Makeup & Motherhood with Alex Jones

Alex Waring, (@makeupbyalex), makeup artist, true professional, mum of two and simply all round lovely lady was kind enough to answer some of our questions about how she juggles life as a working mum and also shares some of her top tricks of the trade. 

So Alex, tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into makeup.

I’ve always been into drawing and being creative but I didn’t believe I could make a career out of it until a friend, who worked in music video production, encouraged me to pursue makeup. I started a degree in specialist makeup and that same friend put me in touch with a makeup artist to get some assisting experience, which led to so many amazing opportunities over the years. 

We love seeing what you’re up to on Instagram and who you’ve been working with lately, but with such a busy job, how do you manage your work/life balance and juggle motherhood with a demanding career?

As stressful as it can be working freelance, it does mean that I get to spend so much time with my children, even though I may need to stay away for a shoot here and there. I think whatever job you do, if you have children you’re always going to be crazy busy! 

We couldn’t agree more!! Do you have any tips for us tired mums? 

My biggest tip would be that no matter how exhausted you are, always follow a good skincare routine, morning and night. Your skin will thank you for it! 

Mascara was my best friend when I was at my most sleep deprived as it immediately made me look more awake so definitely have that at the ready along with a good concealer, cream brush, long-wear eyeliner and a smudged lip liner; that way you always have the perfect, quick daytime ‘I’m awake!’ look. 

CODE VLM is great for helping really open up your eyes and faking that wide awake look. 

Has your beauty routine changed since having children? 

Majorly!! I no longer have the luxury of time so I’ve had to alter my daytime makeup quite significantly and get used to having an audience when applying it. 

It sounds like you’ve got some budding assistants in the making! Is there anyone that has inspired you throughout your career?

I’m inspired all the time by so many different artists for different reasons. I’ve always been a massive fan of Pat McGrath and more recently I’m obsessed with James Molloy’s Instagram posts with his insanely perfect eyeliner application. My first very makeup idol was Kevin Aucoin. 

There’s no doubt about it that the beauty industry is such a fun and crazy world to be a part of, what have been your best and worst times of your career to date? 

The best times in my career would be when I first started working on music videos, I had so much fun and got to work with such amazing people. I think the worst times in my career used to be whenever I was quiet and waiting for the next job to come in, I’m now kept super busy with a 4 year old and 10 month old so I wouldn’t even notice a quiet period!! 

We’ve got so much respect for you and you already know we’re big fans of your work, what can we expect to see from you in 2019? 

Hopefully lots of beautiful editorial collaborations and some fun commercial jobs and, if you follow my Instagram page, the odd family pic thrown in too these days! ;) 

Thank you so much for your time Alex! xx