INTERVIEW with Brooke Clarke || Multi-Award Winning Hair & Makeup Artist

Written By Suzanne Dang

Above: Brooke Clarke, aka “Jabbas Makeup”

SD: Hi Brooke - can you please introduce yourself to my readers who don't know you yet?

BC: Hi, I’m Brooke Clarke, or as you may know me online as 'Jabbas Makeup’. I am a multi award winning makeup artist based in Brisbane. I’ve been lucky enough in my career to have my work capture the sights of people and brands all over the world with my signature fantasy and Avant Garde style makeups. 

I was privileged enough to travel throughout the UK and Europe with KVD Beauty to deliver makeup masterclasses and open makeup counters throughout the UK/EU. This opened up all sorts of doors for me as a creative artist, and soon i began working as a social media makeup artist, with brand deals from the likes of Colourpop, Sugarpill, Nyx Cosmetics and Makeup Revolution, to name a few. 

While maintaining a strong social media presence, i then returned Brisbane, where I now reside, and opened up my own makeup studio. I use this studio for private training and clientele, while freelancing on ecommerce fashion shoots, music videos, runways, ect. 

I have built the most incredible team of hair and makeup artists that reside at my studio, providing beautiful hair and makeup services along side me to my wonderful clients. We are available for bookings now!

SD: How did you get started as a hair and makeup artist?

BC: For almost a decade, I have worked in almost every area of this diverse industry. My career started when I decided to move away from my full time hairdressing job and study a diploma in makeup artistry. I’ve always been very creative and wanted a job that could reflect that creativity and allow me to grow as an artist. I wanted to be able to utilise my hairdressing skills while not working full time in a salon, so makeup artistry seemed perfect for me. Starting off by working freelance doing formal girls and working part time at the Napoleon Perdis counter then led to further career opportunities that have lead me to where I am today. We all start somewhere!

SD: Where do you find your inspiration?

BC: I find my inspiration from anywhere really - it depends on the job and how much creative freedom I’m given. When curating my own photoshoots, I often draw inspiration from colour and patterns above all else. I find when lacking inspiration I always end up drawn to colourful sea creatures, flowers, fungi, and natural patterns. I’m also a huge fan of Pinterest for looking at fantasy style artwork which always gives me ideas for characters. I also find it super important to watch all of the latest fashion shows to draw inspiration and see where trends are heading next. 

SD: What famous artists have influenced you, and how?

BC: Honestly I’m not hugely influenced by famous artists, but my all time favourite makeup artist is Pat McGrath. I find her work to be absolutely mesmerizing, mind blowing and so epic. I’m such a fan of the makeup industry so I follow a lot of makeup artists that I obsess over regularly.

Above: Photo supplied from Jabbas Makeup

SD: What is the most important beauty advice that you can give to both men & women?

BC: My best advice would be to not take any advice! Do what you love and don’t let the masses get you down. Social media in particular can be very confusing and overwhelming, with everyone telling you how to look, what to wear, what you should post, how your feed should look etc. It took me a very long time to realise that what matters most is authenticity. By embracing your own identity whether that be your beauty routine or how you decide to present yourself to the public, people will always be attracted to and flock to your most authentic self. You do you!

SD: What are three things every girl needs in her makeup bag?

BC: I think that question depends on the girl! But when I do my clients’ makeup, I always give them a touch up kit which includes setting powder, lash glue, and lip gloss!

SD: Who have you worked for and who would you like to work for in the future?

BC: I’ve worked for and with many brands, in person and online. I started by working on David Jones makeup counters in Australia, then moved to London work for KVD Beauty (formerly Kat Von D Beauty) to be on their artistry events team. I’ve since worked with makeup brands on social media including Nyx Cosmetics, Mehron Makeup, Sugarpill Cosmetics, Colorpop, and more. I now work for myself and my own baby makeup brand Jabbas Cosmetics! I would love to work with anyone who wants to work with me in the future - id never be one to turn down an opportunity if I feel its right to me. My dream team to work with of course would be Pat McGrath!

SD: What are common mistakes you see women make on their makeup?
BC: I think makeup is super personal and there aren’t really any rights or wrongs, it just depends on what you like and how you like to present yourself. I guess one common mistake would be using the wrong shade of foundation - but that’s easily fixed by going into a makeup store and being professionally colour matched. Were super lucky to live in a time where a lot of brands have shade for all skin tones - Thank you Fenty Beauty!

SD: What’s your favourite part of being a hair and makeup artist?

BC: I have so many favourite parts of my job!! I work in many different avenues of being a hair and makeup artist, and I think the balance makes everything work really well. I LOVE to be creative and do crazy makeup looks where I paint someone completely pink and transform them into a creature from my mind, but I also absolutely love my Saturdays in my makeup studio glamming up my clients and making them feel amazing. Probably my favourite type of work right now is working with hairdressers on their competition collection shoots. I get to do some really fun creative makeup on these shoots and always have the absolute best time. 

SD: What’s your favourite thing you’ve worked on so far?
BC: I’ve been lucky enough to have some incredible opportunities come my way. I got to do makeup on a huge halloween event in London for a large phone company which was amazing. Ive also gotten to do campaigns for some epic brands such as GHD. But my favourite thing I’ve ever done was the launch night of my brand Jabbas Cosmetics. I curated a creative makeup/wearable art runway and hosted it in Brisbane City. We had about 15 models all completely made up in crazy makeup and they all got to walk through the crowd and strut it- it was just so much fun and stress and craziness - I loved every minute of it. I’m also about to open up a series of creative makeup masterclasses throughout Australia so I’m very excited about that!!!

Above: Photo supplied from Jabbas Makeup

Suzanne Dang
Previous

INTERVIEW with Ravishing Fashionistas Designer 2023 - Caren Lee Millinery
Next

INTERVIEW with Susana Downes || Singer, Actor, Dancer & Beauty Queen