7 Facts About Makeup Artists That Prove Their Job Is Harder Than It Looks

In the film world, make-up artists are just as important as any other team, because thanks to them you can correctly reflect the personality of any character. Professionals in this industry do a fairly detailed job and even apply new techniques when necessary to make the characters as real as possible.

We figured out what it's like to work as a Hollywood makeup artist, and we want to share with you 7 facts that prove that their work goes far beyond powdering your favorite actor's face.

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1. They do a lot of research.

The make-up in the film depends on the plot and the period in which the production takes place. Once the characteristics of these characters have been determined, a difficult research process usually follows. Professionals spend many hours getting details to achieve the required historical accuracy. The character of Queen Elizabeth I had scars on her skin from smallpox, a disease that the monarch suffered from when she was 20 years old. Makeup artist Jenny Shircore didn't miss this detail and carefully painted them.

2. They try everything until they find the perfect makeup combination.

Although most of the time they already have in mind how they are going to act, what they envision from the start doesn't always work out. Because of this, they have to do as many tests as necessary to get the right approach and, most importantly, the best result. Professional makeup artist Gigi Williams said that for the black-and-white film, they tested about 300 red lipsticks until they found the right shade.

3. They work side by side with operators.

The cinematographer is responsible for both the lighting equipment used in the production and the composition of the image. He or she is also responsible for the artistic and technical decisions involved in creating scenes. This is why it is so important that both teams, the cameraman and the make-up artist, go hand in hand, as together they form a whole that will influence the final result of the work.

4. They create a special bond with most actors.

Rondy Scott is a professional makeup artist who has worked on productions such as Sex and the City. Scott said in an interview that there is a very personal relationship between the actors and the make-up artists. “The best moments are when you really help the character develop by bringing together the ideas of the actor and your own ideas. You have to find out who this person is, how he presents himself and how he takes care of himself, ”Rondi shared, emphasizing the importance of good relationships with celebrities.

5. They put themselves in the place of the character they have to invent.

Daniel Parker was a professional makeup artist on Netflix's The Queen's Move. He said that it took months of research, flipping through photos, and watching old movies to recreate the ideal image of the protagonist. “First, I read the script. When I read a script, a picture pops into my head. You get a pretty clear idea of ​​what you want,” said Parker. Famed 1960s singer Mariska Veres was Parker's inspiration for the main character's makeup in episode 6.

6. They are experts at making an actor look as old as necessary.

Sometimes the shooting does not follow the order of events in the film. That's when the make-up artist really has to adapt, like when a particular character gets older throughout the movie. Makeup artist Daniel Parker said that in "The Queen's Move" he used different makeup techniques to match the main character's changing age. “She had to look like she didn’t use makeup when she was younger. But for this sometimes you have to use makeup. You're dealing with a story, and the make-up helps tell the facts," said Parker.

7. They are not afraid to break the generally accepted rules of makeup.

British artist Nadia Stacey is known for her outstanding work as a professional makeup artist in the film Cruella. During an interview, she revealed the secret move that made her famous: "If you want to break the rules, you have to know what they are in order to break them, so I researched that a lot."