Whether she is creating a pretty look for a bride or an elaborate facial design for a performer, Jessica Lowery is in her element. She has always loved the power of makeup and now her skills have brought her third place at the UK Hair and Beauty Awards 2025, in the makeup artist of the year category.
Beverley-born Jessica, who runs her Studio Muse business from a rented space at Beautique Beauty and Aesthetics in Hessle, posted about her placing. She said: “I was unbelievably happy to make it as a finalist, but couldn’t be prouder to say I/Studio Muse placed third in the top 100 finalists in the UK.
“For two years I’ve worked relentlessly, constantly evolving, trying to improve and create something I can be proud of. I’ve poured my heart, and every ounce of my energy into everything I’ve done up until this point and I’ve truly loved every. Single. Second!”
Jessica admitted she only entered “on a whim, in all honesty”. She decided she would “join in” without any thought of being placed – and so highly. “The day the list was announced I didn’t even check it.”
She said she had had huge support from staff at the salon and her clients. “It’s really nice to be surrounded by people who want to clap for me, but I didn’t expect it.
“I just absolutely love every second of what I do.” Jessica, 29, said she was about 12 when she started to dabble with makeup, but not in the usual sense.
“I’d be sat on my bed and I’d paint myself as a witch – my full upper body would be green. I used to walk down the stairs with insects painted across my face and my dad would be like, ‘oh god’.
“I’ve always been really creative but never thought I was good enough to do it as a job.” Jessica, whose four-year-old son has just started school, knew a friend who went on course where makeup artistry was also on offer – and she signed up.
Clients wanting to book her and pay for her skills have finally convinced Jessica that she is “quite good at this”. One day she could be applying soft and pretty makeup for a bride; the next it could be transforming someone into a “demon mermaid”.
Like the nail art she produces for her customers, Jessica loves a challenge. The former pupil of Beverley Longcroft School is about to start running courses to share the joy of creating with makeup.
She said: “I want to teach people that makeup isn’t just what we are shown it is. There is so much more you can do with makeup beyond what people think there is.
“Makeup is very trend-based, I think, and it makes people a little bit scared about venturing out. But there is nothing you can’t do.”
You can find Studio Muse on Facebook and Instagram. See below for a selection of Jessica’s work, from soft and subtle to stunning fantasy creations.