Rising Stars: Meet Tawwney Sayre of Metro Detroit

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tawwney Sayre

Hi Tawwney, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi! I’m Tawwney, a metro Detroit makeup artist specializing in bridal makeup, event makeup, esthetics, and SFX makeup.

I have been a creative since day 1, and grew up in salons and spas as my mom was a cosmetologist so the world of beauty is in my blood!

When I graduated high school, I decided to go to college for marketing because it felt the most aligned with my creative interest, but constantly found myself back in salons and spas part time through the course of college and even between jobs post-grad. I often referred to myself as “Hannah Montana” to clients and expressed that I was living “the best of both worlds” balancing my makeup and beauty work outside of my day job and truly found love for both.

In 2020, like many, I found myself laid off with the uncertain times Covid-19 brought corporate America and enrolled in esthetics school the next day.

While an esthetics license isn’t required to be a makeup artist, I felt that educating myself on the skin was only going to make me a better artist and it has done just that. I strongly believe that furthered education is the best form of self enrichment, especially in an industry constantly changing and and trend shifting.

My experience in this field spans wide and far. I started my makeup career as an apprentice at a makeup counter learning under incredibly talented and passionate artists. After some time, and skill development I decided to spread my wings and fly the coop. I then became a freelance artist and really dove into creative makeup work (styled shoots, print work, creative community collaborations) any way that I could connect and work with other creatives, I was there and still open minded to more.

Eventually I found haunt makeup, and started my FX career at “The Haunt” in Grand Rapids, thanks to a company who was willing to take a chance on a beauty makeup artist and I feel in love. My team was amazing and inspiring, I learned airbrush, started playing around with prosthetics and quickly learned how to produce terrifying looks under strict timing constraints.

Outside of our fun short season, our haunt hosting specialized FX trainings where other artists from all over came to learn. (One of those artist, Tracy Noe, my now boss at Erebus Haunted Attraction) Tracy and I immediately became fast friends during an airbrush workshop and stayed in touch until I found myself moving back from Grand Rapids to Detroit and he welcomed me to the Erebus makeup team with arms wide open.

I have been at Erebus since 2021 and have truly found myself a family here. I wouldn’t be the artist I am today without my team and the leadership at Erebus.

Outside of haunt makeup, I love utilizing my esthetics license and currently practice as a medical spa offering results-driven skincare like chemical peels, and microneedling. I also obtained my permanent makeup certificate and aim to start offering eyeliner and eyebrow tattooing services in 2025.

Currently, I am attending Multimedia Makeup Academy and furthering my skills in the word of FX and aim to become a union makeup artist, network with local producers, and exercise more of my creative makeup muscle.

Every single day is a chance for a fresh start and I am dedicated to becoming the best makeup artist I can be and continue to be excited about furthering my expertise, education, and building my network within our creative community.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been natural. The biggest obstacles I face are trying to balance all of my creative interest, while building a sustainable career, and finding work-life balance.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Specialities: Bridal and event makeup, SFX makeup

License: esthetics since 2020 (specialized in medical-grade skincare, permanent makeup, hair removal, spray tanning, and lash services)

Most proud of: one of my favorite independent projects was collaborating with local models and photographers and launching seasonal series (31 days of Halloween and 12 days of Christmas) where we showcased our community in a creative and seasonally themed way! I have also been one of the lead makeup artists for Electric Forest Music Festival every year since 2019 and have loved creating new magic for festival goes with costume and makeup each year.

What sets me apart: my growth mindset! I’m always willing to get my hands dirty and try new things!

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
The human connection. No matter if I am performing a facial, getting a bride ready for her big day, making monsters at the haunt, dressing performers at Electric Forest, or face painting kids at a corporate event – I love connecting with people from all walks of life and making there day better by using a skill I have worked hard and passionately at perfecting.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @tawwney.mua
• Facebook: @tawwney.mua
• Other: https://www.wzzm13.com/article/features/how-to-look-your-spookiest-for-halloween-without-breaking-the-bank/69-606467544