Instructor Profile: Kelly Budd

“I love the industry, but I really love teaching and helping younger artists find their way.”

Kelly Budd is a MUD instructor – and a MUD graduate. After graduating from MUD’s New York campus in June 2005, she has worked extensively in the make-up industry. Her professional assignments have included shoots with celebrities like Rev Run of Run DMC for People magazine, and her work has been featured in publications like Noise, Pride, Prim Magazine, Mini Magazine (Russia), Deutsch and Client.

Ms. Budd has been teaching the Beauty 101 course at MUD since November 2010. She works hard to help her students discover and hone their own distinctive styles. She says, “I want to help the students spark their minds, their creativity. I try to help them stand on their own; to help build their own personal techniques as make-up artists.” She describes her teaching approach by adding, “I feel that the understanding of how to suggest is the great art of teaching. I am not here to make an army of Kelly Budds!”

With each professional assignment that she undertakes, Ms. Budd strives to please her clients and deliver great technique. It is her objective to “bring a great attitude to every experience.” Having a good attitude and an open mind is also her key to staying inspired, and getting new ideas. “From the moment I wake up, I am open, and so everything can inspire in some way or another,” she says. “I have an open mind to experiencing everything in life, so because of that, I am constantly inspired.” She adds: “Meeting different people, different personalities in the industry [is] a big plus…but I really enjoy getting to do what I really want to do – play in make-up! Being a creative being is the best.” In addition to her work in make-up, Ms. Budd enjoys collecting vintage clothes and antiques, and enjoys reading and learning about history.

Her favorite aspect of her career is the ability to teach and mentor students. Ms. Budd advises aspiring artists to remain committed to their craft. “Generally, it’s a freelance career; it’s not a nine to five,” she says. “You have to be ready to be critiqued and challenged and you have to stay firm if you believe that this is what you are meant to do. Be passionate and ready and willing to put all your time, energy and focus into the career. You will definitely be successful with commitment like that!”