‘Makeup made me feel life again’: Beauty artist helping spread glam and healing in Top End

When Emily Chambers experienced startling loss as a teen, makeup helped her recover. With a newly launched initiative, she hopes to create the same healing and uplifting space for others.

Darwin makeup artist, Emily Chambers, started the Glam n Sip NT sessions in April in Darwin. Picture: Wren Socials

Emily Chambers was a teenager when her world changed.

Losing her best friend to suicide when she was 15, Emily said the tragedy quickly hurled her into a “very deep and dark place”.

As she tangled with her grief, Emily started to use lose herself in creating different makeup looks at home.

“I used makeup on myself as an expression to feel life again,” she said.

“I was really into colourful looks and felt really good about myself.

“I didn’t feel sad and I didn’t feel like I had this chain holding me down. I could be myself, be free and creative and I love doing it.

Darwin makeup artist, Emily Chambers, said makeup helped her through a very dark time when she was younger and has turned her passion into a career. Picture: Wren Socials

“I turned to that and used it as an escape to get away from how I was feeling and what was going on.

“It definitely helped me come out of a dark time.”

A year later, her parents also divorced which added to her “low state” and again Emily turned to the craft.

Now aged 23, Emily has made a successful career in the beauty industry with her business Face By Em catering to clients including brides, celebrities and models.

Driven by her passion for creating uplifting spaces, the makeup artist and new mum then launched a new initiative in the Top End two months ago.

The relaxed sessions called Glam n Sip NT take a group of 10 to 20 people through creating different looks such as an evening glam or natural look.

Emily Chambers started the Glam n Sip NT sessions in April, 2025 for friends to enjoy getting ready together while learning about how to create different styles of makeup. Picture: Wren Socials

Emily said the “easy and straightforward” two-hour events at The Trader Bar are designed to capture the experience of getting ready with the girls before a night out

“It’s a space where you can just come in and everyone’s in their vulnerable state with no make-up on to begin with … and learn how I, as a makeup artist of eight years, apply makeup,” she said.

“You’re having a drink of wine or cocktail and you’re following along as I go through it.

“It’s something I don’t want people to feel rushed about. I don’t want people to feel scared to even come.

“Everyone is in the same boat and they all just want to learn and they all just honestly want to have a good time.

“Personally I wish someone had done this back in the day for me and I could do it.”

Hopes to create a space which lifts and encourages women

The public events will be held every one or two months and will focus on different looks and cater to all levels.

Emily said since starting it in April, she has also started to host private gatherings for Hen Dos and birthdays following the same model.

Emily said she thinks the events are unique in Darwin. Picture: Wren Socials

The Darwinite said she first got the idea from seeing an event held down south and decided to bring something similar to the Top End.

“In Darwin I feel like we miss out on so much up here,” she said. “There’s not many options available for us and there’s no event like this that I’ve seen being hosted.

“I think this is definitely something that hopefully brings a nice community and support around uplifting women and embracing each other.”

To find out more about the Glam n Sip NT events hosted by Face By Em, click here to visit the Instagram page.

Originally published as ‘Makeup made me feel life again’: Beauty artist helping spread glam and healing in Top End