In this article I will be exploring the fascinating world of a very talented make – up artist: Myrian Djellouli, highly recommended by Tatler Magazine.

Some time ago, I was looking for a makeup artist in the area and browsing online when I spotted this very interesting French lady and decided to contact her. In a very professional manner, she asked me to go and visit her so that I could properly describe what I needed and to decide if she was the right person for the job.

She was very capable and understood exactly what I needed from her. When the time came, she more than delivered! I was so thrilled with the way she did my makeup for a very special occasion.

It is very rare to find talented professionals out there and even more difficult to find them in your area, so I would ask you to give her a chance and you will surely not be disappointed! I interviewed her so that you may get to know her professionally.

G: What inspired you to be a makeup artist?

M: Makeup has always been a passion since I was a little girl. I felt I had to put makeup on everybody including my poor little brother, but he soon rebelled! I was always fascinated by all the TV shows and movies, the costumes, the makeup. I was always borrowing and playing with my auntie’s makeup! I was so happy when she gave me my favourite pink lipstick that I kept it for years. So the passion has been there since I was very young. W hat I love doing is making people look beautiful; I will always respect the personality of my client as well as their preferences. I understand what look they want whether for a wedding, a party, a special event or for a client on a beauty or fashion shoot. I love being creative: one of my favourite look to do is smokey eyes. I am never scared to play with beautiful, unusual colours and sometimes show my clients how to come out of their comfort zone! I always use the best cosmetics on the market. I am also trained in applying “nouveau lashes”. I also love doing makeup lessons or makeup courses, I organise personalised makeup lessons for my customers who wants to learn how to do their own makeup; as well as makeup courses for those who wants to become professional makeup artist. One of my other background is that I worked as a fashion stylist for many years creating some wild looks for artists such as Estelle and Miss Dynamite as well as fashion pages of many magazines. So anyone needing fashion tips for a “new you”, don’t hesitate to call me!

G: What qualifications did you need to have to become a professional makeup artist?
M: I was always self taught, best thing! I started when I was 14 years old and every year I would get a budget to do the end of the year theatre play. Then I worked in the industry, Chanel boutique, where I started to build my makeup kit, then freelance stylist and makeup artist. At the same time I worked in makeover studios, the best school ever. Then makeup artist for Lancome in Harvey Nichols’. Back to photographic studios, eventually I did a “Theatrical and media make –up diploma” part time for one year to learn special effects. I then went to a beauty college where I taught makeup. I am now a national trainer for one of the top French cosmetic houses. I trained on all types of products as well as makeup.

G: Did you have to go to college or university?
M: You don‘t have to unless if you want to learn special effects to work in TV or cinema. You build up your confidence through your experience. I would say that, after one year in the makeover studios, I could work on any skin and age…

G: How long have you been a makeup artist?

M:At heart always! Any of my jobs have to have makeup involved!

G: What do you enjoy about being a makeup artist and why?

M: I love playing with gorgeous products, making people look and feel fabulous and being creative.You don’t feel like you are working and I love chatting with models, customers, clients. It’s great to make people feel and look good! You help them, in a way! It’s fun and creative, you never want to stop playing with all those colours! It never really feels like a job! Being my own boss, working with different people all the time. Being flexible as well: it is great as I have a baby.

G: Is there anything that you dislike about your job, if so what and why?

M: No , but w hen I used to work in makeover studios and I did up to ten makeups in one day it was like factory work, very tiring!

G: Do you have a favourite celebrity you have worked on?

M: I dressed Miss Dynamite and Estelle. I made-up on Liz Fuller who is a TV presenter. I would need to go back freelance only to start working for magazines again and have an agent, which I had when I was a fashion stylist.

stylist.

G: What are your best achievements so far?

M: I was a national trainer for “Guerlain”, a makeup artist for Lancome and for Chanel, as well as lots of photographic studios. I have had some work published in magazines such as Loaded, GQ, Sunday Times, Black Beauty, Look, Elle Deco, Irreversible Magazine (Miami), Votre Beaute (French), Jalouse (French) .

G: What challenges do you face every day?

M: When I work in store to train the consultants, it’s selling the product as well, no matter how passionate you are, if the customer does not want to spend much, it’s hard. Also, for my personal website, it’s to convert every inquiry into a customer! Some people contact you, you spend time replying and then you don’t hear from them. But I can’t lower my prices. My time is important too.
G: Is everyday a different day?

M: At the moment I work in two different environments: my full time and my private clients. When I was freelance I used to go to different locations, and that was very exciting! As you could end up in the trendiest places to do the shoots!

G: What kind of makeup do you specialise in?

M: It depends, but, at the moment, I do a lot of bridal and a lot of private makeup lessons, thanks to my own website. I have found out that so many women have no idea on how to apply makeup and are stuck in the same routine for so many years, that it actually inspired me to write a book! I also do lots of parties, birthdays, celebrations, teenagers and kid’s parties. I love doing parties as my clients want something more fun or glamorous and I get to do those smokey eyes that I love doing! Finally I get to do various photoshoots, maybe for advertising campaigns, look books, fashion show, PR events.

G: What advice would you give to young 36 people wanting to follow in your footsteps? Who should they contact or talk to?

M: Start as soon as you can, take some short courses. I could help you there of course! Then decide in which area you want to specialise in, such as Movies, Theatre, Fashion, Bridal, Music. Make sure that you keep a track of everything you do, even at the beginning take snapshot of your work, then build a professional portfolio. Courses wise, no need to do a long costly course except for special effects, take a short course and practise on any occasion you can. You need to use professional models, get new faces from any model agencies. And the get a part time job on the counter as you will get training, experience and lots of cheap or free products! Also be prepared to work for free a lot! I do a 5 hour class where I give all the tips on how to become a makeup artist so I could talk forever on that matter!

G: Which makeup artists do you admire and why?

M: The first celebrity makeup artist I heard of many years ago was Kevin Aucoin. He is unfortunately not here any more, but he was a genius. In one of his book, “making faces” he transformed celebrities into other celebrities! I also admire Pat Mc Graph who is always in great demand at all the fashion week shows; her creativity has no limit. I also read every word of Laura Mercier’ book. She is a French makeup artist who has done Madonna’s makeup and has set up her range of divine beauty and makeup products. Finally, not as famous, there is Cathianne Mc Allister who is also a French makeup artist and does a lot of editorials.

G: Which star would you like to makeup?

M: Madonna and Amy Lee, the singer of Evanescence, as she always has those beautiful gothic makeups.

G: Have you got a favourite style or period of makeup?

M: All the Moulin Rouge stage era is beautiful.

G: What’s been your career highlight so far?

M: I can honestly say now, as I do makeup on a regular basis, working for myself. It was also great to be able to get a team of 5 makeup artists, some of whom were my friends, to go and do a big job for this huge global company. The money was great and we worked under pressure but only for 25 minutes to recreate the makeup of that 70s band “The Supremes”! And we had a great time!

G: What’s your ambition or career goal?

M: At the moment it’s writing and getting my book published! As I am not famous it will be a challenge as all the books about makeup are written by famous makeup artists. However, my book has a twist to it! I also wish to develop more work for my little team of makeup artists; it’s so much fun to get them jobs where we go together. Then to be able to do more creative makeup more often, more editorials, having your work published in magazines: you hardly get paid for it but it builds up your portfolio and you can do lots of fun/fashion makeup that you can’t do with private clients. And then maybe do celebrity makeup!
G: What’s in your essential makeup kit for your work?

M: A lot! I can’t leave the house without a small suitcase and a medium size travel bag. I always take about 50 eyeshadows, and then about 10 to 20 of each other products.

G: What’s the worst thing about your job?

M: Unfortunately if you do freelance work when you are single, you have to work 6- 7 days a week to make sure you have a regular income coming in.
G: Are you still learning now?

M: It’s not so much learning, but getting inspiration all the time when you work on creative shoots. It’s always great to look at magazines. Also you have to keep up with all the new products that come out.

G: Do you ever get nervous?

M: No, but I will do if I ever get to do Madonna’s makeup!

G: Do you work to a brief or do you prefer to create your own images?

M: Well you work to a brief when the client ask you. I did a lot of fashion show and you always have a brief unless if you are the chief makeup artist. When I occasionaly was the chief makeup artist I designed a brief according to the style of the clothes.

G: Would you like to be anything else?

M: Acting or singing were my other dreams, and sometimes I would love to trade places with someone else, just to see what it’s like! Makeup is beauty, makeup is art, makeup is fun!

G: What makeup do you never go out without?

M: Lipstick!!!