InspirOgirl: Melli

I want to be Melissa Dempster.

Not only does she get to play with make-up EVERY day, her career as a makeup artist in the film and television industry has lead her to looking after allsorts of Australian and International celeb-types from the yumsville Hugh Jackman to the cast of the Lord of the Rings.

As if that wasn’t coolio enough, Melissa has now developed and created her own makeup brand, Melli Cosmetics. Created originally for makeup artists, Melli Cosmetics is quickly becoming a cult Pro Makeup range for makeup addicts, artists and celebrities all over Australia and worldwide….

You want to be her too, right?

What is it you do exactly, Mel?
I work as a makeup artist in the TV Industry. My job is to create a look for the on air talent, touch them up in commercial breaks if they are filming live.We also make sure they are comfortable and we learn how to be good listeners and therapists!

You’ve got a totally glamazonian job - we’re envy greenz - is this something you’ve always wanted to do and how did you make it happen?
I think it was when I was seven years old and first saw the film The Wizard of Oz. I thought “I want to be able to do that!” Admittedly, there isn’t a lot of ‘character’ work in TV, but when I do film work it does still come into play. Then, over the years I just kept envisioning it in my dreams. Me as a makeup artist working with celebrities on TV and film sets. My mum tried to turn me off it. I think she thought it was such a hard industry to get into. Which it is, but if you want something bad enough it will happen. So, I pictured it then went ahead and made it happen.

I worked part time while I studied at a makeup college that specialised in TV and Film makeup. Then I went on to do quite a few years of work experience on theatre shows and low-budget films. This got my speed up as a makeup artist and fine tuned my work. You really learn more when you are out on the job. And with makeup, you are forever learning and trying new things because it’s an art form. On one of my work experience gigs, I met a producer who ‘knew someone’ at a TV network. I didn’t start off doing talent straight away. I started on guests, made lots of coffee and washed lots of makeup sponges - but it was the beginning!

You’ve created your own product range too - so awesome - tell us all about it!
I was forever mixing colours to create the perfect look as quite often a colour I needed wasn’t available in other ranges. I also have a specific look that I am known for, and there were no ranges that could give that look on their own, so it wasn’t something that was a ‘lightbulb’ moment but more a gradual realisation that this was what I was going to do. Melli cosmetics is a professional range that also performs in every day life to make all girls feel like a celebrity. Beautiful fresh colours that make you glow.

We have a lot of celebrities who have fallen in love with the range. I recently received a letter from the X-Factor’s Danni Minogue saying she couldn’t wait to try the whole range! We have an online store at: www.mellicosmetics.com and have stockists across Australia and New Zealand.

We love make-up, why do you think it’s so important to feeling good about ourselves as girls?
Beauty is also about how we feel inside and what sort of person we are. I do believe though that self-confidence plays a huge part in this. Its amazing when I work on a girl that isn’t so confident and when I have made her skin glow, her eyes sparkle and her lips shine, she feels like she can take over the world!

Makeup is a tool in this. The rest is up to us

What do you wish you’d known as a teen girl about make-up?
Oh….I dont even have to think about this one. I wish someone could have shown me how to properly conceal pimples! I had a bad acne problem in high school. If i had the right concealer and had someone to show me how to apply it, my teen years would have been slightly better.

I also wish I could have been able to do great ‘eyes’. I loved eye makeup but was never sure where to apply it.
What do you love most about your job?
Making people happy. Making people feel good about themselves before they go on camera especially if they are extremely nervous. Attending cool after parties. Working on film premieres such as the Lord of the Rings. Spending a week with Hugh jackman on set..Sigh…

What makes you jump-in-the-air-happy?
Being in love…..

Speed round: What’s your favourite?
Colour: Pink in all its glorious shades. Is there any other colour?
Hang-out: Breakfast at a Terrigal Beach cafe
Magazine: In Style
Food: Chocolate, Tiramisu and a Lamb Roast Dinner ( not necessarily in that order)
Phrase: “It’s a brush, not a wand”

What’s your motto for life?
Dance like no one is watching, Love like you’ll never be hurt, Sing like no one is listening, Live like it’s heaven on earth.

What is your secret to success?
Never giving up. Staying postive being happy and staying true to myself.

What advice would you give would-be make-up artists?
If you really want it bad enough, never ever give up. If you get a no, just knock on another door. Follow up all resumes (CV) you send out (when sending out resumes/CV always make them stand out by placing them in huge colourful envelopes, they receive so many that you want to make sure yours is opened!). Never stop practicing your skills. Do everyone’s makeup from your neighbour to your granny, take lots of pictures so you can see how you have improved (you are always you own best critic) Believe in yourself!

To find out more about the fabulous Melissa and her range of cosmetics, hit up: www.mellicosmetics.com