Julie Meikle has been a professional makeup artist and licensed hair stylist for over 15 years.
My dream started when I was in Grade 7 after I applied my first special effects makeup on a boy for a school play. The idea that I could transform someone's looks with simple tools and makeup was amazing to me. My girlfriends were never safe again. Each sleepover included a makeup application followed by a photo shoot. I have to say some turned out very "interesting". I'm so thankful for my friends who allowed me to play and to my Mom who was willing to share her makeup.
In 1994, I graduated with my hairstyling certificate and started working in Kingston, Ontario, as a hairstylist. I then switched my career from Hairstyling to Makeup Artistry working with MAC cosmetics, Lancome and Clinique.
In 2001, I moved to New York where I took advantage of all it had to offer. I started working with amazing photographers and directors such as: Joseph Moran (www.josephmoran.com), Stephen Eastwood (www.stepheneastwood.com), director producer Mike Alfieri (www.nighttrainfilms.com) and director Ron Brown (A Perfect Fit feature film). My training continued with Ilana Harkavi (www.il-makiage.com), Billy B. (www.billybbeauty.com) and Bobbi Brown (www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com). I was also a hair and makeup assistant for Sears, Glamour Magazine, and Seventeen Magazine and 1st makeup and hair for the Biography Channel, History Channel, A&E, and Mayor Bloomberg.
Over the years, I have had an opportunity to work in the beauty industry as both a hairstylist and makeup artist. I have worked with beautiful models, photographers, and directors BUT that is not my favorite part of my career.
My absolute favorite moments are spending time with mothers, wives, grandmothers, business women, and young teens, helping them see and believe that they are truly beautiful. Sometimes people just need a little help to see what others already know about them. A little bit of guidance and simple techniques can help bring out the inner light that we all have.
My experience is that women are so hard on themselves. For so many reasons we have false ideas of what beautiful looks like. I will show you how to brighten your complextion and bring attention to your best features. From there I can show you how to take your natural day look into an evening look with simple tricks or, if wanted, a beautiful smoky eye or a bold lip.