Randomly messaging tennis icon Judy Murray to ask if she would be a model at her mature make-up masterclass, Julia Stronach never in a million years thought she would get a reply.
But just three hours later, Julia’s heart skipped a beat when she spotted an Instagram message from the famous tennis coach.
“It really was just a random idea that I had one morning in the shower that somehow actually became real,” says Julia from Inverurie.
“I wanted to do a class especially for mature women and thought it would be good to have someone famous as my model.
“I have always thought so highly of Judy Murray and figured I had nothing to lose by asking her.
“I didn’t think she would reply for a whole host of reasons, so my heart did skip a beat when she did.
“It turns out she’s a huge advocate for women in business, and she does take an interest in looking well and she thought it sounded interesting and we set a date.”
Career highlight
Society was lucky enough to be invited to see Julia work her make-up magic on Judy Murray at the masterclass at Thainstone House last month.
Describing it as a career highlight, Julia is still pinching herself that it actually happened.
“I felt like I was sitting chatting to a regular client because she was so lovely and very down to earth,” says Julia.
“She’s very big on supporting women in business so it did feel empowering especially when she fist-bumped me, it was amazing.
“She sent me a really nice message afterwards to say how much she enjoyed herself and how the audience were fantastic and that she had a great day which was nice to hear.”
Taking a big risk
It’s no wonder that Judy Murray is in awe of Julia as an inspiring woman in business.
Taking a big risk by quitting the job she loved as a recruitment manager to pursue a career as a make-up artist, Julia has spent the past 11 years putting her heart and soul into her make-up business.
“One of my friends was a photographer and he asked me to do the makeup for his clients on pre-wedding shoots, it was really unofficial,” says Julia.
“So in 2013, I went down to the London Beauty Institute in Covent Garden to get an official make-up qualification and afterwards I made a Facebook page thinking I could pick up a few Saturday clients on the side.
“So I started posting before and after pictures of clients and it just blew up.
“Within six months I had to hand in my notice because I was working every single weekend and also evenings doing bridal trials and I couldn’t do both.
“It was a bit scary but I just went into determination mode and just thought I can’t fail now.
Over 15k followers on Instagram
It was a risk worth taking for the 35-year-old mum-of-one who has since become one of the north-east’s most sought-after bridal make-up artists, racking up over 15k fans online.
And as if that wasn’t enough, during lockdown Julia used her savings to launch her own brand of cosmetic accessories including a make-up brush cleaner, make-up brush sets, foundation applicators and false lashes.
She also found the time to write a book called Business for Makeup Artists.
“I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am and I’m always keeping up to date with the latest make-up trends and I’m always trying new things with make-up,” says Julia.
“I am mainly a bridal make-up artist and this year has been my busiest yet with 87 wedding parties – its been non-stop.
“I also offer coaching and training days for other make-up artists.”
Turning point
As highlighted by the mature make-up masterclass she organised with Judy Murray, working with older clients is a particular passion for Julia.
“In 2015, I went over to Los Angeles to train with an A-list celebrity make-up artist in Beverly Hills,” says Julia.
“The reason for that was that I didn’t feel competent working with mature skin,” says Julia.
“At the time I was getting a lot of mature clients and I felt like I owed it to them to go and learn.”
Embrace getting older
The experience turned out to be life-changing for Julia.
“That training was a turning point for me and that was when I understood mature skin,” says Julia.
Helping older women to embrace the ageing process is also close to Julia’s heart.
“I want to get the message across that if you’re looking in the mirror and you’re seeing fine lines, be OK with it,” says Julia.
“We should be embracing getting older.”
Looking to the future, Julia, who has her own studio in Inverurie, has big plans.
“My goal is to be the go-to lash brand and I would also quite like to write another book on makeup for the everyday woman,” says Julia.
To find out more about Julia Stronach, check out her Instagram, Facebook or website.
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