Katie Hayes is the North West’s leading makeup artist. With over 6 years of experience within the industry, Katie’s work caught the eye of many celebrities, and she has worked with reality TV stars such as Amy Childs and Megan McKenna. Katie has recently opened her own makeup academy in Liverpool where she teaches aspiring and budding MUAs the tricks of the trade and how to create signature looks on themselves and their clients.
From bridal makeup and private functions to high-end fashion shoots and girls nights out Katie specialises in a range of looks perfect for any occasion. We caught up with Katie to find out where it all began, and what her favourite go-to products are..
How long have you been doing makeup, and how did you get started in the industry?
I have been doing makeup for 6 and half years now, I started training in Liverpool Community College where I landed my first job in a make-up studio.
What do you love most about doing makeup?
I love making people feel amazing on the inside and out and love the joy it gives me to see my client’s reaction once they have had their makeup done.
What are your essential go-to products?
I’d say my essential go-to products are Mac Vanilla Pigment, Peggy Sage lip liner in Marron Glaze, Peggy Sage Silky Lipgloss and Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow.
Where do you get your inspiration from, and how do you stay on top of the latest trends?
I am constantly watching videos on YouTube. My makeup idols are: Mac Daddy, Jenavive, Huda Beauty and my favourite Makeup by Mario. I also follow a lot of American MUAs who work in the Mac Pro store- they post a lot of high fashion makeups. I sadly don’t get the opportunity to create high fashion makeup looks anymore, as I am so busy glamming up the scouse girls of Liverpool!
What sets you apart from other makeup artists?
Even though I have been doing this for 6 and half years I still have the same excitement, passion and thrill of doing makeup as I did when I was 17. I always put 1000% effort into every look I create!
How would you describe your signature look?
My signature look varies as I like to keep on top of the latest trends. I don’t like to do the same look on every person, as every skin type and face is different and I like to keep it fresh and on trend.
What make up trends do you see being big in SS16?
This year’s makeovers are all about the skin. We’ll be seeing a lot of dewy fresh bases and golden bronzed highlighted looks.
If you could work on any celebrity who would it be?
I’d love to work on Gigi Hadid because she is the hottest on the runway at the minute! I follow her makeup artist Dick Page and I love all the looks he creates. He has started to incorporate a lot of cranberry into his looks and I am loving this new trend colour!
What prompted you to launch your own academy?
When I was training, I found I was getting taught a lot of looks that we’re not the on-trend looks I wanted to learn, or that clients would ask for when getting their makeup done. I always dreamt of opening a makeup school for budding/aspiring MUAs to learn real on-trend looks as well as essential basics tips.
What does a typical day in the life of Katie Hayes look like?
I start my day with a personal training session very early, I have breakfast on the go and I always like to be at the Academy early. I either have a full day course or one to one lessons with my students. I’m usually too busy to have lunch, but when I finish work I go home and cook tea for me and my other half. As I am OBSESSED with makeup I sit and watch YouTube videos as I eat my courgette spaghetti! Then I normally do the social media for the business for around 2 hours of an evening. I usually go to bed about 9pm, as I am an old woman at heart!
If you weren’t a makeup artist, what else would you do?
If I wasn’t a makeup artist, I would either be a drama teacher or work as cabin crew, as I think life is about seeing the world and being as dramatic as anything!
If you were on a desert island and were allowed only 1 make up product, what would you choose?
It’d have to be Mac Strobe Cream to give that desert beachy glow!
Take a look at some of Katie’s work ON Instagram: @katehayesmakeup
