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The Makeup Insider

The Makeup Insider

Vanessa Barney 112 Episodes Aug 11, 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

Rejection, Reinvention And Taking Back Your Career
Rejection, Reinvention And Taking Back Your Career Aug 11, 2026 3390 Send us Fan MailBlog post Adam Garland is back on The Insider Diary for episode 116. He's a UK-based session hairstylist who spent five years as the face of global brand Authentic Beauty Concept. These days he's building his own path: mentoring other artists, shooting his own images, and working with heritage beauty brands he actually believes in. His first episode with us got such a goo
From Sephora to Touring with Kesha: Alana Lucky on Building a Career in Makeup
From Sephora to Touring with Kesha: Alana Lucky on Building a Career in Makeup Aug 4, 2026 4719 Send us Fan MailLink to blog - all products mentioned linked. Alana has been doing makeup for 12 years. She started fresh out of high school, worked the floor at Sephora's Broadway store, moved to London at 21 with zero plan and a backpack full of kit, built a career doing campaigns for Jaded London, came back to Australia during COVID, assisted the incredible Gillian Campbell, and has most r
Inside Edit with Katie Moore's Kit: Merit, Westman Atelier and more.
Inside Edit with Katie Moore's Kit: Merit, Westman Atelier and more. Jul 28, 2026 3165 Send us Fan MailAll products mentioned linked in blog. This week I'm joined by Sydney makeup artist Katie Moore. If you follow her work you'll know her style straight away, soft, skin focused, never overdone. We talked career, bridal work, and how she keeps things running without burning out. Then we did what we always do and pulled apart our kits.Katie Moore is a Sydney-based makeup art
25 Years, Two Continents, One Agency: Heidi Scarlett King on Building a Career That Actually Lasts
25 Years, Two Continents, One Agency: Heidi Scarlett King on Building a Career That Actually Lasts Jul 21, 2026 4955 Send us Fan MailFrom Mac OG to Agency Founder with Heidi Scarlett KingThis week I sat down with Sydney-based makeup artist and King Co Creative founder Heidi Scarlett King — and yes.Heidi has one of those careers that sounds like fiction. She started at Mac in Sydney when the brand had just launched, assisting Fashion Week shows a season. Then she packed up and moved to London with no plan, starte
I Grew Almost 2,000 Followers in 5 Weeks. Here's What Actually Worked.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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

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