I am a professionally trained makeup artist, having studied for 2 years at West College Scotland in Glasgow, (HNC Fashion Makeup & HND Make-Up Artistry). This covered bridal and event, tv & film, stage & theatre, airbrushing, commercial & editorial, runway & period, face & body painting, special effect & prosthetic makeup, hairdressing and photography. I have previously worked in theatre and stage productions, events and film and also for the BBC in TV dramas and quiz shows. I have been a makeup artistry lecturer with West College Scotland, an adult learning tutor and have run workshops in schools and clubs and private lessons at my studio. I currently provide bridal/wedding and event makeup from my salon and mobile travelling throughout Shetland alongside running a weekly makeup and beauty class for the Bridges Project. I still do freelance work within the film & TV industry for small companies where Shetland is the location and for local theatre productions and drama groups. In all its over 20 years of experience, extensive product knowledge and a huge amount of enthusiasm!

I love learning and through working as a lecturer at West College Scotland discovered a passion for teaching! The makeup and beauty industry I see as an art form and teaching offers me the opportunity to empower individuals to express their creativity and elevate their skills. Having been through the ups and downs navigating the industry I feel I’m equipped with the necessary skills to guide and shape the next generation of makeup artists and beauticians. My goal is to foster an environment where creativity and innovation can thrive.

While the beauty industry is booming, many aspiring beauty enthusiasts, (especially islanders) face a significant challenge: lack of proper training and for us the expense of having to travel to the mainland. I could see this gap having taken short courses myself, this fuelled my desire to establish The Shetland Academy of Beauty to provide more comprehensive hands on education. I aim to empower my students to succeed, not only as talented artists but also as confident entrepreneurs.

Launching this academy for me has been a long dream and is an exhilarating endeavour driven by my passion for the art of transformation and my desire to empower individuals seeking to make their mark on the beauty industry.

Together, let us redefine beauty, one brushstroke at a time!