Adrienne Kennedy Campion, makeup dept

"If I could have hired an assassin to kill my ambition, I would have done it"

- Adrienne Kennedy Campion, MakeupDept

Adrienne Kennedy Campion, Founder of MakeUpDept

In this candid and inspiring interview for the "Inspiring Women" project, Adrienne Kennedy Campion, founder of MakeUpDept, reflects on her winding journey to success. Having worked as a professional model and eventually transitioning to become the head of the hair and makeup department for a national TV station, Adrienne shares how ambition both drove and challenged her. Now, looking back, she’s proud of her accomplishments—not only in her career but also in her personal life, as a wife of 25 years and a mother of five.

Her career path has been shaped by a lifelong passion for beauty, color, and transformation. Adrienne recounts how her love for makeup began during her modeling days, when she realized she was more fascinated by the makeup than by the modeling itself. From training with Estee Lauder to working on major productions, she has spent over 30 years honing her craft.

Today, Adrienne feels a deep sense of contentment, realizing that she has achieved all she set out to do. This photoshoot, which initially made her nervous, gave her closure on her ambition and career, providing her family with a beautiful legacy to look back on. She also calls for better support for women in business, particularly for mothers and sole traders, highlighting the need for tax incentives to help them stay in the workforce.

The "Inspiring Women Over 40" project is a tribute to women who defied convention, embraced their passions and redefined success on their own terms. Through an incredible photoshoot and a short interview I am telling the stories of 40 women over the age of 40, to celebrate their success and inspire others to live life on their own terms.

This project supports WorkEqual who promote progress by providing free support for anyone needing to enter or re-enter the workplace through one to one support. This can include interview preparation, CV writing and interview styling from their boutique in Smithfield all working towards building their confidence.

To sign up or nominate an inspiring woman, click below:

A selection of the incredible headshots from Adrienne’s photoshoot: