Not many things in life are more wonderful than the lightbulb moment when you finally realise what you want to do as a job. Dann Parker, 24 , from the North-East of England, told Canvas about his experience breaking into makeup artistry, and why the profession captured his heart.

“Makeup has been around me my whole life. I remember being a kid sat on the kitchen bench when I was five years old, putting my Auntie’s lipstick on for her. I always had an interest in beautiful things.

“My love for makeup artistry was triggered by a friend. We had been travelling all day and were planning on getting blind drunk when we got home, and then meeting up with friends out on the town. It was late, we were late and everybody was already out so to move things along she got ready and I did her makeup. We were both so surprised by how well I did and how good it looked on her face.

“It was around 2012 was when I first started looking into studying makeup. I built up a little collection of products and had some fun with it.

“It was that sense of having the freedom to be creative that made me understand that this was the path I wanted to take.”

“The male makeup artist who inspired me from the beginning was definitely Mathu Anderson, what that man can do with a makeup brush is pure art! He is still one of my main inspirations today, alongside YouTubers such as MannyMUA, Patrick Starrr and Jeffree Star.

“I vividly remember the first time I applied makeup to my own face. I couldn’t believe how it just transformed me into this whole other creature. I was instantly obsessed. To begin with, I mostly used affordable products by L’Oreal, but still it gave me this incredible sensation. I couldn’t stop pouting! Putting on makeup is a way of expressing how beautiful you really feel. You can become a whole different person just by painting your face, and the confidence flows from it.

“The main person I practiced on, after that initial friend, was my mother. She went along with the whole thing and was so supportive. I think at some points I probably did her head in, but I like to think it was fun for both of us. She got to feel pretty and I got to gain some experience and learn new techniques through practicing. Was I nervous the first time I applied makeup to someone else? Absolutely. Even now applying makeup to a new face makes me a little nervous, but in that good, exciting kind of way that I thrive from

“People who say that makeup artistry is still a predominantly female dominated industry are probably right, but who the heck cares? Masculine, feminine or otherwise why should other people’s perceptions of something affect whether or not you do it?”

“Everything these days comes with some form of predetermination. Feminine or not I am going to keep doing what I enjoy doing, because it makes me happy. I absolutely love what I do.

https://www.instagram.com/p/_cTpk9IcGu/?taken-by=vivadann

“If I were to give a piece of advice to a wannabe male makeup artist I would certainly say don’t do it…I’m kidding! I would truly say that if this is what makes you happy and if you can see yourself never getting bored of this career then aim for the stars. Don’t let the stereotype of this being a woman’s industry put you off. It’s a long road to the top, it can be really expensive but it can be so very rewarding too. Changing the way people see themselves is the most fantastic part of being a makeup artist. The best piece of advice I have been given is not to listen to the negativity. That doesn’t mean don’t take on board critiques and don’t listen to what the client wants you to adapt or change, it essentially means don’t listen to the derogatory and unhelpful comments people in this world on social media feel the need to make. If you take it to heart, it can change the way you perform – making you second guess yourself. If you don’t listen to the negativity, you will always follow the path to greater things.”

Dan’s Top 5 Products:

1.  The Balm Mary Lou Manizer – “It is so gold and so shimmery, I am obsessed.”

2.  L’Oreal Infallible 24hr Foundation – “I have used this on everybody from brides to party girls and it is just fantastic.”

3.  Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge  – “If I went out of the house without this, I think I would cry.”

4. MAC Whirl Lipliner – “It’s just that gorgeous shade that is a perfect everyday nude.”

5. MAC Warm/Neutral Palette – “This is the bomb. I can do so much with it; it is so versatile!”

You can view Dann’s work over on his website – http://www.vivacreative.club/