Our favourite Perth vendors – Milla Makeup

There’s a couple of vendors that we just could not live without, and cannot sing high enough praises for. Heading up that list is Emma from Milla Makeup, who is not only one of the primary people behind getting us our start as Perth wedding photographers, but also one of the most genuinely friendly people in the universe.

Oh, and did we mention she’s also a brilliant makeup artist?

We’ve wanted to do a bit of a feature on Emma/Milla Makeup for a while now so people can see what an absolutely amazing makeup artist she is, and we’ve finally got round to it! Below we’ve had a bit of a Q&A on Milla Makeup as well as hopefully giving everyone an idea of the wonderful lady that sits behind that name (and see some wonderful samples of what Milla can do at the bottom of this post).

We literally cannot say enough wonderful things about Emma herself, or her abilities with the brush. And yes, we most definitely booked her to do Lauren’s makeup for our own upcoming wedding!

Why did you get into makeup work?

I’ve always enjoyed the fashion and beauty industry and have been involved with it in varying degrees and intensities for most of my adult life. I decided to pursue makeup artistry as a career when I became a mum as it enabled me to be my own boss and therefore select my own hours, not only that it was a wonderful creative outlet and departure from mummy-land!

Your makeup journey before Milla?

I spent my teenage years pouring over magazines and learning techniques (no internet back then) and regularly practised on my unsuspecting friends. I did my own makeup for my mum’s wedding when I was 14 and was asked by a number of people on the day who had done ‘such a great job’ and I beamed with pride when I said ‘me!’ Once I left school and began university (where I studied Education), I worked in the fashion retail industry and continued my love for makeup regularly doing my friends and family’s makeup simply as a favour. This then developed into doing weddings and long before Milla as we know it was launched I had already done dozens of weddings. I was however simply self-taught through magazines and books and the like, and it was when I decided to be more serious about it that I went and gained a qualification.

What you like most about it?

Its flexibility and creativity – I get to go out and play and create, and still be home for my babies! The fact that I get to meet such wonderful clients – and am part of a woman’s special bridal day is also a real privilege. I work hard to be calm, confident and friendly on the wedding day, as the importance of this I believe cannot be underestimated (and the fact I’ve been a bridesmaid 9 times myself (and a bride once)  also comes in handy!) I also love the success I have seen from my specialised makeup workshops – Make Me Ups as they feel like a true ‘marry’ of my loves and skills sets as both teacher and makeup artist.

How has Milla grown?

I have enjoyed lovely success in a few short years – largely due to wonderful industry connections, the benefits of social media and lots of hard work! I’m just about to teach my 120^th client in next week’s Make Me Up makeup workshop class – these have been incredibly popular. And in wedding season I’m booked virtually every weekend and currently taking bookings as far in advance as 2014. I have recently taken on an associate makeup artist to help me with demand, and that is very exciting – and almost unbelievable!

What are some of your key makeup achievements?

• Being selected to train with Rae Morris – 4 times makeup artist of the year in a Perth Master Class
• Selected as the key makeup artist for Unwrapped’s 2011 and 2012 campaign
• Being selected as the key makeup artist for the launch of Perl-Eco’s Claremont store with Russell James and Donna Karan
• Being selected to be part of the Perth Fashion 2012 week makeup artist team
• Published on Style Me Pretty, Polka Dot Bride, The Bride’s Café, Ruffled, Style and Bride
• Being selected as a vendor and model makeup artist for First Comes Love 2012
• Being the personal makeup artist for gorgeous bride, Bec from Fox and Rabbit’s glorious wedding day
• Being selected to be the gorgeous Lauren’s (Still Love’s second shooter) bridal makeup artist on her upcoming wedding day