Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeline Rouge
Hi Madeline, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Picture this. It’s Y2K. Pre-teen me is desperate for makeup and my mom finally caves: “Two lipsticks.” My choices? Metallic blue and silver. Blame the Backstreet Boys’ “Millennium” album. I was ready to rock the new millennium, one cosmic lip at a time. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of my beauty odyssey.
Fast forward to high school: Seven-hour prep sessions with the squad just to hit a house party. Epic stuff. No YouTube tutorials or Insta how-tos back then – we were makeup pioneers, learning through glorious trial and error. Result? Think child pageant queen meets MAC counter explosion.
Once I scored a job and started building my own beauty arsenal, I’d lose myself for hours, recreating looks in Zink Magazine vibes and worshipping at the altar of Kevyn Aucoin’s ‘Making Faces’. Those were the days – messy, experimental, and absolutely unforgettable.
At 17 and fresh out of high school, I ended up in Buenos Aires, Argentina with plans to go to Veterinarian school. On a whim, I sign up for a Special FX makeup class. Suddenly, I’m knee-deep in body molds, gore, and character creation. It’s a whole new world of cinematic magic.
My FX teacher tells me: “The best artists must be able to correct and perfect a face before they can properly break one down” Challenge accepted and I sign up for a beauty makeup course.
Next thing I know, I’m assisting on Cosmopolitan shoots, living the fashion dream. Vet school? What vet school?
Fast forward: to Toronto. More schooling and Two years of non-stop hustle. I’m talking music videos, DEADMAU5 events, and yes, even dog grooming (don’t ask). But those Canadian winters? Hard pass.
Now, I’m back in Miami’s heat shooting campaigns, working red carpet events, and traveling the world doing makeup. Who knew silver lipstick and playing with fake blood would lead to this wild ride?
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It looks glamorous from the outside, but breaking into this industry? It’s a whole different story.
I spent seven years as a personal assistant before I felt secure enough to dive into makeup full-time. Turns out, actually applying makeup is just a small part of the job. The real work is everything else – networking, hustling, and perfecting your craft when no one’s watching.
Getting noticed by the photographers I admired was a slow burn. You’re basically waiting for their regular artists to be unavailable, hoping for that one chance to prove yourself. And trust me, there’s no shortage of talented folks all gunning for the same opportunity.
Building a portfolio I was proud of and attracting my dream clients? That took time. A lot of time. This industry is competitive, and standing out isn’t easy.
Even when you think you’ve ‘made it’, you can’t get too comfortable. Being versatile isn’t just a nice skill to have – it’s essential.
It’s been quite a journey, with its fair share of ups and downs. But for those of us who love both the artistry and the hustle, there’s really nothing else like it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m not your average makeup artist. Sure, I work in fashion, TV, red carpet glam, and ad productions. But my secret weapon is that I’m a licensed Esthetician.
I’m not just slapping on makeup and calling it a day. Nope. I’m like a skin whisperer, tailoring each look to your unique needs. Think of it as a mini spa session before the glam even begins.
My philosophy is that every face is a canvas, and you bet I’m prepping and pampering that canvas before I even think about picking up a brush. It’s all about that glow-from-within vibe.
Less is more and You don’t need to feel like you’re wearing a mask to make a statement. I’m all about that perfect-looking skin that doesn’t feel like you’ve got a layer of spackle on your face.
It’s a bit like magic, really. You look flawless, but you still feel like you. That’s my signature move.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’ve picked up one golden rule: trust your gut. Saying “no” might feel scary in the moment, but I’ve never looked back and thought, “Man, I really should’ve taken that gig.” On the flip side, those times when my inner voice was screaming “no” but I said “yes” anyway? Those are the decisions that usually come back to haunt me. Learning to curate your opportunities is important. In this industry, knowing when to pass on a job that you don’t feel like you are the right artist for the project or client can be just as crucial as knowing how to nail it. It’s all about building a career that feels right, not just looks good on paper.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.MadelineRouge.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madelinerouge
