Born in Durham, I joined South Tyneside College in 1998 studying beauty therapy and theatrical and specialist makeup. My successes as a makeup artist began in 1999, when I won the AHT National Student Makeup Artist Award, going on to win it again in 2000.
Passionate about make up, I joined Lancôme in 1999 and in 2001 moved to London to work as a makeup artist in Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge, then as Senior Makeup Artist in Selfridges Oxford Street in 2004. In 2003, I was awarded the Lancôme Make-Up Artist of the Year Award and travelled to Paris to train with the infamous Fred Farrugia, a truly awe inspiring makeup magician. In 2005, I was trained in Paris by Gucci Westman, Hollywood’s go-to makeup artist, where I learned high fashion techniques and the art of airbrushing. I was then chosen by Gucci to work in her team at the ‘Lancôme Colour Designs Awards’ that year. I have been trained by Ross Burton, Oprah Winfrey’s personal makeup artist, learning the true art of makeup for black and Asian skins.
I was the official head makeup artist for the BAFTAs for a number of years where I would either be taken to celebrities’ homes or hotels to prepare them for the red carpet or have appointments in our style suites at hotels such as Claridges or The Dorchester. I have perfected the look of effortless elegance and glamour for each of my clients; a list that includes Sienna Miller, Goldie Hawn, Jessica Biel, Diane Kruger, Juliette Binoche, Naomi Harris, Emilia Fox and many other wonderful people over the years.
I have also worked and trained with fellow makeup artists Karim Rahman, Aaron de Mey, Pat McGrath and Lisa Armstrong and alongside hairdressers Nicky Clarke, Andrew Barton, Guido and Charles Worthington. In 2006 I was appointed Lancôme National Makeup Artist and Trainer for the UK, where I was responsible for the training of a range of makeup application and service techniques, from basic to advanced. I also worked closely with the PR team to launch iconic products to the press.
I have designed and created the makeup for various fashion shows including London Fashion Week (Matthew Williamson and Christopher Kane), Central St Martin’s Graduates and Fashion in Motion with the V&A and Central St Martin’s.
After many years of living in London, I returned to my native North East to offer a truly elite makeup artist service. My unparalleled experience over 20 years as a professional makeup artist (and many more before that with friends and family as guinea pigs!) ensures you will receive first class service and outstanding results from the beginning to the end of our time together.
And now, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve opened my first ever makeup studio, right here in the North East! I’ve designed my studio to be like every woman’s dream dressing room - a light, bright and chic space that every woman wants to be in – where you can sit back and relax with a glass of fizz while I create any look you desire. I’m also very excited to tell you that I’m now offering a range of master class workshops where you can learn how to be the master of your own makeup bag!
Over the past 20 years I’ve worked in very high profile, high octane environments and I’ve absolutely loved that, but I’ve realised that what really makes me tick is real make up for real women who want to look and feel amazing in real life.
I am delighted to share some of my favorite moments with you in this website and hope that you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed creating them and maybe one day, you’ll appear on one of my pages too!
