More Than Makeup
More Than Makeup with Kellsie Bain features real conversations about scaling a beauty business, treating yourself like a true entrepreneur, building a powerful brand, and everything that happens behind the scenes.
Episodes
Florence Destination Wedding Debrief: The Unfiltered Realities of Working in Italy
I am checking in live from beautiful Lake Annecy in France after wrapping up my Florence and Switzerland destination weddings!In this episode, I’m launching a brand-new series on More Than Makeup: real, unfiltered destination wedding debriefs. Beyond the polished 30-second reels and viral venue reveals, there is so much real-life execution that happens behind the scenes.Today, I’m pulling back the
Meet My Brother: Autism, Confidence & The Role He Played in My Business
I am sitting down for a very special, unfiltered episode with my favorite person in the world—my brother, Jarrod Bain! Jarrod is currently visiting me in Canada, and while we sit here marinating in spray tans, we decided to hit record and give you a complete look behind the scenes.Before I ever moved overseas or booked big international jobs, Jarrod was my absolute go-to content creator. He dragge
How Amber Baker Doubled Her Visibility in Three Months
What do you do when your local bridal team is booked out, but you feel completely invisible inside your own brand?In this episode of More Than Makeup, I’m sitting down for a live mentorship graduation with Pacific Northwest destination hair and makeup specialist, Amber Baker. Three months ago, Amber was running her successful local company, Belle Luxury Bridal, but she was completely stuck in a ju
Wedding Content Is Gold: The New Monetization Trend
There is a massive new shift happening right now at the intersection of beauty marketing and the wedding industry, and I wanted to jump on an episode while it’s fresh on my mind! Brands are no longer just sending PR packages to brides; they are actively integrating themselves into wedding weekends, welcome parties, and getting-ready footage.In this episode of More Than Makeup, I’m breaking down wh
20 STEPS TO 200K: Here Is What It Actually Took
I am back home, settled into our new house, and doing a deep-dive audio episode after an incredible six weeks of destination weddings in Europe!Recently, my Instagram passed 200,000 followers—a milestone that feels completely surreal when I remember my very first goal was simply reaching 10K. Passing 200K isn't about chasing a million eyes; it’s about reflecting on the hundreds of tiny, compou
What Actually Defines Luxury? Inside High-End Destination Weddings with Oana Events
I am recording this week's episode from beautiful Lake Como, Italy, because after six weeks on the road doing destination weddings in New York, London, Paris, and Umbria, I wanted to sit down with someone who truly lives and breathes elite luxury.Today’s guest is my gorgeous friend Oana Nechifor, the mastermind behind Oana Events—one of Europe's premier luxury wedding planners across Italy
Booked 1 Month Out: My Biggest Destination Wedding Yet
The absolute chaos that was the Chateau wedding in Paris completely took over the internet last week, and my inbox has been flooded with hundreds of questions.In this episode of More Than Makeup, I'm sitting down with my amazing friend and assistant, Madison Kelly, to debrief the biggest wedding of my career so far. We are pulling back the curtain on absolutely everything: how I booked an infl
8000 Followers in 90 Days: The Strategic Shifts Behind Leah Laviano’s Viral Growth
I am so excited to share this episode because it is proof of what happens when you get out of your own way and step into your personal power. Today, I’m sitting down for a live mentorship graduation with the incredibly talented Leah Laviano. Three months ago, Leah was running a successful bridal team in Virginia Beach, but she felt completely lost, time-poor, and disconnected from her personal bra
Live Coaching Session with Brittney Eileen Beauty
I’m sitting down for a very special, live coaching episode with one of my brilliant mentorship students, Brittney from Brittney Eileen Beauty! We just wrapped up her three-month mentorship journey, and instead of doing our final strategy call behind closed doors, we decided to bring the coaching session straight to the microphone. Brittney is an elite bridal makeup artist out of Boston who hit tha
Why Your Health is Your Greatest Business Asset with Darcie Powell
I called this podcast More Than Makeup for a reason. As entrepreneurs, our health is our greatest business asset, yet so many of us in the wedding industry are running on caffeine and fumes.In this episode, I’m joined by my personal nutritionist, Darcie Powell, to talk about how to stop the 'starve and crash' cycle. We’re diving into the science of blood sugar, why your 'bridal breakfa
From Corporate to Creative: My Career Journey
I constantly get asked: 'Kellsie, how did your old career in corporate event planning impact the way you run your makeup business today?' The truth is, my old career built almost everything I do now. In this episode of More Than Makeup, I’m taking you down memory lane to discuss the transition from the corporate world to full-time artistry. We’re talking about the 'nudge' that tell
Makeup Artists and Influencers: The $1,000 Collaboration Debate
The makeup world has been noisy this week, but I’m not here for the negativity. In this episode of More Than Makeup, I’m taking the viral 'MUA vs. Influencer' debate and turning it into a high-level business masterclass. We’re moving past the $1,000 quote drama to talk about the actual strategy behind influencer marketing. I’m sharing my own experience with collaborations, how to audit you
I Lost $40,000 Last Week
I’ve debated whether to share this, but I refuse to only show you the highlight reel. In this episode of More Than Makeup, I’m sharing the raw, unfiltered story of how I lost $40,000 in less than 24 hours. This wasn't a bad investment or a scam; it was the result of a single decision I made at 3:00 AM in a hotel room to cancel my fully booked Toronto masterclass.I’m walking you through the 
The Business of Virality: How Shelby Ann Bell Built a Digital Empire
I’m sitting down in New York with the viral queen herself, Shelby Ann Bell! With 2 million followers and counting, Shelby is proof that 'overnight success' usually takes years of hard work.In this episode of More Than Makeup, we’re pulling back the curtain on the business engine behind the viral videos. We talk about her journey from a pro MUA of 10 years to a full-time creator, the realit
Building A Million Dollar Makeup Business with Selena Marchand
I’ve been following Selena Marchand since 2022, and today I finally get to sit down with her in person! In this episode of More Than Makeup, we are tackling the one thing most artists are terrified of: getting in front of the camera. Selena is a testament to the fact that it is never too late to start; she didn't even start posting her face until three years ago, and now she's building a d
Storytelling Through Content: with Brittany Jayne from Muse By Her
In this episode, I’m sitting down with one of the first people I met when I moved to Canada, the incredibly talented Brittany Jayne, founder of Muse By Her. We’re diving into the world of content creation and social media management specifically for women-led beauty and lifestyle brands.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by 'doing it for the Gram' while trying to actually do your job as an artist, th
Stop Trying To Do Everything Alone
If you’re a makeup artist who is busy but still feels stuck, this episode is your sign to get some help. Kellsie Bain gets real about the moment she realised she couldn’t grow her business and do everything herself at the same time, and what happened when she finally let someone else in.In this episode, Kellsie walks through her journey of going from solo operator, staying up until 11pm trying to
The Truth About Destination Weddings with Jessica Wolfert
I’m coming to you live from Mexico for this one! In this episode of More Than Makeup, I’m joined by my friend and talented Toronto-based makeup artist, Jessica Wolfert, to pull back the curtain on what it’s actually like to be an international destination makeup artist.We all see the glamorous Instagram shots of sunsets and spicy margaritas, but today we’re getting real about the grit behind the g
Let’s Get Real: Q&A Edition
In this special Q&A episode, Kellsie Bain gets personal, sharing the life experiences and mindset shifts that have shaped her into the entrepreneur she is today. She opens up about her upbringing, her journey to finding love in a new country, and how she balances a high-level international career with her personal life.Whether you're a beauty professional looking for business inspiration o
How to Set Business Boundaries as a Makeup Artist
In the fast-paced world of the beauty industry, "hustle culture" often tells us that more is better—more clients, more content, more visibility. But what happens when the constant demand for your energy starts to drain your creativity? In this episode of More Than Makeup, Kellsie Bain explores the essential topic of boundaries in the makeup business.Using her own podcast schedule as a ca
4 Essential Marketing Tips to Grow Your Business in 2026
Is your marketing strategy ready for 2026? In this episode of More Than Makeup, Kellsie Bain dives deep into the four essential marketing pillars every makeup artist needs to master to attract high-ticket bridal clients and build a powerful online presence.The industry is evolving, and simply posting a "before and after" is no longer enough to stand out. Kellsie shares her "marketin
Breakthrough coaching call with Chloe Day
In this episode, Kellsie Bain walks Makeup Artist Chloe Day through a real coaching call and mentorship session.Together, they dive into what it truly takes to build a sustainable, profitable beauty business — from online growth and positioning yourself confidently on social media, to handling online haters, hosting your very first masterclass, and everything in between. This is an honest, behind-
From assistant to a six figure bridal business - with Claire Jamieson
In this episode of More Than Makeup, host Kellsie Bain sits down with her former assistant Claire Jamieson to discuss Claire's journey from being an assistant to becoming a successful bridal makeup artist and educator.They reflect on their experiences working together, the importance of work ethic, and the challenges faced in the makeup industry.Claire shares her insights on achieving six-figure s
Slow season - here's exactly what you should be doing
In this episode, Kellsie discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by the slow season for creatives and business owners. She emphasizes the importance of taking breaks, reflecting on past achievements, and setting goals for the upcoming year.Kellsie shares practical tips for auditing your business, leveling up skills, and creating content during this downtime. The conversation encourage
Confidence & Imposter Syndrome
In this episode, Kellsie Bain delves into the concept of confidence, emphasizing that it is a skill that can be developed rather than an innate trait. She shares personal anecdotes about her struggles with imposter syndrome and fear, illustrating how these feelings are common among entrepreneurs.Kellsie provides practical tips for building confidence, such as taking action despite fear, focusing o
How to land brand deals
In this episode, Kellsie shares her journey as a makeup artist and the importance of building relationships with brands. She discusses her experiences with PR, the significance of showing one's face in content, and the strategies for attracting brand collaborations. Kellsie emphasizes the need for consistency, quality content, and the importance of pitching oneself to brands.She also highlights th
Assisting and starting out in a new city
In this episode of More Than Makeup, host Kellsie Bain and guest Kendal Scheurich discuss the challenges and triumphs of moving cities as a makeup artist. They explore the importance of manifesting goals, rebuilding a clientele, and the value of assisting other artists.The conversation also delves into overcoming imposter syndrome and the significance of social media in growing a business. Listene
Grieving through the bridal season
This episode of the "More Than Makeup" podcast, hosted by Kellsie Bain shares the seldom-discussed reality of navigating grief (whether from loss, divorce, or heartbreak) while working in the high-pressure, emotionally charged bridal industry.Kellsie recounts her own challenging journey through a divorce at the peak of her career and how she managed to show up for brides when her personal world wa
How to take matters into your own hands
This episode of the "More Than Makeup" podcast, hosted by Kellsie Bain, focuses on the critical entrepreneurial mindset for makeup artists: creating your own opportunities rather than passively waiting for them. Kellsie shares personal stories and actionable advice on how she built her career, starting in Sydney and later moving to Canada.Use code MORETHANMAKEUP for 10% off all of my online course
How to bounce back from a bad bridal trial
In today’s episode, Kellsie opens up about bridal trials — and how uncomfortable or intimidating they can sometimes feel. We dive into what it’s like to be cancelled after a trial (something totally common and normal for makeup artists) and share tips on how to create a smoother, more positive trial experience for both you and your client.Use code MORETHANMAKEUP for 10% off all of my online course
It's time to increase your prices
Kellsie reflects on the backlash from a controversial post about pricing, the positive community response it generated, and the need for makeup artists to embrace an entrepreneurial mindset.My Pricing Post: Linked here Ask Ellen Beauty Pricing Post:Linked hereUse code MORETHANMAKEUP for 10% off all of my online courses and masterclassesGlobal Glam Course: Linked hereBridal Makeup Masterclass: Link
Recommended
Dark Night Tales with Brian King
Fantasy Flex
زن بودن
Medicine with Meaning
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar Collection
Take Back Your Health®
CBS Radio Mystery Theater | Old Time Radio
Solved Murders - True Crime Stories
紐約鳥｜New York Aperture
The Swerve Podcast: Obscure Topics | Conspiracy Theories
The Bread and Banter Podcast
The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament
