Yumi Lee, Makeup Artist

Oct 12

Written By VPS

Yumi Lee is a makeup artist based in NYC, represented by Streeters. It takes me back fifteen years to bring back the first moment we met. I was working as an editor at Cosmopolitan magazine in Korea when she was working as a makeup artist. Now she lives in New York City and works with top global creatives such as Alexander Wang, Estee Lauder, Vogue, and many more. Let's hear her story!

Visual Park Space: How did you first start your career as a makeup artist?

Yumi Lee: As a teenager, I was fond of reading fashion magazines. I started to collect Vogues from different cities internationally and studied them on my own. One day, I came to realize that I could become an artist and work with models from the magazine. I was especially very amused by the idea of expressing beauty through makeup on their faces, and immediately my heart jumped. Then, I applied to go to beauty school and I fell in love even more since then.

VPS: You started as a makeup artist in Korea. How did you pursue your career in the US? Please share your own story.

YML: I first moved to New York City to relax and to experience new cultures. I had no plan to continue my career. However, living in New York City challenged me to pursue a bigger dream and new opportunities as a makeup artist and decided to extend my stay. It was not as easy to get the first job. I had my passion but I didn't know what I had to do or who to ask. It was a wait without knowing the end. My first opportunity came very suddenly. I had to replace a makeup artist spot who dropped out at the very last minute before the photoshoot. This very first opportunity open other doors to more works and I took every chance and start to build my portfolio. One other day, a new opportunity came to work as an assistant. From there, another replacement work for another makeup artist lead me to meet Stephane Marais and I started to work as his assistant. Working with him for 4 years, I learned a lot and it has built me a firm foundation to start working in New York.

VPS: Did you have any struggles working in the U.S as a foreigner? It must have been not easy to start a new career in New York City.

YML: The most struggle I had was cultural differences and language barriers. Also, endless wait for a job opportunity. It felt like crashing down the built house and rebuilding them again and again. However, my passion has carried me on. I recommend you all to stay positive and enjoy every moment and stay strong at all times, and eventually, you will find the light. My heart still beats before the shooting day. I feel very blessed to have this passionate heart.

VPS: What kind of skills do you need to learn to become a makeup artist? Do you need to have certain talents or can anyone become one?

YML: I think any career, not just artists, can be achieved with much effort and patience. A positive mind and passion is a must!

VPS: What kind of skills do you need to learn to become a makeup artist? Do you need to have certain talents or can anyone become one?

YML: I think any career, not just artists, can be achieved with much effort and patience. A positive mind and passion is a must!

VPS: Which magazines, photographers and brands do you work mainly?

YML: Vogue Italia, Vogue Paris, US Vogue, British Vogue, Vogue Germany, Dazed, Double magazine, Self Service, Documents Journal, WSJ,etc / Steven Klein, Collier Schorr, Annie leibovitz , Liz Collins, Christian McDonald, Brianna Capozzi, Roe ethridge, Ben Toms, Luigi& Iango, Chris Colls, etc / Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Alexander Wang, Gucci, Dior, Chanel, Estee Lauder, Sephora, Chantecaille, Elizabeth Arden, etc

VPS: Do you have a role model? and why?

YML: My forever muse and my boss Stephane Marais. I always looked up to his work from the beginning of my career and he has the warmest and biggest heart when working together. I admire him from deep of my heart.

VPS: What is your dream or goal as a makeup artist?

YML: My dream is to collaborate with many different artists in my lifetime.