We loved talking to | Nigel Stanislaus| international Make-up Artist, Beauty Influencer & ASIA’s Next Top Model Judge:
Hi Nigel, so tell us a bit about yourself and how you started your career in the Beauty industry?
I started out studying fashion at college and then furthered in another major of Graphic design. I hung out at fashion shows regularly and the makeup and hair team started to teach me the ropes. I realised it was easier for me to get a hold on than anything I had ever done before and with that confidence I started assisting and scored my first agent 4 years later.
You have worked with some big name beauty brands including Maybelline New York, what can clients expect when they hire you?
Yes, I have been a beauty expert for the brand for a decade! And it has been a fun ride ! My formative years as a makeup artist have been with them.
I guess after all that experience, people want to see a side of makeup that is relatable and not pretentious.
Luxury or not. It’s about educating, inspiring and encouraging customers and beauty fans to try new looks with new products without the intimidation and all that nonsense, which I think is so old- fashioned.
That’s where I step in. I am the vehicle that joins both.
I truly believe that every person wants to feel beautiful regardless whether they are a movie star, a mother or just Maggie from next door. My mission in beauty does not discriminate.
What advice would you give to an aspiring make up artist?
Makeup is a business, learn how to dress and behave onset. Look professional, act professional.
My advice to give a young artist is to understand that this is a career where you keep learning. Makeup is not about applying that precision lip or flicking the best cat eyeliner. It’s about seeking inspiration from all walks of life. I take inspirations from movies, music, architecture and travelling. When I paint, I paint a character, not a face. What’s she like, is she rich, poor , impatient, tall, curvy , sad, funny? What music does she like etc... and I would create my result on this character.
You are known for your loveable and flamboyant personality on social media, which you credit for your following, as well as your glamourous jet-set lifestyle. What is your favourite travel destination?
Thank you for the kind words.
I love music, people and food. Places where I can taste the culture, meet the people and sway to the music is where I love to be.
Japan has been an amazing eye opener for me, so is Seoul... NYC, which is my ex neighbourhood and my stomping ground. Whenever I visit NYC, I am on a mission... stopping by Ricky’s or lining up at Rubirosa for my favourite pizza, branching at Buvette... the list goes on. There was a stage for years where magazines would ask me , where home is , and it bothered me that I didn’t have one. I don’t regret anything, and you can see that I truly have so much fun and that I am Happy. You have no idea how lucky I feel to live this lifestyle. These days, I have a little toddler niece, and I adore her. I will buy her something from every city I visit and it makes both of us so happy.
What beauty trends do you love and what trends do you hate right now?
I always love beautifully plumped, glowing skin. Nothing beats skin that looks like happiness, radiance and love.
I can’t figure out why people don’t invest in skincare, but instead choose to camouflage and bake their makeup on everyday, covering their identity and suddenly everyone looks like a Kardashian- bot. I mean they have their signature look going on, that’s their brand... and it’s great ...but the normal girls don’t have bright lights and cameras on them all day.
Do you think the rise in popularity of the beauty industry and influencer is a good thing for professional makeup artists?
I feel like like I was in the last batch of old school makeup artists that was traditionally trained before the digital boom. I used to walk around the block with a leather portfolio that weighed a fucking ton. These days, clients know their artist even before they arrive because it’s all online and it’s so much better.
A lot of pro artists are freaking out because the weekend beauty hobbyist are now getting a lot of attention and bookings, which would be traditionally theirs gigs.
However I think the conversation in beauty has changed. Makeup artists need to be artists and performers now. Everyone is claiming to do a masterclass and everyone is claiming they are the ultimate truth but sadly there is no authority to police such things.
Also painting your own face , like home bloggers, versus painting a models face on a booked job is totally different. It’s like a home cook versus Gordon Ramsey.
What do you love about hair makeup?
The quick transformation. A quick swipe of a red lipstick can transform a virgin into a vixen in under two seconds flat. That’s the fantasy that amazes me and I get to create a story every time I pick up a brush and paint.
When I was younger I did extreme stage makeup for drag queens, so now I feel my makeup style is as varied as Mariah Carey’s vocal range.
You can do both hair styling and makeup, which is important for clients. Do you prefer creating the overall look, or would you prefer to focus on make-up?
I started in a catalogue town where the artist has to be dual-skilled. I also learned very early on that if the budget comes down to one air ticket outta here and needs someone that does hair makeup and nails... I would get the job, and I do..
Of course on a huge job, a separate hair and makeup artist is preferred and yes, I usually get put on the head of the makeup team.
What ARE your favourite celebritY MAKEUP looks ?
I love Ann Hathaway who exudes the doll-like sweetheart look.
Emily Blunt, just because she is fucking gorgeous.
And Eva Green is my ULTIMATE villainess smudged eye sensation with a side of whiskey on the rocks.
Who and what inspires you?
Culture and heritage inspires me. I love to study and understand people and their background and what resources they have. I love to know what they considered was beautiful in imperial China versus England in the 16th century... or why Elizabeth the first had to paint her face all white to show she was the vision of GOD which was higher than any man or king ...also, how Makeup was considered vulgar until the early 20’s... I do have a curious mind.
What, in your opinion, is the most important quality in a Makeup Artist
A curious mind. If you can imagine it, you can become it ... and hygiene.
How do you stay on top of the latest beauty trends?
Beauty trends are so bi polar at the moment.
There is a wave of the grunge minimalist, which only the chic and elite would pay attention to, and then there is the hyper-contoured warpaint look that 80% of the mass of the modern world aspire to be. So really, there is a lot of subculture ... and I don’t like to execute ‘trends’ I much prefer genre. It’s like saying , I’m cooking fried chicken for 6 months because it’s trendy.
What area of the makeup industry is your favourite and why?
I love editorial, runway and fashion advertising. It’s the easiest to me as I understand it well and it’s pretty much the only time the client wants me to create beautiful looks. As compared to a regular non- fashion campaign that the producer couldn’t care less if the brows were shaped properly or not.
So the level of technique can be extremely different in expectations .
What is the most memorable experience you had on set?
Once when I almost pushed Naomi Campbell onto her knees backstage, but grabbed her waist just in time so she wouldn’t fall. She turned and looked at me, she smelled amazing and so incredibly beautiful, like an exotic creature of beauty.
The other time when I was backstage at Marc Jacobs and reversed stepped into Lady Gaga who was sitting down getting her hair done for the show. She is so tiny and so heaven. I immediately apologised to mother monster and backed away like an obedient student.
What are your tips for maintaining a good appearance?
Try to maintain good clear skin, good teet, bright eyes.
I love a strong ascorbic acid before bedtime and a spectacular sunscreen for day time.
Eyedrops are great !
What are the common mistakes you see people making with their makeup?
That people think fashion makeup is trying to apply all 768 makeup techniques all in one go. Find the balance and more is not more beautiful but more chances to make mistakes.
WHAT are some of your favourite hair and makeup products?
I love using Sachajuan Sea salt Spray,
Khlorane hair shampoo
Alfaparf working hairspray
Bumble and bumble brilliantine
Morocon oil original formula
What makes you unique to other makeup artists?
I feel like I approach a brief like a detective, I ask a lot of questions about this ‘woman’ I am about to create and then I place the makeup technique in. It’s like a chef that checks out the best ingredients before deciding on the menu.
As a man do you think it is harder to establish yourself in the industry than a woman and why?
Not at all! I had it so easy-so lucky and I have always been seen as the darling ... hahah how well have I deceived everybody ?!
Only once in two decades did the client want a woman artist and another time when a client didn’t book me based on the fact that I had 8k less followers on Instagram . Hahah it’s so crazy, I just laughed it off and carry on with my day.
What are you doing right now?
I’m on a month long resort campaign, creating beautiful images at amazing locations around Australia while filming an audition tape for a global heritage luxury brand that is looking for a brand ambassador as we speak. Can’t reveal anything at the moment - embargoed!
What are you doing next?
I’ll be jumping on a plane 12 hours later from the wrap of this current campaign in three weeks to fly to LA for a few days for a fashion campaign shoot then back to Melbourne again. I’m not sure if I have to head to Malaysia to work with a music label as we speak, but no one knows of any movements until the week before. Yes, no rest for the wicked. Before we know it , it’s Christmas ...
it’s like Eat sleep, work, Christmas and repeat.
Nigel Stanislaus Makeup Artist
FB/ Twitter/Instagram:@nigelstanislaus