[Professional Interview] Meet Kim Choy, Makeup Artist
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How are you using Instagram? I think most people in the fashion and media industry use Instagram to promote their expertise and work, and use it more for business than personal use. Many brands also use Instagram to promote their brand campaigns and make their unique brand identity and messaging clear. And we can't ignore the power of Instagram marketing. The reason we're talking about Instagram today is to introduce you to a solo makeup artist who has used the platform to collaborate with brands and authors, expanding her work beyond beauty makeup into the realm of art and creativity. Here's an interview with Kim Choi, a hair and makeup artist of 6 years!
Interview with makeup artist, Choi Kim
hello. Choi, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
hello. I'm Choi Kim, a makeup artist of 6 years with a one-person shop in Seoul. Originally, I was working in a corporate job, then I learned makeup for practical reasons, and then I started my own business.
It must have been a challenging journey to get to where you are today, can you tell us about it?
I didn't start out in beauty as early as most people, so my age and lack of knowledge made it difficult at first. At first, I was paid 50 a month while learning in Cheongdam, and I had to run three jobs a lot of the time (laughs). I've never regretted any of the hard work. I think the hardest part was just making ends meet.
So, was there a moment or piece of work that played a defining role in your career?
I've done a lot of different kinds of personal work rather than commercial work, and I think it's influenced my career in small and big ways. I became a freelancer involuntarily when the pandemic hit. I ended up doing a lot of solo work, and I was more proactive in reaching out to build my portfolio. I didn't wait, I just kept tapping first.
Can you share your experience working on your first magazine?
I actually wanted to work on the magazine so badly. You need to be recognized to do this. So I did my research and asked people I knew, and it's kind of hard to break into this industry without connections. One day, I was contacted by the editor of a magazine called DAZED, and I got my first magazine job. I was so grateful. As it turns out, the editor reached out to me because the head stylist, whom I had seen at a show once before, recommended me. That's when I realized that you never know when you're going to get an opportunity, you never know where you're going to meet someone, so you always have to be prepared.
You never know when or where a sudden opportunity will arise, or who will become your ear. So you always have to be ready. To always be able to prove yourself right away.
Where do you usually find inspiration?
I usually look at Pinterest, and in my daily life, if I'm watching a movie or looking at a photo or seeing a pretty landscape, I'll take notes. Even when I'm talking to people and I'm like, "Oh, that's a great idea. I should try this," I always take notes and follow through. I don't know exactly where I get my inspiration from, but sometimes images just come to me out of the blue, and I like to record them.
I hear you're considering expanding into the US.
Part of my future plans is to explore the US makeup market. I want to get international makeup experience and am considering LA or New York and am applying for a visa. I don't have any concrete plans yet, but I want to develop the Korean makeup market. If I ever get the chance, I'd love to do some glamorous makeup backstage at a makeup show or fashion show.
Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
I've always wanted to say something, and I just wanted to let you know that I'm so grateful for all of you who have always been so nice to me and reach out to let me know that you're enjoying my work. You meet so many people in this job. I'd like to thank everyone I work with: models, fellow artists, stylists, photographers, and brand representatives.
In addition to models, I want to make it easy to hire hair and makeup artists and photographers.
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