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Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Hi there! My name is Luzaan, and I am a mother of three beautifully naughty children. I was born in South Africa but have been residing in New Zealand for four years now. I am also graduate (and current student) of the AMAZING QC Makeup Academy!
Fun fact about me: I continually have to study because if I don’t, I get depressed. This has resulted in me having more than 9 qualifications – and I’ve only been speaking English for 4 years now!
Why did you decide to become a professional makeup artist?
As a child, I never felt like I belonged anywhere. This resulted in chronic Major Depressive Disorder. I followed one career after the other; always yearning for more, yearning to belong, and yearning to find my passion.
It wasn’t until I accidentally stumbled upon QC Makeup Academy and their online makeup classes that I felt a strong sense of belonging and passion. I immediately knew that being a professional makeup artist is what I am supposed to be doing with my life!
Why did you decide to take online makeup classes, rather than enroll in a brick-and-mortar school? Ultimately, why did you choose to enroll with QC Makeup Academy?
To be completely raw and honest, I was skeptical at first. At the time, I knew absolutely nothing about skincare, makeup, or the beauty industry in general. I found it hard to believe that you could learn everything you needed to become a successful, working professional – entirely online.
I researched QC Makeup Academy and their online makeup courses day and night for more than a week before I took the “leap of faith” and enrolled. Thinking back, it was the scariest decision I ever made. But now, it’s the BEST decision I’ve ever made!
My personal reasons for pursuing my makeup training online include:
- As a mother, I need to be able to study at my own pace and in the comfort of my own home. This was very important to me.
- QC Makeup Academy gives you 2 years to complete a course, which was a huge selling point for me.
- They are an internationally-recognized, accredited school. On its own, this speaks volumes.
- QC is more than just a school – it’s like its own little family. The staff, tutors, and access to the Virtual Classroom on Facebook all provide you with the kind of support that only a true makeup family can give.
- A lot of QC’s programs will provide you with a free makeup kit as part of the course materials. This ensures that you can jump straight in without worrying about having to first build your kit before you can start the course.
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 MUA?
Oh, goodness – if only you could see what my makeup skills were like before I enrolled in the MMA Course. Let’s just say, they were NON-EXISTENT!
As soon as I received my enrollment details, I immediately jumped into the course. Boy, was I left in complete amazement! The beautifully-made, interactive videos explain every single ‘why’, ‘why not’, and ‘how to’ you could possibly think of. Not to mention, the hands-on assignments are absolutely astonishing!
The magnificent, legendary Nathan Johnson was my tutor during my course. He left me in awe! His feedback constantly pushed me when I needed it. He was honest, raw, and most importantly, real. Being tutored by one of the most amazing celebrity makeup artists in the business was something no brick-and-mortar school could ever replace.
Before my professional training, I was a mother who applied her foundation with her hands, didn’t know blending existed, and thought eyeshadow should be tapped on. Thanks to QC Makeup Academy, I finished my training a professional master makeup artist. I am now is a freelancer who is well-known in our community.
I’ll ALWAYS be forever grateful to QC, their online makeup courses, and Nathan Johnson!
You’ve also graduated from QC Makeup Academy’s Airbrush Makeup Workshop and Special FX Makeup Course. Why do you feel these additional qualifications are beneficial to your career, and how have you incorporated them into your business services?
The Airbrush Makeup Workshop was extremely important to me because I wanted to be able to offer my clients the choice between hand-applied and airbrushed makeup services. I wanted to be a flexible artist; able to provide my brides with different options. especially seeing as I am the only certified Airbrush makeup artist in my area.
QC Makeup Academy’s airbrush training opened doors which I never knew existed. In fact, now that I have this specialized skill, I’m actually the only certified airbrush MUA in my area!
Soon after completing that program, I decided after to enroll in the Special FX Makeup Course as well, due to my fascination for Halloween and all things gory. Since becoming an International Special FX Makeup Professional, I have been able to offer Halloween SFX makeup to many clients. I’ve also been contracted as the primary SFX artist for a special effects makeup magazine, as well as a medical magazine.
You’re currently working on completing the Virtual Makeup Training mini course. Why do you feel that being able to provide virtual services to clients is so valuable, especially during a global pandemic?
Being able to offer my services during a global pandemic is truly invaluable. COVID-19 has caused a financial loss for so many people. Sadly, there are countless professions that can no longer sustain themselves, since they rely solely on in-person services.
As a makeup artist, being able to offer virtual services as part of my business allows me to open a completely different door and utilize different opportunities. Even looking beyond the pandemic, we live in a day and age where people prefer doing things digitally. The rush of life lately doesn’t always allow people to take time out of their day to attend in-person appointments. Businesses need to be able to adapt to this and offer alternate solutions and services.
I’m now able to offer virtual makeup services in the comfort of my client’s home, at a time they prefer. A complete lockdown won’t affect my service. This wouldn’t have been the case without my virtual makeup training from QC Makeup Academy!
How useful have the various materials, assignments, and tutor feedback been for your courses with QC Makeup Academy?
Where do I start? Let me just say, QC Makeup Academy is – hands-down – the best of the best!
The materials alone are so invaluable. I truly don’t believe I would have become half the makeup artist I am today without my course materials. Although they were informative, they were never overwhelming. Even though English isn’t my first language, and I only started learning English 4 years ago, I still found the texts and videos easy to understand.
Even now, I still regularly go through my materials to ensure I always stay on top of every and any situation I find myself in. The assignments you’re given are really hands-on, and presented in a way that betters you as both a makeup artist and a person. Personally, I enjoyed every single minute of every single assignment!
Nathan Johnson has been my tutor in every course so far. He is such an incredible human being, mentor, and makeup artist. His feedback has pushed me to better my skills, to keep learning, and to keep growing. Nathan truly is the salt of this earth!
What are the most important lessons you’ve learned so far from your makeup classes?
This question actually made me chuckle because I heard Nathan’s voice in my head as soon as I read it. Practice, practice, practice! Makeup is an art that can only be achieved by practice.
You’ve recently joined QC Makeup Academy’s team of Student Ambassadors. As an Ambassador, what’s the #1 thing you want aspiring makeup artists to know about QC?
QC Makeup Academy goes beyond simply teaching you what you need to know. Through the friendships I’ve made with my fellow peers, I’ve gained a family I never knew I needed. Taking that leap of faith and enrolling in QC’s online makeup courses was the best decision I ever made. Now it’s your turn to make the best decision of your life!
How has your career as a makeup artist been affected by COVID-19? In what ways have you adjusted to this ‘new normal’?
When the pandemic reached us, my freelance makeup career was still pretty new. I had bookings that got cancelled (understandably). My three-year-old is immunocompromised, so it was incredibly important to keep her safe. Unfortunately, a few weeks later, I tested positive for COVID-19 and had to indefinitely postpone the little bookings I had left.
Fortunately, after 28 days of being sick, I tested negative and was able to be released from home isolation. It was then that I decided to offer virtual tips and tricks to my clients, family, and friends. Not long after, I got flooded with virtual bookings – and I’ve been busy ever since! I still freelance and often go to clients directly. Only now, I wear a mask and ensure that my clients are 100% healthy before accepting a booking.
What are your top career goals as a makeup artist?
I thought long and hard about my answers for this question. Then I realized that my biggest top goal is to keep growing with QC Makeup Academy! My passion for the beauty industry and for QC is what drives me. My only wish is to be a makeup artist that makes QC Makeup Academy proud!
(Oh, and I also want to work in the film industry eventually!)
In your opinion, what is the secret to success as a makeup artist?
Never ever stop learning. The makeup industry is continually evolving and you can never be too good to learn. Reach for the top because that is what you deserve!
