Young entrepreneur Anastasia Kenyon empowers makeup artists with new social platform

A young Manchester-based entrepreneur has launched a new social platform and booking site for makeup artists and makeup fanatics.

Palette, the brainchild of 24-year-old Anastasia Kenyon, enables users to create a profile that pulls together all their content from social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The website also offers a booking tool allowing individuals to make, accept and decline bookings, with deposits transferred into the makeup artist’s bank account so that they are still paid for their time in the event of last-minute cancellations.

Users signing up to book services can also to discover new trends, increase their own makeup skills and connect with fellow fanatics and artists.

Anastasia said: “We know there are thousands of makeup of artists on the internet but with there being so many ways for them to connect with customers and show what they can do, it can be incredibly daunting and time consuming to bring it altogether.

“This is where Palette comes in. Palette enables make-up artists to sell their services, receive reviews and post multimedia content to build their own brand.”

Sean Maloney, a professional celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Anastasia for the last year, hailed Palette as a true disruptor to the industry.

He commented: “Palette is what the beauty industry is crying out for. Making booking make up appointments easy and efficient whilst connecting makeup artists and makeup fanatics together in one safe and secure social media platform.”

To get her business off the ground, Anastasia joined the Entrepreneurial Spark Powered By NatWest programme, a free business accelerator based at NatWest’s offices on Hardman Boulevard in Manchester.

Anastasia said: “I joined Entrepreneurial Spark after hearing about the programme from my accountant. It’s been a great way for me to focus on developing the business as well as the site itself.

“It’s been challenging at times as I have been really pushed to evolve my initial ideas but it’s been incredibly rewarding to date.”

NatWest entrepreneur development manager Dale Sidebottom commented: “Anastasia has developed a unique social media tool that has potential to support thousands of make-up artists in the development of their businesses.

“She has embraced the entrepreneurial spirit and continues to develop her business in innovative ways.”