Brett Freedman
Professional make-up artist Brett Freedman talks about how he turned his Hollywood dreams into reality, working with iconic entertainers and A-Listers and launching his own beauty brand with some help from First Entertainment Credit Union.
L.A.-based professional make-up artist Brett Freedman is the namesake owner of the popular make-up line Brett Glam Beauty. He works with some of the most glamorous superstars in Hollywood and is often featured in entertainment media alongside film and TV icons who are fans of his creative work. We chatted with Brett to find out how First Entertainment* is helping him reach his financial goals!
What is the best bit of advice you can share for aspiring creators of entertainment?
“It’s critical to build trusted communities in this business. I have clients who’ve been coming to me for years because of that. It takes getting to know their unique needs. Listening to feedback. ‘Do you prefer the eyeliner inside the lids or outside?’”
When did you first realize that you wanted to pursue a creative career in the entertainment industry?
“I think it was the day I saw an article in Allure magazine about François Nars. It changed everything! I thought, “people do this for a living?!?” I immediately moved to South Beach and started doing make-up for $40 a day, but honestly, I felt like the richest person in the world. That’s when I knew this was the career for me.”
What’s the most rewarding part of being a professional make-up artist in Hollywood?
“Having a sense of belonging. Growing up gay in the Seventies in Pittsburgh, it was easy to feel like an outsider. I would turn to documentaries about San Francisco as my escape. I wanted something more glamorous… Later, I decided to go all in on my make-up career…and I did get pushback. But my cousin said, “I’d put my money on you.” It made a difference having an ally in my corner that believed in me. And now, I even have my own make-up line.”
Do you feel that First Entertainment Credit Union really understands the unique needs of the creators of entertainment?
“For me as a creative, money is always kind of an ambiguous thing. So, having something where there’s a little bit of hand-holding that’s not this big corporate giant, [I know] they want me to succeed, and they help me. …They have my back and always have. They’re my people. I’m not just some random person walking in.”
See more of Brett’s amazing work here.
For me as a creative, money is always kind of an ambiguous thing.
L.A.-based professional make-up artist Brett Freedman is the namesake owner of the popular make-up line Brett Glam Beauty. He works with some of the most glamorous superstars in Hollywood and is often featured in entertainment media alongside film and TV icons who are fans of his creative work.
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Testimonials are provided as a means for members to share their experiences. Individual experiences and results may vary. Membership eligibility is required.