The Makeup Insider

Vanessa Barney
  • 0.0 (0)
  • FASHION & BEAUTY
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS

The Makeup Insider is a fortnightly one-on-one podcast exploring the life and career of makeup artists, hosted by freelance mua Vanessa Barney.. Finding your community of other likeminded mua’s – the creative, artistic, talkative, flexible, adaptable with a good eye for colour kind-of-people, can often be daunting. Like, where do you start? The Makeup Insider is designed for just that. To build a collaborative online community of artists to build their confidence, connections and help drive their career to the next level.If you’re just starting out or have been in the industry for a long time, tune in now, check out the key takeaways in the show notes and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Find Vanessa @vanessabarney @the.makeupinsider

  1. Welcome to The Insider Diaries: Where I have actually been for the last six months.

    3 DAYS AGO

    Welcome to The Insider Diaries: Where I have actually been for the last six months.

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to The Insider Diaries. This is the first of a new monthly segment where I sit down solo and chat through what is going on in my world, in the industry, and the conversations I think we should be having as makeup artists. In this episode I am pulling the curtain back on the last six months, sharing why I went quiet, and unpacking two big topics: visibility, and the Yana and Perth makeup artist situation. What we cover Where I'd been for the last six monthsMy fertility journey, IVF and where I am at nowHashimoto's, mood, motivation and how it has affected my workWhy two episodes sat in my drafts folder for six monthsThe new podcast format: two guest interviews, plus Insider Diaries and Insider Edit each monthA listener comp to be a guest on The Insider EditVisibility as a makeup artist and why it matters nowPosting daily on Instagram and what I have learnedThe Yana and Perth makeup artist situation, and my honest takeWhy I no longer do unpaid collaborationsWhat to get in writing before you say yes to any collabMentioned in this episode Ciara from Pro Shine and her blog on visibilityMarissa Grace - Bridalpreneur Socials Ask Ellen two part reel series on discretionWant to be on The Insider Edit? I am running a listener comp. If you would love to come on the podcast and chat about your favourite kit products, DM me on Instagram with your pitch. Loved this episode? Share it with another makeup artist or beauty lover, follow the show, and leave a review. It genuinely helps me reach more people. @the.makeupinsider Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IG

    27 min
  2. Why Taste Level Beats Technique Every Time, with Molly Warkentin

    11 MAY

    Why Taste Level Beats Technique Every Time, with Molly Warkentin

    Send us Fan Mail This week on The Makeup Insider, I sit down with Sydney based makeup artist Molly Warkentin for a chat that covers more than two decades in the beauty industry. Molly takes us from her UK beginnings at Chichester College, through her time at Mac and the tight knit crew she calls the Makeup Mafia, all the way to the moment she chose to step back from bridal work to make space for family. We talk about taste level, the quiet skill that separates good artists from great ones, and why building real relationships will always outperform chasing follower counts. In this episode we cover Molly's start in the UK and the pivot to SydneyStudying at Chichester College and what she would do differentlyLife at Mac and the network that became the Makeup MafiaAdding hairdressing to her offering and why she resisted at firstTaste level and how to build itStepping back from bridal to protect family timeHer honest advice for new artists trying to break inQuotable moments "Skill gets you in the room. Taste keeps you there." "The best opportunities I had came from people, not posts." Molly Warkentin @the.makeupinsider Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IG

    1hr 1min
  3. Inside the Life of a Beauty Editor: From Glossy Magazines to an Online Presence with Sadaf Razi

    4 MAY

    Inside the Life of a Beauty Editor: From Glossy Magazines to an Online Presence with Sadaf Razi

    Send us Fan Mail Magazines have fallen. So what does a beauty or fashion editor actually do now? In this episode, Vanessa sits down with Sadaf to unpack how the role has changed, what "cross channel pollinating" really means, and why your favourite beauty experts are now on TikTok instead of glossy pages. What we cover: The traditional beauty editor role and why it no longer existsHow editors now work across websites, video, social and podcastsWhat "cross channel pollinating" looks like day to dayWhy interviewing dermatologists on TikTok is the new normalWhat this shift means for anyone trying to break into the industryGuest: Sadaf @the.makeupinsider Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IG

    1hr 20min
  4. Insider Edit: The 5 Products Pro MUAs Can't Work Without

    27 APR

    Insider Edit: The 5 Products Pro MUAs Can't Work Without

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Vanessa sits down with Julia from Co Contour to spill the products they reach for on every job. From skin prep to setting spray, this is a full walk through of what's actually inside a working makeup artist's kit. What you'll learn: The skin prep routine Julia uses on every brideWhy Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter is a non negotiableThe foundation that survives Aussie humidityJulia's favourite concealer for smoothing textureThe mascara that holds a curl like nothing elseEveryday personal favourites from both artists@the.makeupinsider Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IG

    32 min
  5. From Accounting to Pat McGrath's Runway: Lottie's Self-Taught Makeup Career

    20 APR

    From Accounting to Pat McGrath's Runway: Lottie's Self-Taught Makeup Career

    Send us Fan Mail Lottie — makeup artist, educator and co-host of We Speak Beauty podcast Episode summary: Vanessa sits down with LA-based makeup artist Lottie, who made an unlikely leap from an accounting career into the beauty industry without any formal training. Lottie shares how she taught herself through magazines and hands-on experience, got discovered by Pat McGrath on MySpace, and built a career working on some of fashion's biggest runways. She also talks about the realities of self-employment, the pressure of social media and why so many artists undervalue themselves. In this episode: How Lottie transitioned from accounting to makeup artistry in Los AngelesTeaching herself through magazines and on-the-job experienceThe MySpace moment that led to working with Pat McGrathWhat fashion runway work actually looks and feels likeWhy resilience and authenticity matter more than credentialsLottie's masterclasses and the We Speak Beauty podcastHow social media has changed the industry and what artists should focus on insteadGuest links: Instagram: @lotstarWebsite: www.lotstar.com@the.makeupinsider Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IG

    1hr 11min
  6. If You Don't Ask, the Answer Is Always No - What I’ve learnt after 99 episodes of The Makeup

    13 APR

    If You Don't Ask, the Answer Is Always No - What I’ve learnt after 99 episodes of The Makeup

    Send us Fan Mail SHOW NOTES Episode 100: Celebrating 100 Episodes with Vanessa Barney This week we flip the mic. For our 100th episode, I'm the one being interviewed — and honestly, it felt strange and wonderful at the same time. We go deep on what it's really been like building The Makeup Insider from the ground up, the lessons that have stayed with me, and where this podcast is heading next. If you've been here from the start, thank you. If you're new, welcome — this is a great place to jump in. TopicKey Takeaway Starting from scratch  Be ready to begin again. Patience and self-grace aren't optional.The power of asking  "If you don't ask, the answer is always no." (Thanks Nicole Thompson.)Community and mentorship  This podcast exists to be the mentor I never had.Global reach  Listeners from Ukraine, Africa, and beyond — still blows my mind.What's next  More face-to-face interviews, international guests, and growing online.Thank you Julia Dillon for a wonderful chat.  @the.makeupinsider Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IG

    1hr 7min
  7. Maddy's 110 Euro Wedding Season: Lessons, Logistics & Levelling Up

    18/11/2025

    Maddy's 110 Euro Wedding Season: Lessons, Logistics & Levelling Up

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Maddy Baucia returns after an incredible season completing 110 weddings across Tuscany, Umbria, and stunning destinations including the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, and Sicily. She shares the realities behind such a high-volume year: the logistics, the challenges, the systems she relied on, and the lessons she’ll carry forward. We dive into how she plans to reduce her workload to 80 weddings next season, restructure her pricing, streamline her business model, and step away from team-based operations. Maddy also shares the importance of managing her physical and mental health, staying organised while constantly travelling, and refining her backend systems to create a more sustainable business. This episode is a must-listen for artists working in or aspiring to enter the destination wedding space. Topics Covered Challenges and Support SystemsTravel and Logistics - where to base yourselfAdjusting Future PlansPricing and Booking StrategiesFuture Goals and System ImprovementsStanding Out in the IndustryShowcasing Personality on Social MediaBuilding Trust with Destination BridesUsing Facebook Groups for Destination WorkAdvice for Aspiring Destination Wedding ArtistsCoaching Calls for Wedding ArtistsTravel Fees and Pricing PsychologyTrends in European Wedding LocationsJoin Bridal Boss Academy  @the.makeupinsider Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IG

    52 min
  8. What It Really Takes to Work Destination Weddings Abroad with Jacqui Bradfield

    20/10/2025

    What It Really Takes to Work Destination Weddings Abroad with Jacqui Bradfield

    Send us Fan Mail Navigating the European Wedding Circuit: Lessons from a Pro Makeup Artist Episode Summary In this episode of The Makeup Insider, Vanessa chats with pro makeup artist Jacqui, who recently returned from a whirlwind season working across Europe’s wedding circuit. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the bustle of Rome, Jacqui shares what it’s really like to take your artistry abroad. The highs, the hurdles, and the lessons learned from nine weddings in quick succession. Whether you’re dreaming of working internationally or simply curious about life behind the scenes of destination weddings, this conversation is packed with practical advice and honest reflections from an artist who’s done it all. What We Cover How Jacqui prepared for an international wedding seasonWhy direct flights and smart packing are non-negotiablesThe realities of driving (and surviving) Italy’s wedding circuitManaging back-to-back weddings while staying creativeJacqui’s must-have travel kit and European beauty essentialsTips for choosing accommodation and balancing work with restThe mindset shifts that come with working outside your comfort zoneKey Takeaways Preparation meets flexibility: The most successful destination artists plan for everything — and still stay open to the unexpected.Logistics matter: Cars, accommodation, and kit safety can make or break your experience.Growth through discomfort: Every challenge abroad helps strengthen your artistry, confidence, and business mindset.Community counts: Collaborating with trusted peers (like Jacqui’s hairstylist partner Brooke) makes all the difference.Listen if You’re… A bridal makeup artist dreaming of international workCurious about the European destination wedding sceneLooking for practical travel and business advice from a working artistReady to take your artistry global — and want to know where to startConnect with Jacqui Follow Jacqui’s adventures and artistry on Instagram: @jacquibradfieldmakeup  @the.makeupinsider Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IG

    1hr 2min
See All (105)

About

The Makeup Insider is a fortnightly one-on-one podcast exploring the life and career of makeup artists, hosted by freelance mua Vanessa Barney.. Finding your community of other likeminded mua’s – the creative, artistic, talkative, flexible, adaptable with a good eye for colour kind-of-people, can often be daunting. Like, where do you start? The Makeup Insider is designed for just that. To build a collaborative online community of artists to build their confidence, connections and help drive their career to the next level.If you’re just starting out or have been in the industry for a long time, tune in now, check out the key takeaways in the show notes and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Find Vanessa @vanessabarney @the.makeupinsider

Information

  • Creator
    Vanessa Barney
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    105
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Makeup Insider
  • Show Website
    The Makeup Insider

You Might Also Like