The click of your mouse could help propel a Salmon Arm make-up artist into a spotlight of her own.
Missy MacKintosh, 29, is one of 50 finalists in The Brush Contest, an international L’Oreal makeup competition, that could net her a prize package valued at $140,000.
But to get there, MacKintosh needs online votes supporting her video entry into the competition.
The top five finalists will be decided by online entries.
MacKintosh decided to enter the contest after learning about the contest from a friend on Facebook.
“I knew instantly the look I would create,” she said of her ’60s-style selection after learning the theme was “colour clash.”
But having never made a YouTube video, MacKintosh was grateful for the help from her friends at White Willow Photography in developing her entry.
Her two-hour makeup application was distilled into a three-minute video presentation.
“I’m used to creating behind the scenes, so I was so nervous because this is putting me out there in a whole new way.”
Her entrance into the world of makeup started early.
“I was the girl putting makeup on her dolls and dressing up with a friend and creating photo shoots in her backyard,” she says with a laugh. Then when she was a teen, her mother started selling Mary Kay makeup and she joined in. From there she discovered, Blanche Macdonald Centre in Vancouver and earned a diploma in makeup artistry. After managing cosmetics stores in Calgary, MacKintosh returned to Salmon Arm and changed career gears. Many may remember her from her six years as manager of Marlin Travel. But she decided last year that it was time to follow her dreams of being a makeup artist full-time.
“It was a side thing I was doing, starting with weddings, but it just kept growing. So many people were encouraging me and had my back that I could do it. It’s been really inspiring.”
One of her first goals was to have her work featured in one publication – something she’s already achieved multiple times in both Okanagan magazines and some online international fashion publications.
While doing makeup applications for weddings, grad and other occasions is still her bread and butter, she has partnered with Okanagan-Shuswap photographers to create some unique shoots like circus couture or forest nymph, where she can let her creative juices flow. MacKintosh also offers makeup lessons, workshops and will do personal shopping for clients to help them chose the right products. But now she is focused on the next few days as the deadline for online voting is March 15. If she makes it into the finals, a Canadian jury will decide who will advance the international portion of the contest.
“I’m in the top 10, but I need some more votes to get me up into the top five,” says MacKintosh. “The support I’ve received so far is amazing, I’m so grateful, but I’m hoping for a big final push to get me into the top 5.”
To vote for MacKintosh, go to www.thebrushcontest.com, select Canada, find the video under her name and vote at the bottom of the video screen. Voting is free with no sign up needed.