Beauty talks: Meet make-up artist Aisling Kelly
Yazmine Lomax, marketing and communications executive at Flair Hair & Beauty Supplies, talks with the best in the beauty business. This month she meets, Aisling Kelly, a Galway-based make-up artist who has spent more than 14 years working backstage at fashion and award shows, beautifying brides around Ireland, and teaching her craft to others.
It's great to catch up with you, Aisling! It's also been fantastic to watch your career as a bridal make-up artist. Can you tell us what it's like to work on weddings?
Working on weddings is a real privilege; you're invited into someone's home and time with their family for some of their most intimate moments. As a make-up artist, you're a very important person on the day as the bride is putting her trust in you to make her feel like her best self.
Some people may think weddings are stressful but I really don't feel that at all. I‘ve been doing this for a long time and have seen it all so I'm quite relaxed in some stressful moments!
There is a lot more product involved in TV, and you have to exaggerate things slightly as the camera takes most of the make-up away.
Shows are a completely different ball game; it's the most exciting, scary and stressful time. I thrive on this type of work as I'm one of those who work very well under pressure.
As a freelance make-up artist, you're now your own boss. What are the most rewarding and challenging parts of this role?
I come from a family of entrepreneurs so it's in my blood. It was inevitable that I would go out on my own, it just took me a little longer than I thought it would but it was the right time!
The most rewarding part is seeing my clients and students building confidence. One challenge is hoping that the work will keep coming in. I'm fortunate in that it has always been steady for me but you have to go out and get the work, you can't sit back and hope it will come to you. You also have to move with the times and I believe it's so important to upskill and learn new things.
Throughout my career, I realised I had so much knowledge that others didn't have and I was always so so happy to share it. I would find myself talking a lot when I was with clients so it was a natural progression to teach!
You've done so much in your years as a make-up artist. What is your proudest achievement?
Doing make-up backstage at the Alexander McQueen show and at the BAFTAs and British Fashion Awards are all pinch me moments!
And finally, what's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Enjoy every experience and remember you can't please all of the people all of the time. Working with the public has its challenges; it can be quite tough but the best way to overcome this is experience.
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