Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Leigh.
Hi Shannon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in a small town where a “career in beauty” wasn’t exactly a well worn path. But I was the kid that couldn’t leave the drugstore without another black eyeliner, and eventually that curiosity turned into a full-on career.
I spent my early years hauling my kit to any shoot or show that would have me: fashion editorials, music videos, you name it. Over time the work found it’s way onto red carpets and in front of some pretty recognizable faces. That part still makes me pause. Not because it’s glamorous, but because it’s proof that following the work, not watering yourself down, can actually take you places.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has the path I’ve chosen been smooth? Not even close. But I think that’s what’s kept it interesting.
The beauty industry can be brutal: long hours on set, last minute-schedule changes, and a constant push to stay relevant while keeping your own voice. Early on I worked every kind of job, fashion shoots in basements, indie movies filmed in sub-zero warehouses, just to get experience.
There were also the quiet struggles: learning how to make a living as a creative without burning out, and later sticking to my ethics, (cruelty-free, vegan, sustainable) when that wasn’t an industry norm. Saying “no” to certain products or partnerships meant walking away from free products and easy money.
And because I came from a small town, there was an extra layer of having to prove myself in rooms that felt very insider.
But each bump forced me to sharpen my skills and point of view. It’s the messy parts, the missed trains, the gigs that didn’t pay, the times I had to explain why animal testing isn’t ok, that built the career I actually wanted, not just the one I thought I was supposed to have.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an editorial and fashion makeup artist, which really means I spend my days creating stories with colors, textures, and light. Sometimes for magazines, sometimes for the red carpet, and sometimes for a brand campaign. I’m known for skin that actually looks like skin, and makeup that that feels lived-in and a little subversive.
I also write about beauty: sustainability, cruelty-free innovation, and the bigger cultural questions behind the products that we use. That side of my work keeps me grounded. It’s not just about the perfect, smoky eye. It’s about why these products exist and how they impact people and the planet.
I’m proud that after more than twenty years I’ve built a career without compromising my values. My kit is fully vegan and cruelty-free, which wasn’t exactly an easy path when I started. And I love that clients (emerging musicians to red carpet regulars) come to me because they want that point of view.
What sets me apart is probably that mix. The polish of high fashion mixed with the curiosity of a journalist. I’m as interested in the story behind the lipstick as I am in the perfect red lip itself.
What does success mean to you?
For me success isn’t a single break. It’s being able to wake up and keep doing work that feels like mine.
It’s having the freedom to chose projects that line up with my values, while still paying the bills. It’s seeing someone on the red carpet or in a magazine spread and knowing the look we created helped them feel like the most unapologetic version of themselves.
On a personal level, success is also about balance. Having the time to ride my motorcycle through the mountains, to write, to keep learning. If I can stay curious, and still feel like the work has integrity that’s success to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theshannonleigh.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shannon_leigh
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-leigh-taillon-0a475647
