One major benefit of being a professional makeup artist is that you get to work in exciting environments with beautiful people and fascinating celebrities. But no one ever said that this career was easy. For Jessica Steblyk, the makeup artist for The Morning Show for Global TV in Toronto, it helps that she doesn’t have an aversion to early starts.

“My alarm is set for 3.20am,” she smiles. “Call time is 4am. But it’s stress free at Global. I have two hours to get everyone ready, which is luxury.”

Late nights are out of the question for Jessica and the rest of The Morning Show team, but there are plenty of positives that come with this position.

“It’s cool,” she explains. “I didn’t sign on expecting to do Regis Philbin and William Shatner’s makeup. I had no idea that was the level of guest they were pulling in. Regis was very friendly and professional. I had about three minutes with him. I threw his makeup on and he was on air. He looked amazing.”

Global TV is just one of many elements in the professional life of this freelance makeup artist. She’s regularly working on TV commercials, a variety of television shows, weddings and print ads in her adopted hometown of Toronto. It’s the culmination of a dream that began in drama class in small-town Alberta. 

“I grew up in a little town called Beaumont, which is south of Edmonton. I was a big drama nerd. My teacher, Keith Ewasiuk, would always cast me as the homeless woman or the old lady, so I would turn myself into those people with makeup. 

“I thought that was really cool. That’s when I made the decision that I would become a makeup artist.” 

Jessica has never wavered from that decision. The only question was how she was going to make it a reality.

“At the hair salon that I went to there was a makeup artist who had been to Blanche Macdonald. She told me she went there and loved it. I didn’t look much further after that. I checked it out on line and I was like, ‘I’m going there’. So I did.”

Jessica packed her bags, travelled across The Rockies and embraced life at Vancouver’s top makeup school. She quickly learned two things. One, she loved her new home. Two, the effects makeup she was so proud of at high school weren’t the masterpieces she’d been led to believe.

“I found that I didn’t love special effects,” she laughs. “But I really excelled at making people look good. I loved it and found it fun. And it’s grown every day since then. 

“That whole year was amazing. I got to go to school and play with makeup. What’s better than that? And by the time spring came I realised that Vancouver is stunning.”

Determined to make the most of any opportunity that came her way, Jessica volunteered for fashion shows and short films, even prepping a Miss Universe contestant for a preliminary event, all while she was still at Makeup School.

“I committed to what I was doing from the very beginning,” she continues. “I’d moved my whole life to Vancouver to be a makeup artist. I wasn’t going to NOT be a makeup artist. I also knew that the majority of professionals who go to university take at least four years of school before they get a great job. I gave myself a year at Blanche Macdonald and three years of pounding the pavement to get to where I wanted to be.

“I worked at BeautyMark in Yaletown for a long time. That was a great place for a new makeup artist to start out. It was a great experience because we were able to practice on a lot of faces. People would trust us to help them find the right lipstick or foundation. That’s all learning how to become a better makeup artist.”

Jessica had worked on thousands of faces when her first early morning opportunity came knocking.

“I have this weird love affair with TV,” she laughs. “I didn’t choose it. It chose me. Alicia at BeautyMark was the makeup artist at Citytv for the Breakfast Television show. She got one of our friends, Meghan, to fill for her. Meghan became the regular and I became her fill in. She quit, I got the job, and Amanda Gangoso became my fill in! 

“I had to wake up at 4.30 to be there at 5, but I loved it! I never complained. I loved the people I worked with and it was so fun, although the afternoon nap was essential. We had some fun guests like Dave Coulier, Joey from Full House. Cheech and Chong came along regularly. They’re a lot more chilled than you would expect. They seemed like Dads.”

Jessica expanded her portfolio with covers for TV Week, the Vancouver Eating and Drinking Guide and work with plenty of actors and models, including Ricky Gervais on a stop on his publicity tour for the movie Ghost Town.

“He was very calm and sweet. He didn’t make me laugh until his sat down for his interview, and once the cameras were on he was hilarious.”

After being one of two makeup artists on the first series of the W Network’s Anna and Kristina’s Grocery Bag, Jessica took sole responsibility for Series Two and returned to Vancouver to finish up Series Three when her successor took maternity leave.

“I was able to work on both Citytv and Anna and Kristina, so I was doing makeup sometimes six days a week. Anna and Kristina are awesome women – and beautiful! Which was great for my reel.”

By the time Jessica decided to relocate to Toronto, she’d secured an agency, Judy Inc, to represent her on both sides on the continent. She returned to Vancouver for the Olympic Games, working in the US Family House providing relatives of Olympians with makeovers. Following the Games’ conclusion, she settled back in Toronto and has been busy ever since. 

“I did a lot of commercials this year,” she smiles. “I did two Tim Horton’s commercials; the one with two husbands who want to meet at Tim’s so they pretend to be lost, and the one with two different goofy husbands racing to the tennis court. I did a few for Scotiabank. I’ve done some Interac commercials. I’ve been busy!”

The skills that have led Jessica to all these sets have continued to grow since she first walked through the doors of Canada’s best Makeup School. Having seized every chance presented to her, Jessica’s now in a position to give opportunities to artists like Amanda Gangoso. Naturally, she’s happy to share advice with anyone looking to follow in her footsteps.

“I tend to have a light hand. For TV and commercials that works. But making it in this industry is a combination of skills and professionalism. You can be the best makeup artist in the world but you still can’t be a diva on set. I’m not a diva. You need to understand your role. I’ve been told that I’m calm and easy to be around, which is important when there are 1000 things going on. 

“The best advice I would give to any young aspiring makeup artist, the number one thing actually, is to put yourself out there. Get a website. If you don't have a full book post two fantastic shots – quality over quantity – and contact people who have jobs that you’d like and photographers you'd like to work with. Ask to shadow or assist a working makeup artist and you’ll likely end up getting work from that person. That happened to me a number of times. Contact photographers and ask to do a creative with them. There may come a day when they need a makeup artist. They won’t call you if they don’t know you!”

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GOOD LUCK!

When Blanche Macdonald Esthetics graduate Judy Drew opened Atlantis Day Spa in Tsawwassen, BC back in 1994, she knew she was creating something special. Today, Atlantis is double its original size, and still the town’s best and busiest spa. 

Judy’s unwavering standards of excellence have made her an iconic figure in British Columbia’s esthetics community. She’s continually reinvented Atlantis with the introduction of new treatments and technologies, which is just one of many reasons why the spa has been the starting point for a generation of successful estheticians, including Blanche Macdonald grads and current Atlantis employees Laurie Watt, Jen Clarke and Jacqueline Bruce.

Judy never planned on becoming an inspiration. It just came naturally. 

“Before I went to Blanche Macdonald I was working for a company managing cosmetic departments,” she explains. “I wasn’t able to provide the hands-on quality of service that I really wanted. I decided to open a business at home teaching people about makeup and skincare. I started seeing salons offering esthetics and I realised that I could do more. 

“I did a lot of research before I went to Esthetics School and Blanche Macdonald had a real commitment to the industry. The other schools I spoke to didn’t seem to have the same passion. The program gave me what I needed to move forward in the industry. I knew what I wanted to do but didn’t know how it was going to look. At Blanche Macdonald my knowledge was extended to the point that I was really confident moving forward.”

The way Judy describes it, her next step was simple. She found the space, recruited four like-minded estheticians, and opened Tsawwassen’s first day spa. Since then, Judy has incorporated the building next door (dismantling the coffee shop that stood there to create luxurious steam and treatment rooms) and the spa that started offering skincare, massage and manicure/pedicure now is at the forefront of medical esthetic treatments like laser treatments and physician performed full facial rejuvenation treatments including botox and facial fillers.

“My speciality is skincare,” continues Judy. “When I was young my interest was in makeup, helping someone to look beautiful. As I reached my 30s I realized that beautiful skin was the most important aspect of beauty, so after taking my esthetics training with Blanche Macdonald my passion for skin care became my focus. As I entered my 50s my skin care needs changed along with my clients’ skin care needs. I wanted to see results more quickly. That’s when I started researching laser and advanced therapy like the botox and injectibles. I wanted to offer those advanced therapies to my clients.”

Judy’s been at the cutting edge of treatments since she graduated from Canada’s top Esthetics School. She still visits Blanche Macdonald regularly, answering questions and speaking to students about the opportunities ahead of them. As a leader in the esthetics community, universally recognised as a brilliant businesswoman and a walking inspiration, it’s her way of giving back. Still, being a hands-on esthetician is at the heart of everything she does. 

“I’m still treating clients almost every day,” she smiles. “That connection with the client is the most important thing I do. I could give it all up to be in a treatment room taking care of a client. For me it’s like giving someone the tools to understand how they can look and feel better. That’s it for me. I love making that connection with people and seeing the light bulb go on when they understand that the education I am giving them will make a difference. They will see the results in their skin and know how to take care for their skin in between treatments at the spa. I know I’ve done something to make that person’s life better.”

Judy’s ability to make lives better goes beyond just clients. Atlantis has been the launch pad for many successful careers. The current crop of Atlantis estheticians includes Blanche Macdonald grads Laurie Watt, Jen Clarke and Jacqueline Bruce. 

“We’ve had a connection to Blanche Macdonald for years,” admits Judy. “I’ll phone Debbie Nickel all the time. We’re looking for people like Jen, Laurie and Jacqueline who have had great training and taken a career from it.”

Jen, Laurie and Jacqueline all came to Atlantis, and esthetics, from very different backgrounds. But it was what they learnt at Blanche Macdonald that brought them together and to Tsawwassen.

“I never thought I would go in this direction growing up,” laughs Laurie. “I worked for Air Canada in heavy maintenance - completely opposite to what I do now. I never wore makeup to work. I wore steel-toed boots and a hat most of the time. But I always had that girl inside me that always cared about makeup. I was laid off and needed to move onto another career. That’s when I decided to go into esthetics. I was paying for my education and wanted the best school and training. Blanche Macdonald is well known as the best.”

“I’d been a client of a little spa in Richmond for years,” explains Jacqueline. “I would talk to the estheticians there who raved about how much they enjoyed their jobs. That was a big positive for me. I was constantly hearing good things about Blanche Macdonald. I heard that having that school on your résumé was a big plus. Employers looked highly upon that.”

“I wanted to work by myself yet still work with people,” adds Jen. “I didn’t want to sit at a computer for eight hours a day. I knew that if I went into esthetics I could teach, I could open my own place. I have nothing but great memories about my year at Blanche Macdonald.”

Judy’s close connections with Blanche Macdonald allowed her to skim the top layer of cream from an already-creamy crop of esthetics graduates. Even after the recommendations though, her estheticians had to pass a rigorous interview process before getting the job. That involved delivering hands-on pedicure and facial treatments to a stern esthetics critic; the boss. Which, in Jen’s case, was one of those rare moments where having an employer fall asleep in an interview is a good thing.

“I love working with my staff and helping them hone their skills,” continues Judy. “Jen is such a loyal person – both to us and her clients. She’ll get the job done and do it well. Laurie makes everything very beautiful. She cares about clients and educating them. Jacqueline is a social butterfly. She’s very good with bringing clients in and making them happy. She does a lot of pedicure/manicure – which is one of the more social services.”

Although Jen, Laurie and Jacqueline all have their individual strengths, there’s no such thing as specialisation at Atlantis. All the estheticians have the training and experience to do all the treatments, from pedicures to laser work. It’s part of growing as a professional and a human being. Which is vital, as the most important part of the job remains the connection they make with every individual client. 

“My favourite part of the job is the people I meet,” insists Laurie. “People from all walks of life – young and old. It’s so rewarding when someone wants to see you and only you. They care about you and you care about them. We’re a team here and we’ve made it part of our lives. I love how it’s owned by two women, Judy and her daughter Christy, who put their heart and soul into it. It’s not some corporation only interested in making money. They care about their employees and clients and I like that. We’re all family here.”

“Contact with people is an essential part of the industry,” agrees Jacqueline. “When a client asks to see you it shows that they’ve appreciated the service you’ve given them. There are four other spas in Tsawwassen now, so to know that I’ve done a good job and they’re going to come back is a great feeling.”

All four of Atlantis’ Blanche Macdonald alumni look back on their educations and careers with fond memories. The proof is in their longevity. Jacqueline came to Atlantis four years ago. Laurie, six. Jen came straight from Esthetics School twelve years ago and has never looked back. For Judy, the day she became an esthetician was the beginning of an incredible adventure.

“I still find this rewarding,” smiles Judy. “It’s been 20 years since I became a professional esthetician. There are so many aspects to the business you can get involved in. You could work for a doctor or go into retail. Experience everything, find out what you love and don’t be afraid to follow your passion.” 

This small detail was at the heart of Todd’s two inspirational presentations to Blanche Macdonald’s makeup students at our City Square campus, as he repeatedly stressed the importance of the ability to think outside the box and to keep exploring new ideas, along with the vital value of people skills and perseverance.

Exceptionally generous with his advice, Todd acknowledged that this room full of aspiring makeup artists was already on the right track.

“Be creative in your thinking,” he insisted. “Be better ­– be different. Look for the medium for success. You’re at makeup school, so you’re already doing that.”

Over the course of a video and slide show that alternated between hilarious (mullets were cool in the 80s, ok) and, thanks to some of MASTERSFX’s gorier work, stomach churning, Todd took students behind the scenes through 25 years of cutting edge effects work.

Beginning in his bedroom and later his parents’ basement, Todd made his movie debut aged 12 making zombies for Poltergeist 2. By the time he was nearing 20 he had been featured in Time Magazine, worked on Big Trouble In Little China and was one of the original team behind the look of the now-famous Predator.

Since then, his career has been at the cutting edge of makeup and visual effects, creating the iconic creatures of Demon Night, Star Trek: First Contact, Slither and Underworld, being at the forefront of TV production with Six Feet Under, True Blood and Fringe, and creating digital makeup 13 years before Hollywood caught up with Benjamin Button. Blanche Macdonald’s makeup students and faculty (many of whom have worked and still work regularly with Todd) were treated to incredible behind the scenes stills and footage of the MASTERSFX team in action on all of these shows, providing the ultimate proof that even with the technology available to major Hollywood and commercial productions, there is still no substitute for creativity.

“Don’t fear the new brush,” he explained, referring to the growing link between makeup, mechanical and digital effects. “But I still use my sketch pad more than my laptop.”

After his fascinating presentation, Todd held an honest and open question and answer session with students, stressing that in the competitive world of on-set makeup and lab effects, people skills are as important as technical skills. To illustrate his point, he revealed a lesson learnt at a young age that continues to help him to this day.

“My big brother used to pin me down with his knees on my arms and he would poke my chest,” he laughed. “One I day I realised, this isn’t so bad. Once I stopped struggling, he would give up. That taught me how to deal with producers. Patience is the key.”

While not downplaying the tougher aspects of his chosen career, Todd definitely made it clear that if he had his time over again, he wouldn’t have done it any differently.

“I make monsters for a living,” he smiled. “I love doing things that people say can’t be done or getting a call from someone saying, ‘I was told you’re the only person who can do this’. It’s a great life.”

The staff and students of the Blanche Macdonald Centre would like to extend our warmest thanks to Todd Masters for taking the time and effort out of his busy schedule to give us an incredible, enlightening and unforgettable day.