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Tania D. Russell...

Tania D. Russell is a career media makeup artist of 25 years and counting with a career that has run the gamut from early hip hop videos to print advertising. Her work has appeared in magazines such as Elle Sweden and Runners’ World, on TV shows for clients such as BET, MTV, and HGTV, and for more commercial fashion and beauty clients than she can remember.
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Tania D. Russell | Makeup Artistry Career Educator

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I'm combining efforts with @curlyourlashes and our I'm combining efforts with @curlyourlashes and our Canadian fam @beautycollaborators to support our LA Wildfire Kit Rebuilding. I have two relevant links in my bio; - First for our collection efforts, just fill out the form and we'll get the ball rolling... - Secondly I made a Hub website for *all* of the various collection efforts taking place that I'm aware of because our community is showing up and showing out! Here's the 411 on our donation drive from Miss Claire; There are 30 Makeup and Hair people on my list who have experienced their work kits being lost in the LA fires. 22 out of 30 are Hairstylists or makeup artists that also do hair. If you have a connection to a brand that provides work tools please let us know. In addition to makeup products and hair styling products (hairspray, pomades, gels, styling creams, oils, etc; no shampoo and conditioners) Tools I’m thinking our artists will need. -Capes -tool cases and bags -curling irons, hair dryers -Hair brushes and combs, edgers -hair pins and clips -Makeup brushes -makeup cases and bags -makeup (eyeshadows, foundations, brow products, makeup prep and primers and setting products, powder, lipsticks, pencils); palettes are preferred -minimal skincare -disposables (qtips, makeup sponges, brush cleaner, mascara wands) -scissors, clippers and shavers for hair and makeup artists -hairstylist shears If you have any questions or if you are one of the artists who needs support please feel free to message myself or Claire. And if you are a part of our Canadian family who wants to contribute please get in contact with Andrea at @beautycollaborators. Stay safe and thanks much for contributing!
2024 Not the best, but certainly not the worst. W 2024 Not the best, but certainly not the worst. When I was making this video I was able to remember how many really great jobs I was on, and how I got to be part of some really good communities and spaces. Now it's 2025, who exactly knows what's gonna be going on in this country and in the world. But I know for myself I want to go up πŸ†™ 2024 I stuck my toes in the water and had just enough of a response to remind me that when you put yourself out there good things generally happen. In 2025 I'm diving all the way in. Trust me as you get older years fly by at quantum speed, so we may as well hold on to the reins and steer our own ships. What about you? Do you have dream projects/clients/goals that you may have skimmed the surface of in 2024? Are you ready to go all in in 2025? What are your main takeaways from the past year and how do you plan to go forward into the next? Happy 2025, y'all! #mediamakeup #mediamakeupartists #makeuptogoblog
And TikTok is subject to feel the ban-hammer at an And TikTok is subject to feel the ban-hammer at any moment. Just my annual "oh no! Instagram is down" reminder to not build your business solely upon tools you do not now nor will you ever own. You own your website you own your email list if these social media outlets all disappear tomorrow you will still be in a position to promote yourself. Trust me I come from a land before social media. It really is possible - maybe even preferable? πŸ€” - to promote yourself without these things lol (Five Small Things Monthly Membership is still enrolling at the founders price. Join us and learn about promoting yourself off-line πŸ˜‰) were you affected by the 2024 Meta Meltdown?
Artists nowadays underestimate the power of a stro Artists nowadays underestimate the power of a strong portfolio. Yes – social media is (can be) a powerful tool for promotion. Yes – referrals, repeat clients, relationships etc. are what is going to keep you working and keep you in a career. But you gotta be able to get your foot in the door. And the stronger your doorstop the more doors you're going to be able to get into. And that doorstop is a portfolio people need to see what you can do. I particularly see resistance on building a portfolio amongst artist who primarily do private client work and particularly bridal work. Because you can get a lot done in those realms with an Instagram/TikTok that shows before and afters But have you ever noticed how high-end bridal and private client artists will also include style shoots in their grid? That's no accident my friend, that's very strategic. Not only does that open you up to the higher end clients within the bridal and private client space. It also opens you up to a whole world of other kinds of work. I have a makeup artist friend who started out in the media world but decided to go into the bridal. Not only did her past media life enable her to start working with high-end bride right away, in addition to her brides she also does a goodly amount of bridal editorial for the bridal magazines. Those bridal editorials not only advertises her bridal services but opens her up to advertising work for bridal brands. You see what I'm saying fam? When you start looking at your career with a longer lens, you'll see that there are a lot of opportunities right where you are that don't require some extreme change in your business or moving or anything like that. These are the types of things we explore in the Five Small Things Monthly Membership. My background is in media makeup, yep, but these techniques are not exclusive to media makeup artists. We are still enrolling at the Founders Circle rate. Comment FIVE and I will send you all the info. Do you devote time to developing your portfolio? #makeuptogoblog #fivesmallthings #mediamakeupartists #promakeupartisteducation #makeupartisteducation #bridalmakeupartists #privateclientmakeup
Who says there's nothing to do on Sundays? Yester Who says there's nothing to do on Sundays? Yesterday was pretty action packed for me. I finally got to have brunch with some of my dearest friends for my birthday (can't really celebrate on your actual birthday when it falls on Thanksgiving lol), and then I went to not one but two kind of biz/industry social events. The first was the Powder Group's Brand Connect event. I loved it last year and I was excited to go again this year and it did not disappoint. Brand Connect is all about giving artists the opportunity to not just learn about new product (and also buy product at great discounts πŸ‘πŸΎ), but get to know your vendors/brands and get to know and talk to other artists and build community as a pro makeup community. So that's always awesome πŸ‘πŸΎ. If you want to know more about what I actually saw, got, and learned check out my Stories on Tuesday ✨ The second event I went to was for a local chapter of American Photographic Artists for their Holiday photo-swap meet up. This brings me to my second point - this event was an opportunity for me to talk to and meet photographers. One thing makeup artists tend to do is only go to makeup related events and meet other makeup artists and that's great. But I would also suggest balancing that with events where you meet people who could potentially hire you. πŸ˜‰ #themoreyouknow The APA event was super fun, I meant great people, I was introduced to the most delicious vegan dip, and I walked away with two fabulous photographs #winning (Oh and then when I left that event it turned out there was a whole Christmas festival happening in that area so needless to say I got tacos and stayed for that πŸ‘πŸΎ) How was your weekend? Did you work? Chill? Both?
When it comes to building a career, particularly i When it comes to building a career, particularly if you plan to venture into uncharted territory, putting yourself out there is the name of the game. It's easy to stay where we are, particularly if where we are is someplace comfortable, but as they say; Nothing changes if nothing changes. 2025 is set to be a crazy year on a variety of levels, so what if we just throw caution to the wind? (I'm using every cliched phrase in the book in the caption but just stay with me) What if - instead of pre-worrying about everything that may go wrong this year - we just go for it full speed ahead and let the chips fall where they may? - You gotta show your work to people who can make a difference for you. Yes, those meetings can be uncomfortable and yes they may criticize your work, but ya gotta do it. Your friends and family love you and followers do so because they like you, so they are just going to say everything you do is great. Unless they also happen to be Producers/Creative Directors/etc, who can hire you, that doesn't mean much. Get your work out there. - I know that people hate niching. But many of the same people who gave me grief about advising niching are also working within a niche LOL. Continuing with cliches - as they say if you sell to everyone you sell to no one. It's the same with being an artist. Do your work your way and let the right people find you. On the same token JUST PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE. When I was teaching in makeup schools one of my students - who has since gone on to be a very successful artist - got a national commercial *right out of school*. Don't worry if you're experienced enough, if you "look the part", if you know the right people, etc. Yes all of that *can* be a factor, but sometimes it's not. Don't rule yourself out of potential opportunities on a "because". If you want to reach new levels in your career, the Five Small Things Membership pre-enrollment is OPEN. We combine goals-setting, strategy, and know-how in a supportive community to help you elevate! Comment FIVE and I'll send ya the enrollment info. What goals are you planning to tackle for 2025? #mediamakeupartists #careerglowup #makeuptogoblog
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