The Makeup Insider
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
The Makeup Insider
Fashion MUA Ciara O’Shea shares her journey—from working with the Pussycat Dolls to Madonna, and being part of legendary teams like Charlotte Tilbury’s and Pat McGrath’s—plus everything in between.
In this inspiring and in-depth episode, Vanessa sits down with London-based makeup artist Ciara O Shea to explore her incredible journey from a small town in Ireland to the forefront of the international fashion scene.
Ciara shares how a childhood love of fashion magazines sparked her passion for beauty, leading her to study at the London College of Fashion and kick-start her career in retail makeup. She opens up about navigating the world of freelance artistry, comparing the pros and cons of self-representation versus working with an agent, and offers real talk about persistence, creativity, and staying relevant in an ever-evolving industry.
We dive into behind-the-scenes stories from working with major names like The Pussycat Dolls and Madonna, and hear what it’s really like backstage at fashion shows and on set for editorial shoots. Ciara also talks about building her own beauty brand, Pro Shine, and how she’s using tools like AI and social media to grow her presence and connect with a global audience.
This episode is packed with insight, humour, and practical advice for makeup artists and creatives alike.
Highlights:
• Growing up in Ireland and discovering a love for beauty
• Training at the London College of Fashion
• Breaking into the fashion industry - working under Charlotte Tilbury and Pat McGrath.
• Working with celebrities and navigating high-pressure environments
• Freelancing versus agency representation
• Launching her brand, Pro Shine
• Using AI and social media to build a modern personal brand
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