Featured Vintage makeup artist and hairstylist Interview with Issidora

My mother allowed me to play with her makeup and slowly, as the years went on, I became rather good at applying it. In high school I was the girl you went to for makeup tips. In the mid-late 1980s majority of my friends were modelling themselves on Madonna and Cindy Lauper. My friend Juliana Boros of Vila Filozofina and I were the only two fru-fru artists that looked different. I was Elizabeth Taylor and she was Janis Joplin. I drew 1950’s eyeliner, cut my fringe (as best as I knew how) as Betty Page and wore chokers, petticoats and ballet pumps and she wore flares, caftans and round sunglasses. Anyone can be transformed to look polished and beautiful and that fascinates me to this day.

Good advice you got from another makeup artist when you started with this job?
I never really ‘started’ as such. Makeup has been a constant part of my life since childhood. I was appointed a head makeup artist at a local TV station age 18 and I juggled that with my career as a news caster and my college obligations. Then I moved to England and continued with my education. I dabbled in jewellery design, got an interior design degree, worked as a voice over but makeup was always there. So I decided to focus solely on that. I practiced tirelessly to perfect my technique, took lessons and my efforts did not go unnoticed because very quickly I was super fortunate to be mentored by one of the greatest makeup artists in the film industry Ms Mary Hillman. She has taught me one incredibly important lesson that has helped me throughout my career. I believe it to be applicable to all professions; Be willing to go the distance. We must believe in ourselves, our talents and persist. I also found “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz invaluable. Beautifully simple and and infinitely challenging when practiced. Be impeccable with your word. Never assume Don’t take things personally and Always do your best.

Imagine what life would be like if everyone lived by those principles.

What is the proper order of applying makeup?
I can only share with you what I think and what my experience has shown me. Many artists have their own way of applying. I guess it is just a matter of personal preference. I first prepare the skin by cleansing and moisturising (visit my BEAUTY page on Moodyer.com for more detailed explanation and suggested products and techniques. Making sure that the skin is hydrated but not greasy, apply a foundation. For those with good skin I avoid the use of primers. The more products you put on your face the bigger chance of them all smudging and fading. If you take good care of your skin and choose good, well matched foundation you should not need primers. Remember! Less is more. I usually use liquid foundation as a base but mineral ones are just as good. If you want your foundation to last all day, set it with a setting powder such as NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder or Laura Mercier’s Secret Brightening Powder, using the biggest brush in your kit. Then apply a blush (I adore Torrid by NARS), a little bit of contour (see my article Contour Drama) and then I set the whole base with a spray water or Caudalie Tonic. Then I shape the eyebrows, apply a base shadow and any other if needed then any kohl/liquid/gel liners then mascara and/or false eyelashes. Finally apply lipstick/balm/lipgloss and voila! All done!

Recently you start to collaborate with great Miranda Vidak & www.moodyer.com. How did that all start?
Miranda and I started our fromance in the early 2000s. We met in Belgrade and hit it off straight away. Neither of us suffer fools gladly so that no-nonsense attitude we both have and nurture, was one of the bonding threads of our friendship. For years we have been supporting each other and looking for a way to work together. I am sure you can imagine that being on different continents presented a bit of a challenge. It is a rare and precious thing when one finds another human being on the similar wave length so when she launched Moodyer.com the pieces of our puzzle fell into place. I am all about skin/hair care and makeup and she is the genius web/graphic and fashion designer. Match made in creative cyber heaven.

You are co – founder of Nina’s Hair Parlour, introduce our readers to it…
Nina Butkovich-Budden and I met on MySpace in 2007. At that time she on her own managed to generate an enormous amount of interest in the British media being the first and only vintage hairstyling/cutting/colouring specialist.  (http://ninashairparlour.com/press/guardian). Nina wanted to work with an equally passionate and experienced period makeup artist and found me. We joined forces in 2008 and opened a salon. For years we were the only ones in Europe to offer genuine period/vintage makeup and hairstyling to the general public. As such we were honoured to have been entered into the Wikipedia which is no small feat. Our work was published in Vogue UK, Vogue Brazil, Vogue Italy, InStyle, Elle, Harpers Bazaar and many more globally recognisable publications. We also regularly work on BBC documentary programs along side of renowned British historian Dr Lucy Worsley. We had the pleasure of working with some of the legends of British music and arts such as Mr Jules Holland , Marc Almond and the legend of Strictly Come Dancing Len Goodman.Late Steve Strange became one of our closest friends after we met on the set of BBC’s Children in Need  charity event. He remains our inspiration to this day.

What is your favourite beauty product?
There are few… cannot live without my tweezers, Algenist oil , loofah and yogurt. For me, these four gems are a top combination for a groomed look. Tweezers to shape eyebrows and tweeze any other unwanted hair, loofah for exfoliating, yogurt to both eat and slap on face as it is an amazing toner and a disinfectant. Finally, Algenist oil to lock in the hydration of water, preserve elasticity and prevent premature chronological ageing.

How to get in touch with you when we need makeup?
You can reach me through Moodyer.com, issidora.com or ninashairparlour.com and all my social media.