Collaborating on a book! Fashion Backstage to Runway

This Summer during a spell of time between sad news and ill health, I got a DM that provided much needed positive focus and distraction.

Jodie Austen aka Peachy Stylist wanted to see if I was interested in being part of a creative project photographer, Paul Cunningham was putting together and looking for a makeup artist alongside hairdresser and model to share their experience of the reality of and expertise in what it's like working backstage and offer some insight into those wanting to work in the fashion industry as well as being a great addition for the coffee table.

I eagerly found out more information from the photographer, got a copy of the initial PDF and began writing my draft. This is really real I thought, time to work. So many thoughts came to mind like how do I put down 20 or so seasons worth of fashion week experiences into x amount of words?! I worked my first season in 2009 and today I can barely remember what I did yesterday. Do I even remember what happened as it is generally a blur? Is this going to happen, my words become published in a book?

I directed the anxiety I felt into excitement in reliving the shows. I put pen to paper vigorously tapped the keyboard trying to not let thoughts of memories escape my mind as I typed. I managed to turn it all around fairly quickly, I quietly surprised myself and sent to various friends who have experience in editing. Before I knew it the final version was complete and the next time I would see it would be in a hard copy!

It was wonderful to reflect on memories and moments of madness I had forgotten about. This has been a highlight of 2019 and a wonderful milestone in my career I honestly can't quite believe it *pinches myself.*

Dreams take a long time to manifest and from the outside can seem to simply appear and happen minus all the years of hard work. I am learning to own it and respect the outcome rather than feel undeserving of it.

This is a perfect addition to your book collection and available on amazon. Let me know if you get a copy and tag me in your pictures.

Thanks,

Lisa x

Makeup artist interview with Zahra Hassani

Makeup artists love to know the inside scoop from other fellow makeup artists to learn from how they work and what tips we can pick up. It is a never-ending process of learning! This week we meet Zahra Hassani, we worked in the training team together at MAC Cosmetics. Zahra career has skyrocketed since going freelance and is Jess Glynne’s key makeup artist who has toured the world and creates beautiful vibrant colourful makeup looks. I would say that Zahra’s makeup style matches her fun and energetic personality that is infectious.

Jess Glynne x Spice Girls Coventry

Test Shoot X Philip Bradley

Jess Glynne Tour House of Blues Boston

How did you start out in makeup?

I decided to go back to uni to do a Design Media makeup: Prosthetics and SFX course but you needed an art background which I didn’t have. Luckily as I applied late and it was mid-September, they had had dropouts and needed to fill spaces. I was the only one in my year without art A-level or foundation.

A day in the life of...What does an average day consist of?

The thing I treasure most about what I do is that there is no average day. My job has allowed me to go to some really cool places, and I constantly have “is this actually my job?!” moments

What is your signature style in your work? Is this your favourite thing to do in makeup?

I still get excited about making someone’s skin look super gorgeous and luxurious. Its the feature people notice the most, and great skin/ makeup can give you superhero confidence.

Beautyblender

Estee Lauder Micro Essence

MAC Cosmetics Ruby Woo

Your favourite products :

Skincare I couldn’t live without Estee lauder micro essence. It’s my secret weapon. Also, love La Roche posay effaclar matte.

Foundation Concealer Nars radiant creamy concealer, MAC studio finish and YSL touché eclat- such a beautiful product. Recently have started mixing it with concealer for that dreamy airbrushed coverage!

Mascara It’s a tie between Mac extended play perm me up and Milk Kush mascara.

Eyeshadow MAC Cosmetics has the best balance between payoff and blendability. I love pigmented shadows but not when it’s difficult to blend, or they’re chalky and don’t stay on!

Eyeliner Clinique gel liner is super black and doesn’t dry out!

Lip product I don’t know where I’d be without Ruby woo. I use it almost on every shoot to achieve a natural lip tone. Applied softly with a blending brush it’s the perfect colour. And of course as the ultimate statement red

Brush More of a tool, I love beauty blenders. There is nothing like it and worth every penny!

What should every woman own in her makeup bag?

Eyelash curlers! Instant eye lift!

What's your advice to someone wanting to be a makeup artist?

Learn how to make people feel good, and be a good listener! Not just with your ears.. listen to your client’s body language and let it guide your makeup.

What’s been your OMG wake me up, pinch me am I dreaming moment? The most recent OMG moment I had was seeing my makeup on a big screen, on a musician I respect, in front of 25k people.

Jess Glynne Makeup Artist UK & IR Arena Tour

What is the greatest challenge you have overcome in your career?

Starting out freelance was a challenge. You have to really believe in yourself or at least have people who believe in you, to tell you “keep going” “you are good enough” when you constantly doubt yourself.

Scenario: Your case has gone missing at the airport and due to start a job as soon as you get there. You have 15mins to grab essentials. What are your 5 essentials do you pick up to complete the look?

If I’m going on a shoot? concealer, illuminating moisturiser, lipstick, brow powder, powder.

How do you like to organise your kit?

One big essentials bag and everything else in smaller bags. Oh and Label everything!

What trend should be left behind in 2019?

The abuse of Highlighter and sharpie brows.

Where can we follow you online?

@zalala.makeup.com

Thank you for your time and sharing with us Zahra, it is greatly appreciated!

Love,

Lisa x

Building your makeup kit: 5 foundation essentials

Skin is a crucial element of any ALL make up looks and relevant to every job in your career. Foundation is a good place to invest in your makeup kit, due to the quality of pigment in a product. There are so many products available on the market, however, I’m going to guide you through the top items for your kit for different skin types finishes, textures and coverages. 

A great tip for when you are building your foundation wardrobe is to buy a total of 6 shades in a variety of tones,  neutral and golden base, its also worth carrying a white. You can easily mix colours to shade match, your shade palette should have an option for every skin tone. Another consideration to keep things cost-effective is to split the cost with fellow artists and decant them. I did this when starting out and apply for makeup artist discounts where you can. Alternatively, get samples where you can for tones that you might not use as often if you don’t ask you don’t get. 

1 MAC Face & Body 

This is a cult classic and has a fantastic shade range. It looks great in person and photographs beautifully. 

The texture reads like a second skin and there’s a real secret to using this effectively. When you squeeze this out it is a watery texture, with the heat this emulsifies. Pop it in your fingertips and rub, the consistency transforms and looks like satin. The formula is easy to build and layer from sheer coverage to medium and is long-wearing. As the name suggests, this works as body makeup for flawless leg or arms. 

2 Estée Lauder- Double Wear. Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup

Formulated with a high pigment, it can cover most things due to its high coverage, super long wear and matte finish. Due to its matte texture, it is a great product as you can achieve any finish by mixing and it’s the best to know to mix with something like cold cream or moisturiser to sheer out. This will lighten the coverage and give a radiant finish. This was one of Charlotte Tilbury’s favourite blends before creating her own brand. This is a great option for oily skin and comes in a limited shade range. 

3 Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturisers Oil-Free 

A demi-matte skin formula that gives a skin-like look whilst blurs skin texture. The formula helps to control oil with sheer buildable coverage, it enhances the skin rather than hide it. It comes in a generous shade range and the formula works well on a normal to oily or combination skin.  

4 Deciem the ordinary serum foundation

Aside from its affordable price tag and luxury payoff. Serum skincare like texture that blurs the skin making it look smooth with medium coverage. This foundation is easy to blend with its water-like feel and a semi-matte finish. It comes in a wide variety of shades and they're free of parabens, sulfates, and they're cruelty-free.

5 Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

Ideal for red carpet which looks flawless in person and in photographs. Inspired by charmeuse silk and it delivers on that, with a luminous refined texture and lightweight, buildable coverage. The formula works on all skin types, any age and skin tone. It applies and blends effortlessly on to the skin.

You do not require all these formulas in your kit! One fuller coverage and sheer will get you off to a good start. There is my breakdown of go to’s, obviously, skin prep plays hand in hand to the end results you get with the foundation, have a read of my skincare kits favourites. Let me know what your favourites are in the comments below. 

Love.

Lisa x