The stars of BBC’s Glow Up (a television competition to find new makeup artists, where contestants get to display their creative talents by creating original and distinctive makeup looks) visited Bradford College last week to celebrate the release of the series’ latest season and to meet their excited young fans. This latest outreach event is part of BBC’s effort to engage the community ahead of Bradford being named the UK’s City of Culture next year.
Val Garland, global makeup director of L’Oréal Paris and the series’ longstanding judge, was eager to share her years of experience with the students. Garland was accompanied by series producer, Leah Caffrey, and Season five contestant, Sarah Agbiji, who led a masterclass on her signature ‘no-bleach bleached brow’ look.
Garland advises: say yes to opportunities
Speaking to a crowd of art students, Garland said: “You’ve got to take baby steps in this industry and say yes to everything. I used to do makeup for newspapers, and me and the hairdresser would have meetings, sweat about what colour the lip was going to be, only for the picture to be the size of a postage stamp. We weren’t even getting any money.”
“The stylist I worked with was doing the styling for a Central Saint Martins graduate’s first London Fashion Week show, and asked me to do the makeup. I told them I’d love to, even though there was no money involved. So we arrive at this little studio, and the hairdresser introduced me to the designer, her friend Lee. And that was when I was first introduced to Alexander McQueen.”
Garland went on to work on Alexander McQueen shows for over a decade, and became a legend of the industry. In addition to McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Lady Gaga are just a few names on her impressive résumé.
Agbiji added: “There’s no job that’s too small. You have to keep working and just stay focused, and it will happen for you. Collaborate with loads of people, you can all chip in and help each other grow.”
The creative magic of makeup artistry
Garland was visibly emotional as she shared her admiration for aspiring makeup artists like the ones in the audience at Bradford College. She said: “Maybe you’d say I’m a mad person, but for me when you’re in the presence of magical artistry, it almost brings tears to my eyes now. I know how hard all you guys work to get a straight line, to make it balanced, or even to go off on the deep end and create something that you’ve never done before.”
“You’ve gotta bring your creative magic and sometimes artists find it hard to open that door. Not everybody will like it, but if you believe in it, then you’ve got a chance at being a successful makeup artist. All you’ve got to have is belief.”
Inspiring students to rise to the challenge
The young makeup students were inspired by their idols, who had stayed behind even after the event had finished to share more advice.
Madison Clyle, 17, said: “I really enjoyed it, it was so surreal! I’ve only just really gotten good at makeup since starting my course, and I’m such a big fan of Val Garland. Just to be in the presence of someone I look up to so much was such a big opportunity. Hearing that she was just working at a newspaper then she met Alexander McQueen really proves that if you put yourself out there, you never know what could happen.”
With many of the show’s previous contestants being self-taught in makeup artistry, the Glow Up stars encouraged the students to apply for the next series.
Hollie Green, 19, said: “I actually hadn’t heard about the show before, but I learned so many new techniques and styles, like the no-bleach bleached eyebrow look. I think I might give applying a go. I won’t be disappointed if I don’t make it, I’d just take it as a lesson and keep working hard.”
The new season of Glow Up is currently underway, with new episodes coming out every Wednesday on BBC iPlayer.
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