After 17 years as a hairdresser, Katie Smallmon decided to explore fantasy and special effects make-up.
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Three years on, the Junee woman has claimed a position in the top three for special effects, and top five for fantasy in the Australian Makeup Industry Awards.
The finalists will be judged by the likes of Napoleon Perdis before the winners are announced at the inaugural gala in Brisbane this Sunday.
“The ideas just kind of pop into my head and then I won’t stop until I’ve got it right,” Ms Smallmon said.
“I didn’t think I’d be any competition with the others.”
Hand-making everything, her creations take two hours to complete on herself or her 11-year-old daughter.
“It’s easier than you might think to do it on yourself, at least I’ve gotten used to it,” she said.
“It’s about thinking outside the box and using household items in new ways.”
