Life and Work with Alyssa Burton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Burton.

Alyssa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve loved makeup as long as I can remember from playing in my Grandmother’s drawers to helping all of my friends get ready for dances and plays in high school.

I worked for my cousin’s makeup company doing bodybuilding competitions and weddings through college and was introduced and fell in love with Special Effects Makeup and Bodypainting while earning my BA in Theatre. I love how transformative, creative and personal makeup can be and I have such a passionate respect for it as an artform.

I’ve been blessed to have experienced working in theatre, film and the Atlanta Opera as well as independently in the Atlanta Area and am looking forward to where my career takes me from here.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Patience. It takes time (and money) to build your kit, network and find your clientele so don’t beat yourself up if you’re just starting out and aren’t exactly where you want/thought you’d be. I have friends who worked survival jobs for years before they were consistently working in film but who now couldn’t be happier. It’s easy to feel like you’re not moving forward fast enough or to doubt your abilities or want to throw in the towel but the truth is that if you didn’t have to work for it, you wouldn’t deserve it so keep your chin up and work as hard as you can!

Please tell us about Makeup Artist.
I think my greatest strength as an artist is my ability to work in different settings and with different mediums. I started out doing weddings and bodybuilding competitions and I have the most professional experience doing beauty makeup, however, I have really fallen in love with special effects and body painting. My background in theatre and love of transformation make me great for the more creative, weird or avant-garde looks and really set me apart as an artist.

There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
You should always have business cards with you and I highly recommend using social media platforms to promote your business. I have a website and a Facebook page, as well as an Instagram, dedicated to my work and I make sure to use professional quality photos and appropriate hashtags.

As for finding a mentor, start with anyone you know who is currently working in your field and don’t be afraid to pick their brain if you have questions. Also look at every job you get as a way to improve your networking; work begets work after all. Always show up clean, prepared and ready; you never know who knows whom.

For example: in college, I was given an opportunity to work with a guest designer who, after working with me, offered me a job at the Atlanta Opera and there, I was introduced to a friend who works on a popular TV show in Atlanta and she hired me to day-play almost a year later. Granted, that was only one day on set, but that can very easily turn into more and I know many people have similar stories as to how they got where they are now that I have to believe that your attitude and professionalism as well as ability to make a good impression are key to success in this field.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alyssajburton.wixsite.com/website
• Email: avrgjofx@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avrgjo_fx/
• Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/avrgjo_fx/

Image Credit:
Jordan Saylor, Hannah Collins, December Mercy and David McKell, Evin Fowler

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