You love doing makeup, so much that you wish you had a career based on it? In that case, you’ll most likely enjoy reading this post as we take a look at the work-profile of a makeup artist.
These are the people who’re responsible for making the stars look their best; they are the ones who know how to cover up the flaws and enhance the positives.
Checkout how our Bollywood babes look without any makeup.
Now just because the make-up artists work in Bollywood and are closer to the stars, you would imagine that there lives would be bed of roses. But that’s not totally true.
Lets have a closer look at their working environment.
Perks of the Job
For the top makeup artists, the money can be good, and you get to travel with the stars.
“A celeb make-up artist charges anywhere between Rs. 25,000- Rs. 1 lakh per day for a film shoot (which could be a contract for 20-60 days). And the make-up charges for a public appearance, a commercial or a magazine shoot could be Rs. 15,000- Rs. 50,000. Some may charge higher, though,” informs the manager of an A-list female actor. “Even if it’s for a film promotion, the actor likes their own make-up artist and hairstylist. So, the staff gets to travel with the stars and stay in the same luxury hotels. Some also get business class tickets,” reveals an insider.
Friends with Stars
Once the Bollywood stars love your work, they become your friends and they’ll listen to your views & even gossips.
Remember the scene from Heroine (2012) where Kareena Kapoor Khan’s make-up artist who gives her gossip about Mugdha Godse’s character’s age? Yes, a make-up artist knows almost everything about his or her celebrity clients. “We generally end up becoming friends with most of our clients. In fact, I have worked with many former beauty pageant winners, and many of them are A-list Bollywood actors today. We kind of grew up together, so we are still friendly,” shares make-up artist Vidya Tikari. Another make-up artist, Soniya Chandola adds, “The actors become comfortable with us that they insist on travelling with us. So, we know a lot about them.” As a result of this comfort level, they know all about the stars’ secrets and the latest developments in their lives.
Read: Make-up artists get opportunities to experiment and push their limits.
The Challenges
As said earlier, not everything about the job is cool.
“We have crazy work hours and pressure,” says a celeb make-up artist, adding, “At times, you also have to deal with a cranky star who walks in on the set right out of a party with puffy eyes. But we have to make them look like a million bucks.” There are also competitors who try to sabotage your work. “Once, I was told the dates have been changed. So I was dropped from the shoot, but I later learned that someone else gave the in-charge a commission and that’s why I was replaced. We also have to upgrade our skills and stay updated regarding the latest technology,” adds the make-up artist.
From the Horse’s Mouth
We talk to celebrity hair and make-up artist Ojas Rajani who is among the top artistes in Bollywood. She has an impressive list of clients to her credit, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Rajinikanth and Sonam Kapoor, to get an idea of her work. “I have a crazy work schedule. Sometimes, I do back-to-back film shoots, commercials and magazine covers. I travel with the stars for weddings and other events,” she says.
She not only makes sure she’s paid well, but also makes sure she’s treated well.
She claims that she only flies business class. “I ask clients for a business class ticket for myself and an economy one for my assistant, as well as two separate rooms,” she says. Ojas has been in the industry long enough to know who has taken Botox shots or needs to hide a birthmark with make-up, but she doesn’t “kiss and tell”. “It’ll be unethical of me to talk about it, but I do know them closely,” she says.
But Rajani admits that some respect her work so much that they are willing to pay for her services from their own pocket. “I was doing Sophie Choudry’s make-up in a film, but the production house said that they could pay only half my fee. Sophie paid the rest from her own pocket. Others should learn from her,” she adds.
Its Not Just About The Face
There is nothing that a bit of foundation and lipstick can’t fix. While male actors have to wear foundation, an under-eye cream and a concealer, female actors are caked in foundation. It’s applied on every visible part of their body — from their legs and cleavage to the waist — even their face has to match the body. And there’s more. For instance, in Dhoom:2, Aishwarya Rai Bhachchan had to wear a bronzer on her entire body for the tan look. And while playing special characters, they even have to don prosthetics.
Source: hindustantimes.com
