As one of Australia’s top makeup artists, with over 15 years experience internationally, Nicola Burford has created looks for celebrities including Fergie, Dita Von Teese and Emmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch.
As an ambassador for Mac Cosmetics, Nicola has worked as a product innovator creating sell-out lipstick shades as well as working with international designers to produce spectacular runway looks!
Now, Nicola chats to Rescu. about her career highlights sharing her insider tips on how to make it to the top!
image: www.professionalbeauty.com.au
You’re one of Australia’s top make-up artists – but what inspired you to pursue a career as a make-up artist?
I decided on a career in makeup after being inspired by the music and films of my early teens growing up in the UK. The new romantic and punk/goth and cyber/ industrial influences where hugely influential when it came to creativity and style and I was so intrigued by artwork by greats such as Australian makeup artist Richard Sharah, who’s incredible makeup artistry emblazoned many an album cover. I was also fascinated by movies such as Alien, and the groundbreaking special fx in makeup and animatronic work of the time. I wanted to work as a special fx makeup artist so embarked on a course that covered these skills as well as all facets do makeup and hair for film and television.
How did you end up working with celebrities like Fergie and The Black Eyes Peas and Dita Von Teese?
I was lucky enough to get a job with the makeup brand MAC early in my career and was able to rise through their ranks as they expanded globally. As their senior makeup artist for Australia I was put forward to look after celebrities such as Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas and DitaVon Teese, who asked me to look after them while on music and publicity tours.
What career advice would you offer a wannabe make-up artist?
As a makeup artist starting out the best advise I can offer comes in three parts – firstly, train in makeup at a reputable college that covers a wide range of courses and has a teaching faculty who work in the industry regularly. I would also recommend a hair course as most jobs nowadays require you to be confident in both skills. Secondly, immerse yourself in all things makeup; from getting to know all the products available to understanding trends now and in the past. It’s good to know all about the history of fashion, hair and makeup and who were the major influencers of the time and trend, especially over the last 100 years, as you will often need to draw on this for inspiration or be given as references by stylists and art/creative directors. Thirdly – assist, assist, assist! Be prepared to work for little or no money for a few years while assisting a variety of makeup artists. On the job learning is really the only real way you will become competent as well as providing you the opportunity to get yourself ‘out there’.
You work for yourself now, and that can’t be easy. What are some key things you’ve learned about running your own business and managing your own work schedule?
It was very daunting leaving the safe and cosy nest of a makeup brand an going out into the big bad world despite my years of experience. The best piece of work I was given, and it worked, was to get up every day and get dressed as if I was going to the office, and work on marketing myself. Reacquainting with old contacts and clients, working on test and submissions to build my portfolio and staying focused on my monthly, 6 monthly and yearly goals has made a huge difference (to how I used to be when I first left college, which was basically waiting for the phone to ring). Managing my own diary has sometimes been difficult but I do like the personal touch and relationship I have with my client base so am glad I have persevered.
How do you continue to keep abreast of the latest make-up trends and techniques?
It’s pretty easy to stay on top of the latest makeup trends and techniques – the Internet! Fashion websites, makeup brand websites and other beauty websites all are a vital source of information. I also love working with a makeup team as we can all draw ideas form each other.
You’ve been in the industry now for more than 15 years, what are some are the key make-up lessons you’ve learnt that have stayed with you?
Never give up if you want it; never have a ‘down’ day; always deliver; meet deadlines/call times; be adaptable.
What celebrities would you love to makeover?
Ooh so many! Obvious ones spring to mind like Lady GaGa and Beth Ditto as they love makeup. I still have a dream to work on a special fx film (lord of the rings or the hobbit would have been amazing)
What have been some of your favourite personalities or celebrities you’ve worked with and why?
There is no one particular person – as a makeup artist you must never think you are that celebrities ‘BFF’ no matter how many times you have done their makeup. Iit’s important to be friendly but remain professional. It was a dream to do makeup for the band Janes Addiction as I was a huge fan of theirs and I was really star struck! Standout career moments were working with Richard Sharah, my hero, and loaning Grace Jones my blotting powder at one of the McQueen shows, as well as meeting Vivienne Westwood and working in the Balenciaga studio in Paris.
You’ve worked backstage at international fashion shows such as Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karen and Vivienne Westwood, how demanding is this work and how does it differ from your day-to-day work?
It can be very demanding working on fashion shows- you are usually hanging around for 3 of the 4 hour call time and then for the last hour trying to makeup 20 models with your team! The pressure is huge as the complete look of the collection (hair, makeup and clothes) can make or break a designer so it’s important to be empathetic to the tensions! If you have a fantastic team around you it will be a finely honed machine and the results will be spectacular. I thrive on the excitement. Luckily it doesn’t happen every day so you can recharge your batteries!
Do you feel that you’re at the top of your career? What career aspirations do you still have?
I never feel I am at the top of my career. I am proud of what I have achieved so far but as fashion and trends are always changing, there is always something new to learn and aspire to. I would still love to work on a special fx film as that was my original training ( although I may need to go back to college to refresh my skills).
Do you think there are any personality traits that help you be a good professional make-up artist?
If you want to be a makeup artist you must be a people person, a psychologist, an artist, a negotiator, a marketer, a positive, can-doer and be a multi-tasker. Get this right and your clients will think you are also a saint!
For more information visit www.nicolaburfordmakeup.com.au
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