Models: Autumn Young, Leslie Gladney, Emily Perkins
Thanks to photography by Refraction Group
Getting the Look
The ways in which geek and pop-culture fans express themselves has definitely traversed many spaces in the last decade. Far from the shy shut-ins of yore, fashion forward thinking fans now show off their uniquely enhanced looks at cons, theme parks, and walking (or strutting!) among us in daily life.
This past week, the birds here at TeeFury flew over to the Cinema Makeup School with a team-up that brought together two unique aspects of the creative arts– apparel design and makeup. Highlighting some of our most fashionably geeky offerings, the artists used their wizardry with the makeup brush to elevate these styles. Check out these t-shirts, leggings, and skirts in our growing Halloween Collection themed to “Dress It Up!” available here.
In our first interview, we get the 411 on what this school is all about, and in the second, we hear from one of the artists who worked on the looks, Sarah Pacheco.
TF: Please tell us a bit about what the Cinema Makeup School is all about.
Cinema Makeup School, Hollywood’s professional makeup school, is dedicated to educating the next generation of makeup artists for the film, television, fashion and entertainment industries.
We aim to provide students with all of the skills needed to succeed as makeup artists and to give them a solid foundation for any job they seek. We teach a full range of beauty and special effects makeup from sculpting and molding all the way through application.
TF: How has makeup in the entertainment industry changed over the last decade?
With the invention of High Definition, makeup has been forced to improve in its realism. Every minute detail can be picked up on camera now so the design and application must be flawless. The rise of digital film making and relative low cost of cameras has also created a huge demand for skilled makeup artists as there are more films than ever being made.
TF: What are the most exciting ways the school has expanded over this time?
CMS is continually growing and changing with the entertainment industry. CMS instructors are working professional makeup artists who continually bring back their knowledge from on-set to share with students. By hiring working makeup artists, many of whom are Emmy and Academy Award winners, CMS is able to continually update our curriculum to match the industry changes.
TF: What are some benefits to being in an entertainment capital location?
Being in the heart of Hollywood allows our students to jump start their careers while attending school. CMS is literally minutes away from several major studios and production houses giving students the opportunity to work while in school. Our location allows us to grow and maintain our relationship with the entertainment industry thereby providing students with valuable inside connections.
TF: Are there some lesser known avenues where makeup can elevates a look?
Audiences often underestimate the complexity of makeup that goes into something as simple as a cut on the cheek. Realist makeup changes such as making an actor age ten or twenty years require an incredible amount of detail to flawlessly blend the actors face with the makeup or prosthetic. These changes often go unnoticed especially when compared to the large prosthetic pieces required to turn an actor into a monster or alien.
TF: Where can people find more info?
Prospective students can find all the information they need at www.cinemamakeup.com or by sending an email to info@cinemamakeup.com. They can also check out our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter page to see the latest amazing work our students and alumni are doing.
Thanks so much!
For a peek at some behind-the-scenes check out this snazzy video and photos below too.
Now for a few words from artist Sarah Pacheco who worked on some of the looks for this shoot:
When did you first get involved with makeup or start seriously considering it as a career?
I’ve had a passion for makeup since I was 7 and discovered my mom’s Cover Girl!! My friends and family have always known me as a makeup lover but it wasn’t until 2012 that I stumbled upon it as a career.
I reached out to one of my favorite companies, MAC Cosmetics with no formal makeup training or experience and to my surprise they hired me!! I worked for MAC for 2 years, gaining knowledge of products, application techniques, makeup tricks and trends and after numerous makeup applications found myself wanting to learn more about makeup and its other outlets.
I began researching the industry and schools, eventually I decided to attend CMS, one of the best makeup schools out there to gain more professional and industry training to take my beauty makeup to the next level by expanding into special effects.
What is your favorite look/genre you enjoy working in?
Believe it or not creating a natural beauty look is my favorite!!! It’s harder then it appears. Less is always more but the techniques applied in keeping more makeup looking natural can be a challenge…I do love challenges!
I’d have to say my second favorite is creating creatures. It’s really amazing how we can start with a basic human figure and end up with a complete character through proper placements of shadows and highlight to change a persons facial features and shape.
What products in your kit did you find most useful for these looks?
I absolutely love MAC products! They are highly pigmented and have a long wear time. Match master foundation is a must in my makeup kit as each shade has the ability to adjust a shade up and a shade down! This allowing you a larger variety of shade at a cost effective price! If using this foundation for personal use, you can spend the day soaking up the sun and not have to worry about rushing out and purchasing a new foundation to match! I can defiantly say this is my secret weapon.
If building a more theatrical creature I love to use Makeup For Ever Flash Palette! The colors are so creamy and long lasting and very easy to apply to a large area still giving you full coverage!
Was there a favorite makeup to do among these designs? The most challenging?
Every makeup I do has a place in my heart but as I am expanding my work to characters and special effects I find myself learning more and being more challenged in my work when building a creature. Step by step, layer by layer it all falls into place. The challenging part is figuring out what move to make next as you’re building up your design. I’ve learned confidence is key– after all it’s your artwork so there is no right nor wrong in your design!
My silver robot (Android Leggings) was my challenge in the TeeFury shoot! I utilized the leggings my model had to to mimic the wire designs into her makeup. Sometimes random things can inspire your creativity.
Our shirt designers nearly always work in 2-D. Do you find it easier to work from a sketch or jump right on to your human canvas?
Good question!! I’m actually a horrible artist on paper but give me a canvas to paint or a face/body and my work comes alive!!
How can people keep up with more of your work?
Follow me on Instagram Sassysara84. I post current work frequently as well and fun images or my crazy life!
I love sharing and soon will have my webpage up with makeup tutorials to help you all become amazing makeup artist from home!!
Thanks so much to Sarah and all of the fine artists who contributed these amazing looks. We were thrilled to see our designs shown off with such style!