This journey started for us when the folks at Focal Press noticed that there was a need for
an updated makeup book. Writing about what we do, why we do it, and how we do it,
seemed necessary, challenging, and a great way to pass on the artistry and craft of being a
freelance Makeup Artist. We were in! Ultimately, the decision was easy. Thinking back,
there were too many times when we hired or worked with newcomers who were
unprepared for the experience. And in our teaching and lecturing to students we would
hear the same misconceptions and questions. We have repeated the same lessons to each
newcomer over the years, and were recognizing an emerging pattern in the lack of
knowledge and understanding from the students. There was a pattern to earlier books on x i
the subject of makeup, and although they were beautifully photographed and illustrated
they did not address all the skills, knowledge, and protocol that is needed for your first day
on the job. These books were providing the very basic steps (sometimes outdated) to do
makeup, but they were not preparing the student for being on set or working in a makeup
trailer. Some of the best lessons come from practical experience working for and with
professionals. Getting a job and being asked back is crucial to the extended learning process
(or apprenticeship) that every newcomer needs.
We felt a need to illustrate more than one viewpoint and expose the student to variety.
Learning from one standpoint puts the student at a disadvantage. There are countless ways to go about creating and applying makeup so we include examples from different artists to help you to develop your instincts and hand. Intentionally there are sections in the book that do not give step-by-step instructions. This gives you the practical experience of working it out on your own and “thinking on your feet.” It was also clear that students were lacking in the fundamentals of color theory, color mixing, lighting, anatomy, technical information, and HDTV. We use this knowledge every time we apply a makeup, and found most beginners did not realize the importance of understanding all the elements that affect their work, as well as understanding the working environment.
Lastly, be assured that all product reference, noted Industry Standards, and techniques in the book are real examples of a Makeup Artist’s kit and what techniques are used in the field. These lists are a culmination of our more than 25 years of experience, our interviews with Makeup Artists in all mediums, and, without bias or favoritism, we share them with you because of our proven success in using them. We were not paid promotional or endorsement fees by any company or individual. This is an international community; sharing product information and techniques are all part of the lessons learned and communicated with each other through our travels.
