Makeup artist, Lauren Montgomery, is a boss when it comes to makeup artistry. Not just because she has impeccable skills and immeasurable talent, but because she is a one-woman show, running her own business.
Always bringing the personal touch, Lauren is the artist every bride who books her services can expect to be there on the day of their wedding. And what a lucky bride they would be with this lady working her magic for them! Lauren has a wealth of experience and is one of those very clever artists, who has committed to constantly furthering her skills, learning and perfecting her craft for many years.
I caught up with Lauren to find out more about the woman behind the bridal beauty business, and what it’s like being a wedding makeup artist…
Lauren, tell us about how you came to be a wedding makeup artist full time and running your own business.
Before committing full-time to my business I worked as an artist and part of the management team at retail makeup powerhouse MECCA Brands, while also doing all my weddings on the weekends. To be honest, I really had been a bit spoilt at my time at MECCA – I was so privileged to be chosen to learn from and be mentored by some of the best national and international makeup artists, such as Nicole Thompson (MAC), Rae Morris, UZO (Global Director of Artistry NARS), and so many more! I love that I get to bring this experience back to my brides for their big day!
Take us through a typical wedding day for you as a makeup artist.
A wedding day for me usually starts with an early wake-up alarm to make sure I have plenty of time to get prepped and ready for a big and exciting day! I like to arrive on site around 15 minutes early to get all set up and meet everyone on the day.
My kit is huge! I spend time prepping my kit with everything I know I will need so the makeup process flows seamlessly all day long. Most of my weddings I am so lucky to get to create makeup looks for the bride, bridesmaids, mums, and special family and friends. But, I always recommend my bride’s have their makeup done second last so there’s no rushing at the end.
Once everyone’s makeup is done I will do a final check and touch-ups for everyone before leaving my brides with their own touch-up kit to get them through their big day with perfectly flawless makeup.
What lead you to a career in makeup artistry?
For me, it was always makeup! I was so lucky that straight out of school I knew exactly what I wanted to do and I pursued that dream full force! Beauty school came first, studying all aspects of beauty therapy, but I ultimately decided makeup was my biggest passion. I boosted my skills further with two more specialised makeup courses and then went straight into assisting a successful wedding makeup artist before starting my own business in 2013. The rest is history!
I now enjoy busy weekends full of the happiness that comes from being part of my brides’ big day and getting to call bridal makeup artistry my full-time job is a dream come true!
You have a completely free day to hang out on the Sunshine Coast. Get out and about! Where are you going, what are you doing and who are you with?
What’s something you enjoy doing in your downtime?
What do your happy clients say about working with you?
My lovely brides often tell me that not only was their makeup completely wedding-proof, but that it was everything they had hoped for and more! My brides also say that on the day my presence was calm and relaxing, with my positive energy helping the day to run smoothly.
Images by Alan Hughes Photography, Mallory Sparkles Photography, Trent & Jessie Photographers, And Ever Collective, One But Many, Bee Bella Photography.
SPECIAL OFFER WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR WEDDING MAKEUP WITH LAUREN
Free Bridal Lipstick!
The first 5 Bride’s who book their wedding makeup with me will receive a free full-size MAC lipstick in the colour chosen at their trial!*
Mention this Q&A article to redeem this offer at time of booking! Click through to my ‘The Look’ page to check-out my modern & natural makeup style!
*Valid until June 30th, 2020. Applicable to new bookings only.