NO EXPIRATION DATE
For every new and emerging artist I would suggest one unsolicited advice - invest in art books! They have no expiration date. They will be beneficial to you much longer than a new eyeshadow palette, they will stimulate your imagination, take you on a stroll in another world, or at least feed you with inspiration and culture.
I have been a professional makeup artist for over a decade and I absolutely love my job. Because of it I have seen wonderful places and I have met wonderful people.
I wonder what I would do if I was starting my career now, the environment is completely different, what would get me out of this “carousel” of copy-paste visions, techniques and manners. I always come to the same answer - art, books, history.
Even if we are at a comfortable stage of our careers, we do always need inspiration. Recently, I've been interested in the history of the big brands more than ever, the colour design of their collections, the approach of their creative directors and their personal inspirations. I find myself becoming more and more inspired by art - I am pleased to see Monet's impressions, Renoir's watercolours, the hidden details in the paintings of Pavel Mihov - my favourite Bulgarian artist.
Unfortunately these days we are all in a hurry. We are in a hurry to learn, but in the fastest way possible, we are in a hurry to show off, then to show just anything, then we quickly forget it and chase after the next quick "success" while counting “likes” on social media. And I do enjoy the “likes” as well, I must admit.
In the era of Youtube and Instagram, it seems as though we are rarely left with time and eyes to read a little, to give ourselves a visual information on another level. We are so addicted and exposed…
Here is a little salvation :)
Dior
The Art of Color
This exquisite book is for anyone who loves visual art - makeup, fashion, photography… When you open it, you get that intimate feeling - as if you are about to learn a deeply held secret. You get to meet the creative power of Serge Lutens, Tyen and Peter Philips, the three geniuses of the evolution of Dior cosmetics, captured by themselves and by eternal photographers such as Irving Penn, Guy Bourdin and Richard Burbridge. In addition to the stories and the iconic images, there are also personal interviews with the three visionaries. This book is like a gift that I can open again and again, with the same excitement and respect.
Face Paint
The Story of Makeup by Lisa Eldridge
Lisa Eldridge is one of the most renowned makeup artists in the industry and current creative director at Lancome. The list of celebrities who trust her is endless - Isabella Rossellini, Kate Winslet, Dua Lipa, Cara Delevingne, Keira Knightley… She has worked with great photographers like Peter Lindberg, Mert & Marcus, Solve Sundsbo, Patrick Demarchelier… The enormous amount of work spread between the beautiful covers will reveal to you a collection of true vintage makeup finds. Moreover, it will tell you precious ancient stories about women's culture and power throughout the ages as well as how they have expressed themselves through makeup.
Tim Walker is not just a photographer, he is a creator. He tells fairy tales through his "paintings"and you cannot mistake his powerful creativity and style. It is as if you have entered his world and watch his dreams one by one down to the last detail. I am sure that every makeup artist would be inspired by the magic in his photographs. Tim Walker says that you can take photos yourself, but if you want to create characters and tell stories, you need to collaborate with people who can find the essence of your concept.
One of those people is the make up artist- Val Garland, who shares that working with Tim is like going on a journey. Anyone who wants to call themselves a professional makeup artist should know her name and recognize her work. Her portfolio has cosmic proportions. She is the current Global Makeup Director for L'Oreal Paris, the British Vogue Contributing Beauty Editor, with 30 years of experience in the industry, countless covers of VOGUE and of every other major magazine, collaborations with Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood, Nick Knight, Lady Gaga, Julianne Moore, Kate Moss … Her book shows the art of an award-winning artist who does not follow the rules and interprets beauty without restrictions and limitations. You will enjoy a lot of backstage footage and discover unsuspected techniques and textures.
Validated
Val Garland
Don’t you wish to reward yourself with such a book? I am “hungry” for so many more collectable editions. They absolutely boost my energy and desire for work, and I cannot wait!
“Creativity is contagious, pass it on” - Albert Einstein
Photography by Georgi Andinov | Art Direction by Alina Manova