SCOTTxCHANEL

Scott Osbourne, or ScottxChanel (as you may know him) at only 19 years old has become a well-known freelance makeup artist, creative director, fashion icon and entrepreneur. His passion for the fashion/beauty industry has lead him to quickly climb the ladder of success- just by hustling to do what he loves daily.

Scott and I have been friends since middle school, and it has truly been amazing watching him take on challenges that people spend their whole lives facing. He is growing in his artistry exponentially and I know I'm not the only person who is rooting for his continued success. Check out his interview below to learn about his story and get inspired!

1. Describe your personal brand in 1 word

Unpredictable

2. What made you decide to get into makeup artistry? Give us a little background on where you started and why?

When I was 15 years old I was looking for a job. At 15, there are very few places to work without a work permit. I was following a company on Instagram named @starfaces. I messaged them asking if they were hiring and they said come in for a interview! I had the interview and was hired as a intern for 3 months. I spent those 3 months learning about everything I needed to know to become a full employee. I stayed at Star Faces for about a year, then decided to leave and freelance. After freelancing for a while, I got hired at MAC! While at MAC, learned so much! I then decided to start branching off to do my own thing. I’m freelancing now which has lead me to amazing opportunities such as working NYFW and building my celebrity based clientele.

3. What were the biggest initial hurdles to building your freelance business and how did you overcome them?

While freelancing, I faced two big hurdles: not knowing who my next client would be and inconsistent income. While freelancing, you really have to hustle because you want to make sure you’re profiting off your craft. What’s the purpose of doing makeup if you don’t have clients? A big thing for me was getting people to stay loyal to me after leaving MAC. I really got my name out there by doing makeup on my friends who had a good social media following, taking pictures, and posting. A lot of the pictures started to go viral and word of mouth became by biggest tool. My clients would always leave happy and recommend me to other people.

Scotts new YouTube Channel: Makeup Tome With Scott

4. What would you say is the single most influential factor in your continuing success? How do you plan to keep pushing?

The single most influential factor in my continuing success is knowing where I want to be in the long run. The lifestyle I desire to live really keeps me going. Everyday when I wake up I have a choice! I can either give up or keep pushing! I never really know how my day is going go; whether I’m going have clients or if I’m going make money. I just continue to have faith and make sure I’m always busy. I’m either working YouTube video, doing a photo shoot, or just practicing makeup. Staying busy gives me the power to know this isn’t the end, so I tell myself “don’t give up yet!”

5. I see that you are also evolving into an overall creative director as work with many photographers to prep their models for shoots. Which aspect of creative direction is your favorite?

The aspect that’s my favorite is coming up with the concept. Whenever you see photoshoots I’m apart of, the majority of the time I come up with the concept. I’m usually the one bringing the vision to life with the hair, makeup, clothing, backdrop and finding the perfect Photographer! I always go that extra mile to make sure everything is executed to perfection so that everyone involved will be satisfied with the outcome!

6. Which project would you say you’re most proud of and why?

One of my biggest projects was being able to be the lead artist for LANYU Couture AW17! I was able to go into one of the Top Selling Chinese Couture Designer’s Showrooms in NYC! I got to sit down and discuss with them the overall look for the show. I was also interviewed by Vogue Magazine and E! It was an amazing feeling. When I left, I felt like I had found what I really love to do!

7. How has social media played a role in building your own brand & how do you plan to use it as you continue to progress?

Social Media has played a HUMONGOUS role in The Scottxchanel Brand! When I created my social media, I had no idea it would have lead me to where I am now. My photos going viral definitely helped me build my social media following/engagement. Not only has It has opened me up to celebrity clientele; it has also created bonds and friendships with other well-known people such as stylist, bloggers, youtubers, singers, actors, and other artist! It’s like touring the world all at the palm of your hand! As my brand continues to grow, I plan to continue to push my work on social media for even more exposure. I will also continue to use it promote myself and my artwork.

8. Are there any self-branded hustlers that are in a similar field as you that you admire and why?

I actually look up to a couple self-branded hustlers! My number one is Aaliyah Jay! Following her from when she was just starting on YouTube- to seeing her hit 1M followers it’s like watching a best friend! She has grown so much by being a freelance artist and staying consistent on her YouTube channel which really inspires me. It shows me that you can do and have anything you put your mind too! Another person I look up too is Ariel Tajeda. He’s one of the Kardashians makeup artist. I have enjoyed watching him grow into the artist he is now as well. He has an amazing method building relationships which has lead to his success in the big world of makeup.

9. Do you have any short/long term goals that you plan to achieve with your brand?

One of my short term goals is to go on tour with an artist and be able to wake up everyday to do a new look on them- while touring different cities at the same time! Another short term goal I have is to work on the set of a tv show such as Love and Hip Hop, or Basketball Wives! I follow a lot of different makeup artist who work with those TV shows, and I really see myself in their shoes! Within the next year, I would also love to join a makeup agency such as Technique, or Glam lab!

A long term goal I have is to have my own set cosmetic line by Age 35. I would like to have my brand established and in numerous department stores.

10. What has been the most rewarding part of your self-branding journey and why?

I remember a shit load of people telling me I can’t do makeup and I’ll never know how to, and the feeling of them just giving me all this praise is just hilarious now! It pushes me to show people that I can do any and everything I push myself to do!The most rewarding part of my journey has been blooming daily and pushing myself to show what I'm really capable of.