The New Zealand Makeup Podcast Grand Illusions and Existential Angst

Meet our latest guest, the multifaceted Karina Sanasaryan. Karina brings a wealth of experience as a freelance makeup and hair artist, owner of ‘Makeup Station’ with teams in Auckland and Christchurch, and as the Head of Wigs and Makeup at the New Zealand Opera.
Celebrating ten years in the makeup scene, Karina recalls her journey, starting with a makeup course at The Makeup School and then taking the leap into business ownership during COVID times before rising through the ranks to HOD at the New Zealand Opera.
The conversation explores the preparation process for opera productions, the importance of hair in stage performances, and the challenges of working with quick changes and wigs in an industry lacking specialised stores.
Karina shares insights on managing personalities backstage, ensuring quality control, and the joy of mentorship, stressing the importance of nurturing the next generation of artists. The episode touches on the realities of working in theatre, including the lower pay scale compared to other areas in the industry and the limited job opportunities.
Don't miss Karina's insights from behind the curtain on industry resources, managing a creative team, and her love for backstage life!

(00:00:38) Introducing Karina Sanasaryan(00:01:54) Memorable Moments in Opera & Musical Theatre(00:03:42) Starting her Career in Makeup(00:08:29) Discovering Makeup Station(00:11:34) Preparing for NZ Opera Shows(00:14:31) Assembling an Opera Makeup Team(00:19:03) Challenges with Opera Wigs(00:22:26) Quick Changes in Musical Theatre vs. Opera(00:26:40) Becoming Head of Department(00:30:34) Learning Wig Making for Opera(00:32:45) Essential Wig Design Tools(00:35:52) Go-To Makeup Resources(00:37:35) The Necessity of Cross-Communication in Opera(00:41:10) Quality Control Responsibilities(00:43:42) Difficulties in Theatre/Opera Makeup(00:45:34) Advice for Aspiring Makeup Artists(00:50:59) The Final Three Questions

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Kimberley Coleman is the owner and operator of the award-winning Lady Lash Studio in Christchurch. Kimberley discusses her journey of building a successful lash salon and how she began with the modest goal of contributing $150 a week to her family's finances. The episode delves into the educational aspect of Lady Lash, which not only teaches lash extensions but also emphasises the importance of being an effective teacher. Highlighting the lack of government regulation in the industry, Kimberley stresses the necessity of insurance for protecting businesses and staff.
The discussion covers practical advice for makeup artists, including the crucial recommendation of using a lash cleanser for lash and eye care to avoid infection. Kimberley also elaborates on her inspiring ‘Let's Go Wahine' mentorship program that combines beauty training with activities such as yoga, surfing, and self-development to boost confidence and make a positive community impact.
Sustainability in the beauty industry is a key topic, with Kimberley sharing insights on eco-friendly products in the lash world and the importance of recycling and reusing.
Speaking from her own experience as a mother and an enthusiast of outdoor sports, she offers advice to other artists on balancing professional hustle with personal life.
Looking to the future, Kimberley expresses her ambition to have the salon operate independently, allowing her to focus on expanding the ‘Let's Go' program nationwide, empowering young women across New Zealand. The episode concludes with a reflection on the supportive nature of New Zealand's beauty industry and the mutual benefit of fostering a supportive community.
(00:01:21) Kimberly Coleman: NZ's Top Lash Salon Winner
(00:03:06) A Decade of Lash Studio Success
(00:08:48) Expert Tips on Lash Extensions
(00:14:00) Balancing Local Preferences and Global Trends
(00:18:07) Challenge of Dealing with Dirty Lashes
(00:21:35) 'Let’s Go Wahine' Mentorship
(00:28:01) Sustainable Practices in Lash Business
(00:32:01) Juggling Business, Roles, and Family
(00:35:41) The Power of Acting on Ideas
(00:38:58) Future Aspirations for the Salon Business
(00:40:12) Empowering Young Women with 'Let's Go Project'
(00:41:54) The Three Final Questions


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Meet Stacey Banfield, the founder of Soleil and Soul and an accomplished bridal makeup artist in Aotearoa. Stacey shares her journey from leaving school at 16 to work on a makeup counter to becoming one of New Zealand's top wedding vendors without the need for traditional advertising, relying instead on word-of-mouth recommendations.
Stacey highlights her passion for the transformative power of makeup and explains her preference for freelance over counter work due to its flexibility and freedom from workplace pressure. She emphasises the importance of customer service and interpersonal skills, criteria she priorities in her team of artists.
Discussing entrepreneurship, Stacey outlines her experience in starting a beauty brand, including the time and significant financial investment required to launch a product that aligns with her commitment to sustainability. Sustainability is a core value for her brand, which she strives to uphold in both formulation and packaging.
She offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs based on her own experience of self-funding her business and the meticulous process of finding the right formulator. Stacey also delves into her unexpected role as a social media influencer, which emerged organically from promoting her work and business online.
Furthermore, Stacey shares a personal security concern that arose from working alone, the importance of maintaining booking information for safety, and her aspirations to scale back Saturdays while expanding her beauty brand into the Australian market. She dreams of her products being sold in major retailers like Mecca or Sephora.
Don't miss this intimate conversation with Stacey as we explore her journey from makeup artist to visionary entrepreneur, delving into the highs, the lows, and everything in between on the road to creating Soleil and Soul Beauty.
(00:00:41) Meet Stacey: Bridal Makeup Artist(00:04:30) Makeup Courses and Career Beginnings(00:06:12) Choosing Makeup Artistry(00:08:38) Transition to Freelance Work(00:10:37) Customer Service for Makeup Artists(00:12:30) Filling the Market Gap with Soleil and Soul(00:14:47) Innovative Brush Cleaner Solution(00:22:09) Sustainability in Beauty Brands(00:26:43) Connecting with a Formulator(00:28:57) Investing in a Beauty Brand Launch(00:35:45) Growing a Social Media Following(00:39:16) Dealing with Safety Concerns(00:42:25) Work-Life Balance in Freelance Makeup(00:45:54) The Three Final Questions
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In this episode, Sophie invites acclaimed makeup artist Kelly Mitchell for an insightful conversation. Kelly shares her inspiring journey, culminating in a double nomination and subsequent win for Best Makeup Design at the TVNZ awards. She discusses her early ambition in fashion, transition to hairdressing apprenticeship at 16, and passion for makeup design. Kelly reveals her personal struggle with depression in the industry and underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy mind, body, and soul, especially given the demanding nature of the work.
Kelly speaks on the career benefits and design inspiration that traveling provides and the necessity to stay local due to the actors strike in 2023. She also touches on the financial constraints within the New Zealand makeup industry and the challenge of negotiating pay rates and time allocations for projects. Despite budget restrictions, Kelly emphasises advocating for proper compensation for makeup designers' extensive kits and prep work.
The episode delves into the nuances of managing timelines for episodic series, embracing New Zealand's resourceful mentality, and exploring avenues for passive income. Kelly also expresses her love for incorporating indigenous techniques into her work, such as ta moko tattoo artistry.
Join us for a down-to-earth chat with Kelly Mitchell, a visionary artist dedicated to the transformative power of storytelling on screen.
(00:00:48) Intro to Kelly: Award-Winning Makeup and Hair Design
(00:02:39) Starting a Hairdressing Apprenticeship at 16
(00:08:30) Dealing with Depression and Breakdowns
(00:13:51) Travel as a Mental Health Balance
(00:15:45) Overseas Training
(00:20:09) Wig Hunting in New York
(00:21:46) Makeup Artist Pay Rate Issues
(00:30:37) Negotiating Time Requirements
(00:33:23) Prepping for Episodic TV Series
(00:37:34) Incorporating Tikanga for Hairdressing
(00:43:14) Moko Artist Collaboration for Film Tattoos
(00:47:20) Māori Woman in Business Development
(00:50:45) Planning for the Future in the Industry
(00:54:59) The Three Final Questions

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In this episode, Sophie speaks with Sarika Patel, a freelance makeup artist renowned for her expertise in skin and colour correction. Sarika shares her background, revealing that her initial dream was to work at MAC and how Bollywood films have greatly influenced her approach to makeup. She discusses her journey from working within a company to building her own brand, and the challenges and pride that come with it.
Sarika also touches on the importance of representation in the media, advocating for authentic inclusion and discussing her desire to adapt beauty trends for people of colour. The conversation also delves into work-life balance, especially in managing a demanding schedule with a young child, and the pursuit of new markets and opportunities, including aspirations for Fashion Week.
Further, Sarika offers insights into her marketing strategies as a freelance artist, citing 'Atomic Habits' as an influential read. She reflects on the unique characteristics of the New Zealand makeup industry and her personal commitment to empowering her clients. Sarika concludes by discussing her vision for her legacy in the industry and the importance of community building.
Tune in now for a kōrero that celebrates the multifaceted journey of Aotearoa's "Colour-Correcting Queen." 
(00:01:09) Meet Freelance Makeup Artist Sirika
(00:02:21) Highlighted Projects and Proud Moments
(00:04:09) Origin Stories: First Encounters with Makeup
(00:05:56) Becoming a Makeup Artist: The Journey
(00:10:13) The Leap to Freelancing
(00:15:42) Bridal to Freelance Makeup Transition
(00:18:42) Inclusivity in the Makeup Industry
(00:21:58) Balancing Work and Family Life
(00:24:08) Keeping Up with Makeup Trends
(00:28:36) Marketing Strategies for Freelancers
(00:31:36) Unique Aspects of New Zealand's Makeup Scene
(00:33:06) Crafting a Professional Legacy
(00:36:06) The Final Three Questions

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In this episode, Sophie dives into the world of Kiwi makeup artistry legend Sam Hart. This Auckland based makeup artist is not just about creating stunning bridal looks but also shares her knowledge in her wildly successful 'Bridal Boot Camp.’ Sam Hart Sam (an unwitting pseudonym born of her Instagram handle) shares her journey from hating high school and almost becoming a hairdresser to finding her true calling in makeup. She speaks about her experience in retail makeup, highlighting the importance of building rapport with clients and how working at places like Revlon, Clinique, and MAC helped her skills and sales grow.
Transitioning to freelance, Sam embraced the role of being her own boss and the impact it had on her career. She also discusses the value of her retail background in shaping client interactions and why she ventured into educational aspects of makeup, being one of the first in New Zealand to offer bridal industry specific lessons. Furthermore, Sam talks about her team of three members, her challenges in striking a work-life balance with a preschooler, and the complexities of sustainability in the industry.
Equality in service irrespective of the client or occasion is a principle Sam upholds, and her unique pricing structure reflects this. Success for her isn't measured by income but by the experiences and accomplishments over her 14-year career, dreaming of someday opening her own makeup school and beating her personal best in weddings per season.
Don’t miss out on the wisdom, laughter, and infectious energy of Sam Hart Sam!
(00:00:42) Meet Makeup Artist and Educator Sam Hart Sam
(00:03:40) Sam’s Makeup Career Journey
(00:06:50) Sam's Experience in Retail Makeup
(00:12:41) Freelancing While Employed 
(00:14:48) Balancing Sales with Authentic Makeup Advice
(00:18:58) Masterclasses and Mentorship
(00:23:40) Managing Preschool Life and Self-Employment
(00:28:26) Recovery Journey Post-Back Surgery
(00:30:39) Discussion on Professional Rates
(00:33:44) Embracing Sustainability
(00:37:29) Defining Success and Happiness
(00:40:55) Future Aspirations
(00:45:16) The Final Three Questions



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