Mya Kurpjuweit – BEA’s Future Star
Hi! My name is Mya Kurpjuweit (pronounced Kurp-you-White) and I am beauty professional who started in the industry 4 years ago. My career began in makeup in 2015 where my love for all things in the beauty industry grew. From an early age I knew I wanted to be an artist of sorts. As a child my interests included drawing, painting and crafting. I am one of 3 girls, so mostly out of convenience, we all took dance lessons. I can remember the most enjoyable part for me was having my hair and makeup done for recitals, not so much the actual dance performance! As I got older and was able to explore beauty on my own and realized it would be a great career option for me. Through my high school Cosmetology program I was able to learn the basics of hairstyling and start making local connections in the industry.
After finishing high school in the spring of 2018, I started my apprenticeship that October and my hope is to challenge my licensing exam in the fall of 2019.
My love of art on canvas growing up has transpired into my specializing in creative colour inspired by sceneries, such as sunsets, mountains and the ocean. Blending, custom formulations and placement is a major focus in my creations.
I have serviced high profile clients in makeup and hair for Edmonton’s Comic Con in 2016 and 2017. In addition to this, 2019 has been an exciting year with my work being published in 2019 issues of Confetti Bridal Magazine and Infringe Hair magazine. As well, I’ve had many opportunities to step outside of regular salon days and work on high fashion photo shoots with my friend and photographer Malorie Shmyr.
All of these accomplishments could not have been done without the help of my many mentors in the industry. I am incredibly grateful for all of these opportunities and most especially to Lauren Wilde who took me under her wing and gave me freedom to learn, create and flourish. Lauren is the owner of the salon I call home – Rose and Onyx Hair company in St. Albert, Alberta Canada.
My passion is fuelled by the opportunity to express feelings, emotions and sense of self through art. Every client is a blank canvas with an idea that reflects who they are and I strive to mirror that vision through my art.
What one word describes how you felt when you found out you were a finalist?
Honored
Mya’s BEA entry. Photo was taken by Malorie Shmyr.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to enter competitions?
My advice would be: “Why not try it, you have nothing to lose. Even if you don’t qualify, hey you’ve got an awesome picture of your work you can use in your portfolio!”
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years I see myself working in fashion being able to travel for work, combining my skills of hair and makeup, while still keeping my roots at my salon back home in St. Albert.
How does competing help you as an artist?
Competing can help you by pushing your creativity to its fullest extent. It also opens doors to many networking opportunities with like minded people.
Photo taken by Rhiannon Sarah Photography published in Confetti Bridal Magazine.
What’s one thing you would have told yourself on the first day of your apprenticeship knowing what you know now?
Always trust her gut, stand by her work, and do not break the base.
My mentor Lauren Wilde and I at the 2019 Beauty Envision Awards.
Being brand new to the industry, what do you think the biggest struggle stylists are experiencing today?
The biggest struggle as stylists we face today is unrealistic expectations. If we could take black hair to platinum in one session, I would have done it on myself by now.
What traumatic hairstyle have you been guilty of rocking?
The most traumatic hairstyle I’ve had was bangs way too short, admittedly I cut them myself.
I knew I was a hair nerd when…
Both my dreams and nightmares started being about hair.