What’s your story, Lillybeth?

Expecting a clichéd “from the age of four I was fascinated by my mum’s red lipstick” story?  You might hear various versions of such glamorous stories from other makeup artists, and that’s great for them.

But my story starts when I was nine years old.  I got my first pimple.  Acne was the cause of some pretty clever insult-names when I was 10 and 11.  For my intermediate school play, I was last in line for the teacher-applied makeup, in case the makeup sponges they used on me transferred my spots to the other students.  When I was 12, I was wearing foundation to school every day.

Bad skin messed up my school photos (helped by the addition of braces) and didn’t improve through high school.  Acne was near the top of the list in my teenage prayers.  I wondered if my bad skin was given to me for a purpose - maybe to teach me something I could use later in life... I struggled with red scabs that took months to heal, until I was 18, when my spots mostly left my face but remained on my neck and jaw (to present day).

I know the embarrassment image-challenges can create; the frustration, hurt, feelings of inferiority or victimhood.  But after years of skin and makeup mishaps, plus professional experience, I’ve discovered how makeup can be used not only to conceal flaws but to release a person to greater things than worrying about how they look! 

I’ve discovered when you feel attractive, a sense of freedom and gratitude powers your day.  You tackle tough times with more resilience, as a victor, rather than a victim.  And when you see the beauty in yourself, you start to see beauty everywhere.

Now I use professional makeup to release joy, self-appreciation and potential in others.  I aim to transfer what I’ve discovered and the Hope I’ve found, to women of all ages, offering a refreshingly honest, sane approach to the crazy world of beauty.

Click here to read about Lillybeth in ‘Creative Beat’ magazine

What does the tagline “A Beautiful Education” mean?

“The cosmetics industry is alluring...but potentially dangerous to your personal beauty AND your budget!  Most of the beauty ‘advice’ we receive from magazines and salespeople has been skewed by commercialism; too often it’s commission-driven, rather than focussed on the customer.”

In March 2008, Lillybeth Melmoth saw there was nowhere in Tauranga for women to get unbiased beauty advice without the expectation or requirement to purchase product.  Convinced a woman’s appearance is too important to risk on commercially-motivated advice, she created her own brand of makeup lesson - one based on hype-free, non commission-focussed recommendations - and called it ‘A Beautiful Education’.

Belief in the power of makeup to transform a person both inside and out led her to become a qualified makeup artist, but the desire to put that power in the hands of everyday women is what drove her to create her own business (and perhaps industry segment) as a personal makeup consultant.  Her work centres around interactive makeup lessons and helping professional, smart and curious women become their own beauty experts.

Lillybeth studied Fashion & Photographic Makeup through the School of Makeup Art Technology in Tauranga.  Her qualification through the London CIBTAC authority is internationally recognised.

Then - a twist!  Lillybeth became in-demand by brides for their wedding makeup - bridal makeup that’s totally customised to suit the individual, with hassle-free booking and communication.

To join her adventures with makeup, subscribe to Lillybeth’s monthly Beauty Bulletin.  It’s free and is packed with real tips, insights on makeup and beauty, latest photos and exclusive subscriber-only specials.

Finally, Lillybeth’s online profiles can be found on the left.  Click through to follow Lillybeth online. And if you have a question that isn’t answered here, chat to Lillybeth yourself. She welcomes your call or email.

Articles published Autumn 2011 and Winter 2011

Blog feature June 2011, May and June 2012

Lillybeth loves:

UNBIASED INFORMATION - Honesty about products and ingredients.  Recommendations based not on potential income but on the needs of the customer.  The No-Pressure Promise is Lillybeth’s promise to never ‘pressure-sell’ products at any appointment.  Product recommendations may be offered, but after a paid makeup lesson or makeover her customers are free to spend their beauty budget wherever they like!

AUTHENTIC BEAUTY - Inner beauty, personality and character as the true strength of outer beauty.

INSPIRED ACTION - Deliberate action to improve one’s own health and appearance, based on conscious and well-informed choices.

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS - Skin care essentials and beauty trends being translated into routines that are effective and ‘do-able’ in real life!   Options for customisability to fit lifestyle and budget so skin care is given priority as a necessity, not a one-off luxury.

Two more values drive how Lillybeth does business:

Global Connectedness - Lillybeth is a passionate a member of the global online community and uses  the people, tools and information available through the internet to the advantage of Lillybeth customers.  Local Relevance - Lillybeth networks and pursues business friendships with successful, local Tauranga business-owners to provide extra value to Lillybeth customers, with honest recommendations and contacts for specialised beauty products and treatments available locally.  Plus:  Lillybeth offers a unique fundraising opportunity for schools and clubs.

Lillybeth is all about:

1. •Educating women about personal beauty, beauty products and the cosmetics industry with honest, unbiased advice in a hype-free manner
   

1. •Encouraging women toward an intelligent, principled and healthy pursuit of personal beauty
   

1. •Engaging the hearts of Kiwi women by promoting beauty that reflects personality, releases inner courage, and helps us live lives of significance

Beauty Tip of the Week feature May 2012

Makeup Artist Lillybeth / Phone: 07 578 4226 / Mobile: 021 150 1605 / Email: lillybeth@abeautifuleducation.co.nz

NO. OF MAKEUP FACES BY YEAR (MORE INFO)