So! You want to be a Makeup Artist?

So, here is a little video of a refresher day Zoe held at her school for past pupils recently... we were all working MUA's some for longer than others and some bridal, some fashion but regardless we were all there to get the creative juices flowing under the beady eyes of the fabulous Zoe Clark.
Oh..and before I hear the howls of criticism on my.. ahem...Galliano inspired makeup look here.. WE HAD 30 MINS PEOPLE!! OK?

I'm asked frequently about how to and what for about being a makeup artist. So here's just a little ditty about how I got started and why and things....

I began my journey very late indeed..... I was miserable in work, lots of stupid unnecessary pressure and crap... I always put off doing anything in my life College etc as I never really figured out what I wanted to do. Then miserable in the canteen in work it hit me... why waste my life trying to answer the inpossible when I should just go out there, make my self happy and do anything... but only anything that I loved. Very simple.   The very first thing that hit me was Makeup, which actually surprised me. Yes, I loved makeup, but I wasn't a junkie... and I certainly was known to be without makeup frequently, but that didn't matter... when I did wear makeup I adored the transformation and the creation of it. I also love being part of a bigger team and knew that this is what I wanted to do.

I wasn't stupid, I knew there were/are a gizillion "artists" out there and that it was going to be incredibly hard, so I did my homework, I knew I had to learn from the best to set myself apart. There are many makeup schools out there, I could have gone to any one of them. Dun Laoighaire would have been ideal except for my commitments which couldn't allow for a fulltime year/2 year course. Also, that ruled out going to London to the likes of the London College of Fashion. Other courses I looked at, but I looked at the students work and I also researched the teachers thoroughly.. there are many people out there that call themselves international this...celebrity this..the truth is they probably did their Aunties makeup in Edinburgh on holidays (hence the international) and know a Z list Apprentice star who used to be a neighbour and hence the celebrity...even if they were international, celebrity makeup artists it all boils down to one thing... "DO YOU LOVE THEIR MAKEUP?" If not...don't get taught by them...very simple.
I came across Zoe Clarks makeup school by simply gathering all the magazine shoots that I loved...researching the artist ...which remarkably was 90% Zoe and also if there was makeup looks that I loved on tv I rewound the credits to find out who it was... Zoe again... so that answered that question. At this point, I had no idea if she had a school or not... but my plan was to beg her to teach me regardless! Or  at least find out where she got taught.

Once I began my first module with ZC and the amazing Ciara O' Shea on the next module I was hooked... nothing could take me off the makeup artist track. I've don'e most/all the modules with Zoe and Ciara and I have done my share of apprenticeship and assisting.  That's an integral part of learning you have to be on set with someone who knows their stuff and keep on doing it.  I soon gave up my job and here I am.. loving it, and still learning.

Remember, the kit costs a fortune.. and it doesn't stop once you've bought it. There is insurance, kit, tools, travel, training, portfolio..all of which costs thousands and thousands...Yes, you heard me.. so please don't get in to this game willy nilly cos believe me it is a vocation... there is a revolt about to happen as makeup artists are not getting paid from Magazines, Newspapers and even clothing campaigns are not paying a fraction of what they should... .so please don't dilute the industry and only join if you are serious! Having said that, I love it... .I love flying by the seat of my pants, painting and winging it... and for those of you that love a bit of positive pressure this game is for you..Defo!

I haven't stopped learning and I hope I never will.... it takes years to get out of the apprenticeship years (earning/learning speaking) but you meet some crazy people along the way.. some good, some bad... but mostly good!

So, I could give you a list of people or schools to go to... but to be the artist you want to be you have to be taught by the people that inspire you.

Oh, and you never stop learning...once you think you know it all...Roll over....

http://www.ZoeClark.com

YSL Forever Youth Liberator...It's what you've been waiting for!!!

I think I am the first blogger to have actually tried and written about this product... possibly a global exclusive...woo hoo!! (Probably not though!)
The Product:
I usually bemoan all the hype of new products claiming to make us young, lithe and almost smarter whilst embarrassingly releasing our grasp on our money we keep making the same mistakes time after time.  However, I was a very lucky girl last week when I was given a bottle of the brand new YSL (Yves Saint Laurent.. if you really must)  YSL Forever Youth Liberator Serum. This is brand spanking new on the market and in fact was not on the shelves just yet when I received it. Could this actually be the Holy Grail of anti ageing?

The Test:
First day, hungover... in much need of something to fool the Irish Mammy (she can spot me from a hundred miles when I'm not behaving...even in my 30's) of my state as I visited her! Reluctantly showered and decided to try the serum under the most testing of environments.... my post-inebriated skin! I further chose to not add further moisturiser and just see how she performed. I was quite shocked at how well I looked as usually I resemble an ashen and poisoned pale faced junky! 
Initial Thoughts:
On application it went on smooth and silky, not the usual slimy I find from a lot of serums. It absorbed well and I held my breath. I remained looking good as I felt worse. Since then I have continued to use the serum which goes well under moisturiser and even with makeup, if you let your serum and moisturiser absorb and then apply your makeup it really doesn't make it shift around more than yours might usually as other serums can be a bitch with makeup.
The Science:
The YSL Youth Liberator range are said to contain ingredients, a combo of synthetic Glycans (a natural sugar/protein compound necessary for skin plumpness and cell renewal) called Glycanactiftm a patent pending formula said to fool the skin into regenerating and unlocking its vital functions...yes REGENERATING... this liberates the skins youth capacity.
Results after 4 days:
The main things I have noticed in my skin are: Tone correction and Plumping.... I can't believe it!! I have even noticed my eye contour area has improved and overall my skin does look younger!
Where To Get it:
Hurry and order yours now as pre-orders of almost 4000 in Brown Thomas and in the UK apparently 5000+ ladies queueing up for theirs may be re-ordering!
The eye cream alone has sold out twice in Brown Thomas and the Serum is the star of the show and proving hugely popular.
What's in the range:

• Serum: (4 times more effective than others in the range)       -30ml @ €70  -50ml @ €110

• Neutra Cream (Intense cream, good for night use):     
  -50ml @ €77

• Cream (Good for combo skin)-50ml @ €77

• Fluid Cream (Lighter, good for hotter weather and oily type skin)-50ml @ €77

• Cleansing Foam -150ml @ €45

• Toner-200ml @ €45

• Eye Cream-15ml @ €55

This range is available from Brown Thomas and Selfridges


Highly recommended!