Questions and Answers from Make-up Artist Maggie Hunt

If I could have a pound for every time someone asked me why I became a make up artist I would probably have about £30.... Ok, so I wouldn’t be rich but £30 is better than nothing. 

Both Sam and I were inspired to become make-up artists by Maggie Hunt, who also happens to be our auntie (handy).

So I decided to ask my Auntie Maggie a few questions about her life as a make up artist. 

BIOGRAPHY

MAGGIE HUNT is a leading name in the fashion and beauty industry, working with top photographers like David Bailey, Terry O’Neill, Lord Snowdon and directors such as Gerard de Thame, Joe Pykta and Tony Kaye.  Maggie’s make-up has appeared on covers including Vogue, Harpers, Tatler, Brides, Elle, Cosmo, Company, The Sunday Times and Sunday Telegraph.  

This is just a few of the high profile people Maggie has worked with.

The (late and great) Princess of Wales.                                      

HRH The Prince of Wales 

Gillian Anderson

Kate Beckinsale

Honor Blackman                                  

David Bowie

Pierce Brosnan

Shakira Caine

Naomi Campbell

Belinda Carlisle

Julie Christie

Abigail Clancy

Simon Cowell

Cindy Crawford

Dame Judi Drench

Agness Deyn

Paul & Linda McCartney 

Janet Jackson

Check out Maggie’s website for more info and images; www.Maggiehunt.net

Maggie Hunt Questions and Answers. 

1.How many years have you been a make up artist for?

I’ve been a make-up artist for 30 years yet I’m still as passionate about it now as I was at the beginning of my career.

2. How did you get into make up?

I became a fashion model in the sixties. I was truly inspired by the make-up of the swinging sixties and models such as Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy; I could relate to these young and successful girls.  During this period most photographic shoots did not include a make-up artist, hairdresser or stylist so I was required to be a ‘Jack of all Trades’.  Make-up changed dramatically from big wide eyes and pale lips to dark eyes and dark lips (Biba inspired).  Then the feeling moved on to romantic and then punk.  It was around the punk era that I decided to put my creative flair to good use but I wanted to do it properly as you are only given one chance, so make-up school was on the cards for me. 

3. What has been your best job to date?

It is not so much what I perceive to be my best job but the perception of others, so in this case I would have to say having done the make-up of The Princess of Wales and HRH The Prince of Wales for their official engagement photographs shot by Lord Snowdon which where used globally on and in every magazine plus postage stamps.

4. Can you tell us 5 of your favorite products and why you love them?

I would prefer to say that without the use of great make-up brushes you can not achieve glorious make-up. With the use of my choice of brushes I'm able to create beautiful make-up, with all make-up, irrespective of price.

Maggie Hunt Make-up brushes at www.maggiehunt.net

5. Who/What inspires you?

I'm mostly inspired by photographers and their work rather than catwalk make-up but I'm also influenced by films and pop videos.

To name but a few these are some great photographers whose work has inspired me over the years - Steven Miesel, Guy Bourdin, Paolo Roversi, Helmut Newton, Sarah Moon, Barry Lategan, Nick Knight.

Great make-up artists that I have admired over the years - Barbara Daly, Francois Nars, Serge Lutens, Pat McGrath.

                                            

              

6. Who is the nicest person you have worked with?
I do like Paul McCartney and Sarah, The Duchess of York as they are both kind and genuine people but I also work with some really nice models too. 

7. How did you get so successful?

It is a combination of many different qualities and not just creativity.As a model I watched many talented make-up artists work and I also watched many untalented make-up artists work so I was able to compare and understand the different emotions a model and myself included would go through with the application of amazing make-up and ugly make-up.  So I knew my aim was not just to please myself but also to please the person I was making up.  Yet, it isn’t only that, to success you need to be liked and wanted because of your talent, professionalism, dedication, hard work, self-belief, organization, modesty, kindness and these qualities cannot be learnt; methods can be taught, products can be brought but the rest is down to your personality.

8.What do you think is the most difficult thing to do as a make up artist?

There is not much that I’m fazed by as a make-up artist and I love going out of my comfort zone to create looks that I’m truly proud.  However the realms of make-up are very broad and I do not venture into an area that I do not cover such as prosthetics. 

9. What do you think about your nieces following in your footsteps?

 I feel honored that my nieces have wanted to follow in my footsteps; they have the perfect attitude and on top of that they have captured a market which has propelled them into an area that was untouched until now. Although they are both still young they have many years of experience, which has built them into who they are today. Samantha and Nicola are focused on succeeding and with their determination and hard working ethics they will arrive and that pleases me. my sister (their mum) and all the family, which gives encouragement to the younger members of the family and hopefully to all those trying to make it in the world today.

10. Have you got any advise for people starting out?

It doesn’t happen over night, never give up learning, confidence is good, arrogance is not, live and breath make-up, patience is a virtue and dedication is paramount. 

Posted by Nic

Illamasqua - Art of Darkness

Illamasqua's Art of Darkness collection is full of intense, rich, dark, autumnal colours just as the name would suggest.
There is a real buzz about this collection and future collections as Illamasqua have appointed David Horne (previously of Jemma Kidd and MAC) as Director of Product Development. With Alex Box's creativity and David's attention to detail this may mark a new period for the company.

I chatted to David about what the future holds for PD at Illamasqua.

"Illamasqua has always been cultivated with professional quality pigmented make-up product at the core of the brand, and now as the company moves forward with our exciting first UK flagship store and School of Make-Up Art the creative and technical challenges are as ever continuous and vast.

Product efficacy is at the heart of Professional Make-Up Artistry and to the Illamasqua brand, and the process is underway to deliver even more continuous improvements to product being developed as we endeavor to respond to product feedback, listen to our customers, and communicate with our suppliers to push our creative vision and expand their capacity to achieve colour results we strive for.

We are a brand that is responsive, not complacent like other cosmetic industry brands. We have a responsibility to position and offer the unusual.

Never colour cautious.

We acknowledge we have not always got everything 'pigment perfect' in our evolution, not always possible in a business driven by pigments that can become variable. However when we are not able to be satisfied with a product we go back to supplier production and strive further to mutually get the result we initiated.

Our product development direction has quality assurance at the forefront of its agenda and we are assessing our products item by item and shade by shade to respond with an dynamic inspirational range to inspire the artists which make professional make-up art so creative. This is not an overnight process but one, which will position us to offer you exciting kit pieces for your delectation.

Thank you everyone for your continued support, it is that candid product passion which drives us to deliver the results team by team as we move forward and evolve as a brand".
David Horne, Director Product Development & School of Make-Up Art

Corinne Day 1965 - August 28, 2010

Corinne Day was arguably one of the most influential photographers of the 90s.


Working with a young Kate Moss on a fashion story for The Face magazine titled 'The 3rd Summer of Love,' which was published in July 1990 and later (1993) on the British Vogue cover story (opposite) the images would define the 'Waif' look and spark the 'Heroin chic' movement.


The imperfect and voyeuristic feel of the images that Corinne Day produced were in stark contrast to the perfectly made up supermodels and photography of the time, paving the way for the documentary style photography that became synonymous with the late nineties and beyond.

Make-up Mavericks

Even though make-up artists are responsible for the execution of most of the looks that these celebrities wear, for me it is the strength of personality behind the make-up that really makes them look so dynamic.

Few people wear strong make-up with this amount of confidence.

Pixiwoo reading...

I have just created a useful book store for further reading on make-up artistry, photography and iconic beauties.
You may also notice that the Alex Box book is almost half price so if you were considering it then now is the time.
If you click through to the book store you will see that I have created categories with sub categories so that it should be relatively easy to find what you are interested in.

Marlene Dietrich research.

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When I research a look for an icon or a celebrity I build a collection of images from different angles and different periods of their career.

I then study the pictures to find the similarities that would determine the subjects signature look.

From the pictures above you can see that :-

1) Marlene changed the shape of her eyebrows from her early days probably due to fashion. However, her eyebrows always remained thin, dark and defined.

2) The socket line was always very defined and blended.

3) Likewise, the cheeks were contoured and highlighted to give a very sculpted finish.

4) Liquid (Cake) liner was always present and flicked.

5) Marlene left the underneath of her eyes bare apart from a flesh coloured eyeliner on the waterline. This adds to the heavy lid quality.

6) The top lip is always rounded and the lips were red.

Saint Kate.

It feels a bit strange to post about someones beauty and success as a model. After all she just looks good she isn't saving lives.

The truth is that we are affected by beautiful things everyday of our lives. We want to buy beautiful clothes, own beautiful homes and most of all we want to look beautiful because beautiful things are prized and celebrated.
Kate is one such treasure.
So what is it about Kate that makes her so especially beautiful and successful?
Is it the perfect distance between her eyes?
Her heart shaped face?
Her high cheek bones?
Or her Full lips?
For me, it is all these things and something else... she has grown up with me.

I loved her (and probably wanted to be her) when I first saw her (she was 16) in “the third summer of love” shot by Corinne Day for The Face magazine, which I subscribed to, thankfully my mum didn't realise it was wholly inappropriate for a 14 year old.
Eighties models were overly made up with big hair and perfect teeth, they all looked older than they were. Kate was young, fresh and real.

It seemed to me that a lot of models tried to mold themselves to fit into whichever trend was current, Kate could set trends.
I believe the reason Kate has achieved such lasting success is because she is beautiful but doesn't have a specific 'look'.

For example, Cindy had the sex bomb look, which didn't really cross over to high fashion.

Linda had an exotic, classy sexuality that wasn't right for Heroin chic or waif.

Naomi, has an attitude that means Naomi always appears as herself. She has become more of a personality than a muse.

Claudia is elegant and sensual but her deep-set eyes limit experimentation with make-up meaning that she always has a similar look.

But Kate shook off the waif label with ease and can be anything we want her to be. Her face is incredibly versatile and open. Any make-up will look amazing on her and she will carry it off with that Kate attitude and style. Gemma Ward has this chameleon quality too.
Kate's beauty is not theatening and although stunning there is something very girl next door about her too. Which brings me back to the fact that she always looks like Kate, not like she is trying to be someone else, look a certain way or sell us something.