Perth Hair and Makeup Artist Awards 2018

Perth Hair and Makeup Artist Awards- On the escalator at Ascot!

I just sang for the VIPS at the Perth Hair and Makeup Artist Awards and it was out of this world! It was like walking in to a European wonderland of art and beauty, but it was right here in Perth at Ascot Racecourse! There were special guest make up artists who did make up for celebrities, heaps of amazing categories including Arabian Makeup, Glamour Bridal, Runway Avant Garde, Student Creative Makeup Photographs, Lip Art Photographs, Creative Hair and Makeup Photographs, Makeup Video Tutorials, but my favourite was the LIVE BODY ART COMPETITION! I just LOVED it so much!

As a live performer myself, I guess I was just drawn to the live art. I also loved that it wasn't about who had the so called 'hottest' body, it wasn't about being a pervert and was nothing at all like a bikini contest. The models were all shapes and sizes, some were mothers, and it was about the ART, not about about comparing the canvases the art was on. Also everyone was just there to be creative and have fun and there was no bitchiness whatsoever. And they all looked so beautiful!

Perth Hair and Makeup Artist Awards- I need this light up crown in my life!

So it kind of got me thinking about 'beauty' and make up and all that sort of stuff. And as with all things, I always try to be aware of what messages I'm passing on to my kids, through my words and actions.

Perth Hair and Makeup Artist Awards- I love these wings handmade by body artist Hilly Jane, on gorgeous model Ashlee G!

My kids see me wearing make up a lot for my work as a performer, because in my industry as an entertainer, it is expected. For example, on some emails I get for jobs, it is specified to wear sparkly make up, or to dress all fancy like. There was once a marriage proposal I was singing at, where I was given instructions to dress 'not sexy.' The man proposing wanted his soon-to-be-fiance to feel like the most beautiful woman in the world, so I dressed as haggardly as I could manage. The customer is always right!

Perth Hair and Makeup Artist Awards- Amazing mad hatter artwork by artist Jayde Masterson!

If I worked in an industry where my appearance didn't matter, like my husband in the building industry, I wouldn't even bother with make up, hair, or even showering before work.

Perth hair and Makeup Artist Awards- Incredible skeleton artwork by artist Amy Victoria!

So that is why I dress the way I do and wear make up. It also scores me more work when I wear make up and wear my fancy clothes, which, by the way, are ALL second hand, from op shops, tips, hand me downs, etc. For example, that is how I scored this gig! I was singing at a Mother's Day event at a school organised by the P & C. My mantra is, to always do my best because I never know who is watching or who will be there.

Perth hair and Make up artist awards- Group photo of amazing creatures!

So I dolled up in my designer clothes from the Good Sammy's, and one of the mothers liked my singing and my make up. It was superwoman Shelley, creator of the Perth Hair and Makeup Artist Awards and mother of TRIPLETS! Shelley said she liked my singing and make up and thought I'd be perfect to sing for the VIPs at the Perth Hair and Makeup Artist Awards! I was like hell yes!

Perth hair and make up artist awards- Winner of the body art competition by artist Rae's FX on gorgeous model Pam!

Another time I was dolled up with professionally done hair and make up and needed some earrings. So I stopped in at a shop to get some, and the sales assistant asked me where I was going all dressed up. I mentioned I was a wedding singer and was on my way to a shoot. She instantly asked me for my business card because her cousin was getting married. I thought to myself, but you haven't even heard me sing! Any who, I handed the card over! If I hadn't been dressed up but told her I was a wedding singer would she have asked for my card? Maybe, maybe not?

Parth hair and Makeup Awards- Peacock crown by my friend Holly Barker Millinery!

I have two looks. There is peacock queen aka glam or homeless starving artist. I don't really have an in between 'normal person' look. I don't feel a difference in my self worth whether I am dressed as peacock queen or as homeless starving artist. When I drop off my kids to the bus stop in a hand me down dressing gown, and pick them up after school in the same dressing gown, the bus driver asks me if I even got dressed for the day. My answer is, I'll get dressed and do my hair and make up if someone pays me to. In fact the more consecutive days I stay in my dressing gown, the happier I am! My record is about five days. I don't dress for others, I do it for myself.

Perth Hair and Make up Artist Awards-My regular old homeless artist self- got this wearable blanket thing from a rubbish tip haha!

Now would I have got the gig for the Perth Hair and Makeup Artist Awards if I hadn't done my make up that day, and worn my designer Good Sammy's gear? If I had gone as homeless starving artist me, would I have been given the job? Maybe, maybe not? My point is, there is a time and a place to dress all fancy like, and sometimes depending on the industry you're in, how you present yourself is really important. But your self esteem should be solid and independent of what you look like or what you wear. Also regardless of how you dress or present yourself, do it for yourself! I hope to pass this belief on to my kids, that they are made wonderfully as they are. End of story.

Perth Hair and Make up Artist Awards- Amazing dancer body art by artist Elissa Anne

I absolutely loved the body art so much, that I'm a bit excited to say that I will be having a go of being a model for body art myself! There is a Retro Extravaganza event on 26th October 2018 at Creatures Next Door in Freo. The Red Room is being transformed in to an art gallery for one night only, as Lyrical Infusion presents artist Elissa Anne in her debut body art exhibition. There will be a swing dance floor, burlesque, art auction, retro markets, live music and live body painting! I will be singing and will also be one of the body art models! Why would you do something so crazy? I hear my husband and some of you readers ask! Well, I've been singing at a few aged care facilities lately, and it has reminded me to go and live! When I'm old I don't want to regret turning down an opportunity to be a body art model. I want to entertain my fellow old people friends with all the stories of all the fun things I did when I could! How is your bucket list going? Why not be daring and be part of the Perth Hair and Makeup Artist Awards next year?