Even when she was a student at Springfield Township High School and working after school at Fiesta Pizza in Chestnut Hill, Victoria Coleman aspired to become a professional makeup artist. And now, you might say she throws a little shade and gives clients the brush off.

“In high school I had started playing around with different makeup looks and products on myself,” said Coleman, who has worked with dozens of clients as owner of Beauty by Victoria C since 2017. 

After high school, Victoria attended the Art Institute of Philadelphia for fashion design (she also enjoys sewing and sketching), and it was there that she decided on a career path.

“In a couple of my classes, our teachers would play us recordings of some of the runway shows from New York Fashion Week,” she recalled. “I caught myself gazing at the models' makeup and face structures before looking at the outfits, so I found my love for makeup artistry then. 

“One of my good friends of 20 years, Monica Dunne, was the one who really pushed me to pursue makeup by suggesting that I apply to MAC Cosmetics to further my knowledge of the craft. After I graduated college, I went for it and accepted a job with MAC Cosmetics.”

Coleman quickly moved up from freelance to part-time to full-time to assistant manager over a four-year span. Eventually, she was able to attract clients of her own by posting pictures of her work on social media. She also benefited from having a website, handing business cards out, as well as strong word of mouth and lots of recommendations. 

“I did have to get comfortable with promoting myself and putting myself out there,” she said. “I would even post pictures of myself with a makeup look I felt either a client could relate to or possibly want on themselves for a future event.

“Once I began gaining a few wedding clients, word of mouth and customer referrals were how I grew my business. I didn’t just do the brides' makeup; I would do the bridesmaids' makeup as well, so oftentimes bridesmaids would reach out to book me for their own weddings. And, I met so many people through weddings that it also got me job opportunities in special events, fitness modeling, fashion shows, TV interviews and so on.”

One of Victoria's clients, Andrea Zack of Plymouth Meeting, told us, “Victoria C is the best choice I’ve ever made when it comes to a makeup artist … In my experiences with her, she made me feel like I could pull off any look from fun and flirty to subtle and natural. I don’t trust anyone else with my face!”

Victoria aspires to be involved in movies and more TV work and special effects makeup like the work she has done making people up for Halloween. “I would also like to do makeup again for the Philadelphia Ballet,” she said, “since I did ballet for seven years of my life and still attend ballet performances with my mother.”

Rather than having a brick-and-mortar operation, Coleman has always been an on-location artist who has collaborated with area salons such as Gravity Hair Salon, which has shops in Ambler and Plymouth Meeting.

“This is a job that will always be in demand,” Coleman said, “and there will always be work due to weddings, photo shoots and advertising. Weddings are always happening, and I have worked at different venues and hotels … and met wedding planners and made connections that way.”

What is the best advice Coleman has ever received? “That was from a senior makeup artist at MAC Cosmetics,” she said, “who told me, 'There is a lot of talent out there, so … you will always learn new techniques from other artists.' So I always enjoy the opportunity to work with other artists because of the new skills I can learn.”

Coleman and her husband, Jon, who works in financial services, are the parents of two children, Ivy, 5, and Brogan, two months old.

For more information, visit beautybyvictoriac.com. Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com