Amber Dreadon - Auckland to the A-List

07/25/24 • 71 min

Get ready to dive into the glamorous world of red carpet beauty with iconic kiwi makeup artist Amber Dreadon, a.k.a. Amber D! From her days at Smith and Caugheys in Auckland to celebrity events in LA, Amber pulls back the curtain on her vibrant journey and the art of keeping it fresh in the fast-paced makeup industry.

Discover the secrets behind collaborating with celebs like Lorde and staying inspired in an ever-evolving beauty landscape. Amber opens up about the personal challenges and professional victories transitioning to life in the US, adapting to different work cultures, and relying on her network. Her experiences underscore the importance of preparation, collaboration, and the constant hustle to keep the wheels turning in LA's competitive scene. Get a sneak peek into the intricate process behind beauty campaigns, the art of social media content, and the quest for innovation in a saturated market.

Whether you're a makeup enthusiast, aspiring artist, or just love a good behind-the-scenes scoop, this episode is the perfect blend of professional insights and personal stories that will leave you feeling inspired.

(00:02:01) Early Makeup Influences
(00:05:51) From Art to Makeup Artistry
(00:07:36) Leaping into a Freelance Career
(00:11:30) Navigating New Beginnings Alone
(00:12:32) Securing a US Artist Visa
(00:13:55) Landing An Agent in LA
(00:18:57) Rewards and Challenges of Freelancing
(00:23:38) Maintaining Professionalism with Clients
(00:27:56) The Power of Publicists
(00:28:58) Preparing Celebrity Makeup Looks
(00:34:16) Behind Beauty Campaigns
(00:38:19) The Power of Preparation
(00:39:33) Timing for the Perfect Glam
(00:43:49) Tips for Building a Makeup Career in LA
(00:51:46) Maintaining Passion in Makeup Artistry
(00:53:40) Evolving Trends in Beauty
(01:02:15) The Final Three Questions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(00:02:01) Early Makeup Influences
(00:05:51) From Art to Makeup Artistry
(00:07:36) Leaping into a Freelance Career
(00:11:30) Navigating New Beginnings Alone
(00:12:32) Securing a US Artist Visa
(00:13:55) Landing An Agent in LA
(00:18:57) Rewards and Challenges of Freelancing
(00:23:38) Maintaining Professionalism with Clients
(00:27:56) The Power of Publicists
(00:28:58) Preparing Celebrity Makeup Looks
(00:34:16) Behind Beauty Campaigns
(00:38:19) The Power of Preparation
(00:39:33) Timing for the Perfect Glam
(00:43:49) Tips for Building a Makeup Career in LA
(00:51:46) Maintaining Passion in Makeup Artistry
(00:53:40) Evolving Trends in Beauty
(01:02:15) The Final Three Questions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Tanya Barlow - From Makeup to Manicures

This episode features the incredibly talented and multi-faceted artist, Tanya Barlow. From voiceovers to nails, and with a rich background in hair and makeup artistry, Tanya's story is truly inspiring. We cover a lot of ground: from Tanya's early days in the makeup industry to her evolution into a sought-after session nail tech and nail art expert. Listen as she shares her experiences in film character development through nail design and discusses the therapeutic aspects of her craft.

Tanya also dives into the art of airbrushing, highlighting its transformative role in both makeup and nail art. She reflects on the joy of creating custom designs, the importance of respecting artistic boundaries, and the continuous evolution of her creative skills.

So grab your headphones and tune in to learn how a true artist not only survives but thrives by constantly evolving her craft.

Don't forget to rate and review The New Zealand Makeup Podcast to help us bring you more stories of creativity and resilience!

(00:00:22) Tanya Barlow: Hello Tanya!

(00:02:51) Grease Paint: Prestigious Makeup School in London

(00:10:46) Grease Paint as an Agency and Work Opportunities

(00:14:39) Returning to New Zealand and Personal Branding

(00:19:03) Music Videos and Unpaid Work

(00:20:42) Blurring of Boundaries in the New Zealand Industry

(00:23:13) Airbrushing

(00:28:56) Turning to Nail Art and Training with Monaco Nail Academy

(00:36:27) Self-Taught Nail Art and Opening a Salon

(00:37:38) Nails for Editorials and Films

(00:42:08) Working with Makeup Designers and Creative Freedom

(00:44:32) Fittings and Creating Press-On Nails

(00:47:16) Setting Boundaries and Being Treated with Respect

(00:53:42) Relationship Between Nail Artist and Client

(00:56:52) No Regrets

(01:00:21) How to Book with Tanya Barlow

(01:01:10) Final Three Questions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Shane Cyrus - Retail, Editorial and being Unapologetic

In this episode, Auckland-based makeup artist Shane Cyrus delves into his career evolution from aspiring hairdresser to trusted makeup artist, sharing the motivations behind his shift to makeup artistry. We uncover his experiences at makeup school, the pressures of perfectionism, and his eventual entry into the professional world with MAC. Gain insight into his international retail experience as he compares the client interactions and artist communities between Melbourne and New Zealand, and between MAC, Mecca, and Sephora. Shane touches on the considerations and joys of transitioning from working at MAC to freelancing, including the impact on Shane's personal and professional life. The episodes highlight Shane's personal growth, client interactions across diverse backgrounds, the world of fashion test shoots, and the realities of setting freelance rates. Shane's reflections on creative partnerships, career milestones, and future prospects provide a glimpse into the life of a dedicated and passionate makeup artist navigating the fashion industry's exciting yet challenging landscape.