In this episode of Magical Mornings, we featured a global international makeup artist Vimi Joshi. Her career has been so incredible as one of the most senior artist in the Middle East. She has worked for the Royalties, rock stars, Bollywood and Hollywood celebrities and showed her magic behind the ramp in the runway shows. She is included in some of the best talents in the industry.
Here’s the interview of Vimi Joshi with UnitePod.
Q. So you have been doing some fascinating work out there and all our listeners will like to know more about your journey. How did it kick start and reached where you are today?
Vimi: I have been doing makeup for 25 years now. I was actually training to be a doctor because you know the Indian Community how they only understood; I mean this is going back 25 years, that the only career that was validated was a doctor, a lawyer, an accountant or an engineer. So the fact that I wanted to become a makeup artist back then was really a taboo and my family couldn’t accept it. And it was a huge challenge for me to get out there and show the world the art of makeup and how powerful makeup can be in the industry. So I met a few friends in the UK and they were stylist for Band you too and my other friend was a casting director. So while I was doing medical stuff during the week, on the weekend I would go on set and become a back up dancer. And that’s where I saw the makeup artist at work and it really inspired me. I think it is more about the fact how makeup can transform your personality and how it changed your character and brought out a different person from you. For me it was definitely a spiritual and soulful journey. So I did a makeup course. You know when the divine intervention takes place, my first job was with Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister. And it was literally after leaving my makeup course. Three weeks later, I am the head makeup artist for MTV Europe. And in those two years, I worked with every single celebrity you can imagine and a lot of it was music. The early 90s was the time when the breach pop music explosion occurred, in was doing makeup for the spice girls, oasis. I mean you name the band I did the makeup. Then what happened was I got invited to Kuwait by Kuwaiti Royal family to open up a makeup store called Makeup Makeup and I worked there. Then I became the Regional director for Christian Dior, Kuwait and then in 1999 Mac cosmetic opened in Kuwait. And that’s when my journey started and I became the store manager. I then became a Regional Training Manager. And then in 2004, I moved to Dubai and became the Global Senior Makeup artist for Middle East and India. And that’s when I got into Bollywood. That was the most amazing part. I launched Mac in India with all the bollywood celebrities, Delhi Fashion week, did the makeup for the celebrities. And then I started doing International Fashion week like London, New York, Milan and Paris. That opened the entire world for me. Then I did the Vancouver Olympics opening ceremony, Dubai Film Festival. My journey has taken me around the world. And then went on with Evan smith, Steven Tyler and was the head makeup artist for the Cathode section of Fashion Forward. What a journey! What an experience! And it has definitely been an inspirational journey for me. That’s the only thing that I can say.
Q. How is the world for makeup artistry for you and what is the one thing about the industry that keeps you going?
Vimi: I think it’s the fact that you can inspire, beautify and motivate other people. I think as a human being, we all want to look beautiful. We all want to learn new techniques on how to enhance our image. I think that beauty is such a strong part of our life. And to be able to inspire, I think that’s my word, and to motivate through beauty is a powerful thing. And especially when I work with celebrities and I post a picture, then fact that they are like what eye shadow did you use, what lipstick did you use and know that I can touch thousands if not millions of people across the world is the one thing that keeps me going about the beauty industry.
Q. What’s that one thing that you urge foe when you start with the makeup of anyone and how do you visualize?
Vimi: So when I start a makeup, I think the key thing is how they want to look, what are they wearing but more importantly, how do they want to feel. And then based on their outfits, their hair makeup and what concept we are going for we decide to create the look. The great thing about the creativity and concepts is that it’s endless. But the key thing here is to make sure that the makeup compliments the hair, compliments the styling, the outfits and most of all that the celebrity or the fashion designer loves the look. I think that’s the most important thing. So it’s definitely the collaboration of all forms. I believe that hair and makeup are the backing singers to the celebrity or the designer because my job is to enhance their vision and bring out their story to life.
Q. You have been seen on the red carpet with pop stars many of the times. So would you like to say a bit more about it?
Vimi: I walked on the red carpet along with the celebrities and pop stars because being a makeup artist is really a very intimate relationship that you have with the celebrities and you do become friends and you do become like family to them. So during their makeup for the red carpet, it’s a intimate personal thing that many a time when they are really walking on the red carpet, they want me with them. Again I have done makeup on so many pop stars too, so you went on building a relationship that turns into friendship and it’s a trust thing. So it’s one of the perks of the job.
Q. If you could step into my shoes for a moment, what would you ask yourself that I haven’t yet?
Vimi: I just think that right now, especially with what’s happening with COVID, I think it’s a beautiful time to see makeup artistry because you know there is a no touch policy, social distancing. So my advice would be why don’t you become a beauty influencer, talk about the product you like, do some tutorials, show people your tips and tricks. And the thing is, always remember, people remember people. So have your own personality come through and use the instagram platform which is available 24 hours a day. So tell your story passionately and be authentic. I think that’s one of the key things as well. So look up makeup artistry and turn it into beauty blogging and tell your story.
Q. What tips and advices do you have for all the budding makeup artists. Some dos and don’ts that you might want to share.
Vimi: Again we are in COVID times, watch your passion, tell your story but be authentic and genuine. I think that’s super crucial. And be inspired and follow your dreams. The most beautiful thing about COVID is that it has literally turned you into your most authentic self. The world is breaking down around you. This is the perfect opportunity for you to reinvent yourself. If you are working in a bank or in a office and your dream is to become an artist, now is the time.
Q. So finally, what message do you have for our listeners and where can they connect
with you?
Vimi: The world is moving more towards the creative place. Follow your passion. Follow your dream. I think that’s my advice to you. And if you want to get in touch with me, I am available on instagram @vimijoshi and also my email is on my instagram. So you can send me an email because I get so many messages every day so sending me an email would be better. This is the most amazing opportunity for all of you to reinvent yourself, decide what you want and follow your dream and don’t give up. Everything takes time. Build your story each and every day and before you know it you will se that your brand has exploded.
That was a sweet message Vimi like all throughout this conversation we had with each other, you have been consistent about one thing that is being authentic, being true to yourself and also discover yourself and follow your dreams. That’s something that I am going to follow as well as the listeners who have tuned in. Thank you once again Vimi. We had a beautiful conversation; you had such a beautiful message for all of us, lot of beauty tips and advices for us. It was such a pleasure to have you here. Thank you so much.
Vimi: I just want to say thank you so much. It was an absolute pleasure.
That’s a wrap of another episode of Magical Mornings featuring Vimi Joshi who came out of the typical Indian community mentality and followed her passion for makeup. She became a globally recognized Makeup artist through her hard work and creative looks which took her to great heights.
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