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Friday, February 9, 2018

First Look Fridays Interview Series: Makeup Artist Shannon V

Shannon V, makeup artist, headshot, First Look Fridays interview series
I love discovering new makeup artists on Instagram. I follow a bunch of accounts who post looks from super talented makeup artists all over the world -- and, one day, I very luckily discovered Shannon V. THIS. GIRL. KNOWS. HER. STUFF. Every look she creates is so beautiful, so unique, so arrestingly gorgeous -- I can't help but stop the infinite scrolling just to stare in wonder at what she's created. Scroll through her feed and you won't be able to help but gasp. I'm thrilled to bring you my interview with Shannon today. Read on to find out how she got her start in beauty, the lip mask she can't live without and so much more.


Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
I'm from a relatively small city in Western Massachusetts, but I currently reside in Surprise, Arizona. Yes, surprise! I went to a vocational school for business, but am definitely more of a creative soul. I'm a stay-at-home mom to my 3-year-old daughter and I'm a feminist -- which I think is important to be proud of nowadays.

Shannon V, makeup artist, influencer, makeup look, lipstick, lip look
A look by Shannon. I love the bold black lip and the intricacy of the dripping turquoise and bronze.

Shannon V, makeup artist, influencer, makeup look, lipstick, lip look
The way the turquoise polka dots are splayed out over the bright pink lip in this look just makes me smile!

How did you first become interested in beauty, and what led you to become a makeup artist?
My first memory of makeup is when my parents got divorced. My dad used to take my little sister and I to the Dollar Tree for odds and ends on his weekends -- we didn't like it, it was a chore. So when I was about 6, he offered to buy me one thing I wanted from the store, and I discovered the makeup aisle with all of the lipglosses, face powders and eyeliner. I was in heaven! I also got sent to the principal in 4th grade for putting on red lipstick in chorus!

What are your top beauty essentials?
Suva Beauty Hydra Liner, eyeliner, makeup
Suva Beauty Hydra Liners. They're water activated eyeliners that are so multipurpose and come in something like two dozen colors and a bunch of finishes. I currently own like ... 14 of them. I'm obsessed! Plus, as a black liner, one little pot will last you FOR. EVER.

Nabla Cosmetics Velvetline Lip Liner, lipliner, makeup, lip liner
Nabla Cosmetics Velvetline Lip Liners. My favorite lip liners ever!!! They're so good, so creamy but not too soft, set matte (to be worn all over the lips) and outline perfectly for a liquid or traditional lipstick over top! "Closer" is my favorite color!

sunscreen, Target Up & Up Sheer Touch SPF 30 sunscreen, sunblock
A good sunscreen! Find one that works for you and wear it EVERY day! I love the Target Up & Up SPF 30.

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask, skincare, skin care
Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask. I'm a chapstick addict. I have horribly dry lips and I live in the unbearably dry Arizona desert. Carmex and Blistex can only get you so far, being petroleum-based. This lip mask is thick and moisturizes my cracking lips like nothing else! 100 percent worth the investment.

What are your top 3 beauty tips?
1) Use a good eye primer! It takes time to find one that works for YOU. When you do, stick with it. Greasy creased eyelids that you spent an hour this morning perfecting are so frustrating! (Mine is Kat Von D Lock-It Color Correcting Eyeshadow Primer.)

2) To keep your brows from looking flaky (with little foundation specks in them), use two separate spoolies. One is for brushing through before product is in them, just to straighten out the hairs. The second is for after they're all done and blending it out! It took me forever to figure out that this is why it looked like my brows had dandruff.

3) Exfoliate your lips more than you think you have to! It has changed my lips 100,000 percent for the better by exfoliating every other day opposed to maybe once a month.

Shannon V, makeup artist, influencer, makeup look, lipstick, eye makeup
The angled lines, the red and white, the bold way this comes off the eye ... this is a look I'm dying to try.
Shannon V, makeup artist, influencer, makeup look, lipstick, lip look
Come on, how could you NOT love this look? Her lips are wrapped up in a bow!

Being a makeup artist must be fun, but what do you do in your spare time?
I spend quality time with my husband, daughter and our two hamsters. I LOVE to draw in colored pencil in my spare time, my grandfather on my mom's side is an artist! The library is also one of my favorite places, just now as a 23-year-old woman I'm getting around to reading Harry Potter! I'm determined to hike the White Tank Mountains before moving out of Arizona, too.

How can The Beauty of Life readers find you on social media?
You can follow me on Instagram and Twitter.

13 comments:

  1. So interesting and I love that I found two liner lines that I hadn't heard of before. It's going to cost me money to read this post!

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  2. I love Shannon's work - it is soooo creative. I also love that she identifies proudly as a feminist. I will check out a couple of her product recommendations

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  3. Wow - she's so good! I love her beauty tips too. I need to exfoliate my lips more often.

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  4. I love her personality, and her lip looks are just amazing. I think her brow spoolie tip may also change my brow life. I get brow dandruff all the time and I never understood why!

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  5. Yes to her being feminist. I love her lip art

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  6. What an incredibly talented makeup artist. I love her tips, and I need to go find that eye liner and lip liner she mentioned! It's wonderful that she stated how important it is to be a feminist– especially today!

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  7. I need to check out the sunscreen the next time I head to Target. I totally agree with her on exfoliating your lips.

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  8. Her lip art is amazing! She is SO talented!

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  9. Shannon makes beautiful make up art - thank you for introducing her to me!

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  10. Wow she is so talented and her designs are original!

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  11. What a fun post! Love seeing the lip art!

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  12. Yikes, yes I also have to exfoliate my lips more. Her work are stunning!

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