Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Lewis.
Hi Amy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been interested in art as long as I can remember. I always loved creating colors and playing with different textures. Drawing and painting always came easily to me. I have my father to thank for passing along his artistic talents to me- he’s an incredible graphic artist and I grew up watching him create all kinds of artwork in our garage while jamming to classic rock.
When I was 13, I became obsessed with reading magazines, flipping through the glossy pages and soaking in all the beautiful fashion looks. But I was really struck by the makeup on celebrities and models, so I began trying to recreate those looks on myself with my mom’s makeup bag. It seemed that makeup was an artistic medium that also came easily to me, and I would spend hours playing in it because it was a fun escape. It became a sort of meditative state of mind to me- I loved turning up some music and experimenting with cosmetics for hours. It was magical. With more practice and product experimentation, I began doing makeup for others for fun and would get my makeup done at the MAC counter for special events. I remember thinking how effortlessly cool the MAC artists were and what an exciting job that must be to do makeup on people all day, but I never really considered it as a career choice.
I went to college at the University of Toledo with a focus on Marketing & Business Administration. While I was there, I applied to work at the MAC counter part-time and got hired as a freelance artist. I quickly realized it was not as glamorous as I had thought; a lot of long hours and hard work went into that role. They also didn’t offer formal training to their freelancers at the time, so it was very much sink or swim environment. Fortunately, I adapted quickly and learned to swim by observing my fellow artists and taking any advice they would offer. I graduated college and arrived in the corporate world which was a total shock to my system- I did not love sitting in a cubicle all day, and it quickly became apparent that I was not cut out for that kind of life.
I decided to go back to work at the MAC counter while I was figuring out what my next move would be, and I was the only artist at my location that had Saturday mornings off (which is prime time for makeup artists since people usually are getting ready for events during that time). Before I knew what hit me, I was bombarded with clients coming to the counter telling me their makeup artist had canceled on them, and they were desperate to have their makeup done. The idea of being a freelance makeup artist outside of the counter had not occurred to me until that time, and my fellow artists were very encouraging of me taking these opportunities since they weren’t able to. I didn’t have a makeup kit, so they gave me a quick crash course in freelance jobs, helped me create a starter kit, and off I went to do my first wedding! I was so nervous and did not feel prepared but was also psyched to be a part of such a special day. All of the bridesmaids I did makeup on loved my work and were also planning their own weddings soon, so I got hired to do their weddings too. And the referrals just kept coming as more people heard about my work. I started blocking off quite a few weekends on my calendar so I decided to order business cards, put a booking process in place, and officially started my own business in 2014.
Since then, I’ve learned a lot both on the business side and the artistry side of things. Lots of trial and error over the years! I’ve done a wide range of makeup- bridal, beauty, editorial, and FX. Weddings, fashion shows, commercials, celebrities, photo shoots, TV shows, you name it. I am so grateful that I’ve been given so many opportunities to gain experience and become a well-rounded makeup artist. My preferred areas of the industry are now bridal/event, celebrity, and commercial clientele. I also decided to expand my business in 2015 by building a team of makeup artists & hair stylists for weddings (Amy Lewis & Co.). There are currently eight of us and I handle the marketing, social media, contracts, scheduling, and client communication in addition to being a working artist. Most recently, I’ve nearly completed a 10-month-long advanced esthetics program and will soon be offering facials, brows, and lash lifts at The Skin Studio as well.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not smooth at all! This industry is very challenging and not kind to newcomers. Top makeup artists are not always supportive or willing to share their knowledge with other artists, so I’ve had to learn a lot on my own simply through trial and error. One of my biggest struggles has been doing everything myself, but this is also something that I am most proud of. Nobody will ever take care of my business like I do. To be a self-employed makeup artist you must wear all the hats! It’s not enough just doing the actual makeup- it’s researching products/tools, staying up to date on trends, maintaining a sanitized and stocked kit at all times, networking with photographers and other vendors, advertising, website, social media content, contracts/invoices, client communication (which has to be lightning fast these days), and so much more. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes that people aren’t aware of, so it’s a constant struggle to maintain the right balance.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
My mission is to help people embrace their most radiant selves by enhancing their natural beauty + inner power. I bring beauty magic, feel-good self-care rituals, and meaningful connection to my clients. My specialty is bridal beauty, but I’m very interested in adding more celebrity and commercial work to my client list as well.
With over 10 years of professional makeup artistry experience, I am known for creating quality makeup that will speak to your personal style and photograph beautifully. I am detail-oriented and skilled at executing my client’s vision, whatever that may be. My signature aesthetic is clean, natural, and radiant looks that enhance my clients’ favorite features. My goal is to leave you feeling poised, confident, and ready to take on the rest of your day.
The project I’m currently most proud of is working with Grammy award-winning pop artist Daya for a stop on her recent tour. I would absolutely love more opportunities to work with musicians and people in the entertainment industry.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can work with me, collaborate with me, or support me by reaching out to me directly at www.makeupbyamylewis.com and following my Instagram pages: @toledomakeupartist (personal/commercial work page) and @makeupbyamylewis (bridal team page). I love connecting with other creatives!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.makeupbyamylewis.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toledomakeupartist
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makeupbyamylewis
Image Credits
Vibe Garden Images
Laurel Black Photography
Ashley Boring
Westcott Lighting
