Blondes have more fun

I can't believe I haven't written a post about my earliest and still favourite Make Up Icon, Marilyn Monroe. I didn't have posters from Big League up on my walls, it was all Marilyn Monroe and Madonna. I could stare at Marilyn's lips for hours. I remember at a Christmas party the other kids were watching the cricket and I was in another room watching a Marilyn movie marathon. Strangely enough though I am a gentleman that prefers red heads then brunettes. Although again I contradict myself when I admit that my two fave models of all time are Karen Mulder and Lilly Donaldson. Or is it Christy Turlington and Coco Rocha? I do have a soft spot for Cyntia Dicker, OMG that hair and those freckles.

M.A.C.simum Impact

I receive emails from M.A.C. often, sometimes several per week, no surprise there, I did subscribe to them. Yet M.A.C. do always seem to have a little surprise in store in the form of a great graphic, a cool tip, a good deal or a crazy concept. The hello kitty range fell into the later for me. Even though I didn't rush out to buy any, I draw my girliness line at Make Up, Hello Kitty's way too far, I appreciated the pairing. Yesterday I received notification of their latest master stroke, Disney Villains. M.A.C. have always stood out from other houses with their cutting edge MUA vibe, not to mention their often confrontingly, in a great way, tattooed counter staff. So alighning themselves with some of animations cunningest bitches works for me. Check out their new window graphics on DJ's Castlereagh Street window.

Interviewing Technique

Having now completed my first ever interview and wanting to do more, I now know that I need some tips to brush up my technique. So firstly I need to find someone with great interviewing skills and secondly someone as a make up artist I would love to interview.

I know exactly who fits the bill.

Being a fashion fan I fell in love with Amber Renae on Project Runway and now regularly see the gorgeous Amber interviewing on FTV. So adding two and two together I thought I would make it my goal to interview Amber about interviewing. Whilst I'm at it I'll throw in some questions about make up. A girl with eyes like Amber's should definitely have some tips.

Rae Morris part 2

Wanting to know more about getting a toe behind the curtain at Fashion Week I pressed Rae for more information. ‘A lot of MUA’s take on assistants for Fashion Week’. ‘I remember when I first worked at Fashion Week as an unknown. It was one of those “What am I doing here” moments.’ ‘I remember girls flocking to certain artists wanting them to do their make up’

I’ve had that sort of experience myself, and not even in the rarefied atmosphere of FW, so I am buoyed by the fact that one of my idols has been there and done that too.

As for getting to assist at FW, or at any top gig, Rae’s advice is that ‘you just have to really want it.’ ‘There are a lot of girls (and guys Rae, don’t forget me) who think they want to be a top Make Up Artist but they just don’t have the hunger they need to stick out the tough times.’ ‘They need to make things, like assisting at FW happen.’

So what Rae is saying is that although we can all get a look in at great assisting opportunities, only those who are prepared to go the extra distance will get them, keep them and grow from them. It was about now that I had to sit on my hand to stop it flying into the air with a cry of pick me, pick me. That would have to wait. I had to continue behaving professionally and get on with the interview. After all, others were beginning to circle. They needed Rae to face her fans.

So how long does one need to spend as an assistant? ‘I think one year is enough, by then you should be able to step out on your own’ assured Rae. ‘I really judge it on when I feel my assistant is too good for me to expect them to work for free.’ ‘At first they will be getting coffee and cleaning brushes, just like I had to.’ ‘Then I will allow them to do lips or brows etc until they master it.’

I also wanted to know if working in retail cosmetics is the way to go. I did it very briefly for Giorgio Armani, but the GFC took care of that job. ‘Not at all.' ‘I didn’t go that route and a lot of girls who do become complacent and stay there.’ confided Rae. ‘What is valuable about it though is the number and variety of faces you get to work on, that is important.’

So basically I am on the right track, but I need to put the accelerator down and take a huge leap, so…..Rae, is there any chance I could assist you some time soon? …………….’Definitely Ray!’

How psyched am I?!!

Rae Morris

I promised when I commenced this blog that I would pursue my Make Up dream by calling on those who have achieved their dreams and currently operate at the highest levels of the industry. That meant an interview with Rae Morris. I’ve kept my promise, here it is.

I was fortunate enough to land an interview with Rae just before she went on stage to intro her new book Express Make Up. What I wanted to find out from Rae is if there is an Express Make UP Career path.

If you’ve ever had butterflies the size of jumbo jets circling in your stomach you’ll know how I felt heading to this interview. Getting to sit with your idol for thirty minutes may sound wonderful, but knowing you need to supply intelligent conversation and relevant questions that hold their attention for that time is extremely daunting. I’m not unfamiliar with undertaking activities that have me questioning my sanity. This felt a little like skydiving, not tandem, but in an interview there are no parachutes.

So it was in this state of anxiety that I walked up to Rae Morris and her Agent Lisa on Sunday to introduce myself. As soon as Rae greeted me the feeling of free fall subsided. Rae’s immediate and sincere warmth cushioned my landing. Rae is the consummate professional, no uber style bitch here I’m glad to say.

I wanted to know how Rae has risen to the status she has. Did she have to do seemingly endless free work to try to build a portfolio? “I did that for probably a year and a half.’ Assured Rae, which is comforting for us mere mortals, but she continued, “But there’s free work, like the Miss Wednesday competition at the pub and there’s assisting at Fashion Week.” My ears really pricked up at this comment. I’ve done my fair share of Miss Wednesday comps, all the while wistfully fantasising about being back stage at fashion week. So how do you get a gig assisting at a top catwalk show, please Rae tell me do!

I’ll share Rae’s insights in my next post.

Gucci Gucci Goo

I know this blog is about Make Up, however in my research on my favourite subject I see alot of catwalk shows online and FTV. One that has just blown me away is the Gucci Spring Summer 2010 show. The make up is flawless and chic as usual, but it was the shoes that drove me mad. If you are the least bity interested in shoes do yourself a favour and look at this show, they are perfection. I can't believe how amazing they are. They were the highlight of the show, and that is saying something because the clothes, belts and bags were simply incredible as well.

30 Days of Nikki

Just like several other momentous, spectacular or thrilling occasions I remember where I was as clear as day, the first time I set eyes on Nikki Phillips. Well actually it probably wasn't the first time, it was just the first time that it was in the flesh and that I learned the name of the vision before me. If it sounds like I am going a bit overboard, then you probably haven't seen Nikki close up. If you have then you'll know what the fuss is about.

Nikki is like Bora Bora, The Mona Lisa and a dish by Maggie Beer, impossibly better in real life than in the amazing pictures you've seen.

It was at 30 Days last year and Nikki was milling around before interviewing Skye Bortoli. Dressed in black and white and sporting killer heels Nikki well and truly stood out from the crowd of fabulous fashionistas, and that is no mean feat.

I decided then and there that I would need Nikki in my portfolio one day. That day is yet to come, but in the mean time I can look through the new 30 Days spread in Sept Madison and hope one day I can be MUA on something and someone that beautiful.