Colette Cassidy is recognized as one of Ireland's foremost make-up artists with a portfolio that encompasses almost a decade of editorial, commercial and private work.
She has worked on major feature films such as King Arthur and regularly appears on the popular RTE show, Off the Rails. Her high fashion looks have been featured in the top Irish glossy magazines such as Irish Tatler and Image magazine and she has also worked for international cosmetics house Georgio Armani.
Georgina Heffernan caught up with Collette to find out what makes her tick.
Georgina Heffernan: How did you start in the makeup industry?
Colette Cassidy: I started six years ago when I finished college in 2002.
GH: Did you have an artistic background growing up?
CC: I never stopped drawing faces when I was a child and I would literally sit down for hours drawing and panting; I’m still painting faces I suppose just in a different way. I’ve always been happiest with a pencil or brush in my hand.
Some things never change!”
GH: Did you have any formal makeup training?
CC: Yes, I did a diploma in costume and make up design for film and TV, which took two years. I also have a diploma in Beauty Therapy, and I took this course so I would have a better understanding of the skin, I believe that it’s important to be able to advise my clients on their skincare needs.”
GH: How did your freelance makeup career begin?
CC: When I finished my costume and make up course in 2003, I began working in make-up full time. My first major gig was working on the Hollywood film ‘’King Arthur’, which stared Kiera Knightley and Clive Owen, which was very exciting, but also a huge learning curve. After this, I worked as a make-up artist at The Gaiety Theatre, creating theatrical and, often outlandish looks for various shows and pantos.
In 2005 I began working for Giorgio Armani Cosmetics in Brown Thomas. This was huge for me as it’s such a big luxury brand. At the time, they had only five Armani make up artists working in Ireland, so I was delighted to land the job. The training was of a very high standard and we studied in London and Paris every season, catching up on the latest catwalk trends. I then worked on the Armani Prive team, which is their head European team. It consists of five make up artists from different countries who work backstage on high profile fashion shows such as Fashion Week with all the top models and celebs!
GH: What areas of media do you frequently work in?
CC: I do a lot of magazine photo shoots for top Irish magazines such as Image, Irish Tatler and VIP... I also do a lot of TV work including Off the Rails, where I give tips and advice to each of the makeover candidates.
GH: What is your daily routine as a makeup artist?
CC: It all depends on the job that day. I have a make up & beauty studio in the Merrion centre D4 called Glow, so most days I’m working there doing make up for women who may be going to an event or clients who book in for a make up lesson. Other times, I’m out doing a shoot for a magazine or make up for weddings, so every day is different.
I love creating make up looks for brides. There is always such a buzz in the house on the morning of the wedding and it’s so nice to be able to make someone look and feel really beautiful. Sometimes I see the father of the bride in tears and that nearly sets me off! I’ll never forget one lovely father whispering to his daughter “you are just perfection.”
GH: Which type of makeup do you like doing best — fashion, weddings special effects, or “real life”?
CC: I do ‘real life’ every day. I have my regular clients that get their make up done for lunches and other special occasions. Some people just don’t like doing their own so they just sit back and relax while I make them look gorgeous!”
GH: If we took a peek in your makeup kit what would we see?
CC: I have 3 make up kits as I have so many products! I have a really big kit that I take out if I have a large wedding to do and you will find all my favorite products in it, such as Giorgio Armani foundation for people who love a sheer dewy complexion. I also bring glow minerals foundation for ladies who want their make up to stay put for the day.
I recently was a beauty judge for the Image magazine beauty awards; they literally sent me the biggest box jammed with make up products from every brand you can think of. I had to trial and test every single product and write about it, so I had a lot of homework, but it was fun!
GH: What sets you apart from other makeup artists? Why would I want you to give me a makeover?
CC: I know exactly what suits every single person the minute I see them. I usually make the skin look flawless and glowing and keep foundation really natural, and then I really play up the eyes and make them the best feature. Plus – when I do make up it stays put for the day. Everyone always says they hate taking it off as it is still the exact same as when I did it hours before.”
GH: What is your advice to aspiring makeup artists?
CC: I would advise them to go and work for a big brand like Armani, Mac or Bobbi Brown. You will get brilliant training that you couldn’t pay for and you will gain so much knowledge of what clients want, as you are advising them every day. It also really helps to get your name out there and gain invaluable on the job experience.”
GH: How do you keep up with all the new trends and styles? How do you incorporate them into your makeup repertoire?
CC: I buy all of the top fashion magazines such as Vogue and Image and I look at the current trends in fashion, which usually spills out into the make up side of things. Greys and Beige and nude tones are all over the catwalks at the moment and make up brands are on top of this with new products. Most of my clients, however, are more interested in what suits them as opposed to what’s current. Most people want to invest in good colours that won’t date and will go with everything.
GH: What is the most exciting or challenging opportunity you have had as a freelance artist?
CC: Opening up my own business in the middle of a recession was pretty challenging but I'm still going a year and a half on. Thank God for all my lovely clients!
GH: If you had to pick one easy thing women can do to improve their natural beauty, what would you suggest?
CC: Invest In a good foundation. The right foundation and the correct color can make you look younger, radiant and glowing!
Give RTE readers your best beauty tips.
Foundation:
So many people wear the wrong colour, to test your colour before you buy foundation test on the jaw bone to the neck, the colour should be almost exact to your own skin and then you can warm up the complexion with bronzer and blusher.
Eyes:
To do the perfect eyeliner. Put a mirror down on the table, look down into it, and rest your elbow on the table if you have a shakey hand. Use a gel liner and brush as you will have much more control then a liquid liner. Then draw in your line from the inner corner out. Do it slowly as close to your lashes as possible for a thin defined line. Experiment with different colours. I use a deep plum gel liner for green eyes it really really makes them pop. For a more mature client I would use a soft brown to define without looking harsh.
Cheeks:
Blusher lifts everyone’s complexion, try a cream blush in an apricot colour, it will give the cheeks a dewy glow. Dab on the cheeks with your fingertips.
Give RTE readers a "hands on" beauty tip we can do at home.
Clean out your make up bag with all the things you don’t use, just have the bare essentials in the right colors. To test if your mascara is getting old, get a sheet of white paper; run the wand along the sheet. If it gives a strong black line then it’s a good one, if it gives a faint black line then its ready for the bin! The best ones are Armani Eyes to Kill & YSL False Lash Effect.
In conversation with Georgina Heffernan.
