• FEATURE
Spotlight on Katherine McCann ABIA 2023 Cosmetic Tattooist of the Year By Louise May
Renowned for her ultrarealistic and natural tattooing style, Katherine McCann’s edgy flair and result-oriented approach to education have made her a specialist in the ever-changing world of permanent makeup. As an industry advisor, award-winning cosmetic tattooist, and educator, Katherine brings a wealth of diverse skills and experiences to the table. From working on autopsy tables in the coroner’s mortuary to creating elite makeup looks at Mercedes fashion events, she has honed her ability to educate, predict, and restore faces globally. With post-graduation qualifications in HR, behavioural science, and strategic business development, Katherine’s commitment to education is evident through her longstanding associations with APAN. The former Editor of the APJ national aesthetics journal and features journalist for APN, she passionately explores various industry facets while advocating for ongoing education and skill refinement, mentorships and promoting awareness of regulations and standards. Having navigated corporate and clinic environments for over 20 years, Katherine’s unique ability to ‘blend worlds’ makes her expertise highly sought after and recognised as a ‘go-to guru’ in the cosmetic tattooing community. Beauty Biz Editor, Louise May, delves into Katherine’s journey, revealing the expertise and adventures that have shaped her as a standout figure in the beauty industry.
Can you tell us a little bit about how you first started in the industry?
I started out as one of those outlandish watch and re-create style makeup and nail artists who used to love trying out crazy new ways to do things, testing products and colours together and built my first clinic in my early 20’s. I had no hard plan and literally no idea - I was just doing it because it was fun – luckily it worked out and with each milestone, I just kept creating new ideas and bringing them to life. My parents brought me up with the mindset that life didn’t start till I got my law degree and finished university – so I spent my early years juggling uni, riding racehorses, working 3 jobs and when I finished all of that I ended up back in beauty. In my mind, if I was going to turn up to a job every day, it needed to be one I loved, so I went and competed my diploma of beauty at Stones Corner, got the piece of paper and become ‘official’... Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t know what I know now – I would have been far too cautious!
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How has your diverse background in beauty, mortuary science, and teaching contributed to your unique approach as a cosmetic tattooist?
I honestly think the fact I rarely say no to collaborations, ideas, and adventures (as long as they align) is one of the main reasons I end up doing so many things across a lot of different areas. I work well on concurrent projects and love getting involved in committees and bigger picture organisations and associations because not only can the number of people you can help quadruple, but you get to be part of growth and change, as well exposure to opportunities, events and people who wouldn’t otherwise cross your path as an individual. I strive to align with people who know a lot more than me where I need to work hard to keep up and that pushes me to be more, even when it’s scary, but you make sure you’re the expert the next time you have to get up and step into whatever role you need to play – that’s growth! So, like many people who have been around a long time, you stay humble, you watch and learn and when you recognise areas you can grow into or can add value or are offered roles that really light the fire in your belly, you take them. As they say, experience is collected along the way and as long as you’re doing, you’re learning so when you combine all of these things, it means you can confidently contribute. It also enables you to undertake calculated business actions and decisions quickly, you see things others may not and can utilise skill sets from different jobs, industries and combined experiences and possess an ability to meld them into something special and make them into your own - this only comes from trial, error and ultimately exposure, time, and tenure.
Could you elaborate on the challenges you’ve faced in elevating and standardising education by bridging the gap between short courses and advanced training, and how your Emerging Artists Pathway Program addresses these hurdles?
Cosmetic tattooing is quite a complex skillset to learn - not only does a person need to master the practical side of tattooing someone’s face, but it takes a long time and to
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