Meet Ashley Noel | Freelance Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Noel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, what is the most important factor behind your success?
My Mom. Im very lucky to have a support system that really believes in me. Between the pandemic and the strike I had some thoughts of giving up and getting a conventional job. My mom and my best friend Tess kept me going.
They really breath life into me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Hair and Makeup artist. I’ve been in the beauty industry for 10 years. I’ve been focusing on tv and film for the last 5 years. I’ve had a really long and round about journey to get to where I am today. I’m still not where I want to be in my career. I don’t have a great answer for overcoming challenges. Literally just keep pushing through. If you want to be a makeup artist for film and tv and fashion, you really have to love what you do. If it’s not your passion in life I don’t think the struggle is worth it. Being a freelancer in the entertainment world is a struggle. You have to find the light in the people you work with and the art that you make.

I think my education is the best thing I’ve ever done for my career. I am licensed Cosmetologist and Masters Esthetician. I recommend if you are thinking of going to a makeup school go to a tech college and get a license first. It’ll save you money and give you something to fall back on while you build up your freelance clientele. If you’re a makeup artist don’t be afraid to learn hairstyling. In fact I think it’s a requirement really, the industry is not what it use to be where the two crafts are always separate. I know so many artist who go back to school to get barbering or cosmetology license years into their careers because they are asked to do hair especially for their personal clients.

I advise Artist to diversify their skill set and always be trying learn something new. There are artist who don’t agree with this advise and will tell you to pick something to specialize in. But being able to do multiple styles and use different techniques has brought a lot of job opportunities my way.

I also think being able to work in multiple avenues of the beauty industry keeps me from felling stuck or burnt out. If tv jobs aren’t booking, I freelance for brands or boudoir studios. That way im always working and when I get my next movie or show im super excited to go!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My best friend Tess, is Vegan whenever she comes to LA we eat at Gracias Madre it’s literally the best food hands down. I’m not vegan and it’s one of my favorite restaurant anyone can eat there.

If you can make it out to Garden Grove California hit up Burnt Umbra Cafe. They have real spooky vibe I enjoy and great coffee.

You have to go to the Getty and the LACMA.

The motion picture academy museum is a must.

I love the Bigfoot lodge it’s a Sasquatch theme bar that’s usually a good time. They have live music and sometimes bingo.

Most of my friends visit from Washington, and they want to go to the beach. I like to take people to Dockwieler and Malibu Creek.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh man I have so many people to thank!
I’m so lucky because I feel like the quintessential LA experience people talk about is not being able to make friends and only meeting fake people. I just do not have that. I’ve met so many great people who’ve made positive impacts directly and indirectly to my career and my growth as a person.

The Powder Group, Lipstick biddies and Makeup To go blog are all online groups you can join as a budding or even senior artist. They all offer classes great advice and friendship. Highly recommend to any Makeup Artist trying to navigate the industry. They host a lot of events in LA, some are free some you have to pay for but they are all worth it.

I have two Artist I consider mentors, Monique Paredes and Edder Sandoval have given me the most on set experience. I was so green when I met them. They are generous and kind they’ve made me such a better artist. I will always be great full to them.

I’ve also been lucky to meet wonderful photographers that when we work together they trust me to bring visions to life and really feed my creativity. Kassandra Faith Photography, Maria of Beautiful Souls Photography and the big man Mansoor!

Mansoor and I did a really last minute shoot with French Canadian musician Maryze. I’ve never been more excited for the release of a shoot. Working with those two is the highlight of my year.

There’s this director/writer, J. Zachary Thurman. I just finished up my fourth project with him. “The Demon Core” it’s set in the 1940s and I’m so excited for people to see it! It’s some of the best hair looks I’ve ever done.

Working with Zach has also introduced me to my favorite group of actors.
Jenny Lang, Taylor Garriga, Manny Spero, Genevieve Thomas, Warren Davis and Sam Abraham. They are some of the most talented, kindest and funny people around. They are the kind of actors you hope are on every job. I watching their careers take off is going to be fantastic.

Warren and Sam have a scene together in the Demon core that really made me cry. I never cry during filming.

I could literally write a novel with people Who deserve my thanks. I’ve just been very lucky in that way.

Website: http://www.ashleynoelmua.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleynoelmua?igsh=MXV2cGZ5amczczczbg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13555994/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

https://www.instagram.com/beautifulsouls.photography?igsh=MWltMmthbXk3NWZkMw==

Image Credits
Kassandra Faith Photography