Morag Steyn’s Star Continues To Rise
Impulse Team recently caught up with celebrity make-up artist Morag Steyn.
With over a decade in the beauty, makeup and fashion industry coupled with a whole lot of travel experiences, Steyn has shaped an immaculate reputation which has landed her international accreditation over the years.
- Briefly tell us about your journey as a make-up artist so far
It has honestly been one of the best and I don’t think I would change it for the world. I have been very fortunate to experience a lot, from the clients I have worked with, to all the travelling I have done, and all the different cultures I have experienced.
The great perk of what I do is when you think you have experienced it all, another curve balls comes at me. It has really taught me to be so diverse in so many situations.
I have worked with almost every celebrity in Africa, the Middle East and India and the best for me that to this day I have not list contact with anyone and some will remain my friends for life.
I am so grateful to be back in South Africa where it all started and I am so blessed to be welcomed back with open arms.
2. Where do you draw inspiration from as a makeup artist?
I love seeing how all artists are so different in their work and of course we all feed off ideas from each other but lately I honestly just give so much love to what I do, especially after the pandemic hit, and I feel inspired by what is happening around me constantly.
I feel make up has turned into more of a feeling it’s an emotion, a story that should capture an emotion in everyone when they see it.
3. How have you adapted to the changes brought by the pandemic as a make-up artist
I don’t think anyone can ever fully “adapt”. The pandemic has taken a huge toll on artists not only financially but mentally too throughout the world.
We have all questioned whether “is this what I should be doing” The pandemic has actually opened a lot of doors for me, in so many aspects in my life for which I am so grateful for, and I don’t know if that would have happened if the pandemic did not happen.
4. What would you say is your biggest achievement so far?
There are so many for me, each project I work on is completely unique and so different from the other and they all carry such different emotion for me.
Presently I would say heading up the creative side, with hair and makeup on a film called “Angeliena” releasing worldwide on Netflix in October 2021.
It was by far the most challenging projects I have ever worked on and I am so proud of what I achieved. I am really excited for the world to see the film.
5. Three things’ people do not know about Morag Steyn?
I am 6ft tall, vegetarian and lactose intolerant.
6. Have you ever doubted yourself? And how did you take care of yourself that time?
Of course, I have, but in saying this I have never doubted the journey I am on. It sounds crazy but I think everyone has gone through this especially in the past two years.
It has been a rollercoaster for me. I think the most important thing to always realise is that you should never question anything just trust the journey, the universe has a plan for you, always.
It’s not easy, you have to put in the time and the work. Have a goal and focus only on that.
7. What is the biggest lesson you learnt living in India?
Acceptance of situations and just making it work no matter what, it’s all about our perceptions and understanding that nothing is ever in our control.
8. Who do you look up to and why?
I would say the two people I look up to the most are my parents, I know it may sound cliché, but there is no way I would be where I am today if it were not for them.
I speak to my parents daily; they are really my best friends and the funniest humans I know. I am so grateful that I am lucky enough to have been raised the way I was, sure nothing is perfect but they did a great job (I think) I still ask them for advice daily.
I think I drive them nuts, but there is no one that knows me better than them, and they push me to limits no one else has the capacity to do.
9. Any projects you currently working on we can lookout for this year?
Yes! I was the creative director for hair and makeup on a beautiful South African film called “Angeliena” that will be releasing world wide this October.
I wish I could tell you about another exciting release, but what I can say is that it is something very personal and close to my heart and I am really excited to share it with the hopefully the world one day.
10. What are you most grateful for right now?
I am eternally grateful for my friends who have literally held me crying so many times this year whether it be in laughter or crying. There is nothing more important than a good support structure.
