Inside perspective: make-up artist
Have you ever wanted to pursue a career in fashion but never quite known how to go about it? The fashion world can seem intimidating and cliquey at first, so we spoke to three young people who have successfully infiltrated the fashion industry to get some inside tips.
CELIA BURTON
Celia is a nineteen year-old make-up artist who has already worked with Josh Goot, Felder Felder, Ashish and Graeme Black at their London Fashion Week 09 shows. She has also assisted on magazine shoots.
Who gave you your first internship?
My first internship was with a makeup artist called Georgina Graham. Not only is Georgina an incredibly successful freelance artist, but she is also currently the Beauty Director at Tank magazine so she had a really great insight into the editorial, fashion and beauty industry. I followed her for three weeks, during London’s S/S09 Fashion Week. She took me to the tests, the fittings, (where I met the fashion designers and spoke to them personally about what look they were looking for their show), the shows, the parties – she even took me to Paris! It was such fun and she was a really special and generous person.
How did you get into doing make up? Was it through school or a specific course?
When I didn’t get a place on a foundation course at Central Saint Martins I saw it as an opportunity to get started straight away. I studied for 5 days on Louise Constad’s Beauty Queen course. She taught us the importance of perfection. Her idea is that once you had mastered a simple and perfect base, your imagination can turn the individual colours, shapes and contours in a person’s face into a more elaborate design. It worked perfectly, and within a week we had been taught everything you needed to know and I was excited by the idea of how much more there was to learn in the big wide world of fashion.
What inspired you to pursue a career in make up?
My aunt (Lynne Easton) was a really cool makeup artist. She worked with people such as Paul Weller, Boy George, The Pet Shop Boys and was hugely influential in the 70s and 80’s. When she passed away four years ago I inherited all her brushes and boxes and that was when I really began to think that I could professionally get into makeup.
Who is your favourite make up artist and why?
Val Garland, Pat McGrath, Serge Lutens and Peter Phillips that are seen as the Gods of the makeup world. However, my favourite artist is a woman called Kay Montano. I assisted her in our most recent LFW and since then she has become something of a mentor to me. She began working at the age of 16. That alone made me instantly fall in love with her as I am regularly dismissed or patronised because of my age. Not only is she talented, – but she is utterly adorable too. Kindness is a rarity in the fashion world and Kay Montano is the perfect exception.
Did you help with any of the shows during this LFW?
I have worked on several fashion shows in past seasons but the most recent fashion week (A/W 09) I wasn’t as busy, unfortunately. I only worked on one show and that was for the Scottish designer Graeme Black. His clothes were divine and our makeup matched perfectly!
What tips do you have for any budding make up artists?
It’s not what you know – it’s who you know. The reason I have been doing so well is because I am constantly contacting and befriending anyone who could help me now or in the future. Always say “Yes” to everything. As long as you leave a job having learnt something, positive or negative, it was worth your while. I don’t always work as a makeup artist, I have been asked to be a runner on a film set, FedEx fashion magazines from London to an agency in New York, and organise the models into their first positions for the catwalk. All these little jobs and experiences will give you an opportunity to explore every aspect of the industry and appreciate how many things have to go wrong in order to get everything right in the end.
Can you tell us about a day in the life of make up artist?
Each job is different, so there isn’t a specific example of how a day would go for me but if I m working then it usually consists of:
1) A very early start (I am always disgustingly early for a job)
2) Applying the makeup
3) Maintaining the look (making sure their not shiny or blotchy, re-applying lipstick, etc.)
Of course, it doesn’t always go to plan, but as long as you keep a smile on your face and pretend to stay positive, you will leave the organisers with a pleasant memory of you and your work, and they will want to hire you again.
Have you made up anyone famous yet?
I have worked with Jamie Winstone, Ashley Walters and Alphabeat and a few others, but no one exceptionally famous! YET.
Best moment as a make up artist so far?
My best moment as a make-up artist was seeing my work published in a magazine for the first time. I am working quite closely with a photographer called Gavin Watson at the moment and one of my test shoots with him is about to be published in the magazine ‘Shut’ based in Leeds. It’s such a great feeling!
What is your best beauty tip?
At the moment my best beauty tip is to stop plucking your eyebrows. Sounds silly- I know, but natural brows are a huge trend at the moment. They frame a person’s face and can be really soft and beautiful if left unkept. Plus there is really nothing worse that a badly plucked brow and it will save everyone a bit of money in these difficult times! Other than that it would be to not wear foundation all over the face. If it’s not necessary (i.e. If you don’t have acne) then don’t waste your product. Just use it to cover up spots or redness in the face! It’s a waste, especially if you have relatively good skin – show it off, don’t cover it!
What is your favourite make up or beauty brand?
I am a true MAC supporter. Everything about their products is amazzing!
Above images: Celia and her past work
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Wow – accomplished all that and and she’s only 19
I was a good friend of Celia’s aunt. Pearl would have been thrilled that her brushes are being put to good use again. Well done Celia!!