Mélanie Brideau

Where are you from and where do you reside?

I was born in New Brunswick, Canada, and live and work in Montreal. 

Title of what you do and/or what company.

I’m a Freelance Makeup Artist, working in Fashion, Advertising, and Television. I’m also part of the Chanel Makeup Artist team.

Education background (school, salons, self-taught)?

I took a makeup course, but I’m mainly self-taught. As an Artist, you grow and learn every day, with the teams you work with, the assignments you work on, and all around the different colorful people you meet. 

What is your signature style/artistic expression in your work?

My Signature is All About Skin, my objective on a shoot is to have as little retouching made on my makeup in Post. When it comes to creative work I will come up with different concepts that I’ll submit to photographers and then we work together on the final idea. Of course, when we are talking about an assignment there is less conceptualization involved but I will always focus on the quality of the skin. On set, I also love to give the talents tips and tricks on how to get their best skin days on. 

What is the first creative project that you remember?

It’s a funny story.. my first creative project was when I had just started doing makeup as a freelance artist. I was assisting another makeup artist on set for the first time and the photographer really liked my makeup and vibe, a few weeks later the same photographer asked if I was available for a creative and we ended up shooting this model in a furniture store which turned out really well. Oh and that same photographer is now my life partner! 😉 

What is the most fulfilling job you’ve worked on or a person you have worked with?

The most fulfilling part is my macro beauty work with my partner, we both have strong creative visions, and getting up close into someone’s face is much more challenging for a Makeup Artist than any other type of makeup as you need to be extremely precise and detail-oriented.

Do you have a career turning point, big break, or person that has helped your career? 

I was working an office job for over six years as an account manager, on my days off I would create artistic makeup on myself as a way to release pressure and express my inner creativity. It pushed me to quit that job and pursue my passion for makeup. It was the best decision I made in my life, that feeling of inner peace I get when creating on people is worth every challenge encountered.  Of course, going out with a well-established photographer does help to get your foot in the door, but my determination to succeed comes from my ability to take difficulties and challenges as a positive way to push myself further within my career.

What was the scariest and proudest moment in your career?

Jumping into the unknown to pursue my passion without knowing what my makeup career was going to be, is both my scariest and proudest moment! 

What is next for your career goals?

Keep moving forward by learning and educating myself. Inspire others and maybe in the future educate other makeup artists. Hold the vision, and trust the process.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in your business? 

Do not copy or change your style to fit in a group or to be the trend of the moment. Trends are fleeting but your essence is forever. Find what makes you feel good inside and keep doing that, cause Passion and Love for Art are more important than fitting in. Basically, get out of the box! 

Social Links

Instagram @melaniebrideaumakeup

Facebook Melanie Brideau Artistry

Website www.everyonehasbeauty.com