Interview with Liah Morley
We recently did an interview with teen makeup artist, Liah Morley.
Read the interview between Kaitlyn C and Liah below!
Liah: my name is Liah Morley and I’m 18 years old from Perth, Australia. I’m interested in creative makeup, specifically eye makeup, and channeling my love of art into my passion for makeup
Question 1: How did you first get introduced to makeup and when did you decide to do it creatively rather than just for beauty?
Liah: I first got introduced to makeup through watching YouTube back in around 2012-2013 when people such as Zoella were starting to get quite popular. In around 2016 was when I started getting interested in makeup for beauty purposes and really enjoyed watching tutorials and through YouTubers such as NikkieTutorials and Jackie Aina I found that there was more to makeup than to cover up blemishes and to even out my skin tone. I began my makeup page in around October last year and began as a more beauty-oriented page as that was who I primarily followed, however in around December I started finding a lot more influencers who were quite creative with their looks. I have always loved art and it’s always been something I’ve been passionate about, so I feel as if it was a natural progression from more glam looks to being able to be artistic.
Question 2: Wow, not that long ago and you have built such a platform of fans. Speaking of which, how do your fans make you feel?
Liah: It’s been so amazing to have so many people support what I do! Having as many people follow and support me honestly is one of the best feelings and I truly appreciate every single person that supports me. To have grown so quickly has been quite overwhelming at times but I feel so fortunate as well to be able to feel so supported and to have gained friends through this as well has been so amazing. I never thought it would amount to anything, so I truly feel blessed.
Question 3: What other makeup artist are you inspired by? What is it that you like most about their style of makeup?
Liah: I take inspiration from so many artists, but the main artists I take inspiration from are @adelesmakeup, @lenaaleew, @glamaliee, @peachcait @abbyrobbertsartistry. I love how creative they all are and how they all have their own individual styles. These were some of the first creative artists I followed and I really admire how dedicated they are, and how much dedication they have to their work. I definitely feel as if artists such as these have extended what we know as makeup to a more artistic and creative level which has really influenced me to be a lot more creative in my own work.
Question 4: In your opinion, what are the most important qualities to have as a makeup artist?
Liah: I think the one of the most important qualities to have as a makeup artist is to listen to feedback and adopt the feedback into what you do. You need to be extremely flexible and adaptable to trends as well as each week there will be a new trend that can really help you get noticed by brands and other artists. Additionally, being supportive of other artists and people who support you is something I feel is extremely important as even though it’s a very competitive industry, it’s important to stay humble. You also need to be very proactive and disciplined as you need to work with brands for collaborations and other business opportunities, as well as being able to manage your time to post on a schedule and find time to interact with other artists, brands and followers.
Question 5: Speaking of trends, do you ever find yourself struggling to keep up with them?
Liah: Definitely! Sometimes I won’t follow some trends as I find that they either don’t fit my creative vision for my work or I’ll be struggling to execute it. I’ve been fairly fortunate recently as some looks I’ve recreated from others turned into trends, but it does get quite difficult with the amount of different trends that seem to pop up in the community every few weeks. Sometimes it’s also a struggle to sit down and find a few hours to execute a really detailed look as they seem to be trending a lot right now, so I find that quite hard!
Question 6: Are there any specific things that are trending now that you love or hate?
Liah: I absolutely love the rainbow waterfall trend right now started by @shine.shadows! It’s probably my favourite look I’ve done for a while and I found it such a fun look to recreate. It took me about two hours to do but I really love how beautiful and detailed the original look is! I also love the rainbow brow trend from @rocioceja_; it’s such a fun take on the normal brow which I’m really obsessed with! I don’t really think there are any trends that I specifically hate right now, all of the trends seem to be really unique and artistic which is something I really love.
Question 7: What are some common makeup mistakes people typically make?
Liah: I think some common mistakes are people tend to follow Instagram makeup trends such as using full coverage foundation and highlighting a lot which looks absolutely beautiful in photos and under the correct lighting, but in person sometimes Instagram makeup doesn’t translate that well. The basics of makeup are super important to get the hang of and that means really studying your face, finding the correct products for your skin tone and skin type, and researching how to achieve the look you want. I think a lot of people see Instagram makeup as what to aim for but personally I feel like natural, glowy makeup looks stunning in real life. Another thing that I find is a common mistake is thinking that you need to buy the products that are trending but they might not work for your skin tone or skin type.
Question 8: Very true. What are some of your favorite makeup/beauty products?
Liah: My favourite products have to be the BeautyBay Eyn Matte Bright Eyeshadow Palette for really bright looks, however for a softer and more everyday eyeshadow look I love the BYS Cosmetics Bloom Palette! Personally I have quite blemished skin so I go for a medium coverage foundation and one that works best for me is the Too Faced Born This Way foundation, and I tend to use a full coverage concealer such as the Too Faced BTW Concealer or the new ELF Camo Concealer. I absolutely love the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Gel as I have quite thick brows naturally so it allows me to fill in sparse areas without it looking too dark compared to something like a pomade, and it also allows me to set everything in place for the day. Another thing I absolutely love is blush, and I really like the ELF Blush in Twinkle Pink as I find it’s a really lovely natural coral colour.
Question 9: What is the biggest challenge you face as a makeup artist?
Liah: Personally, my biggest challenge has been comparing myself to other artists and thinking my work isn’t good enough. I tend to be quite high standards on myself so when they aren’t met I think I’m not good enough. The industry is very competitive so it’s really difficult not to get sucked into that line of thinking because even though it’s inevitable that some looks will do better than others, I find it hard sometimes to take a step back and not get caught up in the competitiveness and the numbers. I follow quite a lot of artists I look up to and who are so amazing at what they do and whilst most days they inspire and motivate me to one day hopefully get to their level, I find myself getting sucked into a negative thought pattern. I definitely used to think like that a lot more, but the longer I’ve been doing this, the more I’ve realised that I’m doing this as it’s my passion and comparisons and stressing about numbers isn’t doing anything but making me feel bad.
Question 10: Has being a makeup artist opened up any career ideas or possibilities?
Liah: I’m so fortunate that it has opened up so many opportunities for me. I’ve been approached by brands such as ColourPop to promote their products which has made me seriously consider trying to turn this into a full-time job someday. I never really knew what I wanted to do as a career so for me to be able to turn this into a career and hopefully grow my YouTube channel in order to monetise it, would be a dream for me. I’ve also considered becoming a full-time qualified makeup artist and going to school for that and by growing my skills through this platform I feel as though I would be able to pursue that. I never really thought I’d get anywhere so the opportunities which have arisen for me have been so wonderful and I truly feel so blessed to be able to potentially make a career out of something I’m passionate about and love to do.
Question 11: That’s very cool! What’s the best advice you have ever received regarding makeup?
Liah: To be authentic to yourself. Don’t change how you do things just because others don’t like them, and although being adaptable and taking on criticism is really important, people want to see your ideas and your creativity rather than what is trendy. Some people may not like what you do and that’s okay, but there will be people who love what you do and love the fact you’re being authentically yourself. Trends are such a good way to help get your name out there, but as soon as people told me to start doing art for myself and create what I love to create I found myself flourishing and really enjoy what I’m doing now more than I ever have done before and I’m having so many more opportunities than I did when I was creating what I thought people wanted to see
Question 12: Is there any advice you would give to teens following in your footsteps?
Liah: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and pursue what you want to pursue! There will always be a need for creative talent and do not worry about what anyone else thinks or says. Get yourself out there and do what you’re passionate about even if it’s something that’s frowned upon or something that isn’t seen as a “real” job or profession. Work hard, make sure to set time aside for yourself and don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you can’t do something or you’ll never be something; show them you can and you will.
Last Question: Is there anything else you would like to add before we conclude the interview?
Liah: Not that I can think of!
Kaitlyn: Thank you!
View Liah's Insta: @liahmorley
Or press button below!
Question 1: How did you first get introduced to makeup and when did you decide to do it creatively rather than just for beauty?
Liah: I first got introduced to makeup through watching YouTube back in around 2012-2013 when people such as Zoella were starting to get quite popular. In around 2016 was when I started getting interested in makeup for beauty purposes and really enjoyed watching tutorials and through YouTubers such as NikkieTutorials and Jackie Aina I found that there was more to makeup than to cover up blemishes and to even out my skin tone. I began my makeup page in around October last year and began as a more beauty-oriented page as that was who I primarily followed, however in around December I started finding a lot more influencers who were quite creative with their looks. I have always loved art and it’s always been something I’ve been passionate about, so I feel as if it was a natural progression from more glam looks to being able to be artistic.
Question 2: Wow, not that long ago and you have built such a platform of fans. Speaking of which, how do your fans make you feel?
Liah: It’s been so amazing to have so many people support what I do! Having as many people follow and support me honestly is one of the best feelings and I truly appreciate every single person that supports me. To have grown so quickly has been quite overwhelming at times but I feel so fortunate as well to be able to feel so supported and to have gained friends through this as well has been so amazing. I never thought it would amount to anything, so I truly feel blessed.
Question 3: What other makeup artist are you inspired by? What is it that you like most about their style of makeup?
Liah: I take inspiration from so many artists, but the main artists I take inspiration from are @adelesmakeup, @lenaaleew, @glamaliee, @peachcait @abbyrobbertsartistry. I love how creative they all are and how they all have their own individual styles. These were some of the first creative artists I followed and I really admire how dedicated they are, and how much dedication they have to their work. I definitely feel as if artists such as these have extended what we know as makeup to a more artistic and creative level which has really influenced me to be a lot more creative in my own work.
Question 4: In your opinion, what are the most important qualities to have as a makeup artist?
Liah: I think the one of the most important qualities to have as a makeup artist is to listen to feedback and adopt the feedback into what you do. You need to be extremely flexible and adaptable to trends as well as each week there will be a new trend that can really help you get noticed by brands and other artists. Additionally, being supportive of other artists and people who support you is something I feel is extremely important as even though it’s a very competitive industry, it’s important to stay humble. You also need to be very proactive and disciplined as you need to work with brands for collaborations and other business opportunities, as well as being able to manage your time to post on a schedule and find time to interact with other artists, brands and followers.
Question 5: Speaking of trends, do you ever find yourself struggling to keep up with them?
Liah: Definitely! Sometimes I won’t follow some trends as I find that they either don’t fit my creative vision for my work or I’ll be struggling to execute it. I’ve been fairly fortunate recently as some looks I’ve recreated from others turned into trends, but it does get quite difficult with the amount of different trends that seem to pop up in the community every few weeks. Sometimes it’s also a struggle to sit down and find a few hours to execute a really detailed look as they seem to be trending a lot right now, so I find that quite hard!
Question 6: Are there any specific things that are trending now that you love or hate?
Liah: I absolutely love the rainbow waterfall trend right now started by @shine.shadows! It’s probably my favourite look I’ve done for a while and I found it such a fun look to recreate. It took me about two hours to do but I really love how beautiful and detailed the original look is! I also love the rainbow brow trend from @rocioceja_; it’s such a fun take on the normal brow which I’m really obsessed with! I don’t really think there are any trends that I specifically hate right now, all of the trends seem to be really unique and artistic which is something I really love.
Question 7: What are some common makeup mistakes people typically make?
Liah: I think some common mistakes are people tend to follow Instagram makeup trends such as using full coverage foundation and highlighting a lot which looks absolutely beautiful in photos and under the correct lighting, but in person sometimes Instagram makeup doesn’t translate that well. The basics of makeup are super important to get the hang of and that means really studying your face, finding the correct products for your skin tone and skin type, and researching how to achieve the look you want. I think a lot of people see Instagram makeup as what to aim for but personally I feel like natural, glowy makeup looks stunning in real life. Another thing that I find is a common mistake is thinking that you need to buy the products that are trending but they might not work for your skin tone or skin type.
Question 8: Very true. What are some of your favorite makeup/beauty products?
Liah: My favourite products have to be the BeautyBay Eyn Matte Bright Eyeshadow Palette for really bright looks, however for a softer and more everyday eyeshadow look I love the BYS Cosmetics Bloom Palette! Personally I have quite blemished skin so I go for a medium coverage foundation and one that works best for me is the Too Faced Born This Way foundation, and I tend to use a full coverage concealer such as the Too Faced BTW Concealer or the new ELF Camo Concealer. I absolutely love the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Gel as I have quite thick brows naturally so it allows me to fill in sparse areas without it looking too dark compared to something like a pomade, and it also allows me to set everything in place for the day. Another thing I absolutely love is blush, and I really like the ELF Blush in Twinkle Pink as I find it’s a really lovely natural coral colour.
Question 9: What is the biggest challenge you face as a makeup artist?
Liah: Personally, my biggest challenge has been comparing myself to other artists and thinking my work isn’t good enough. I tend to be quite high standards on myself so when they aren’t met I think I’m not good enough. The industry is very competitive so it’s really difficult not to get sucked into that line of thinking because even though it’s inevitable that some looks will do better than others, I find it hard sometimes to take a step back and not get caught up in the competitiveness and the numbers. I follow quite a lot of artists I look up to and who are so amazing at what they do and whilst most days they inspire and motivate me to one day hopefully get to their level, I find myself getting sucked into a negative thought pattern. I definitely used to think like that a lot more, but the longer I’ve been doing this, the more I’ve realised that I’m doing this as it’s my passion and comparisons and stressing about numbers isn’t doing anything but making me feel bad.
Question 10: Has being a makeup artist opened up any career ideas or possibilities?
Liah: I’m so fortunate that it has opened up so many opportunities for me. I’ve been approached by brands such as ColourPop to promote their products which has made me seriously consider trying to turn this into a full-time job someday. I never really knew what I wanted to do as a career so for me to be able to turn this into a career and hopefully grow my YouTube channel in order to monetise it, would be a dream for me. I’ve also considered becoming a full-time qualified makeup artist and going to school for that and by growing my skills through this platform I feel as though I would be able to pursue that. I never really thought I’d get anywhere so the opportunities which have arisen for me have been so wonderful and I truly feel so blessed to be able to potentially make a career out of something I’m passionate about and love to do.
Question 11: That’s very cool! What’s the best advice you have ever received regarding makeup?
Liah: To be authentic to yourself. Don’t change how you do things just because others don’t like them, and although being adaptable and taking on criticism is really important, people want to see your ideas and your creativity rather than what is trendy. Some people may not like what you do and that’s okay, but there will be people who love what you do and love the fact you’re being authentically yourself. Trends are such a good way to help get your name out there, but as soon as people told me to start doing art for myself and create what I love to create I found myself flourishing and really enjoy what I’m doing now more than I ever have done before and I’m having so many more opportunities than I did when I was creating what I thought people wanted to see
Question 12: Is there any advice you would give to teens following in your footsteps?
Liah: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and pursue what you want to pursue! There will always be a need for creative talent and do not worry about what anyone else thinks or says. Get yourself out there and do what you’re passionate about even if it’s something that’s frowned upon or something that isn’t seen as a “real” job or profession. Work hard, make sure to set time aside for yourself and don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you can’t do something or you’ll never be something; show them you can and you will.
Last Question: Is there anything else you would like to add before we conclude the interview?
Liah: Not that I can think of!
Kaitlyn: Thank you!
View Liah's Insta: @liahmorley
Or press button below!