I'm getting married in Barcelona next year and just last weekend, I had my makeup trial over there. She did a good job, but the appointment really brought home to me how great Dublin is when it comes to talented makeup artists. And I mean really talented.
Me and my gal pal Fiona Bradley from OPSH have put together a list of Dublin's brightest stars, who don't just impress locally... they're sprinkling their creativity all over the international fashion scene. Here's our Top Five!
Kate says she's been obsessed with makeup ever since she could hold a lipstick! She began working for Mac on Grafton Street before spending time in London. There, she assisted on shoots for Vogue, Elle and Topshop. Now Kate specialises in photographic / wedding makeup and as well offering lessons to us mere mortals. Kate's blog is a fantastic read with advice like how to wear red lipstick and use cream eyeshadows. Her work has featured in Image, Tatler, U, Stellar, Life and The Sunday Times Style Magazine.
Leonard is one of Ireland’s top freelance make up artists and is the NICEST guy to boot! His work has graced celeb faces, magazine cover after magazine cover, and he has a decade's worth of high fashion editorial shoots in his arsenal. His web site Beauty Baked is a must-read, and you can also check out his tutorials on YouTube. Leonard says he's all about empowering women to make themselves feel beautiful. 98FM loves ya, LD!
Emma is an honourary Dub after settling and carving out a hugely successful career here. (She was born in London but grew up in South Africa.) The freelance make-up artist has a CV chocka-block with film and television experience, having worked on shows as diverse as RTE’s Off the Rails and UTV's Primeval. Emma's also worked for magazines like U, Stellar, The Wedding Journal and VIP, and practically every Irish newspaper there is.
Paula Callan has had a very star-studded career indeed, having worked her magic on the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Anna Kournikova and the Girl(s) Aloud! She started out as self taught and worked her way up the fashion food chain the hard way. Having set up South William Street's Brown Sugar with her husband, Paula now teaches students with Derrick Carberry at their CallanBerry Academy.
Tina Turner wrote a song about Lesley. It's called Simply the Best. Not sure if you're heard of it. Lesley's a senior makeup artist with MAC, and her work has covered shoots and shows, catwalks and editorials not to mention some of the most famous faces in the world. Britney Freakin' Spears people!!! When she's at home, Lesley also does personal appointments and masterclasses. If anyone can hook us up, that'd be just peachy!
@AideenFinnegan / @_OPSH
