Professional Beauty chats all things makeup with renowned MUA, Nicole Forde.
The talented MUA chats makeup, mood boards and making your beauty dreams come true…
What inspired you to pursue a career in hair and makeup?
“As a young girl I would sit on my mother’s dressing table and watch her apply her blue eyeshadow with her hair in rollers – I was fascinated by how this would transform her and really enjoyed seeing her put on her ‘happy’ face.”
What was your first ‘big break’ in the industry?
“Probably being taken under the wing of a successful makeup artist who was willing to let me assist her and teach me about the industry. I will always be grateful for that opportunity.”
What do you think are the key factors that make up a really eye-catching editorial spread?
“I think having a great team who understand your vision. A creative team which includes the stylist, photographer, hairdresser and selecting the most suitable model for the theme you are wanting to shoot. Creating a mood board to include lighting, mood, style and emotion – which will assist the team being on the same page. Keeping something consistent throughout the story.”
What do you love most about what you do?
“I love collaborating with other creatives and seeing the end result in the image we produced. I feel blessed to be able to have a career in something I love doing and not feeling like it is work.”
What practical advice can you offer to aspiring hair and makeup professionals in today’s competitive industry?
“Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, make mistakes and challenge yourself, but have fun along the way, too! Follow your dreams and goals, no matter how hard it gets, if you are passionate about your craft, you will get there; don’t give up. And most importantly, continue to educate yourself.”