Fashion L'amour

Feature | Make Up Artist | Evelina Mockunaite |

Next time you appreciate a good beauty or fashion picture on instagram, just know that before the shot could be taken, the make up artist was one of the first people to arrive on the day, and they did their magic first, or exactly as requested. If the make up isn’t done, or not done right, that may ruin or delay the whole thing. In other words, they should be appreciated more, as their role is VERY important. This feature is to celebrate all make up artists and just to say – ‘the beauty and fashion industry appreciates you all greatly’.

Featured is Evelina Mockunaite, who was the Head Make-Up Artist at Graduate Fashion Week.

Cover photo by Paul Thompson.

1. Tell us about how Evelina became a make-up artist?

As a creative person my mom always had an inspiring approach to everything, and even though she is not a make-up artist, she taught me the fundamentals of make-up as an application of shadows and lights to emphasise one’s natural beauty. Being 15 I was continuously doing mine and my friends’ make-up with an old Russian brand; 4 colour eyeshadow palette and some other completely random products and a couple of brushes. My friends were actually happy with the results all these times!

My mom suggested we purchase a couple of pallets and over the summer and i started doing make-up for my mom’s friends and soon, their friends too. Keep in mind that I had no product or application knowledge (this as all before Instagram and Huda Beauty Youtube tutorials was still being filmed in her wardrobe) – I would get maximum £3 per look. In a year, my skills developed, clientele grew immensely, and it became my job until I had to leave for university. I loved it, and moreover, I loved seeing women growing their confidence and looking so happy about themselves! At university I did BA International Business Management, as at school I was always focused on economics and business. However, i eventually decided that the course was not for me and i much happier as a make-up artist. I was so fortunate to find Solent University who have a BA (Hons) Make-Up and Hair Design course, which I have just graduated from, and now I am proud to call myself an artist and designer who does make-up and hair!

2. What role would you say make up plays in the fashion industry?

 From Elizabethan to Victorian eras, from 20s’ to 50s’ to now – we see the drastic change of fashion, and make-up has always been a part of that change too. I’d say make-up is an essential part of fashion and they are complementary in their coexistence, hence both industries constantly develop. I see fashion as a way of expressing one-self, either in its personal style or as a catwalk collection. Make-up & hair is essential in completing the look that declares more than it is seen.

3. We see you were ‘Head Make-Up artist’ at Graduate Fashion Week,  what was that experience like?

I’ll repeat what I have said to the team after the week: it was unbelievable, unforgettable. Thankfully, there was a team of 5 Head Make-Up Artists – myself, Lucy Ryan, Lucy Murphy-Ackroyd, Beth Mitcheson and Talitha-Cumi Prinsloo. We led the official GFW make-up artist team of 50 from Solent University. As we all knew each other from earlier – the teamwork was efficient and of extremely professional standard. In all the hustle and bustle I felt so lucky to lead the team and also collaborate with everyone involved, making sure that looks were achieved at the best quality, make-up artists and models are feeling well, and most importantly – that we strictly follow the schedule! Moreover, as Head Make-Up artists we were backstage with designers and their creations – not only did we do final make-up touch-ups for every outfit worn, but also got to see numerous designs, and I can’t explain how inspiring it was. Looking back at the whole backstage experience I see that it did look hectic, but to be honest, I felt like a fish in the water.

4. I imagine there was a lot of very early starts, as the models have to come to you first?

Every day, for 4 days in a row, the whole team was working for around 12 hours in a very fast paced environment, starting as early as 7am. Once make-up artists were ready, models would first approach lead artists, or be approached by us. It was not easy as models have been doing multiple shows, were needed for fittings, or getting their hair done, but make-up artists were very flexible and fast. Shows were allocated through all lead artists, and the team of 50 was split into 3, making sure that everyone gets a break to refresh for working efficiently. It was quite intense, however, we all had such a great time that we did not want it to finish!

5. How much time would you say is sufficient for one face? They do say you can’t rush greatness when it comes to make up.

That is true! In GFW backstage continuous outfit changes was affecting make-up quite dramatically and I had to fix it in less than a minute! My make-up application time for one face varies from 10min to 1.5h. Nonetheless, personally, for beauty make-up sufficient time is about 45min, but it is different depending on the client, as well as the requested look.

6. What’s the best make-up tip to all the ladies (and men) out there?

Before thinking about make-up – think about your skin! Face is your canvas and it’s important to treat it well before and after make-up, and also be aware of which make-up products you’re using, and to have your brushes cleaned regularly!  A lot of make-up artists on social media apply huge quantities of make-up to look picture perfect, which is the key in getting likes and followers. Nonetheless I see a lot of people learning from that and for every-day looks using primer-illuminator-concealer-foundation-cream contour-all the other powders, when all one needs is soft touch of foundation and subtle contour. Take care of your skin and don’t over do it. Although again, that’s a personal preference.

7. Is there a particular brand of make up that you prefer or that’s popular with the models at the minute? Or is that something that is usually determined by the sponsorship you get?

I don’t stick to one brand as I like the variety and diversity of qualities, textures and shades. I feel like Fenty Beauty is quite exclusive as it’s quality goes beyond its price, and I truly appreciate the brand’s policies too. I am developing my kit so that it’d be 100% cruelty free and sustainability of the brand is very important for me too.

8. Tell us something you think would surprise most people about make up and make up artists?

Currently, I don’t think every make-up artist is striving for a perfectly polished Instagram make-up, because a lot of that imagery has Instagram models too. There is nothing wrong with that at all, but I see beauty in every face I look at, and I see how every face could be shown at its best, regardless the features. Moreover, it’d be surprising for people to learn that it is not only make-up products and application that interest make-up artists. I have a lot of interest in literature, visual arts, architecture, photography, music, philosophy, etc., and before I was studying BA (Hons) Make-Up & Hair Design at Solent University, I did International Business Management in The University of Sheffield.

9. What would you say are the highs and lows of your craft?

Hearing my clients saying that they have never felt better about themselves after my services is the highest of highs for me. That combined with the ability to be creative with different facial features and make-up products is where my drive and passion for this comes from. I can’t think of any major lows of being a make-up artist though. It does get tiring after having 5 clients in a row, as I always want to deliver the best customer service, regardless of how focused on detail I am. But I have a break (and a KitKat) and I am ready to carry on again.

10. If you were to have a celebrity make-up artist do your face for one big fancy event who would it be?

PAT MCGRATH. I believe this woman is just as amazing as her work is. As for a make-up artist, she’s definitely my role model and inspiration.

11. Do you have a signature make up look that you usually go for?

For every-day I have two signature looks, which I go for one depending on how I feel like. Usually it’s either smoky black eyeliner or a bold matte lipstick. I normally wear mascara and have my eyebrows naturally filled in, and as for every-day complection I prefer coconut oil, BB cream, some concealer, cream highlighter and matt powder bronzer.

12. What’s net for Evelina?

I am hoping to learn as much as I can about the beauty and fashion industry, work as a make-up artist, or any other editorial fashion and beauty positions and obtain as much knowledge as possible from all these fields. I am also planning to do all this while travelling the world, as I believe there is so many different things to learn about the industry (it’s innovation, technology, sustainability) from country to country. So my first stop will be LA! When I feel like I have seen and learnt enough, I want to go to Australia, and from there I shall see what the future holds. I have big dreams big and aiming got high quality business standards. I see beauty and beautiful people all around me, and I want to use my skills and knowledge to help them see it too.

You can see my work at www.evelinamakeup.com or follow me on @emakeup73

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