This interview is with Lauren Shea, Celebrity Hair & Makeup Artist at Lauren Shea Artistry.
Lauren Shea, Celebrity Hair & Makeup Artist, Lauren Shea Artistry
Can you tell us about your journey into hair and makeup artistry, and what inspired you to pursue this creative field?
I grew up in the heart of it—sitting on the counter of my grandmother's beauty shop, watching her work behind the chair and connect on the daily with her clients. She's been in the industry for over 64 years and still continues to work on clients to this day. Her salon was filled with warmth, connection, and transformation. I didn't know it at the time, but those early years laid the foundation for everything I do now.
Hair and makeup came naturally to me from a young age. I was a competitive dancer for 18 years, and I always took it upon myself to do my own hair and makeup for every recital, competition, and performance. I loved the ritual of getting ready—it wasn't just about the end look, it was about the way it made me feel. Confident, expressive, and put together. In high school, that love continued as I did hair and makeup for my friends for proms, homecomings, and musical theater shows—it was always fun!
Eventually, I realized that what came naturally to me could actually be a calling. I started in college in business administration and quickly learned that it wasn't for me. I desired something that I could be more connected with people and creative. After finishing my cosmetology program, I began seeking out the best education I could find—training under some of the top professionals in the industry to deepen my skills and refine my technique. From there, I built my career step by step, one collaboration, one wedding, one shoot at a time.
What continues to inspire me is the power of transformation—not just physically, but emotionally. Helping someone feel like the best version of themselves, whether it's for their wedding day, a cover shoot, or a career-defining moment, is such an honor. I approach every client with the same care, attention to detail, and calm professionalism. And after all these years, I still feel just as passionate as I did sitting on that counter, watching beauty unfold.
What unique skills or techniques have you developed over the years that set you apart in the competitive world of beauty?
Throughout my whole career, I've always sought out top-tier education and mentorship from the best in the industry—constantly aiming to grow, refine, and evolve my craft. I've placed myself in the room with individuals who ooze with artistic juices and are passionate about what they do. Working with them wakes up a different part of my brain that's so necessary to continue in this career. Keeping things fresh and creatively inspired makes it all feel less like work and more like joy, which I'm striving for on a daily basis. These moments truly fill my heart—they spark connection, creativity, and remind me why I love what I do. It's how I stay present, passionate, and fully enjoy the ride of both life and artistry. Creativity and character are qualities I feel incredibly grateful to have been born with, and I continue to nurture both through every experience I'm exposed to. Artistic vision has always come naturally to me—translating inspiration into beauty is where I feel most at home and brings me the most fulfillment. Continuing to put myself in places where I am able to create, do styled shoots, develop content, and connect with people continues to open up my mind to new things and helps me hit those next levels. Never stop learning.
Could you share a challenging experience you've had on a project and how you overcame it to achieve a stunning result?
Recently I was blessed to be hired to work with a huge company for publication with them in the incredible location of Maui, Hawaii. There were all kinds of challenges - fighting humidity and wind, unknowns of wardrobe fittings and styling until the last second, strong personalities and direction, managing different visions for the shoot, etc. These were just a few of the things I had to juggle while trying to create something beautiful that, at the end, the publication would be happy with. Despite the challenges, I felt so in my element. Moments like those are where I thrive—staying flexible, grounded, and calm amidst the chaos, while still pouring everything into the artistry. I leaned into collaboration calmly, trusted my instincts, and focused on creating beauty that would serve both the talent and the client. In the end, we made something truly special. The setting was breathtaking, the team was wildly talented, and the experience reminded me exactly why I love what I do. It wasn't just about the final images—it was about the journey, the people, and the creative energy we all brought to the table. The end product was stunning, and you would have never known all of the challenges that we encountered along the way. Maui will always hold a little piece of my heart for that.
What's your approach to staying current with ever-changing beauty trends while maintaining your signature style?
When you live and breathe this industry the way I do, growing and challenging myself consistently is essential. I'm constantly inspired by the runways, red carpets, editorials, and the creatively talented individuals I'm fortunate to collaborate with. I'm constantly watching what's evolving in beauty—whether it's skin finishes, hair shapes, or the subtle shift in current trends of what's considered modern or fresh. I always filter trends through my own lens. My signature style is always rooted in enhancing natural beauty with a fashion-forward edge—creating looks that feel elevated, intentional, and refined. Whether I'm on set for a high-fashion editorial, a luxury wedding, or a brand campaign, I work hard to ensure every look is not only on-trend but also artfully tailored. It's really about balance—honoring what's new while staying grounded in the kind of beauty that resonates deeply and lasts for a lifetime.
Can you describe a moment when you had to think on your feet and improvise during a high-pressure situation, like a last-minute change for a photoshoot or event?
I worked a show for a big designer once at NYFW. We were given two looks for all of the models that were running through our beauty team for the show. Our looks were a down and curled/textured style, and a top knot. I worked quickly through all of the models that sat in my chair. My last model came in a rush, sat in my chair last—showing up extremely late. I only had a few minutes at this point to style her entire full head of hair down—long and textured. As I was running my hands through her hair to section for curls, it was oily and a dark residue of some sort coated my fingers. After talking to the model, I understood that she had her hair colored that day. Clearly the color wasn't rinsed out properly and her hair was laying flat and limp. There was no other option but for me to make the executive decision to whip her hair up to a top knot—the second look for the models. The stage manager was yelling at me and rushing me as she was supposed to be in wardrobe and in the lineup. It was an intense, high-pressure moment if I had ever experienced one—one that most people would have crumbled under. I, however, managed it all and she walked a few minutes later down the runway flawless as ever. In the end it all worked out perfectly and the designer and producers were happy! Adaptability and thinking on the fly are some of the core qualities it takes to do what I do for this perfect example of what can happen.
How do you adapt your makeup and hair techniques for different skin types, hair textures, and diverse client needs?
Every skin tone, texture, and hair type deserves its own attention to detail. I truly believe that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all—it's about recognizing the unique needs of each individual and giving every detail the care it deserves. Every individual set in each individual environment has different needs. I always work to read the situation and adapt accordingly, tailoring each makeup application and each hairstyle for the perfect finish. Utilizing products and techniques for each person ensures that every client feels special and unique and that, in the end, they are happy with the results.
What's the most valuable lesson you've learned about client communication and managing expectations in the beauty industry?
The biggest lesson I've learned is the power of truly listening. Every client comes in with a vision, but also at times, that vision is laced with emotions, insecurities, excitement, and sometimes nerves, especially for big moments like weddings or shoots. Taking the time to understand not just what they want to look like, but how they want to feel makes all the difference. Clear, honest communication is everything. I always try to set realistic expectations up front while also showing clients what's possible. I'll gently guide them if something may not work for their hair texture, skin type, or environment, but I do it in a way that feels collaborative—not corrective. My goal is never to override their vision, but to elevate it in a way that honors who they are. I've also learned that transparency builds trust. If there's a limitation or challenge, I'd rather be up front and offer creative solutions than promise something I can't deliver. Clients remember how you made them feel, and for me, that feeling should always be seen, heard, and taken care of. At the end of the day, it's not just about the beauty—it's about the experience. And I've found that when communication is clear and expectations are aligned, everything flows so much more beautifully.
Could you share an insider tip or trick that you've discovered through experience that our readers might not find in standard beauty tutorials?
One of the biggest lessons I've learned from working across editorial shoots, red carpets, and luxury weddings is that your foundation and prep work for both hair and makeup finishes make the biggest impact. For skin, I always customize prep based on texture and how the skin behaves in different climates. Hydration is key, but so is allowing products to fully absorb before layering makeup and then, of course, layering properly. The best cocktail of the correct products for hydration, tone, etc. for skincare are crucial to a beautiful end result. Makeup shouldn't be so focused on changing someone—but enhancing and polishing someone's natural beauty.
When it comes to hair, my trick is to never overwork it. Stylists are often too quick to add heavy product or hot tools without setting the foundation. I always start with a blow-dry that respects the natural texture, building memory into the hair with products that hold but are touchable and workable. I let styles "set" properly—whether that's a pin curl for a wave or even just a cool shot at the root to lock in volume. That patience in prep gives hair movement and polish that lasts through long shoot days, wind, or heat.
Great beauty is about intention—not just what you use, but how and when you use it. A look should feel effortless, not overdone.
Looking ahead, what exciting developments or innovations in hair and makeup artistry are you most excited about, and how do you plan to incorporate them into your work?
I'm most excited about the continued merging of skin-focused beauty with high-fashion finishes—where glowing, lived-in skin and undone texture meet elevated, editorial polish. There's this beautiful shift happening where authenticity is being celebrated, and as an artist, it pushes me to find that sweet spot between real and refined. This vision aligns with me so incredibly, and I am grateful that our industry is focusing more and more on embracing who we are, not who we should be.
On the makeup side, I'm loving how complexion products are becoming smarter—hybrid formulas with skincare benefits that enhance skin without masking it. I've already been leaning into this with lightweight bases, flexible coverage, and techniques that bring out the client's natural bone structure rather than over-contouring or reshaping it. For red carpet and wedding clients especially, it gives a softness that feels timeless on camera and in person.
In hair, I'm excited by the continued innovation in styling tools—especially cordless technology convenience and gentler heat tools that still deliver professional-level results. Technology in both products and tools is becoming more focused on the health and beauty of our hair and is conscientious about environmental factors, damage, and more that can leave our hair absolutely thrashed.
Ultimately, my plan is to keep blending my artistry with education, innovation, connection with industry professionals—staying curious, testing everything in real-world settings, and evolving my kit to reflect not just what's trending, but what truly works across skin tones, textures, and styles. That's where the magic happens.