‘Cet out there acd do what you love’

For some people when they hit their mid-forties they fear that they are stuck in the same job they have been doing for years with no way out.

Sandra Cormack was at that point in 2009 but decided enough was enough and she was going to use her passion for makeup to create a new career.

Now she is booked by agents throughout the world to do their VIP clients’ hair and makeup on special visits to Scotland.

Sandra said: “When I was at school I couldn’t wait to leave, I just wanted out of there.

“I came away with one O-level and my mum forced me to get a job in a hairdressers.

“I finished my apprenticeship and that is one thing I am incredibly glad I did.

“At the time I never wanted to be a hair stylist and so I went to university and completed a few masters degrees in health social work.

“In 2009 I was incredibly disillusioned with my job and after speaking with my husband about my love of makeup I decided I was going to try to make a career out of it.

“I attended the Academy of Freelance Makeup and following a two-week course I was picked to be one of the make-up artists at London Fashion Week.

“From there I have worked incredibly hard to build my skills and everything seemed to fall into place.

“It was as if the universe was telling me I was doing the right thing.”

Since her first job at London Fashion Week Sandra has worked with celebrities such as Nina Myskow who described her as a “true artist” and Scottish music star Nina Nesbitt.

She has created looks for multiple photoshoots, live TV broadcasts and catwalk shows for clients such as BBC, Superdrug and makeup brand Benefit.

Sandra put her success down to good organisational skills, a good web presence and the mindset to not let anything get in her way. She said: “You definitely need a good website as that is the first impression a client is going to get of you. It needs to be clean and professional looking.

“You must be organised and self disciplined. Although you get to make your own hours you will work very hard. “Also, don’t let anything stop you. “I fully believe age is no barrier. Look at Vivienne Westwood and Debbie Harry, age isn’t holding them down.

“The only barrier is your mind, just go out there and do what you love.”

Sacdra believes age is co barrier to a successful career.