In this amazing industry, not only have I had the opportunity to work with the best in the business, admire the work of many and still learn something new on the job, I am as curious as the next person to see what others are loving, how they started in the business and how they’ve grown outside of being a Hair and Makeup Artist.
So it was a real pleasure to interview these next four incredible Hair and Makeup Artists, and find out how each one took a diverse road and expanded their careers outside the makeup box.
“No dream is too big or too small…”
Melissa Dempster, Creator of Melli Cosmetics
www.mellicosmetics.com
How did you get started in the industry?
I started off on low budget feature films. My first one starred the talented Ben Mendelsohn. Filming often started in the dead of night and we would still be filming later the next day.
Career Highlights?
Spending the week with Hugh Jackman working on a documentary and driving him across town in my old car.
That moment when you realised you did a faux pas?
I did forget to do a ‘check’ once and absolutely got blasted from the talent for it. From then on, I set alarms on my phone for all checks. Have never missed once since!
What inspires you?
Old black and white movies, I loved watching old movies when I was a little girl and still love them to this day – when women really looked and acted like real women!
What made you start Melli Cosmetics?
I wanted to create a brand where all colours were your go-to shades. Instead of wading through unwearable shades, I wanted to create a colour palette where every shade was amazing. We recently launched Create a Blend Foundation ( a customised foundation service ) where we custom blend the perfect shade and texture to perfectly match your skin. It’s been extremely popular and we love that people return for their refills.
What products do you love?
So loving my Create a Blend Foundation. I love that now it’s summer, I can adjust it to suit what my skin is up to and give myself a dewier look. Still loving Osis’s Dust It, it’s been around for a while but I swear anyone can have big hair with this product, even if you only have two hairs on your head!
How do you define beauty?
It’s that sparkle in the eye and confidence that comes from within. It’s shyness and an unawareness of natural beauty.
We all want to know a makeup artist’s beauty tips, what’s yours?
I love to layer different textures on the eyes. Layering metallics with sheers and mattes give way to a beautifully textured eye.
What’s your best advice to someone trying to break into the industry?
If you want it bad enough, it will happen but don’t expect it to happen overnight. Knock on every door and then do it all over again. Expect to start at the bottom. Be early, stay late and most of all, be hygienic and neat in your set up.
Melinda Wain, Owner of No. 2 Sweetheart
www.no2sweetheart.com.au
How did you get started in the industry?
Once I had finished hairdressing, I knew I wanted to have another string to my bow and makeup seemed like a good fit. And after working on a film with Kiefer Sutherland, I knew this was the industry for me.
Career highlights?
One thing that springs to mind is the day I was serenaded by Chris Isaak in the makeup room. Henry Winkler and Jerry Springer are also amongst my favourites.
That moment when you realised you did a faux pas?
I was looking after a well-known female news presenter at the time. Being on set with only 30 seconds to go to a live bulletin, I grabbed the wrong powder and attended to her as she had her head down and was busily studying her scripts. Once the first introduction appeared on the monitor, I soon realised that I had left a very obvious and large white powder mark on her foundation!
What inspires you?
The amazing careers of Kevyn Aucoin and Serge Normant. But some of the most inspiring people are the ones you work with on a daily basis. I love to watch makeup artists the world over. I still believe we have some of the most talented and inspiring makeup artists here in Australia.
What made you open No. 2 Sweetheart?
With No. 2 Sweetheart being a ‘green boutique’, I’ve always had a curiosity of eco-friendly products whether they related to beauty or not. I love the idea of using everyday products that are natural and have a low environmental impact. Opening No. 2 Sweetheart is one of the biggest learning curves I’ve ever had… but it’s one of the best too.
What products are you loving at the moment?
I love ‘Lily loves Pearl’ organic skincare, as well as Giovanni Organic hair care products. But when it comes to makeup this is a tough question… Stila eyeshadows, Chanel mascara, Co-air airbrush foundation, Dior body radiance crème and the list goes on.
How do you define beauty?
Never was there a truer expression than, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. I think individuality is beauty, a person’s expression and personality is beauty… and being yourself is beauty.
We all want to know a makeup artist’s beauty tips, what’s yours?
It doesn’t matter about your budget…. always tint your eyelashes. Wear sunscreen. Never buy cellulite crèmes, they don’t work.
What’s your best advice to someone trying to break into the industry?
Be patient. Be confident of your abilities, but don’t be pushy.
Trudy Joyce, Creator of the Ultimate Brush Roll
www.ultimatebrushroll.com
How did you get started in the industry?
I actually wanted to be a fashion designer but after a number of unwearable disasters, I realised this wasn’t my path. My big break came when I started working with Delta Goodrem who was signed with Sony Music, and after that it became word of mouth, working with other artists in the music industry such as Living End, Pussy Cat Dolls, Duran Duran and Kelly Rowland to name a few.
Career Highlights?
Working with Lady Gaga – she was amazing, creative, generous and the only celebrity who has ever helped me carry out my makeup kits! Grooming for Quentin Tarantino on his movie junket as well as being flown to amazing locations such as Bali, Vietnam and Hayman Island for various jobs.
That moment when you realised you did a faux pas?
Working on morning TV can be hectic, talent are often late and under a time restraint. First week of using the airbrush method and not being familiar with the foundation colours, I turned a well-known reality TV host’s fair skin into the colour of a cocoa bean. And yes she did notice, and yes she did have to go on looking like that. End of story.
What inspires you?
It’s showing anyone they have the potential to feel like they’re on the cover of a magazine.
What made you create the Ultimate Brush Roll?
It was out of frustration of not being able to find a brush roll to suitably house my ever-growing addiction of makeup brushes! There wasn’t anything out there on the market. I really wanted an all-in-one unit that when I arrived on set or at a shoot, I could be ready to go instantly with all the products that I needed on hand and at the ready like tweezers, eye drops, concealer and a space for my business cards. The key things that were important to me, they had to be beautiful, functional, easy to clean and cruelty free.
What products are you loving at the moment?
Ultimate Brush Roll in “easy rider”, it’s in a distressed fabric, which looks and feels amazing. Emani is a new range of cruelty free mineral makeup. Argan Oil “it’s the new rose hip” Mira’s Hand – it’s 100% pure organic Argan oil… divine.
How do you define beauty?
By an individuals energy.
We all want to know a makeup artist’s beauty tips, what’s yours?
Eyebrows, eyebrows, eyebrows. If you get your eyebrows right, it’s like an instant facelift. And avoid any beauty product with Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, as it will dry out your skin.
What’s your best advice to someone trying to break into the industry?
Hang in there, practice your craft and fine tune your skills, as this will separate you from the rest.
Erin Shaw, Director of Erin Shaw Makeup Academy
www.erinshawmakeupacademy.com.au
How did you get started in the industry?
I started as a hairdresser. I then started doing catwalk fashion shows for department stores, then moved onto directing hair looks for Fashion Week. After watching the makeup artists creating amazing looks on the models, I was inspired to do a makeup course. I combined the two and went freelance.
Career Highlights?
Traveling all over the world doing shoots in exotic locations and working with Kate Moss.
That moment when you realised you did a faux pas?
I used a really heavy foundation early in my career that I watched someone else do … big mistake! The model looked terrible.
What inspires you?
Travel is always an inspiration, combining different cultures and feels to create something unique.
What made you decide to start the Erin Shaw Makeup Academy?
I’ve always loved helping and teaching people younger than myself, as it’s very rewarding seeing their faces when they create something beautiful for themselves. There was a big gap in the market for up to date real online training, and I’m here to give that to people, straight from working professionals in the industry today with the support of makeup artist tutors who currently work on shoots for magazines and film.
What products are you loving at the moment?
Bobbi Brown liquid foundations, Stipple Foundation Brush, Scott Barnes Body Glow Lotion and Inglot’s eyeshadows, as they have great pigment and are cheap too.
How do you define beauty?
Balance and inner glow.
We all want to know a makeup artist’s beauty tips, what’s yours?
When applying foundation, polish the skin lightly with a soft foundation brush after finishing the main application – a good base is essential to every makeup and separates the pros from the amateurs. For more you’ll have to join the course!
What’s your best advice to someone trying to break into the industry?
Like any industry, it’s who you know, so get involved and remember you’re only as good as your last job.
About Fotini Hatzis
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