Today we’d like to introduce you to Susie Richardson
Hi Susie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Susie Richardson, I’m a Filipina-American triple Aquarius ‘90s baby born and raised in San Diego. Art, fashion and education has been very important to me since birth. Ever since I was a child, I was enamored by coloring, drawing and experimenting with every medium under the sun such as paint, clay, oil pastels, etc. I explored my artistic talents in elementary school when I self-enrolled into a performing arts program called the VPA for three years where I performed in theater plays, and then continued pursuing art by attending Chula Middle School because they have special classes geared towards the arts (SCPA). I won a lottery to attend the brand new project-based school High Tech High Chula Vista in 2009 when I began 9th grade, and I continued expanding my artistic talents throughout my high school years, painting large-scale murals and creating elaborate art projects. I was chronically online for most of my free time, browsing art to try to copy other artists and expand my skills, participating in fashion games and looking up fashion inspiration from bloggers. In 8th-9th grade is when I discovered makeup artistry through YouTube. I was instantly drawn to YouTube gurus that showed you how to apply makeup and quickly started to practice on myself and others. I began doing full-face applications in high school. After high school, I attended college at UC Irvine and immediately joined a fashion club, Fashion Interest Group (FIG). I started modeling and building a freelance makeup kit and did full-face applications on models during our fashion shows. My first year of college, I interned for a fashion company specializing in swimwear. I worked at a high-end fashion boutique my second year of college. My third year, I studied abroad in no other than Paris, France, the mecca of art, cosmetics and fashion for four months. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree from UCI in 2017 majoring in International Studies, minoring in Business Management, however I always wanted to pursue my creative passions. My first job out of college was working as an artist for MAC Cosmetics in Newport Beach. I stayed for almost 2 years at MAC, expanding my knowledge of makeup artistry and gaining valuable insight from other artists in the field. After MAC, I wanted a less strict job so I became a beauty brand ambassador for Beauty Barrage, which allows you to drive to different makeup stores and work as a beauty expert under multiple brands independently. I worked with tons of brands, popping into Sephora, Ulta and Nordstrom on a weekly basis. I continued to build my freelance makeup kit and work on clients, while simultaneously building my own modeling portfolio. To this day, I’ve participated in numerous photoshoots as a model and makeup artist, have been a makeup artist at weddings, events and two music videos in LA, and now I work as a brand ambassador for the luxury makeup line Natasha Denona. I’ve explored many jobs under different fields, but in the end I always come back to my true love of art, fashion and cosmetics. My goal is to be a full-time entrepreneur selling online merchandise and celebrity makeup artist that gets to travel doing makeup for high-end clientele. As of now, my business is Makeup by Susie Richardson and I’m available as a freelance makeup artist in San Diego.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My main struggles have always been financial insecurity and mental health. I’m from a low-income neighborhood and immigrant family so I’ve always had to be self-starter, by researching and enrolling into every single opportunity for myself, making sure that the cost is free or low and avoid getting into too much debt. I’m an only child and I was always alone at home which fostered feelings of depression throughout my teen years. I also suffer from social anxiety since I was a shy little girl and always found it difficult to express myself publicly, which is why I always buried myself into my passions, found solace in other like-minded people and never had my own social media accounts until I was in college. I would say the most challenging part of my education was attending college because I always felt like my college experience wasn’t lining up with my goals to work in fashion/beauty, so I always felt like I was struggling and depriving myself of sleep to study tirelessly for no reason, and I was constantly moving apartments and trying to keep up with my rent. The most challenging part of my career was working for MAC Cosmetics, because it’s a very strict company to work for and was ultimately a toxic work environment.
We’ve been impressed with Makeup by Susie Richardson, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Makeup by Susie Richardson is a luxury makeup service by professional makeup artist Susie Richardson. I specialize in enhancing women’s natural beauty with luxury cosmetics and techniques from my fine artist background. What sets me apart from others is that I am versed in the art and fashion worlds and have worked directly for cosmetic companies as a brand ambassador. I’m proud to be able to customize every woman’s makeup look to be exactly what they prefer and envisioned in their minds. I want readers to know that I am available to consult you on your makeup, apply it for you for an event, or even go personal shopping with you so that you know what products to use.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The Covid-19 crisis taught me to not always rely on an employer, to make sure you can employ yourself and set yourself up for entrepreneurial success.
Pricing:
- Regular Makeup Application – $120
- Bridal Makeup Application – $200
- Bridal Trial Application – $120
- Photoshoot Makeup – $120
- Personal shopping – $100/hr
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.styleseat.com/m/v/susierichardson
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeup.by.susie.richardson
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/makeup-by-susie-richardson-national-city
