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

Hi Brittany, how do you think about risk?
I believe risks are one of the most important parts about working in the creative field. The very first decision I made towards becoming a Makeup Artist was a huge risk! My previous job was very comfortable- I had been doing it for years, great benefits, and wonderful management, but since I was a kid I always dreamed of getting out of my small town to pursue makeup. I ended up selling my car and most of my belongings to move down to Los Angeles with zero idea of how I was going to start getting work since I didn’t know anyone. It was terrifying, but truly one of the best decisions Ive ever made in my life.
I’ve since really thought about risk taking and how fear of failure can get in the way of incredible opportunities. I now view failure as a chance for growth and learning, and I’ll take on just about any risk that comes my way!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been passionate about makeup and art in general since I was a kid. I spent countless hours after school experimenting with the few special effects products I was able to get my hands on and reading about how the makeup was applied for all my favorite films. It was an escape and I just couldn’t get enough of it! Growing up in a small Southern Oregon town definitely made my dreams of a career in SFX feel so far off though considering there were no schools or opportunities for it around me and I couldn’t afford to move at the time, so I decided to continue learning on my own.
Fast forward to now and I’m still a self taught artist! It’s not the most common option, but I like to think that I did learn (and continue to learn) from the greats in the industry. The internet is a fantastic tool that I always urge aspiring artists to use. Almost all of of the top MUAs that I admire share techniques, tips, and tricks in blogs or videos and it’s such a gold mine of information. The amount of masterclasses offered virtually and in person are limitless as well! Being a self taught artist can be significantly more difficult, but looking back at where I use to be and where I am today I’m so incredibly proud of my younger self.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would definitely recommend Gracias Madre! I take every person that comes to visit me there for the fantastic food and cozy outdoor seating area. LA also has fantastic museums, The Getty is in such a beautiful area and there’s so much to explore, and Hammer Museum always has really interesting pieces to discuss and admire. I also love any chance to get outdoors and the beaches around LA are the perfect place for beginners to learn how to surf. And a drive up the PCH! It’s so beautiful and relaxing and there are a ton of places to stop along the way for views or more great restaurants.

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?
Masha as well as the whole team of Artists Creating Entertainment have played such a huge part in my growth these last few years. Being brought into a community of incredibly talented creatives from all different fields has been so inspiring.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittanylessard/?hl=en

Other: Brittrlessard@gmail.com

Image Credits
Christopher Brown

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.