The Glow Team

Rani Shortland is a hair and makeup artist with 14 years experience in New York, Sydney and Auckland.

Having trained in New York, she went on to manage a makeup team for fashion shows, her various projects included New York Fashion Week.

Rani moved to Sydney and excelled as a freelance hair and makeup artist, working for TV networks and shows including Fox Sports and Home and Away. Now well settled back in her hometown Auckland, Rani works as a freelancer across all industries and occasions, her client list including TVNZ, Shortland Street and other drama series, magazines, fashion, advertising, special events, and of course weddings.

Rani has been lucky enough to travel widely with her work and has done weddings in New York, LA, Italy, London, Sydney, Byron Bay, Bali and throughout NZ.

“I always wanted to be a hair and makeup artist from as early as I can remember. I love my job for so many reasons, but mainly because I get to make people feel good about themselves – that in itself is very rewarding. The freelance aspect gives me the flexibility to be able to work in different countries and has introduced me to some amazing life experiences.

There’s also something really lovely about being a part of someone’s wedding day. It’s an honour to get the bridal party glammed up and be a part of someone’s special memories.”

Ambika is mum to two beautiful girls, and was born and raised in Auckland. She is currently working as a hair and make up artist on Shortland Street and has worked on many other shows including The Bachelor, Project Runway, The Real Housewives of Auckland, The Bake Off, and also does hair and make up for a celebrity clientele.

Ambika has travelled and worked internationally, including an award-winning tour of Japan for cosmetic company Shiseido. She has travelled with Warner Brothers to Thailand, and to Fiji to oversee the makeup for Shortland Street.

She began her career in her early 20s working for MAC, Shiseido and Napoleon Perdis, completing editorial work for Pavement, Pulp, Woman’s Day and Women’s Weekly as well as various other magazines. She progressed into working for Sky Television, Prime News and TVNZ. Ambika is a fully qualified hair and makeup artist, completing her training at Cut Above Academy and Servilles Academy.

“I have always been a creative person from a young age, whether it be through painting, photography or drawing. I felt like working in makeup was a natural progression – it’s just another form of artistry. To make somebody feel a certain way about themselves is a powerful tool to have. I never try to cover people up, I always try to bring out their natural features – the point is to make them shine!”