Backstage with Swati Verma – join me for a day at work!

Many people ask me what it is like to be a makeup artist, and today I thought I’d bring you backstage with me. To get a glimpse of my daily work. As a makeup artist, you mostly do not have regular work hours from 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. Instead, as many functions, weddings and other events, like fashion shows, take place either during the weekend or in the evening, this is also when I work.

My big focus is bridal makeup, which is also something that I absolutely love to do. It is an amazing feeling to have the privilege of dolling somebody up on the biggest day of her life. Included in a wedding is usually also doing makeup on, for instance, the bridesmaids and the mother of the bride, which is done either by me or by one of my amazing team members, depending on what is agreed on with the client.

I would say that one of the absolute best parts of my job is to see the smile on a bride’s face when she looks herself in the mirror after the makeup is done. It is also a lot of fun to work with so many different people from all over the world and to see how they open up to me in the studio, despite the fact that I am often a complete stranger to them before.

The connection between me and the client is a very important one. If I do not get to know them properly and they are comfortable with me, it will be difficult to fully understand their taste. And at the end of the day, the makeup may not become exactly what they wanted. But mostly the two of us click rather quickly and it soon feels like we know each other from way back. Which is a lovely way of working: spending time with a “friend” and at the same time doing something that I love – makeup.

Many of my clients give me free hands with their makeup, and just have a few references that they want me to have in mind. To me, this is the best way of working, as I can then use my skills and experience to create makeup that really suits the bride to be, for instance. Sometimes though, the client may have seen a look on a celebrity or a friend and wants me to create exactly the same on her, although this is not a very good match. In this kind of situation, which is a challenging one, my job is to find a way to give the client what she wants but at the same time create a look that really suits her. Often, we are able to compromise in some way, when I tell her my thoughts on her suggestion, and explain why that particular makeup may not work for her looks.

To me, the key to great makeup is not to change a person’s visage, but to enhance her natural beauty and to focus on her best features. Before I begin to work, I always look at the whole entity: the person, her colors, the occasion, the outfit and also the client’s own expectations.

I then commence with a flawless, glowing base and from there on use techniques like contouring and highlighting to achieve a beautifully sculpted face. Another very important part of the look is the eyes, where I put a lot of love and effort to give them the right amount of expression and impact. And with this kind of makeup as a start, you are usually already headed for success. It does not have to be more complicated than that.

Are you having a big day ahead? A wedding, a celebration or perhaps an important party? I would love to help you make the most of your looks for that occasion! Click here to make a booking now. Or check out some inspirational example looks from my portfolio by following this link. Looking forward to having you!

FAQs:

What kind of clients do you usually work with?

My big focus is bridal makeup, which is also something that I feel very passionate about. Included in a wedding is usually also doing makeup on, for instance, the bridesmaids and the mother of the bride. Besides weddings, I also work with fashion shows and other functions and events, in Delhi and globally.

What is the best part of being a makeup artist?

I would say that is to see the smile on a bride’s face when she looks herself in the mirror after the makeup is done. I also really enjoy working with so many different people from all over the world and to see how we are able to connect in the studio. That way my work is all about spending time with a “friend” and at the same time doing something that I love – makeup.

And the most challenging part?

Sometimes, the client may have seen a look on someone else, like a friend or a celebrity, and wants me to recreate it on her, although it is not the right one for her features or colors. This can be quite a challenging situation, where I must find a way to give the client what she wants but at the same time create a look that suits her well.

How important is the connection between you and your client for the final result?

It is very important to have a good connection with the client. If I don’t get to know her properly, it will be more difficult to grasp her taste and the final result may not be exactly what she wanted. Most of the time though, we click rather quickly and many clients give me entirely free hands with their makeup, which to me is the best way of working, as I can then use my skills to develop a look that really fits.

What is the key to great makeup, according to you?

For me, it is always important not to change a person’s face, but rather to enhance their natural beauty and focus on the best features. One key element is to have a flawless, glowing base, and I also put a lot of love and effort into the eyes, to give them the right level of intensity and impact.

Swati x

PS: did you like the looks above? Are they not gorgeous, my loving clients! Click here to get to my portfolio, where you can find lots more inspiration! Or, why wait? Follow this link to make a booking straightway.