10 March 2020
Drag and make up sensation Ellis won last year’s Glow Up series on BBC3.
My alarm goes off at 7am if I’m filming content, then I’m showered and shaved and ready to film for 8am. Then I’ll go into my mum’s room and see if she’s okay – she’s disabled but she also has the pugs sleeping in her room, so I’ve got to see my babies in the morning!
As an influencer, I’m responsible for a lot. First, I like to keep active on all my platforms, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and so on, liking comments and replying to followers. Then I’ve got content to edit, wigs to style for looks, and make-up designs to do. My days vary a lot, but it’s always centred around content. I tend to work something like 14 to 16 hours, so it can be very demanding. I spend 75% of my life in Bradford and the other 25% in London, mainly for events.
Days spent doing activities that are part of my Glow Up prize. These days seem unique and glamorous, but honestly, it’s hard work! First thing is flying/travelling to the location, then the call times are always super early. I arrive, meet with Val Garland (who Ellis has been assisting), have a catch up and a cup of tea. I’ll set up my workstation, see what needs doing, switch off my phone and just get lost in the work zone. Most of the time I’m working with celebrities, so it’s very professional and just focused on keeping everything Zen and running smoothly. I have to be super organised so that I know who’s arriving when and what timeframes I’ve got for each model/client. It’s like being a waiter, make-up artist and schedule planner all at once, while constantly working by the rule of ‘Always say yes – no doesn’t exist’. It’s mind-blowing to be working with huge celebs, making them pretty and red carpet/runway ready!
The best part of my work is the people I’ve met and the stories I’ve heard. No matter what day I’m having, hearing a story or chatting to a client instantly relaxes me.
My favourite make-up technique is skincare/prep. If the skin is prepped to within an inch of its life, the rest of the make-up will fall into place. I think people often skip over skincare and don’t think its important, like it’s some myth. But trust me, skincare is crucial!
Post-work if I’m staying in a hotel, then I always have a bath after work. I normally travel with Lush bath bombs, so I’ll pop one in and chill. I love listening to the rain or thunderstorms, so I’ll put on rain sounds and lie in my bed in darkness. It sounds so dramatic, but it makes me fall asleep quickly. If I’m stressed, I’ll ring my nan – she always knows what to say and her voice is super soothing and reminds me of my childhood.