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The Makeup Insider

The Makeup Insider

Vanessa Barney 112 Episodes Jul 14, 2026

The Makeup Insider is a fortnightly podcast hosted by freelance makeup artist Vanessa Barney. Each episode features one-on-one conversations with makeup artists, exploring their life and career. The show aims to build a collaborative online community for artists to gain confidence, make connections, and advance their careers. It covers topics like finding your community, being creative and adaptable, and driving your career forward.

Episodes

I Grew Almost 2,000 Followers in 5 Weeks. Here's What Actually Worked. Jul 14, 2026 882 Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Insider Diary, I give a personal update on how work and content creation have been going. The main focus is my Instagram growth, I've picked up almost 2,000 followers in five weeks by posting reels daily, and I break down exactly which reels worked, which ones flopped, and the workflow behind it all. I also cover my content days and open the waitlist for
You Were Born Enough: Adam Garland on Small Towns, Big Industry, and Letting Go Jul 7, 2026 4974 Send us Fan MailAdam Garland has worked backstage, assisted Sam McKnight, and had two shots at getting onto Guido Palau's team. Right now he's in his dad's garage in Somerset, UK, building a hair education platform from scratch. In this episode we talk about how he broke into session work (Model Mayhem, zero plan), the real cost of working for free, imposter syndrome, addiction and
25 Years, No Rules, No Regrets — with Max May Jun 30, 2026 6005 Send us Fan MailThis week I sat down with Sydney makeup artist Max May. Nearly 30 years in the industry, self-taught, Armani Australia ambassador, Charlotte Tilbury Glow Squad, and one of the first artists in this country to build a blog and digital presence when the industry told him it would ruin his career.In this episode we cover:How Max got started — growing up in the country, moving to Sydne
The Inside Edit - From Retail Counter to Global Artistry: How Tannia T Built a Career That Lasts Jun 23, 2026 3777 Send us Fan Mail3. The Inside Edit Tannia T has been doing this for over two decades. She started at the Napoleon Perdis counter and worked her way to global artistry — training staff, creating content, and travelling to LA and New York for major industry events.Today she runs her own home studio, takes one-on-one clients, does bridal work, and has some clients who have been with her for over ten
From the Mecca Counter to Agency Repped with Kiana Mei Jun 16, 2026 3535 Send us Fan MailKiana has been in and around the makeup industry for 13 years. But her path wasn't straight. She started on the Mecca counters, stepped away to work in disability support, and came back in 2022 through The Iconic's e-commerce team.Since then? Sydney, Milan, Paris Fashion Weeks. A freelance career built on cold calls, genuine connections, and trusting her own eye.In this e
Set Secrets: What Every Hair and Makeup Artist Needs to Know About Working With a Stylist with Kate Lauren Harper Jun 2, 2026 4039 Send us Fan MailWhat A Stylist Actually Does with Kate Lauren HarperRecently week I sat down with Sydney-based stylist Kate Lauren Harper for a refreshingly honest conversation about what stylists really do and what that means for us as hair and makeup artists on set.If you have ever wondered what the stylist is actually doing while you are in kit, or how to build a better working relationship wit
The Insider Edit: Kit Faves & Why You Need to Back Yourself May 26, 2026 1277 Send us Fan MailEpisode 2 of  The Insider Edit | The Makeup InsiderIt's just me this week — and I'm bringing you 10 products I genuinely can't live without. Five from my kit, five I use on myself every day. Plus a quick chat about PR gifting, asking for what you want, and why a 'no' is never the end of the story.Full list of products Also in This EpisodeHow Vanessa gets PR
Welcome to The Insider Diaries: Where I have actually been for the last six months. May 19, 2026 1584 Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Insider Diaries.This is the first of a new monthly segment where I sit down solo and chat through what is going on in my world, in the industry, and the conversations I think we should be having as makeup artists.In this episode I am pulling the curtain back on the last six months, sharing why I went quiet, and unpacking two big topics: visibility, and the Yana and P
Why Taste Level Beats Technique Every Time, with Molly Warkentin May 12, 2026 3638 Send us Fan MailThis week on The Makeup Insider, I sit down with Sydney based makeup artist Molly Warkentin for a chat that covers more than two decades in the beauty industry.Molly takes us from her UK beginnings at Chichester College, through her time at Mac and the tight knit crew she calls the Makeup Mafia, all the way to the moment she chose to step back from bridal work to make space for fam
Inside the Life of a Beauty Editor: From Glossy Magazines to an Online Presence with Sadaf Razi May 5, 2026 4754 Send us Fan MailMagazines have fallen. So what does a beauty or fashion editor actually do now?In this episode, Vanessa sits down with Sadaf to unpack how the role has changed, what "cross channel pollinating" really means, and why your favourite beauty experts are now on TikTok instead of glossy pages.What we cover:The traditional beauty editor role and why it no longer existsHow editor
Insider Edit: The 5 Products Pro MUAs Can't Work Without Apr 28, 2026 1868 Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Vanessa sits down with Julia from Co Contour to spill the products they reach for on every job. From skin prep to setting spray, this is a full walk through of what's actually inside a working makeup artist's kit.What you'll learn:The skin prep routine Julia uses on every brideWhy Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter is a non negotiableThe foundation th
From Accounting to Pat McGrath's Runway: Lottie's Self-Taught Makeup Career Apr 21, 2026 4219 Send us Fan MailLottie — makeup artist, educator and co-host of We Speak Beauty podcastEpisode summary:Vanessa sits down with LA-based makeup artist Lottie, who made an unlikely leap from an accounting career into the beauty industry without any formal training. Lottie shares how she taught herself through magazines and hands-on experience, got discovered by Pat McGrath on MySpace, and built a car

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