Industry Expert Feature | Missy Woods
Makeup Artist & Owner of Missy Woods Makeup Studio
Follow Missy on Instagram
Industry Expert Feature | Missy Woods
Makeup Artist & Owner of Missy Woods Makeup Studio
What is your name and position?
My name is Missy Myers but professionally I go by my maiden name, Missy Woods. I am the owner and sole service provider behind Missy Woods Makeup Studio.
Can you share a little background on your career in the industry?
I started my career in the beauty industry over 17 years ago. I obtained my full esthetics training which included a certificate in makeup artistry. Even though I knew I wanted to focus on makeup I thought it was important to be more well-rounded.
Makeup artistry has really increased in priority for the ‘everyday’ person allowing me to focus almost solely on being a makeup artist. I offer brow bar services and professional skincare.
What made you choose this career?
I am an empath, people who tend to take on other people’s problems as their own. I had started down a path in psychology but the more I got into it I felt a heavyweight on my shoulders. By helping people work through their struggles I couldn’t shed the heaviness, I was taking on all the negative emotions and I couldn’t find a way to not carry them around as my own. To me a career in makeup artistry allowed me to instill a level of confidence which in turn led to an increase in self-esteem for the client, it made me feel powerful and left me with a very positive feeling all while still “helping”. My career has been very rewarding!
What’s the most valuable thing you have taken away from your education?
EDUCATION! It is not uncommon to hear current and past students in the beauty industry (of most schools/academies) that the school is “making a killing off of us” or “they charge people for our services, yet we pay to be here”, the truth is the basics and foundation of your chosen field is critical! A better understanding of the basics is what will make you great. It is what will give you the confidence to take advanced training because trust me, there is nothing more intimidating than training with some of the top artists in the world and all of a sudden you wished you took those basics more seriously!
Who are some of your favourite artists to follow?
James Molloy, Ernesto Robledo Beauty, Terry Barber Makeup
For Artists looking to further their education; Mode Masterclass is amazing and local to Regina, do not kid yourself, those women bring massive amounts of experience and invaluable knowledge to the table! Word has it maybe even some celebrity artist! 😉
What is the most important thing you want your students to take away?
Have fun. When you allow yourself to relax your artistry comes from a more authentic place. Before you know it, you will see your “style” emerge.
What keeps you inspired/motivated?
This field is like every other, sometimes you will feel stuck in a rut, like it is “work”, this is when I find having a community of fellow artists to lean into helps. They will help motivate you and push you and most importantly support you!
I also find following artists on social media whose work excites you helps; Terry Barber is that artist for me!
Who has been your biggest inspiration and why?
To be honest, it is not an artist, it is my parents. To see that dreams CAN come true if you are willing to put in the effort. I was always told I was a “dreamer” like it was a negative thing. My parents taught me that my dreams don’t need other’s approval it just requires an action plan on my part!
What have been some obstacles that you’ve faced in your career? How have you overcome them?
I actually deal with essential tremors, unfortunately, I experience them in my hands. There were/are days that are very difficult as you can imagine as a makeup artist. These won’t go away but learning to conquer my mindset around the issue has been so empowering. We can all conquer more than we would ever imagine.
What are your favourite services or area of your career that you enjoy the most?
As an artist that focuses mainly on bridal and graduates, I get to spend my time with clients that are going through the biggest event of their lives up to that point! It is an honour to be asked to go through that with them, one I don’t take lightly.
Some works by Missy
What is the one piece of advice you would share or that you received over the years?
We have all heard it but it will only be as powerful as you let it be: “if you are the smartest person in the room you need to find a new room”. Check your ego at the door, you will be shocked at what opportunities arise and what you can learn when you aren’t afraid to put yourself out there!
Is there anything else you would like to share /add?
I love the business side of the industry but to simplify things: KNOW YOUR NUMBERS! KNOW YOUR WORTH!
What Setbacks or discouragement have you experienced throughout your career? OR share an aha moment.
I will never forget my first Saskatchewan Fashion Week, again, my niche is bridal so fashion/editorial looks were very different from what I did in my job. I did horrible, a few people were horrible to me, I went back to my hotel and cried because I felt I didn’t get to show what talent I had, I cried because my body hurt and my heels felt bruised. But it was SFW that lead me to my tribe, a community of women that inspire me to become more and to lift me up when I feel defeated! Remember how I said, “find a new room” “check your ego at the door”…
Did you have a mentor?
I never had a mentor and I think that is why I love sharing anything about the industry with others, I would love to mentor artists and help get them going!
What Motivates you?
Success, for me that means reaching for heights that haven’t been achieved as a makeup artist in rural Saskatchewan, to build a reputation that I am proud of, leaving a legacy of being kind, always offering a smile, and willing to help wherever I could.
Where do you see your career taking you 5 years from now?
Let me just say I have some huge goals and I can’t wait for the world to know when the time is right!
What has been one of your biggest accomplishments?
Biggest doesn’t necessarily mean my more treasured accomplishments but one thing I never dreamed about was having my work published in an international magazine out of London, UK. That I was so proud of!
What does it take in your opinion to succeed in this industry?
Drive; you need to be able to push through the hard times because there will be hard times i.e.: a pandemic when all special events are canceled or postponed, you need to want it bad enough to be ok with a 3:30 am start time, to disinfect your kit after a 10hr day on your feet with no breaks just to get up and do it all again for 5 am the next morning. You get out of it what you put into it!
