Meet Lacey Elliot of Lacey Elliot Makeup in Phoenix (Northern/51)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lacey Elliot.

Lacey, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Well, it’s always fun trying to condense it but I guess it all started when I was 3 years old. I would climb up on the bathroom counter at my grandparent’s house and put every single beauty product on my face! I genuinely remember feeling the thrill of textures, creams, and powders! I would make a HUGE mess and instead of getting mad at me, my mom snapped photos. My grandma also had a fun makeup vanity too that I would get into as well so needless to say I was very curious from a young age about my industry!

Once I hit fifth grade, I started to battle acne for the first time. I remember it made me feel like such an ugly duckling and I clearly remember deciding that if “pretty” wasn’t in the cards for me then I was going to be funny. So, that philosophy carried me through my middle school years into college. Eventually, I learned how to do makeup when I was performing professionally in Pigeon Forge, TN and was introduced to MAC cosmetics.

A year after graduating college with my music/theater degree, I became a flight attendant in Washington DC. I continued to keep makeup and skincare as a hobby and eventually, people started asking me to do their weddings. It was during that time I met a photographer (my ex-husband) and he created a simple website for my work. I was introduced to the world of freelancing, started taking master classes in New York and began thinking about doing makeup full time. Soon, I got hired as a freelance makeup artist at MAC and it was my portal into the world of makeup. I started my LLC, Lacey Elliot Makeup in 2012 and also started working for a boudoir photographer in Old Town Alexandria. I’d say this is where I learned the process of collaborating with other artists and clients from start to finish. Making women feel beautiful after breast cancer or divorce and translating that dynamic into tangible images was life changing to witness. Soon, I wanted to take my work to the next level, so I applied to the most prestigious training program in the country at the Makeup For Ever Academy in New York City. After a lengthy application process and in-person interview, I was accepted and started making plans to move to Brooklyn in the summer 2013.

The best/toughest advice I received before moving was, “New York is like a pressure cooker Lacey. It brings out the best in you and brings out the worst in you”. This certainly proved true when a month after moving to Brooklyn, my ex-husband’s appendix ruptured, landing him in the emergency room. I was at the hospital every day before and after school, until he was released and had fears I would have to leave school. My instructors were supportive and understanding the whole time and thankfully family from Virginia came up to help, so I could continue school.

I graduated with top honors and was asked to be one of two Brand Ambassadors for the academy. I stared assisting the most incredible artists like Lan Grealis-Nguyan, Anastasia Durasova, Daniel Parker, Chrissy Beveridge, David Tibolla, Jen Evans, Floriane David, Kyle Harder and Viviana Martin. I learned so much during that time and even got to work on a set where Hung Vanngo was doing makeup on Soo Joo Park. I was so green at the time I didn’t even realize who they were and Hung even told me I had “terrible style”!!! At the time I thought, “Who the heck does he think he is? He was wearing a Mickey Mouse sweater!” Now I laugh about that whole interaction because I LOVE his work… hahaha!

2014 ended up being my most successful year as a makeup artist. I got hired at the MAC on 5th Avenue in Manhattan shortly after winning 2nd place for my makeup design at IMATS New York. After a few months, IMATS reached out to me saying an artist dropped out of their London competition and they offered me the spot. They needed to know within 24 hours because the competition was 2 weeks away, so after talking with my ex and MAC, I decided it was a great opportunity and jumped on board. I found a private investor to finance my trip and used my wedding dress as the costume and spent the next few weeks sewing and creating the makeup design. My inspiration was the French Revolution with an Effie Trinkett twist. The creative process was a blast and my school mate was my model as she was flying back home to Italy and didn’t mind the slight detour to Olympia London Stadium. I ended up winning first place for my design and couldn’t have done it without Dalia, my model. She brought the vision to life and we screamed like little girls on stage! One of the best memories I have to this day. The prize money was £1,000 and shortly thereafter, I was recruited by one of the judges, Daniel Parker, to work on the film “Burnt” a month later.

Working on my first major motion picture was hands down the coolest experience of my life, especially because we shot all over London and I got to know the city very well during those 6 weeks on set. I ended up working London fashion week assisting Lan Grealis-Nguyan and even did a test shoot with a local photographer as well. I learned I didn’t want to be in the film industry full time (lots of waiting around) and upon returning to New York, I made my sole focus clean beauty.

I continued doing weddings and private clients in New York when a friend in VA passed along a Twitter ad from famous fashion photographer, Lara Jade, seeking a hair/makeup artist for a shoot. She told me to jump on it because she’s a photographer too and knew Lara’s work well and what a great opportunity it was. I reached out to Lara and she ended up living just down the street from me in Brooklyn! I did my best work with Lara and the images are to this day, my favorite portfolio highlights. She was incredibly easy to work with and pushed me creatively.

A few months before I left New York, I got the opportunity of a life time to do hair/makeup for the first female campaign manager to ever lead a successful election, Kellyanne Conway. I got the emergency call at 7 am from her best friend saying Kellyanne had been up all night working, only slept 2 hours, and had a 20/20 interview at Trump Tower in two hours. My apartment in Long Island City was only a 10-minute ride on the 7 train to the tower so I got my kit together and went! These are the phone calls and opportunities you feel like you wait your whole life as an artist. No matter what your political affiliation, I was stoked. She was smart, funny and the most high profile woman in America. The timing couldn’t have been better. I did her hair/makeup out at her home one more time and I left New York on that high note.

Before arriving home to Arizona, I’d already transitioned my kit to be “green” or “non-toxic”. This is the way the beauty industry is going with franchises like Credo beauty and Follain, so I reached out to a local powerhouse and clean beauty owner, Melissa Lenberg, and applied for a job at Citrine Natural Beauty Bar at the Biltmore. She hired me as an assistant manager and I started two days after moving back to Arizona. The training was fantastic and I was thoroughly educated on each line. and even had the opportunity to meet Kristen Kjaer Weiss (creator of Kjaer Weiss) and Sasha Plavsic (ILIA beauty).

As a full-time freelance makeup artist in the Phoenix market, I can truly say there is no place I’d rather be. The amazing community of creatives, the opportunities for collaboration and the desire to make an impact where I grew up motivates me each day. I’m grateful for the clients and the photographers I’ve worked with thus far and will continue to grow with.

The quote I live from each day is: “Make decisions based on your hopes, not your fears” – Nelson Mandela.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road! No story is great without hardship. 😉

I’ve experienced 6 months without a home in New York City, worked in private equity and technology for the past few years to make ends meet, been fired from a job (first time in my life), had to sell all my belongings, got married and divorced, and do not have the support of my mother unfortunately.

While these things have been tremendously hard and I have no desire to go through those hardships again, they have certainly made me stronger and given me a perspective I wouldn’t otherwise have.

I’ve rubbed shoulders with celebrities and poverty, and both seem to have one thing in common: curiosity.

The night before I moved from New York, I got my first tattoo to remember the city and my life there. It says, “Restez Curieux” or “stay curious” in French. Curiosity saved my life in the darkest days because it kept me from hate and hopelessness. I remember the darkness but it does not define me. The curiosity does.

I remember Steve Jobs used to say “stay foolish” and that always spoke volumes about staying open to those around us and the world.

My dad is the biggest support in my life, through the good and bad times, so if I had to attribute any success in my life and as a human being, it would be because of the love and belief he’s instilled in me over the years.

Please tell us about Lacey Elliot Makeup.
Of course! Well, at LEM, I love to make sure my clients look and feel like themselves after I’m done with my work. I specialize in clean beauty, which basically means you look like the best, most rested version of yourself. The “I woke up like this” look. I’m trained in everything from high fashion, to special effects to body painting and the clean beauty is what most people truly need. From weddings to corporate head shots, to promotional films and photo shoots, even makeup for social/dating profiles… I’m your gal.

I’m known for my simple, clean looks as far as my work goes. However, I LOVE to make my clients comfortable and laugh so I infuse humor and great conversation into each experience. Makeup is a very personal ritual and when someone allows me to do their makeup, it’s an honor for me.

As a business owner, I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve built a successful business out of what has been my greatest weakness: acne. I’ve suffered from chronic acne my whole life and the whole reason I’ve always kept on top of my knowledge and education is that I’ve always been searching for a cure. As a woman approaching my mid-30’s, it’s extremely embarrassing and invalidating to still have this be a part of my life. However, I am still grateful that I can relate to those who have great pain and insecurity because of it too. This is my “super hero power” and empathy goes a long way in any industry.

What sets me apart from others is my experience and humor. I’ve worked in multiple markets from New York, London, Washington DC, San Diego and Phoenix. I have met successful CEO’s, movie stars, NFL players (they wear makeup in shoots!) and famous high profile clients. No matter who it is or whatever the job, everyone just wants to be treated like a normal person and needs to laugh. Makeup is NOT a serious job but it is essential for all of these people so I make sure to take my work seriously but not myself. There are makeup artists I’ve worked with here in Arizona who have never left the state or worked in a different market, which I think is very limiting to some extent personally and professionally. I am not the same person I was in either facet when I left Phoenix 15 years ago and can’t imagine where I’d be without the struggles, success, and failure.

I remember Neil Gaiman gave a brilliant commencement speech at the University of Arts Philadelphia in 2012 and it’s what I’ve found to be the most accurate truth about work as a freelancer:

People get hired because somehow they get hired. You get work however you get work. Most people get work because their work is good. They are easy to get along with. And because they deliver the work on time.

And the secret is… you don’t even need all three. Two out of three is fine.

People will tolerate how unpleasant you are if your work is good and you deliver it on time. People will forgive the lateness of your work if you’re good and they like you. And you don’t have to be as good as everyone else if you’re on time and it’s always a pleasure to hear from you.”

It’s brilliant. This advice. It really is. Because it’s true! I know I’m an excellent makeup artist but not the best, even when I was at the height of my career. That’s what kept me striving. However, I do know I always show up on time and am pleasant to work with AND I do good work. Plus, I guarantee I’ll make you laugh. So, I actually have 4 out of 3 of the requirements…

Life’s too short not to have fun while you work! I love my job and the people I serve.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Well, I have a few…

My favorite childhood memory growing up in Arizona was going to Saguaro and Canyon Lake in the summers to jet ski and water ski!! I loved being on swim team and in the water because it’s so damn hot here! There’s no other way to survive. Lol!

I also loved playing dress up. I think characters have always been a part of me, as I still act and perform. I had the pleasure of being Belle in The Christmas Carol at the Hale Center Theater in Gilbert this past Christmas. Such a dream because I was in the show 10 years ago when I lived here for a short time.

My time as a musician and actor absolutely influences my work as a makeup artist and I’m so grateful for those experiences.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.laceyelliot.com
• Phone: 212-470-7589
• Email: lacey@laceyelliot.com

Image Credit:
Lara Jade, Peter Roessler, Evan Taylor Gunville, Rebekah J. Murray, Stephen Elliot

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