Iris Moreau: How the Makeup Industry has Changed, for Better or Worse

Iris Moreau got her start walking the runways of New York City and Paris as a high-fashion model. Eventually, she transitioned out and began looking for a new way to channel her creativity. Becoming a makeup artist seemed a natural extension of the industry she'd worked in. The contacts she'd made during her modeling career helped her break in as a makeup artist, but she still needed to prove her abilities. Moreau had some insights into the changes in the industry and where aspiring makeup artists should put their focus now. Her work has been featured in Marie Claire and Glamour, among other beauty and fashion magazines, and she's worked with celebrities including Eva Longoria, January Jones, and Paris Hilton.

Q: Many aspiring MUA's believe once they get a high-profile client, a magazine editorial or a big-name agent, they will have "arrived." Is this a misconception? You talked about how it's a very cyclical career. What should those aspiring artists really be putting their attention on?

Moreau: “Although being agency represented is certainly desirable, it really isn't the be all end all that a lot of artists think it is (Moreau knows artists represented by some of the biggest agencies who aren't working). Times have changed, and I think aspiring artists need to focus on building relationships with photographers and clients that will lead to repeat bookings. An agency can certainly help with introductions, but but at the end of the day it's up to the artist to promote themselves and establish lasting connections.”

Q: You talked about how the makeup world has expanded in its artistic diversity. What do you think this is a reflection of? Have we become a culture more accepting of makeup that goes outside the lines?

Moreau: "I think we have become more accepting of makeup that's not traditional and society today is more open to seeing diversity and artistic expression of that diversity in a way that wasn't accepted even 10 years ago. I feel like today's artists are much more free to express themselves creatively.”

Q: Can you expand on what you think the biggest progress and setbacks of the industry have been? You've expressed frustration when a social influencer gets a makeup contract because he or she has a large following.

Moreau: “I think the social media boom has both helped and hindered the industry. It is definitely frustrating to see someone who hasn't put in the time or work land a big contract because of the amount of followers they have, and an artist who has devoted years to building a solid portfolio gets passed over. However it can also be said that social media allows artists to express and promote themselves in a way that wasn't possible before. So there are pros and cons."

Q: When you transitioned from modeling to makeup artistry, what was the reaction you got from your contacts in the industry? Did you feel that you had to prove yourself even more? How did being a model help you to understand the face and the craft?

Moreau: "When I transitioned from modeling to makeup the response from my industry contacts was overwhelmingly positive. People were very encouraging and really gave me a chance. I did feel that I needed to prove myself even more; I spent the first year doing nothing but working on my book and really challenging myself. Having been on the other side of the camera as a model gave me an in depth understanding of lighting, composition and aesthetics on each shoot and really helped me see the overall vision and try to reflect that in my makeup.”

Moreau's work can be found on her Instagram account, @irismoreaubeauty, or on her website, www.irismoreau.com