Make Up Artist Research

 Make Up Artist Research

Lisa Armstrong

Questions and Answers from Lisa Armstrong 

How did you become a make-up artist? I realised I had always loved make-up: I did my own make-up for dancing competitions as a kid; in the band, I wanted it all: all the colours, lip gloss, eyelashes, and diamante jewellery. I went to the Glauca Rossi School of Make-Up in London and got a diploma. I knew people in the industry and found make-up work for magazines and had a column in Cosmopolitan Hair and Beauty answering readers’ questions. - Lisa Armstrong   

What makes a good makeup artist? You have to have a talent and an eye for it a good artist pushes boundaries. But you also need confidence and integrity – what goes on in the make-up room stays in the make-up room. Make-up artists always bring more than they need, so we’re always moaning about lugging suitcases about. We’re the go-to people for plasters, toothpaste, tissues, and deodorant. - quote taken from article by Lisa Armstrong 

Are there any tricks of the trade you can share with us? Always do the eye make-up first – we use a lot colour and textures here and I don’t want it falling on to a perfect, made-up face.

What are the best and worst aspects of the job? Strictly’s the best show in TV entertainment – you can be so creative. The only downsides are the long hours and the lost weekends. But – you know what? – who cares! I love the job.

Is it hard work? On a Saturday, we start at 8:30am and wrap at 11.30pm. During the day, the celebs and their partners are constantly rehearsing and whizzing around the dance floor: the rollers are flying out, the lip-gloss is getting smudged, and the eyelashes are hanging off. Dancers, especially the boys, sweat like you wouldn’t believe. The team is constantly on the go.  

What advice would you give to someone starting out now? Go to college and then practise your craft. Even if you want to work in TV, explore every avenue – it’s important to learn how to do theatre or fashion model looks, and to understand wig making and prosthetics. Throughout your career, you will learn from the people you work with 

Lisa Armstrong

Lisa Armstrong

Anita Stevens  

I started life working at the BBC as a production assistant on programmes like EastEnders, The One Show. CBBC, and drama serial casting etc. Then one day I decided I wanted to pursue a more hands on creative career path. I love hair and makeup and I didn’t think it was something I could do as a proper career, until I started talking to makeup artists on set and they inspired me to just follow my dreams and go for it! - taking from www.anitastevens.com  

Studied at London Westminster college and creative media skills at pinewood studios. 10 years industry experience. Specialises in day, evening, glamour, bridal, high fashion, vintage, period looks (20’s, 40’s, 60’s, 80’s), theatre, special effects, airbrush makeup, male grooming, and spray tanning.Being a makeup artist is not just about helping my client to look beautiful and fabulous on the outside, but it's also about helping my client to feel amazing and confident on the inside.

All information on Anita Stevens taken from www.anitastevens.com 

Anita Stevens

Anita Stevens 

Eryn Krueger Mekash

When did you know you wanted to become a makeup artist? I think I realised I truly wanted to do makeup after seeing a double feature of "American Werewolf in London" and "The Thing" when I was 14. I started out in makeup effects shops and taught myself beauty through books and videos. I loved monsters since I was about 7 years old though and did little makeups on myself. I've always been a fan girl.

Which 5 items could you not live without in your makeup kit? A. Senna Cheekie in Uplift to highlight the top of the cheekbone; very youthful. B. NYX ombré blushes C. Senna Ray of Light perfecting concealer D. Besame lipsticks; my favourite colour is Victory Red E.  Le Maquillage Professional Grande palette; Jan Sewell turned me into it when I was in London last year. It's the first thing I pick up with a new actor lands in my chair.

Which iconic makeup / sfx look do you admire? And why?Oh there are so many; the Jack makeup from "American Werewolf in London" by Rick Baker, Tilda Swindon in "Grand Budapest Hotel" by Mark Coulier, Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean" by Ve Neill (anything by Ve), the entire look of "Bram Stoker's Dracula" by Greg Cannom, Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer and Susan Sarandon in "Witches of Eastwick". I can go on and on. Some are glamour and some are horrific. I find inspiration in everything! I really love character makeup.

What is your top tip for starting out in the industry? Be open to any kind of job, whether you get paid or not. You never know where it's going to lead.

What is your life mantra? I always try to remember to have my priorities straight; what is most important is health and safety of your team members. There is never any need to get stressed out about makeup.

What do you feel is your greatest achievement to date? My greatest achievement is still working after 30 years!

All above questions and answers taken from The MakeUp Armoury Blog 'On set with Eryn Krueger Mekash'

Did you attend school for makeup artistry, if so where?
I went to Sandra Burman's makeup effects school "Hollywood Film School". It was a 4 week course in casting, sculpting, mild making and foam running. I also took Dick Smith's advanced makeup course, and a day seminar that Michael Westmore taught. I practiced and read lots of books.

What is some advice and tips you can give someone that is starting out?
My advice is learn all aspects of makeup. Beauty and as well as beastly! It will take you far. Stay flexible, be kind, be positive, and be honest.

What is your favorite makeup look to create?
My favorite makeup are the complicated ones. Figuring out a puzzle is never boring.

Specializing in beauty/character/FX what are some products that you can’t live without in your kit? Why?
My favorite effects products are PPI products, Mouldlife Venial blood and Mac Gloss Brilliance to highlight prosthetics

What would you say is the most challenging part of this business?
The hours are the most challenging and people who don't do their jobs and are continue to be employed. 

What are some of your goals and dreams as an artist?
I would still love to do more film work; I've done quite a few and I really enjoy the one-script process. Many colleagues think that television is not as important as film, but if you can do episodeic  television, you can do anything.

above questions and answers taken from https://www.frendsbeauty.com/blog/entry/frends-beauty-to-beast-artist-spotlight-eryn-krueger-mekash 

Eryn Kruegar Mekash 

Eryn Kruegar Mekash

I have taken a lot from researching into becoming a makeup artist and these MUA's inspire me and make me want to continue pushing until i achieve my dream even more. Two out of these three didn't start out as makeup artists they had previous careers before hand and this didn't stop them from learning something new and following their dreams, which gives me hope that I've not left things to late to me learning, Even with all the long hours you work as a MUA to be able to say I have the job I truly love would be amazing. It doesn't feel like working when you love what you do. An other thing I took from researching into these MUA's is the fact that they trained in all types of makeup and say you need to be open to working all types of jobs big or small, so to learn makeup techniques for all kinds of jobs, film, TV, theatre, fashion etc would opportunities up to you.

Adrian Rigby

I decided to do some background research into Adrian Rigby a bit more he is already a big inspiration to me just from seeing work he has created and films he has been apart of. I found him actually a lot easier to research than some of the other MUA's I've tried to find out about as he has his only website with all sorts of information about his life, his work, behind the scenes and loads more!

After reading his bio and seeing how he started give me more hope I can still achieve everything I want still, as sometimes I feel my age might hold me back. Adrian started as a teenager creating special effects looks for casualty simulations for first aid training and medical students, then took a break after school and had an everyday job as a postman! It wasn't until years later than he decided to enrolled onto a makeup college course to pursue his dreams. This part of his story really reminds me of myself. He does state that in the beginning he found it hard work being a Make-Up Artist and finding work. Adrian got the opportunity to complete a short course by Nick Dudman another amazing MUA and this is when he ended up getting his first big break! Nick Dudman offered him a place working on Harry potter!

 Adrian has since worked on all sorts of major films for example, The Witches, Star Wars, World War Z, Fantastic Breasts etc. He has also working on plenty of TV shows and Series like The Witcher, Coldfeet, Game of Thrones, Eastenders, Doctor Who and many many more! Looking at the list of things his has worked on is amazing! I would do anything to have any of the opportunity's he has had 😍.

Although Adrian is known for his Prosthetic work he has also done everything else makeup related as well, hes done fashion, bridal and beauty work too. 

This is what I inspire to do as i love everything Make-Up related and even though I think I will specialise in Film and TV I would still take any opportunity that came my way, no matter if that was fashion, Theatre, Bridal I would be up for it all!