Holly Garvey

Makeup has always been a passion of mine, ever since I was a young girl in Manchester, begging to do my Mum’s lipstick!

Fast-forward a few years (still in the UK), and I found myself in front of an inspiring beauty lecturer who pushed me to follow my passion and gave me the courage to go for an interview at Mac Cosmetics.

I got a bit creative in the interview; next thing, I was wearing a brush belt working in the largest Mac in Europe – what a ride it’s been since then!

I originally came to Perth on holiday from Manchester in 2013. It was supposed to be a final stop after travelling around Asia – but I loved it so much that I never went home! My Mum’s still got my bed made hoping that one day I will return … Maybe it’s time to tell her I’m staying put. Sorry, Mum!

The morning I was leaving England, my makeup kit was staring at me - still in its box. I looked at my best friend and yelled “I’m taking the kit and nobody can stop me!” Well, probably not that dramatic, but I took the kit regardless and dragged it around on my travels to Asia (hiding it under the beds of let’s just say some not-so-safe hotels).

Well what can I say, my makeup kit was staring at me for a reason. Within a month of landing in Perth I had a new job with Mac and was out on the road working for one of Perth’s leading makeup academies.

I was lucky enough to direct makeup looks backstage at some of Perth’s most established fashion events and loved every minute. I was also soon helping to write the course outlines to improve the academy – getting my first taste of teaching!

In 2016 I opened Hidden, a collaborative creative space – my first baby. (These days, I have a human baby, too!) But with the growing success of The Makeup University and my training courses, it was time for a new challenge.

I had fire in my belly and always knew I had to create my own journey, so decided to face the challenges of working alone. I now operate under my own name in West Leederville.

The studio offers all aspects of makeup in-house and on location. With a growing team and more exciting changes on the horizon, I couldn’t be happier!

I am a versatile artist and love to create all aspects of makeup. I believe a true artist is someone who can create off-the-cuff to deliver a complimenting look on the face in front of them.

As much as I love to follow the latest trends, I’m not someone who believes that one style of makeup suits all. Each face is completely different, so it’s challenging to mimic a look when I don’t see its benefits for you. If I had it my way, I wouldn’t get a brief from any client, I would just create a more polished version of you!

Having been a part of so many beautiful weddings, starting The Makeup University™, Holly Garvey Makeup Academy and a creating brush line, it’s safe to say I am glad that fire in my belly never left.

I’ve now trained hundreds of ladies from around England and Australia, from people with no experience whatsoever to highly skilled makeup artists.

I feel so fortunate to do what I love and often thank the universe for allowing me to make a career from my passion. Makeup is a job I will never tire of. Every day, every client and every makeup application is completely different. I have learnt a lot on my journey so far but I am still so excited about what’s to come!