“My work is known for being unfiltered and natural”

For Harshita Arora, makeup is more than just a profession – it’s a passion turned into a thriving freelance business. An alumna of Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA), Jalandhar (who completed B. Com in 2020 & M. Com in 2022), began her journey while still pursuing her B.Com and hasn’t looked back since. In this conversation, she shares how she built her brand from scratch, handled early challenges, and continues to grow with creativity and confidence.

Read edited excerpts

How did your journey in makeup artistry begin?

It all started during my final semester of B.Com in 2020. Though I was deeply invested in academics – I even completed my M.Com later – I always had a creative streak. Before makeup, I worked as a teacher and had also done online IT courses. But makeup has been my passion since school days. I officially began in December 2020, doing my first three makeups for a friend’s family wedding in January 2021.

That’s quite a shift! How did you manage both teaching and makeup in the beginning?

It was about staying driven. My aim was independence. I earned through teaching and invested that money into makeup. The profits didn’t matter initially. Quality did. I focused on building a strong profile rather than chasing clients for money.

Where do most of your clients come from today?

Mostly through word-of-mouth and social media. I get a lot of NRI clients too. My work is known for being unfiltered and natural. I prefer raw uploads – no filters – because I want clients to feel like themselves, just more enhanced.

What types of makeup do you specialise in?

I do bridal, engagement, and other event makeups – HD, soft glam, natural looks. I also manage a 6-7 member team including hair and draping artists for bulk bookings. It’s all freelance-based.

Have you faced any unique client challenges?

Oh yes! Once, an NRI client mistakenly booked me for 3 PM instead of 3 AM. I got a call at 2 AM! I had to rush to Hoshiarpur. My parents and team stood by me, and we managed everything. But yes, these miscommunications are part of freelancing.

What advice would you give to budding makeup artists?

Have patience. Don’t expect overnight success. Stay consistent, be honest with clients, and never compromise on quality. Formal degrees don’t matter as much as skills and creativity in this industry.