Evaluation report

The aim of this project was to create a portfolio book showing make-up artist skills through visual storytelling. The reason why I chose this project is because presented the artist's unique style, while also displaying the technical skills and techniques that any capable MUA should have. The reader will step into the fantasy world through the make-up and hairstyle and our unfulfilled dreams.

This book is not only for people that want to learn about makeup artist tips but also for potential future employers. Living the Dream, it’s a collection of photography’s that display a makeup artist's best work, this was my first objective.  After a long research, my plans changed as for makeup and wigs. My story was based on a ballerina from her innocence to a rising star. Why did I choose a ballerina? Because looking at many ballerina books always associated me with artistic beauty, innocence, with grace and delicate movements of the body. I want to run this project because I love ballet. Besides, the book will always remain as a memorial after my studies to show to the next generations. As a makeup artist is easier to create visuals to show emotions through make-up and styling, making something truly extraordinary. I wanted to go beyond something more than just a book, something that was like a legacy that would be appreciated and passed on makeup lovers.  It is often said that nothing else matters but the story. Through ballerina, I not only wanted to show my makeup skills but also through many photo shoots and the appropriate light of the exquisite beauty.

The aim of this evaluation is summarising my work, or whether the objective that I set up was fully achieved.

 My project consisted of three acts - creating 3 ballerina’s character called White Angel, Black Swan and Primadonna. White Angel is a makeup of an innocent ballerina who is just starting out as a dancer. The makeup I chose for this character is a fantastic creation that would look like a clean sheet that would prove delicate and pure. The costume I chose for the white angel was a typical ballet suit, a tutu dress and a white lace body and orange ballet pointe shoes. As for the hairstyle, I made curly hair that strengthened the delicate features of the model's face. I added a white theatrical mask that gave the model a sense of mystery. The background I chose for the photos was natural in flesh and black. The session consisted of a series of faces and hands only. My next character is Black Swan. I saw many different versions of this ballet character. My Black Swan is a typical rebellion, who fights with destiny. Therefore, the makeup I chose was a classic black smoky eye, nude lips with highlighted contours of the face. For the costume, I chose black mesh body and black tutu dress as a sign of rebellion. In this session, I used honeycomb lights to get more dramatic pictures. The hairstyle was meant to remind the swan's head.

My third character is Primadonna. Ballerina, who has gained the star status after life's ups and downs. That's why I determined the classic chignon and makeup that emphasised the beauty of the ballerina. Classic black eyeliner and eye embellished with silver zirconia combined by a hair in a flower embossed to symbolise romance.

My proposal project was completely different from the one planned in a first place. While makeup artists create very simple portfolio books, Living the Dream had to introduce the viewer into the world of fantasy and magic.  As a makeup artist, my ambition was to bring new standards in trying to achieve unparalleled perfection coupled with ingenuity by balancing ideas through art, nature and science. The visual elements that make up the story, are just as important as the story itself- and would be a combination of the importance of what to show and how to show it, by making a different outcome if those aspects change. From the beginning, I had the intention of creating 5 fantastic characters using a wig. My project should resemble Kirsty Mitchell's "Wonderland" collections of photos in which I was going to use different outfits. But later, in my mind grew the idea of creating a ballerina story. Because I am passionate about ballet, I wanted to create a story of a prima ballerina which is characterised by impeccable technique, stage discipline, great charisma and extraordinary personality. "Ballerina" should be a unique, real look from the centre to the ruthless, full of the competition of the professional ballet world, and at the same time a moving story about a woman who danced her dreams, inspired by the ugly duck to the beautiful swan.

By creating a storyboard my intentions about makeup and hairstyles were completely different. I wanted to use the wigs for this project, but before I even started my photo shoot, my plans changed. Because of my personal circumstances having a baby, I did not have the desire and the time planned therefore I create a character.

From the beginning my project started in the wrong direction, the intentions which I planned in the proposal to the end did not come out. Starting on the financial reasons that exceeded my expectations being unaffordable. The wigs and costumes for the ballerina were too expensive, the prices were high, and the option of hiring a professional photo studio was higher than my expectations. Important to mention the extra thing for a photo session, so most of my pictures were taken in the studio at the University. When doing makeup, I like to work in silence and without haste of looking where the make-up products are and having to keep some of them in hand because I could not reach them.  Unfortunately, the photographic studios were very often overcrowded with students. To take images I wanted to use ladders, vintage chairs as well as smoke to get the best out of the model. Unfortunately, it also failed due to expenses and limited time of the photo session. For such a photo session, it would be good to work with a team, unluckily no one wanted to collaborate on the project.

I am very happy with the model; she did her work perfectly and devoted herself to 100%. The biggest problem was also for me to retouch the photos, my knowledge on this subject is basic, although retouched photos do not look as it should and it took me a lot of time. Because these were photos for the book, they had to look perfect. Professional photo retouching cost me extra money that was worth it. The assumption to my proposal was the earlier design of a book to know the quality of paper, unfortunately, was no time, so when I designed my main portfolio I was not sure about the quality. The design was very easy although it took me a few hours to polish the layout for the images. However, the blurb printer does not disappoint its customers. The book passed my wildest expectations, the quality of the paper and book binding is high quality.

In summary, my project was successful at 80%. What have I achieved? Despite the change of project and insufficient funds to purchase the required membership for the session, I have partially fulfilled part of my plan. My portfolio might be simple, but it will affect ballerina stories to a certain extent. This project taught me that if something is planned I should go to the whole body or mind and I must be where I should be. I think under the influence of pressure I can think creatively. What I am aware of, is how important it is to work in a team so that everything goes smoothly and professionally. If I had to do such a project again, I would devote more time to practice the makeup, hairstyles and styling. Above all, I would create a team to help and collect the necessary items for a photo shoot session. For this project, would be good to have 2 photographers to have the option of taking pictures from a different angle.

The best part of my project was an outdoor photo shoot where the weather was sunny and warm. My job was a small patch of makeup and fun with a reflector and above all the crowds of people who paid attention to us. I feel like this project was for a famous magazine. A moment of disappointment was when I could not afford to buy a beautiful ballet tutu dress for the final Primadonna act. The summary of this project taught me that you need to critically approach your work because that way you can achieve more. And before anything else never give up what would be the opposite of fate.