Richard Symons - Pushing Beauty Boundaries

In this episode we kōrero with the incredibly talented Richard Symons, a multidisciplinary makeup artist whose journey has taken them from art school in Auckland to the high-pressure world of fashion and editorial makeup. Inspired originally by Lady Gaga's 2009 "Paparazzi" video, Richard's work celebrates transforming non-traditional beauty into art.

We cover a lot of ground: from Richard's early fascination with their mother's makeup, to their transition from makeup school to freelancing and photography, breaking into the industry with sheer persistence and networking. You'll hear the details of their experience and *spoiler alert* triumphant win on "Glow Up," the challenges of working grueling 14 hour days, and their thoughts on the evolution of New Zealand's beauty industry.

We also dive deep into some personal topics—Richard's experience with gender inclusivity, the impacts of COVID-19 on retail makeup, and their current role as a brow trainer! Plus, we talk about balancing creative work with personal well-being, and why setting incremental goals can be more fulfilling than chasing fixed ones.

So grab a coffee, sit back, and enjoy this insightful and fun conversation. And if you enjoyed Richard's story, please take a moment to rate or leave a review for The New Zealand Makeup Podcast. Your feedback helps us bring you more inspiring content!

Timestamps

(00:00:31) Makeup Career Inspiration

(00:03:50) Art of the Unconventional

(00:04:57) Childhood Memories

(00:06:42) Post-Makeup School

(00:10:59) Glow Up Experience

(00:24:10) Memorable Projects

(00:26:50) Breaking Barriers

(00:28:29) Supporting Diversity and Inclusivity

(00:29:27) BDS Movement

(00:34:06) Gender Fluidity in the Beauty Industry

(00:36:16) Drag Makeup

(00:39:18) Post-Glow Up

(00:41:17) Current Role

(00:43:04) Freelance and Creative Work

(00:46:19) Goals and 1% Improvements

(00:48:11) Creative Inspiration

(00:54:48) The Final Three Questions

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