Key Points
- Fabian got her first paid make-up gig for a wedding when she was 14 years old.
- She has been a professional make-up artist for 15 years, equipping herself with intensive training and international experience.
- Fabian says she doesn’t regret turning her back on her nursing career. Her fulfillment comes from making her clients feel beautiful and confident.
'May PERAan' is SBS Filipino's podcast series which features practical, creative and effective ways to earn money.
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Dating nurse, tinalikuran ang propesyon para maging professional makeup artist
SBS Filipino
10:40
The nursing profession is projected to grow over the next three years.
According to, it is forecast to increase by 13.9% per cent. Despite being one of the most in-demand jobs in the country, it’s something nurse-turned-makeup artist Blezel Anne Flores-Fabian opted out of.
Early start as make-up artist
After receiving a referral, Fabian landed her first make-up gig for a wedding in Cebu, where she was based in the Philippines.
Using local cosmetics purchased from the drug store, Fabian was thrilled at the thought of enhancing her clients’ appearance, but more so, their confidence.
I was 14 years old at the time. I did the make-up of the bride, as well as her three bridesmaids.
"The clients were so happy about the work I have done. I got paid Php 350 per person,” she shares.
Fast forward to college, Fabian graduated as a nurse. After spending three years being employed in the Philippines, her nursing career brought her to South America.
Despite Fabian’s hectic profession, she accommodated make-up gigs as a side hustle. It was where she experienced and honed the makeup application on clients with varying levels of skin tones, from palest hues to darkest browns.
Fabian says, “I bought different foundations for my dark-skinned clients. I started experimenting and blending it with other cosmetics as I worked on different skin textures that were unlike the ones I worked on in the Philippines. I took it as a way to improve my craft.”
Passion for make-up trumps nursing profession
Upon fulfilling her employment contract in South America, Fabian returned to Cebu. Her career vision was redirected. This time, she wanted to pursue a career as a make-up artist. She poured in about Php 15,000 to buy a mix of local and imported cosmetics, along with hair tools.
Her break in the beauty industry came after being discovered while buying cosmetics from an international brand. At the time, she was selling make-up as wholesale. One thing led to another, and she got the guest make-up artist gig where she served as a reliever for retail make-up artists in-store. In exchange for this, she was trained intensively.
“When you’re a M.A.C make-up artist, you are globally recognised and you get certified. So that’s where I learned how to do foundation matching on-the-spot, along with blending in different products,” Fabian says.
'Hair and make-up are my happy pills'
That certification from an international cosmetics company helped Fabian in her move to Australia after she got married five years ago.
Although what I do is simple, being able to enhance how people look around other people - like in events; I give them an emotional and mental boost (of confidence).
"This goes for busy working moms who don’t have the time to glam themselves up. It’s like a happy pill that I give to people. I make them happy."
As with anything, there are challenges involved in this industry. This includes early starts and doing everything on your own. From heavy lifting of equipment from the make-up chair, ring light, inventory checks, admin stuff, and cleaning the brushes – you do it all by yourself.
For those keen on starting as a make-up artist, Fabian offers these tips:
· Build your make-up portfolio - take stock of your make-up gigs and have it readily available to clients.
· Promote your work on social media – whether it’s posting reels or photos, include certifications on your stories. This is a way to market yourself and your body of work.
· Public liability insurance – in case the client’s skin reacts adversely to the cosmetics applied, expenses will be covered.
· Collaborate instead of compete – rather than giving into competition, consider collaborating with emerging make – up artists. It can be a symbiotic relationship.
· Invest lightly on cosmetics and tools according to your budget – there are affordable and reliable make-up and hair tools that don’t cost an arm and a leg. It might be good to buy expensive brands as a reward after a paid gig.
