Introductions

Hello! You're here! I just want you to know that I've been editing this blog for three days, trying to decide exactly how I should word things.  I thought about launching right into makeup/beauty related topics, but I thought introductions were absolutely necessary. Just so you can get an idea of what's going on in my crazy head! I hope this blog is entertaining to you- and sometimes educational. Maybe I'll tell you things you already know, or maybe I'll inspire you to do something crazy too.


I will be writing about products I come across, or certain techniques I learn, or have learned along the way. But also.....and the real point of this blog, is to document my personal journey through trying to establish myself as a freelance makeup artist in Victoria BC.



If you think it's silly, or have any negative feelings towards what I'm doing at all,......note the top right corner of your screen...there's a little X there. Click it.



I am pretty excited to start writing one of these things.  I've read a lot of blogs, and even watched a lot of people on Youtube 'Vlog' about what's important to them.
A video-blog might be in the future..... I haven't decided if I've got that much gull yet!  I do enjoy writing, so we'll stick with this for now! 


For the past five years I've been working in cosmetic retail.  And right now, I'm finally in a place where I can breathe, and where I'm really happy.  However, I think I really need to step out of my comfort zone, and since I'm in a position where I can do makeup jobs on the side of my current occupation....why not? 
Once upon a time,  I had the opportunity to branch out and freelance as a Makeup Artist.... but as soon as I got the job at Lancome in 2006, I told myself there wouldn't be enough time for both. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had swallowed my fear and continued freelancing. Most of my opportunities were coming out of Vancouver, so I suppose I would have to ship on and ship out to the big bad city. And when I look at my life now- I know that is exactly what I wouldn't want. I'm impossibly close to my family, and I've got the most lovely boyfriend (Christopher) and miniature schnauzer...(Maggie). I can't imagine life without any of these things.
So here I am, in Victoria, doing what some naysayers might call impossible. Some call Victoria the town of 'Newlywed's and Newly-dead's'. You come across these 'deflators' all the time, (my manager at my current workplace showed me and some colleagues an article on 'deflators') who tell you, 'there is no opportunity for Makeup Artists in Victoria, you need to move to Vancouver.'  Haven't these people ever seen 'Bambi'? Thumper had some wise words, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."  And it's true. No one needs to hear why they won't be successful.
And I have to say, I couldn't disagree with these people more....I know of at least one Makeup Artist who said she has forty weddings booked per year. I plan on getting in touch with her and picking her brain. Possibly having an 'Informational Interview' with her.
Plus, I ain't movin. I love Victoria, and have no desire to live anywhere else!


 My parents, both in their sixties still ask themselves, "what should I do with my life?". However, I think this keeps them moving forward....and it's the same voice that has kept me moving forward since I graduated high school, and realized I was responsible for my own destiny.
At a certain point you have to stop talking about what you want to do- and just start making forward advancements, sometimes only in blind faith.
So that's what I'm doing. The facebook page I created, and the creation of this blog are baby-steps forward in the direction of what I want to do. So you can understand how much I appreciate your support. Both in 'liking' my facebook page, and with reading this blog.

A pattern of mine is to underestimate my training. I graduated from Blanche MacDonald Centre in Vancouver  five years ago, with a diploma in Makeup Artistry. There, I was taught everything from special makeup effects to makeup for TV and film.  I went into the program with aspirations to come out as a Makeup Artist for TV and Film. How wonderful would it be to transform people into the zombies I so loved watching on film as a child. 
While I was going to school, a lot of my time and energy was consumed by problems within my personal life. I was still able to pull off exemplary grades, but I did very minimal volunteering within the TV and Film industry....which can be essential when you're trying to make a name for yourself.
So I graduated, and all I wanted to do was pull the covers over my head and sleep. I took a 6 month hiatus from makeup...and in he midst of my descent into the rabbit hole,  I received a call from Blanche MacDonald's Career Councillor, Jen D. She told me a full-time position had been made available with Lancome at Sears and to, "Not think, just do."
And that's all she wrote, five years later and I'm still in cosmetic retail.

Months ago- I was having coffee with a good friend of mine. We were talking about what we usually talk about....our men, our jobs, and of course,"this is what I want to do, but I don't know how to do it." At this point, I was quite upset (yes, crying in Tim Horton's, so dramatic, I know). Being the Superwoman she is, my friend looked into my drippy eyes and said,"Work with me!" My friend had dreams of opening up her own event planning business, as she had been trained in such industries. So I blew into a tissue and decided I would take a leap of faith and contract myself out with my friend.  She did some advertisements on usedvictoria, and craigslist....and much to my surprise, we got three weddings out of the deal!  Of course we were going to do these weddings strictly as a promotional deal- and wouldn't yet be charging. But at the very least we might start to make a name for ourselves.

Due to a slight change in plans- the event planning business is no longer, however, I'm still doing makeup for at least two brides this Summer.  It's something I might never have initiated on my own, so I'm forever thankful to my friend who gave me a kick in the butt. Which is exactly what I needed.


Speaking of butts:  Jen D, the same woman at Blanche MacDonald who got me the job at Lancome, once said to me, "Get your head out of your ass!" I think she was fed up with all my, "I can't's,"
Well so am, Jen!

So it's time..... to remove my head..... and get on with my life!



Warm Regards,
Adrienne