The makeup industry was hit hard by COVID-19. What are makeup artists doing now?

By Oana Orzac

Coronavirus had a massive impact on London’s economy, and many industries are now struggling.  In particular, the beauty industry is suffering a lot.

Many freelance makeup artists are now forced to find another job or reinvent themselves online. We spoke to some makeup artists from London to discover how they are doing and what safety measures they are taking.

Paula Abii is a makeup artist from London and a philosophy graduate. She started with SPF makeup but eventually became a freelance makeup artist. Due to the pandemic, she reduces her work to focus more on online beauty classes and photoshoots makeup. 

Paula said she was using the same things that every makeup artist was using to disinfect the products even before the pandemic. “Cream products are scooped with a stainless-steel spatula onto a stainless-steel palette and not used directly from the product,” she says. 

For the brushes, she has a secret brush cleaner popular in Hollywood. For pressed powder products, she uses “my favourite anti-bacterial spray for anything I have used. This eliminates any kind of bacteria that may be on there. We must also use disposables on all clients and no sponges to be reused on clients either.”

Since Tier 4 is forcing everyone to stay at home, people do not wear as much makeup as they used to. “Covid-19 has definitely slowed some things down. As everything is closed, no one has anywhere to go, so no reason to glam up,” Paula says.

What is changing now in the makeup industry due to COVID? “Everything is online, from buying makeup with virtual try ones to masterclasses being held via online platforms instead of in person.”

Tasheé Lyn is a freelance makeup artist who studied makeup artistry at The London College of Beauty Therapy. After graduating, she moved to Shooter’s Hill Sixth Form College to study Theatrical, Special Effects and Hair & Media Makeup Artist. 

Makeup was her only source of income, but now she was forced to find work elsewhere. She said:  “Due to the pandemic I had to look for another job, but it has been difficult and it is very hard for me to keep up with bills, rent etc.”

Tasheé said the pandemic had affected her mentally too. “I don’t get clients so I don’t make money and that means I cannot be as creative as I would like to be.” Without working on her passion, she is trying to see the positive side of the situation.  She can now work on her YouTube channel, where she uploads every Friday. 

Tasheé believes that makeup has changed a lot due to COVID-19. “As a makeup artist, there is still so much to learn about the virus and how it can affect myself, the people around me (family) and my clients. I will never truly know if it is safe or not especially with a very indecisive prime minister.”