Zoë Clark is widely recognised as Ireland's top make-up artist. She has worked for top magazines such as Vogue and has a slew of celebrity clients such as Mariah Carey, Cillian Murphy, Amy Winehouse, Jodie Kidd, Kerry Katona, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Cat Deely. Every the busy bee - she is currently in the process of writing a make-up book and most recently has launched her own make-up artist agency.I caught up with Zoe to discover a little more about her career to date - and discover a few make up tips for the coming season.
Georgina Heffernan: Tell a little about yourself personally and if you attended college or you are a self taught makeup artist?
Zoë Clark: I attended University College London from 1986 to 1990 and have a BSc in Anthropology. When I finished I hadn't a clue what to do! So after working in all kinds of places, for example I did a bit of modelling, I worked as a waitress in The Groucho Club in London and at a post-production film company (and having a lot of fun in the process!) I decided after a bit of great advice from a very good friend to try a career in make-up.
I was lucky that I always had a natural skill in make-up so once I hit upon the idea it all happened quite quickly. I guess I was lucky as make-up artistry as a career wasn't as popular back then! I went and did a 2 week make-up course and after assisting a few people I got a job in MAC in Harvey Nichols which was a great learning experience.
Then my ex-boyfriend Barry McCall, a fashion photographer, talked me into coming to Dublin and I got a position in Make Up For Ever. I worked very hard practicing my make-up on test shoots with Barry at night and luckily one of these shoots was taken as a cover of a leading magazine. I was starting to get noticed and getting freelance work on my own so I launched out in 1995 and haven't looked back since- thank goodness!
GH: Do you think going to school for make-up artistry is important to excel in the business later on?ZC: I think it's a good idea to get as much training as you can at the start. I really didn't have that luxury, and I think I would have been more confident at the beginning if I'd been taught more at a make-up school. But the point is you learn so much when you throw yourself into the deep end and common sense, drive, good people skills and of course natural ability will help you succeed more than anything else. In fact you never stop learning!
GH: Did you always want to be an artist, or did you stumble upon your talent by chance? Who or what inspired you to become a makeup artist?
ZC: I was always naturally good at art at school but my dad encouraged me to go to University. I am glad I went now as it has given me confidence throughout my life as you meet all sorts of people and you need all kinds of skills apart from make-up in this career, but I used to envy the students at Art College. I loved looking through fashion magazines and when I was modelling I was fascinated by the make-up artists and studied what they were doing. My oldest friend, whom I've known from primary school, said I should do it as she could see my natural ability. My response was "Is there really a career in that?", and I think my university friends thought I'd lost the plot when I first went to work behind the counter in a department store, but I'm glad I did it now!
GH: What is your favourite or most exciting aspect about your job?
ZC: I love the variety of my job and I get to meet fantastic people from all walks of life. One day I could be teaching a private lesson or doing a wedding, the next I could be at a TV station doing make-up for a celebrity or on a photo shoot with an international model. Every day brings its own different challenges!
GH: How do you define beauty?
ZV: Sparkling eyes and a happy smile. I gather there's a mathematical drawing which allegedly shows what the dimensions should be of the perfect human face but I think despite one's age everyone is beautiful in their own category (and well-applied make-up sure does help!)
GH: What individual products and brands you're "addicted" to at the moment and you use on a daily basis?ZC: Of course I'd still be a big MAC fan having started out with them. I'd be lost without MAC's Studio Fix (an all-in-one powder foundation) for touching up your foundation. I love Make up For Ever's eye shadows, and Estee Lauder's mascaras, Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream and the list goes on! I'm always picking things up on my travels.
GH: What do you find to be the most common mistakes women make with makeup? What's the worst thing a woman can do to her skin?
ZC: The wrong colour and texture of foundation. Foundation shouldn't be used to give you a tan! It should match the skin tone. Also some can use too much bronzer and they are scared of blusher. Therefore the make-up can appear too orange and dull. You're skin should always look like your own. Also make-up artists as a rule don't use foundation to cover blemishes. Foundation should be used like a varnish and then concealer should be applied to any problem areas afterwards. A lot of girls don't use concealer around their eyes thinking that it will make them appear wrinkly, but if lightly applied the years will slip away. Also women should avoid frosty eye shadows once they develop wrinkles, as the shimmer will only show up the lines more.
GH: What are the differences between applying makeup on models and on real women?
ZC: No difference whatsoever. The only thing is that we're allowed to go a bit mad occasionally on models!
GH: Would you share some of your future goals, your life motto, any words of wisdom that get you by in life and professional career?
ZC: I hope to really to expand Zoe Clark Make-up Agency so that I can have top make-up artists trained by myself based all around the country. Of course, I'd love my own make-up range one day and to have a book or two written giving make-up tips to all age groups. And then I'd like to retire to a picturesque place by the sea with a warmer sunnier climate (no idea where yet!)I suppose my work and life mottos are to strive for perfection in everything I do, to remember that quality is a fashion that never goes out of date, and that you can't have everything, where would you put it?
GH: What tips and advice do you have for aspiring makeup artists just starting out?ZC: Get a good training course and to get as much practice as possible. Try to be determined, to network, and to know you probably are going to be skint for a while but to never lose faith!!
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