Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawna Vassallo.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Where to begin… I would like to think that my love for art came at a young age. Ever since I could write I was drawing and my favorite thing was a new box of crayons. All throughout my school years art was my favorite subject so much so that in high school I was in all higher-level creative courses. I wasn’t sure what career I could make out of the art field, so I went to college to become an art teacher but that was short-lived after I discovered Makeup Desigory.
Being a New York native it seemed like the perfect opportunity to attend MUD Manhattan. Once I completed school I dedicated myself to the opportunity of making this my lifelong career. I was on set of blockbuster shows, New York Fashion Week, music videos, theater, and Manhattan to Montauk brides. I wanted to experience everything the makeup world had to offer before finding my niche. I took a risk and moved to Nashville from New York in 2018 with my best friend. With a lot of hard work and dedication and the inability to say “no” I made an amazing career out of doing something I absolutely love.
The past three years have been a whirlwind… even through a pandemic… but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I have had the privilege to work alongside so many talented people and friends. Nashville has brought me a lot of opportunity and success I can’t wait to see what else it has in store for me. Music City, I love you.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. My parents always taught me to work hard for what I want and to have a passion for things I love. So naturally, I put a lot of hard work and dedication into becoming a professional makeup artist. Attending MUD stirred up my creativity but it also taught me the role behind becoming a businesswoman.
A lot of people come in and out of this profession for many reasons but one is because they can’t go through the hard times in order to have succession. In New York, I did a lot of pro bono work to get my name around and when I move to Nashville I felt like I essentially had to start over. Thankfully, the people I have met in Nashville have helped me get me and my work out there. I wouldn’t change it for the world and I plan to continue to do so.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a professional makeup artist from New York who now resides in Nashville, TN. I specialize in bridal, on-set, editorial, and artists. I am the proudest of my consistent schedule. I am open to all job opportunities and for that reason, my schedule is fairly consistent with clients. I used to do makeup and also work in the restaurant business but now I am busy enough to just strictly do makeup and for that, I am very blessed. So I am very proud of myself because my hard work got me to where I am.
There are a lot of talented artists in Nashville but I think what sets me apart from others is my efficiency and time management. I answer bookings quickly and also provide a bit of a quicker service than others which helps on set. My art aesthetic is a bit different than others too… its hard to describe but I feel like I have a wide range of looks.
I can do a very clean naturally beautiful look but I am also never afraid to go full glam. It is difficult sometimes to customize the desired look to a client without going overboard so I like to think practical but perform clean and efficient.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
The biggest risk I have taken is moving to Nashville from New York in 2018. My best friend shot me the idea and I felt the need to personally take this opportunity with her. I have never been to Nashville before and I had no idea what my life or career would look like and that was scary. I was willing to do whatever it takes to build my brand.
Thankfully, my career skyrocketed and my personal life has never been better. I wouldn’t have changed this risk for the world. This risk blessed me and my career for the better. I still go back and forth to New York to visit my family and friends… and of course, they love coming to music city but they are my biggest supporters and wouldn’t want it any other way for me.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @Makeupby_shawnavassallo
