Almost a year ago I started a regular collaboration with makeup artist Esther van Maanen (48).
After working with several different makeup artists for the project in the first year, it became very pleasant to create the Bloomer portraits with a permanent team of professionals. So, for this past second AndBloom year, Esther has had a lot of women “under her brushes.” She also did the makeup for many beauty and fashion stories and created makeup tutorials for AndBloom to inspire women over 40 with makeup tips for mature skin. You can find them on YouTube.
Today, I’d like to offer a small insight into who the woman behind the magic makeup hands really is. She is, after all, also a beautiful bloomer with an inspiring life story.
Tell us what you’d like us to know about yourself:
I have a creative, chaotic, spiritual, caring, impatient, adventurous personality. And I love to travel. I am the firstborn in a very religious family, with two sisters and one brother. In school, I was bullied; as a consequence of that, I lived an adventurous, extravagant lifestyle in my early 20s. As an air hostess for KLM, I had the privilege of traveling the world for seven years. This period has been indispensable in my personal development.
I was diagnosed as a Highly Sensitive Person with ADHD when I was in my 40s, this defined my creative, artistic, but chaotic talents. It helped me to understand myself better. After an ugly divorce a few years ago, I was lucky to have found real love again. We have chosen not to live together, as we believe it is best for our kids. Because they are in adolescence, staying in their own environment is best. For now, it works well for all of us. Officially, I live with my 11-year-old son and our dog in a lovely house in the forest.
What Do You Do for Work?
In the past 20 years, I have worked as a makeup and hair artist. I create my beauty videos, such as the tutorials you can see on the AndBoom YouTube channel and IGtv. I give makeup masterclasses, and I am an entrepreneur. As a makeup artist, I traveled internationally for many years. I assisted one of the best hairdressers in the world, Luigi Murenu, for almost 9 years during shows in Paris, Milan, and NY. I will never forget working for designers like Gucci, Givenchy, Viktor & Rolf, Victoria Secrets, etc.
Nowadays, I give makeup workshops and teach women the techniques and tricks of my profession so that they can be the most beautiful versions of themselves. I have also developed my own line of makeup brushes and sell my favorite beauty products in my webshop.
What’s the Biggest Risk You’ve Ever Taken?
Becoming a mom, as there is no parent academy. I believe it is the most important job in the world to guide your child to become a healthy and happy adult.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I hope that is still to come.
Strangest recent middle-of-the-night thought?
If I have a job coming up, I can think about my work in the middle of the night. Makeup and hair ideas are then best designed, in the dark with a quiet mind. Of course, I also worry about other things regularly.
What Would You Tweet to Your Younger Self?
Trust your instinct the first time, it is always right. It is ok to be there for others, but don’t leave yourself behind. Be who you want to be, not how other people want you to be.
What would you say is the strangest thing about becoming an older woman?
To realize and experience that many cliches are accurate. Now that I am older, I ask myself before jumping, instead of afterward, into something or someone new if it’s worth it. Do I really want to spend my energy and time on this thing or this person? I learned that I can only spend my time and energy once, and I want to do that meaningful.
What Scares You?
I don’t think about things that scare me. When you do, you put energy into it, and I believe in the law of attraction. I prefer to put my energy into positive thoughts.
What’s the one thing you most hope for personally in the coming year?
Besides, hoping to stay in good physical and mental health this coming year? I hope that my business survives this challenging Covid-19 period.
What’s your age?
I am 48.
Hair by Mark van Westerop for Pro-Solo kapper
