of friends makeup & found someone to apprentice under, I also took a year off and studied lighting under one of the best lighting designers in Dallas.
One thing I see in new makeup artists is that they expect to come in, have everything provided for them and then they leave… that’s so not how it is.
We’re pack mules!
We provide our own lights, table, chairs, makeup product for global skin tone & makeup brushes (I carry at least five sets at all times). A lot of artists I know actually have carts they use to transport everything.
Makeup is usually one of the first to arrive and last to leave. We’re working for producers & directors… we answer to everyone!
It’ll teach you to be precise, fast, a team player & prepared for anything!
I always suggest finding someone you admire and ask to apprentice with them or if they’re taking an intern.
It might not pay, but it’ll teach you more than you’ll ever learn through a web certification course.
And my last bit of advice… PLAY! Practice, test & play with makeup. Touch as many faces as you can!!! Make sure you work on all skin types, textures, tone and ages!
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I specialize in television & live events, things like live album recordings, red carpet, album covers, book covers, live speakers.
I actually go between here and Nashville & here & LA the most.
Other makeup artists have said that I have a “look” I’m known for. I guess I’d say, on women, it’s a smudgy smoldery eye & SKIN (I’m VERY specific in the way I do skin & even create set powders my clients swear by).
On men, not looking like they have makeup on. I have a way I do it where the camera sees skin, not makeup and they feel like they look like themselves.
I think I’m most proud of the fact that when someone hires me, they know things will be done right.
I’ve worked hard for excellence to be synonymous with my name and I feel like I’ve accomplished that.
My clients also realize that I’m always learning! I’m never happy with just being OK at something. I want to master it and always want to surround myself with people that are better & smarter than me.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
Learn about makeup!
Not just what’s on-trend, but learn past beauty because I guarantee it’s going to come back around!
Get nerdy!!! Learn why foundation oxidizes, how to pick foundation colors on clients. Learn that not all faces are the same!!! There are different eye shapes, contour shapes & cheek shapes!
Learn how lighting changes makeup. You’ll need alllllll the knowledge you can hold!
Learn to listen. Not every client will want a cut crease and contour, most probably won’t.
Learn how to listen and not have an agenda when doing makeup on someone.
Learn what makes THEM feel beautiful, not what YOU think they should want to see on their faces.
Also, make connections with photographers, directors, producers, brides, wedding planners, etc.
One of the most important things you can learn in a business overrun with women, SUPPORT EACH OTHER!
Don’t compete or backstab, don’t undercut. It’s a small industry and we all know each other pretty much!
Learn from each other and support each other the best you can!
Your best advertisement will always be word of mouth.
This is a fun career & YOU GOT THIS!
Contact Info:
- Website: HeatherSpivey.com
- Phone: (940) 600-1016
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @Heatherspiveymua
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heatherspiveymakeupartist/
Image Credit:
@fabcodallas, @jessicasheppard, @cameronpowellstudio
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