First Nations makeup artist Ashlei (Ash) Major is receiving the recognition her detailed beauty tutorials the First Nations makeup artist willingly deserves.

With a respected social media presence on both TikTok and Instagram, Major rose to fame after sharing her makeup tutorials on both platforms.

With one TikTok video receiving more than 210K likes, the proud Waluwarra and Greek makeup artist said her growth on social media has been a natural progression.

"Make-up is my creative outlet. It is my self-expression, it is the way that I use my platform in sharing that creativity that I have and I think because of all the events that's happened It's created a domino effect," she said.

"I've always been proud of being an Aboriginal, I always am and I always will be. Being able to communicate that proudness through my socials and the videos that I create and make-up looks I'm able to create that importance that okay-ness of…

"It's okay to express yourself and be proud of who you are in a way that is comfortable for you."

After studying makeup in the Gold Coast, Major said it only took one video on TikTok to go viral for her career to progressively grow.

"I studied makeup artistry with Huxley School of Make-up, which is based here in the Gold Coast. We couldn't necessarily practice and work on models as we had to post some of our assessments online and that's where it started to kind of create the ball rolling of where my looks are now," she said.

"I created a makeup look that paid homage to my nan, who is now in the dreaming. She passed away in early 2020. I was communicating through my art in make-up that I've also shared on social media and one of these looks had actually gone viral.

"After seeing that video go viral, I have seen that a lot of First Nations, whether it be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander individuals loving the way that I have shown my creativity and shown our culture on a platform such as TikTok."

When it comes to the beauty industry and the level of representation for First Nations makeup artists and creatives working in this realm, Major is passionate about seeing a greater shift.

"There needs to be more representation in the beauty industry of First Nations people first and foremost..." she said.

"There is obviously a big movement for people of colour worldwide to be more included within the beauty industry, which there are steps being taken as you can see, brands are following along.

"They are including more colours in their foundation ranges, but there is a lack of First Nations visual representation. For Australia, if you want to start being inclusive, it needs to start on your home soil, so it needs to start here.

"The visual representation of having a First Nations model, whether it be Torres Strait or Aboriginal, think of it as how are we showing you more representation of curved models within the fashion industry.

"I think we can apply the same concepts the same steps of how we are doing that but for First Nations in the beauty industry that can be finding First Nations models. It can also be finding First Nations hair artists, makeup artists, stylists…anyone who works behind the scenes as well.

"That can be a good starting point. It can be with your scrolling, you see your face. You see someone who looks like you. You're gonna opt in to buy more."

Hoping to continually inspire both beauty enthusiasts and other First Nations creatives, Major is eager to reinforce the message of being proud of who you are, where you come from and your passions - whatever they may be.

"My advice to young Indigenous creators would be first of all, don't be ashamed," she said.

"The most important advice that I can give is don't be ashamed, you are proud of who you are. We have such a unique and rich culture, be proud to show that."

"Be confident in your art and what you create, because at the end of the day when you are confident in yourself that is going to emulate and grow and it's going to communicate on screen, It's going to show that you know what… she's deadly, I love what she does, she inspires me."

Eager to continue her makeup artistry career and progress further in the coming months, Major is looking forward to growing beyond her comfort zone, expanding her career, and pushing for greater representation.

"I love what I do because I am proud of who I am. I have found a way that I can communicate and express myself and grow out of my comfort zone," Major told Style Up.

"I want to keep showing representation of our mob… of First Nations people. It starts with us, we are the first step and I hope that inspires people to you know follow their passions, follow their hobbies, follow what's true to their heart not don't just do what's the norm, what is the regular thing to do."

"We need more representation and one step at a time will get us to where we should be and where we need to be."

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