Ambassador Feature: Krystle Clarkson

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Hey guys and gals! I’m a 33-year-old mother of five. I live in Melbourne, Australia, and I just love makeup! I’m a qualified hairdresser and nail technician, and I’ve been in the beauty industry for over 10 years. I just love creating everything and anything! Aside from makeup, my other greatest love is for my family.

Why did you decide to become a professional makeup artist?

I fell in love with makeup while watching my mum do hers growing up. I was hypnotized by it! I think I was about 10 years old when my mum started letting me play with her makeup. After that, I never stopped!

I was also drawn to the special effects you see in movies and on TV. When I found out it was a form of makeup, I was sold on becoming a professional MUA.

Why did you decide to take online makeup classes, rather than enroll in a brick-and-mortar school?

Honestly, face-to-face schooling from Monday to Friday just isn’t for me. I seem to lose my drive and passion in this kind of environment. Not to mention, because I’m a full-time mother of 5 young children, online schooling is the only way I could have gotten to where I am today.

I’m so thankful for the opportunity to learn makeup from the comfort of my own home and in my own time.

Ultimately, why did you choose to enroll with QC Makeup Academy?

When I found QC Makeup Academy, my eyes lit up!

I read all of the reviews and looked thoroughly into how the school operated. I was amazed at the dedication the tutors and staff put forward. Also, QC Makeup Academy was the only online school I could find that was accredited here in Australia. They offer everything you need to get started with your online classes and become a certified professional.

You’ve graduated from QC Makeup Academy’s Master Makeup Artistry Course. How was your experience with this program, and how would you say it helped you grow as an artist?

The Master Makeup Artistry Course is amazing! It taught me everything I know. I’m glad I started with this course, really. It gave me the knowledge and courage to get where I am today. Plus, it was the most amazing experience learning from my tutor, Nathan Johnson. He is so passionate and driven!

In what ways would you say the Pro Makeup Workshop built upon the knowledge learned in the MMA Course and refined your skill-set further?

The Pro Makeup Workshop took everything I learned in the Master Makeup Artistry Class and brought it to the next level! Nathan Johnson was my tutor for this course, too. He really helped me reach my potential by pushing me to think bigger than I was used to. All of the different assignments really get your creative thinking flowing.

You’re also currently enrolled in QC Makeup Academy’s Special FX Makeup Course. Why do you want to add SFX training to your repertoire? How do you intend to incorporate this advanced training into your makeup career?

I’ve always loved blood and gore in horror movies. I dreamed of being able to create the things I’ve seen in my favorite horror movies. The Special FX Makeup Course is teaching me everything I need to know to pursue my ultimate goal, which is to have a successful career as an SFX makeup artist in film and TV.

How useful have QC Makeup Academy’s course materials and assignments been for your training? How valuable has the feedback been from your tutor, Nathan Johnson?

One of the many reasons I chose to take online classes with QC Makeup Academy was the number of amazing resources the school provides. You receive textbooks, DVDs, online videos, and even incredible makeup kits!

Nathan Johnson is hands-down the most amazing teacher! The feedback and support I receive from him drives me to be great! You know he loves and supports each and every one of his students. You can hear it in his beautiful voice!

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned so far from your makeup classes?

Patience!

Also, in this industry, you never stop learning. Thankfully, QC Makeup Academy has so many online classes to keep me learning for years to come.

“Trust the process” is one of my favorite sayings in makeup. You need to trust in yourself, your education, and that your client is going to love what you’ve created.

You’ve recently joined QC’s team of Student Ambassadors. As an Ambassador, what’s the #1 thing you want brand new students to know about QC Makeup Academy?

I’m so excited and thankful to be a Student Ambassador for QC Makeup Academy. I want brand-new students to know that the love and support they’ll receive at QC is above and beyond the best!

How has your career as a makeup artist been affected by COVID-19? In what ways have you adjusted to this ‘new normal’?

Thankfully, I haven’t been affected too badly. I’m more focused on my studies, rather than starting my business just yet. I want to learn as much as I can before I jump in. COVID-19 has been the best excuse to focus on studying and learning as much as possible.

What sort of services do you want to offer your future makeup clients?

I want to be able to provide as many services as possible to my future clients. That’s why I’ve taken (and will continue to take) so many courses with QC Makeup Academy.

I want to learn as much as I can, and would love to teach online masterclasses one day. It’d be great to go full circle and eventually teach others the procedures and techniques I’ve learned here at QC Makeup Academy. 

What are your top career goals as a makeup artist?

As I mentioned, I ultimately want to work in film and TV, or even the theater industry as an MUA. I love the idea of creating my interpretation of a character from a brief or the director/writer’s vision. I can’t wait for that day!

2020 has been a difficult year, but beauty professionals have found innovative ways to adjust to the new normal and continue providing their services. Are virtual services something you’re interested in offering clients? Why or why not?

Virtual services are the way of the future! I absolutely plan to add them to my business when I finally get started. I want to create my own online classes tutoring men and women in special effects makeup through Zoom or Skype. Additionally, I intend to write my own online procedure for clients to read and follow during virtual lessons.

With the way the world is today, it is SO important to be able to keep working any way we can!

Finally: in your opinion, what is the TRUE secret to success as a makeup artist?

Never stop learning and never give up. This industry is always growing, changing, adding, and adapting. We should be the same.

Ready to begin your journey? Become a certified makeup artist in 2021 by enrolling with QC Makeup Academy today!