Art can consist of a multitude of talents and can be created on many different canvases, and self-made makeup artist Patricia Amber understands exactly what that means.
What started as a high school hobby for Amber became her cosmetic career not long after. While a student at River Forest High School, Amber watched makeup artists who gained their fame on YouTube, like Jaclyn Hill. Amber wanted to kick her fan status up a notch.
“I thought to myself, ‘I want to teach myself how to do that!’” she said.
Amber experimented with a variety of “glam and colorful” looks as she grew up. Through the smudged eyeliner and half-glued eyelashes, Amber found herself improving her makeup skills with practice on herself. Friends and family took notice, too.
Amber was asked to do a makeup look for a friend’s quinceanera, where she put her skills to the test. After seeing Amber’s flawless execution, friends and family encouraged her to pursue makeup as a career.
“I started putting myself out there by posting makeup looks that I had done on Facebook,” she said.
In the summer of 2018, Clawdia of Clawdia’s Beauty Salon in Valparaiso reached out to Amber because she was impressed with her looks. Instantly, Clawdia became Amber’s wingwoman as she made her way into the industry.
“Clawdia told me to bring a friend, do her makeup, and she would time me to see how well I would do,” Amber said. “She told me that if I did really well, I could work for her bridal team.”
Amber jumped at the opportunity. She brought her supplies, her friend, and executed perfection again in a matter of 30 minutes. Clawdia welcomed Amber onto her bridal team with open arms as she landed her first professional makeup job.
Clawdia showed Amber the ropes, teaching her how to airbrush foundation and perfect eyeshadow. Amber was also able to develop her skills more to become a self-made makeup artist in the state of Indiana.
In addition to work on Clawdia’s bridal team, Amber also took up freelance opportunities through her Facebook page. She also promoted her work at her other local tanning salon job, leaving out business cards for customers to grab and further spread the word.
“People would come in and ask me ‘do you think this makeup artist is any good?’ I’d say that it was me and I sure hoped so!” Amber said.
Amber credits her boss for being so supportive as she continued to build her makeup brand.
“He gave me whatever schedule I needed to be sure I could do makeup looks for my clients,” she said. “He wanted to help build my business, hand out my business cards, and whatever I needed.”
Amber encourages anyone looking to take a deep dive into their hobby to do it plain and simple.
“You have to put yourself in the fire,” she said.
Amber suffered from depression and anxiety during her high school years, which made her hesitant to pursue her passion in makeup.
“I was so socially-anxious to do people’s makeup. The thought of being that close to someone’s face made me want to scream,” she said. “But you have to throw yourself in the fire and take the risks, even if you’re afraid.”
Amber is so glad she picked up her eyeshadow palette and blending brush, and she has not looked back since.
“If you put all of your motivation and determination into something, you will make success out of it,” she said.
To take a peek at Patricia Amber’s work, visit https://www.facebook.com/makeupbypatriciaamber