A Makeup Artist’s Guide to Vision Boarding
A very happy 2025 to all my clients, customers, brides and students! I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and New Year. 2024 was one of my favourites, full of travel and teaching and gorgeous brides and clients, I’m very grateful to be able to call this crazy world of makeup my job. The start of a new year comes with heaps of possibility, and as we step into 2025, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and reset our goals.
An effective manifestation tool that I do is Vision Boarding. It’s something I do each year, usually in the first week of January and it’s a great way of taking stock, looking to the future and planning the years goals. I ask my students to do this too, and I’ve found it really helps to outline their vision when starting their career. So here are my tips to setting your intentions for the year ahead!
Whether you’re a seasoned makeup artist or just starting your journey, creating a vision board can be a powerful tool to keep you focused, inspired, and aligned with your goals. Think of it as a roadmap for the year ahead - a tangible reminder of where you want to go and what you want to achieve.
Here are my tips to planning your vision board.
1. Start with Your Big Picture Goals
Before you grab your scissors and magazines, take a moment to reflect on what you truly want. Do you dream of working backstage at London Fashion Week? Launching your own product line? Building a thriving bridal business? Jot down a list of your goals—both personal and professional.
Be specific. Instead of saying, “I want to work with big brands,” name the ones that excite you. Rather than, “I want more clients,” decide how many bookings you’d like each month. The more detailed you are, the clearer your vision will be.
2. Gather Your Materials
A vision board is a creative project, so make it fun! Grab some:
Magazines or printouts (think beauty campaigns, inspirational quotes, or fashion spreads)
Photos (maybe of your past work or dream clients)
Coloured pens, glitter, washi tape - whatever gets you inspired. Think textures. fabric, even leaves or anything from nature.
A corkboard, large sheet of paper, or even a digital app like Canva if you prefer something virtual
3. Focus on All Areas of Your Life
While your career goals are key, your vision board should reflect the full picture of your life. A well-rounded, happy makeup artist is a successful one! Think about:
Personal Growth: Maybe you want to master a new skill, like airbrush makeup or SFX.
Work-Life Balance: Is 2025 the year you carve out more time for self-care or family?
Networking: Could this be the year you attend more industry events or collaborate with fellow creatives?
Financial Goals: From saving for new kit essentials to hitting a revenue milestone.
4. Design with Intention
Start arranging your images, words, and symbols on the board. This is where your creativity can shine—after all, you’re an artist! Group similar themes together and ensure everything you include resonates with your goals. If something doesn’t feel right, leave it out. Your board should give you a spark of excitement every time you look at it.
5. Place It Where You’ll See It
A vision board only works if it stays on your radar. Place it somewhere you’ll see it every day—above your desk, in your studio, or as your phone wallpaper if it’s digital. Let it serve as a daily reminder of the energy and effort you’re putting into making your dreams a reality.
6. Take Action
Vision boarding isn’t just about dreaming—it’s about doing. Once your board is complete, write down a few small actions you can take immediately to get started. Maybe it’s reaching out to a photographer for a test shoot, signing up for a masterclass, or finally updating your portfolio. Momentum builds motivation!
7. Celebrate Wins Along the Way
As the year unfolds, revisit your vision board. Tick off achievements and adjust as needed. Don’t forget to celebrate the big and small victories—they’re all steps towards your larger goals. And if your dreams evolve, that’s okay too. Your vision board is a living project that grows with you.
Ready to Create Your 2025 Vision?
Remember, a vision board isn’t about perfection or predicting the future. It’s about clarity, creativity, and giving yourself permission to dream big. You’ve got everything you need to make this your best year yet—so grab those scissors and start crafting your future.
Here’s to achieving your makeup dreams in 2025!