Chandler West is a makeup artist in Buckhead Atlanta who has high profile clients from all over the country. She has worked on various sets of movies and luxury venues. She is our #WCW because of her tireless pursuit of her dreams.
1. What's your story? What makes you unique?
I grew up in Milton, GA about 20 minutes north of Atlanta. I have one brother and three stepsisters and both my parents are remarried. I'm a makeup artist now in Buckhead Atlanta and am very happy to be where I am right now with my friendships, relationship, and career.
2. What motivates you?
A lot of things motivate me. The people I choose to surround myself with constantly keep me motivated. The negativity from others motivate me. My family. I am constantly driven to succeed but I'm also not afraid to fail. Failure should always be looked at as a lesson, you learn from it and keep moving forward.
3. Who is a hero of yours?
Easily my parents. They both are extremely hard workers and have taught me the importance of loyalty, dedication, and kindness. They have always supported me in whatever I wanted to do and really let me be the individual I wanted to be. I can never thank them enough for all they do and want to be able to give them everything they have given me.
4. Give us a road map of your career. How did you get to where you are today?
I did competitive cheerleading for many years so that's where it all started with my makeup addiction. In middle school I was introduced to Howie Mandell's makeup artist at America's Got Talent and I remember being so inspired by the set and the dressing room and of course the makeup. Then in high school I would do my teammates makeup for the football games every Friday night and proms and homecoming etc. I went to Kennesaw for a semester and after deciding to leave I started working with local makeup artists assisting and taking private lessons. I was blessed to have the right connections which led me to working and being credited on my first feature film at age 19. Throughout that year I worked on more film, web series, television and campaigns. I was offered a freelance position in September with Nars which is a worldwide makeup brand and have now worked my way up to a key holder position with the company. My boss has always been a huge inspiration to me for the few years I have known her and I really respect the brand and want to continue working my way up with them.
5. What's your future plan? Your goals?
I intend on learning as much as I can with the brand I work with and working my way up with them over the years. I also am interested in having my own brand some day and I have a really good app idea that I want to start working on.
6. If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be?
My advice would be to keep pushing forward. No matter what kind of day you're having or stage of life you're in, you have to keep pushing forward if you want to be successful. A lot of people will try to bring you down when they see you doing well, and you simply just can't let them. You're your toughest critic, but at the same time you're also the one in control of how your life unfolds.
7. What is something you feel strongly about (a cause, belief, etc.)?
I feel really strongly about equality. I believe everyone deserves a fair chance at whatever it is their passionate about. I am a firm believer in letting your past shape you not define you. Every person on the planet has dreams and I believe every person on the planet has the right to try to chase those dreams.
8. What's one of the coolest things you've ever done?
One thing that really stands out was getting to shadow on the film "The Big Short." The whole experience was one of the best experiences I've ever had. My sister was working on the film as well so I got to stay with her in New Orleans and the makeup artist I was shadowing sent me on set for touch ups. It was the first time someone just threw me in and really tested my skills. It taught me so much and it was also the first time I was going to do something for work out of state on my own. I wouldn't have changed a thing and I still am very thankful for that experience.
9. Anything we haven't asked that you'd like to talk about.
Check out my online portfolio at chandlerwestmakeup.com!
If you'd like to reach out to Chandler for mentorship opportunities, you can reach her HERE.