Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Almand.
Hi Courtney, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a makeup artist based in Atlanta. I have been doing makeup for 16 years, and working in film for 9 years. I can do all types of makeup from bloody to beautiful! I was fortunate to get a fairly early start to my makeup career. When I was 15, I started assisting a seasoned artist doing weddings, photoshoots, and house calls. I continued doing this throughout high school, then when I graduated, I went to school for Esthetics at Paul Mitchell. After receiving my license, I started my own makeup journey. I started out working for Bare Minerals, then from there went on to work for Chanel for three years. After that, I became a regional artist for NARS Cosmetics. During that time in retail beauty, I had begun to work on a few productions. In 2014 I worked on my first music video, and from that moment on I had fallen in love with film. I worked with some of the biggest names in music and some of the most beautiful models I’ve ever seen. As my career grew, I started doing more commercials and events. I have now started working on movies and have found a whole new avenue to explore my talents. From feature films to live sports to corporate commercials, and extravagant music videos, I have been so lucky to have worked on a lot of really cool things.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This career has not always been smooth sailing. As the makeup industry is rapidly growing, it has really changed a lot. Since social media has taken over, the “beauty influencer” has become a huge part of what people think of when they think of the beauty industry. What used to be seen as a skilled trade started changing into “anyone can do it, just watch a tutorial.” This sudden surge of online beauty gurus has had an impact on what true artists have been working toward their whole careers. Keeping up with trends became necessary because that’s what everyone wanted. So it was difficult to have my expertise and knowledge be challenged by whatever the latest, trending, youtube star said.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My specialty is keeping people looking as much like themselves as possible. Makeup is about enhancing beauty that is already there. My job is to bring out that inner glow. Sculpting the facial structure and highlighting certain features is what it’s all about. Skin is always my focus. When your skin is beaming, you don’t need anything else!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
In this industry, you have to stay positive and supportive. Keeping a tight-knit community is key to success. Having a network of fellow artists who I know can rely on is so important.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @themakeupcourt
Image Credits
Sage Cat Studio Zoo As Zoo Cottrell Photography
