Meet Sarah Vance | Makeup Artist & Esthetician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Vance and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
I believe that in order to be successful you have to get into the habit of staying consistent, staying relevant, and consistently wanting to learn and grow your education.

Social media has played a big roll in growing my small business. Getting in the habit of continually networking is so important! I try to post frequently to grab the attention of my followers and share my creativity through pictures and video. Instagram has become a platform where I am able to show potential clientele my work as a makeup artist.

I also use social media to see what makeup styles are relevant and popular. It’s become a habit of mine to continually look for new and fresh ideas that I can offer my brides. It’s very important to stay relevant within the beauty world because it changes so frequently.

One last habit that I believe is extremely important in being successful is to be willing to further your education. Learning new techniques and growing my knowledge of makeup is crucial for me. I like to stay in that habit of consistently learning by getting certified in new techniques and services. In doing so, it has helped me stand out from other artist and has made me look more like a professional to clients.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always considered makeup as a form of art. I graduated from Fort Lewis College with a bachelors degree in Studio Art and Art History. While I enjoyed painting on canvas and making sculptures, I always felt like something was missing. I very quickly became the go to girl for makeup within my friend group during college. I would do their makeup for a night out and I loved seeing that extra boost of confidence it gave them when I was done applying it. From that point on I knew that I could still be creative and use my love for art but this time within the beauty industry.

I had the opportunity to work at a salon my senior year of college in Durango, and my boss at the time had let me help with makeup for a bridal party. While this was a lot different from doing a friends makeup in my apartment, I fell even more in love with the idea that I could potentially pursue this passion I had grown for makeup and turn it into a career path! After that day I knew I had to start creating a portfolio and sharing my looks on social media. I slowly gained clients who took a liking to my work on Instagram and wedding makeup became a side gig for me throughout the rest of college.

After graduating I moved back to my hometown and continued to provide services to brides for their big day. While I tried to be as professional as possible and gain my knowledge of makeup by watching YouTube videos and tutorials, it became apparent to me that booking clients was getting harder and harder due to my lack of education. I knew that if I were to be taken seriously I would need to obtain an esthetician license or makeup certification.

After a few years I moved to Albuquerque, NM and went to esthetician school. It was a big change for me moving to the city from a small town, but a risk I had to take in order to gain more knowledge and become a professional. After 6 months I got the education I needed and moved back here to Colorado where I currently am located.

I think what makes me different from other artists in the beauty industry is not only the way I apply makeup, but my story on how I got to where I am today. I applaud myself for diving into the beauty world and not being afraid of judgment and lack of knowledge I had at the time I started. We all start somewhere and I’m proud of myself for not giving up or being discouraged when potential clients didn’t want to hire me. Not everyone has the same taste in art and that’s what makes each individuals creativity unique. I love that I can connect with brides who love my subtle glam looks and feel beautiful wearing it.

If I have learned anything throughout my journey it’s that you should always pursue your passion and do what you love. I was terrified to consider owning my own small business but now that I have jumped into doing so it has all been worth it! I officially start a new job at a salon in Granby, CO and can’t wait to offer even more services in the future. Always chase your dreams and surround yourself with supportive people who help you grow!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I grew up here in Colorado and there are so many amazing things to do here in the mountains. Fishing is a must for me and I love sharing that love I have for fishing with my friends. It’s always been a great way to get away from all the noise and distraction so you can focus on what’s around you in nature.

Hiking to new places would also be on the list of things to checkout while visiting CO. There are so many trails to choose from when hiking and being a local, I’d love to take them on a trail not many others know about.

As for choosing a place to eat any brewery in Silverthorne is a must. I don’t have a specific favorite but beer always seems better when you are drinking it in the mountains!

While I am not huge on the night life anymore I always have fun going out to a Rockies game and hitting the downtown Denver area after! The bars their are so much fun and the drinks are AMAZING!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to dedicate my shoutout to my close friends who have always been by my side and pushed me to pursue my talent. I’d also like to shoutout my future salon family Root Salon. I will be transitioning to a full time esthetician soon and without their help I wouldn’t know how to start my business off in the right direction. Lastly, I’d like to shoutout all past clients and beauty professionals that I have worked with. Thank you for recommending me to other potential clients and supporting my small business.

Instagram: Beauty.By.Vance

Image Credits
Lonesome Dove Photography Emily Nicole Photography Jasmine Mallo Imagery Can Storie Photography