Shella Martin 2019 Makeup Artist of the Year Interview

Shella Martin announced as THE MAGAP 2019 Makeup Artist of the Year

Makeup artists across Australia gathered together at the annual Makeup Artist Guild Asia Pacific (MAGAP) awards, where Shella Martin was announced as the 2019 Makeup Artist of the Year. Created by industry innovator, Melanie Burnicle, the MAGAP awards were launched in 2018 to be the premier awards platform specifically designed for the makeup industry.

2019 Makeup Artist of the Year, Shella Martin, says, "My journey started as a little girl collecting hundreds of magazine cut outs of make up images and continues with yesterday's honour of being awarded five Makeup Artist Guild awards.

"Although I constantly strive to innovate and learn, in this world we stand on the shoulders of all those who have supported us - including my fellow nominees, family, friends and industry partners," said Shella.

Melanie Burnicle, Founder and Director of the MAGAP, who will herself be heading to the prestigious Stevie Awards in NYC this month where she is a finalise for both the Global and Asia, Australian and New Zealand Entrepreneur of the Year express the importance of recognition, "I am so passionate about our industry and I felt there was a need for a sense of community and unity amongst artists, so what better way than to get us all together to hold an awards night and celebrate our country's finest talent."

Winning Makeup Artist of the Year isn't a simple feat. To be selected as a finalist to take out the overall award, each makeup artist needed to be named a finalist in three categories. Then, all finalists were independently assessed by an international judging panel made up of international superstars, global agents, artists, creatives and industry figureheads.

Featuring a total of 70 finalists across the 24 categories, the 2019 MAGAP award winners list includes:

STUDENT MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR – TAYLOR DE GRUCHY
MAKEUP DIRECTION TVC / MUSIC VIDEO - SHELLA MARTIN
EVENT & BRIDAL MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR – SARAH LAIDLAW
CREATIVE MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR – CHEREINE WADDELL
MAKEUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR – SHELLA MARTIN
EDITORIAL MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR - SHELLA MARTIN
MAKEUP TEAM OF THE YEAR – MAKEUP DIRECTOR HAYLEY DUTTON FOR COVERGIRL
MAKEUP VLOGGER OF THE YEAR – BONNIE GILLIES OZ BEAUTY EXPERT
NEW FORCE MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR – TRI-AHN NGUYEN
MAKEUP ACCESSORIES BRAND OF THE YEAR – KATKIT ROAD
MAKEUP BRAND OF THE YEAR – MODELROCK
CHARACTER MAKEUP DESIGN OF THE YEAR – LUCY WOOLFMAN
HALL OF FAME 2019 – JOSY KNOWLAND
MACRO MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR – CLARE MAC

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR – CARMELLE WATKINS
EDUCATION BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – CAMERON JANE MAKEUP DESIGN
MAKEUP SHOT OF THE YEAR – JULIA GREEN
BEAUTY MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR – KATRINA RAFTERY
ACT/SA/TAS MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR – ALEKSANDRA PINNERI
WA/NT MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR – CLARE MAC
QLD MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR – JO SPRING
VIC MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR – SHELLA MARTIN
NSW MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR – SARAH LAIDLAW
AUSTRALIAN MAKEUP ARTIST OF YEAR – SHELLA MARTIN

The Makeup Artist Guild Asia Pacific (The MAGAP) is the home to unite, nurture and empower makeup artists. They are the trusted voice for the makeup community, striving to unite all genres of makeup artists in the Asia Pacific region. Based on the belief that unity grants us strength as an industry enabling us to move the forward together, Melanie has created a community including all genres of makeup artists.
www.themagap.com

Interview with Shella Martin

Question: Congratulations on being announced as the 2019 Makeup Artist of the Year! How did it feel to win the award?

Shella Martin: It feels wonderful to be recognised both internationally and amongst my peers for the MAGAP awards for so many sections of my makeup work, and naturally the honour of the Australian title. A wonderful makeup moment in my career.


Question: What's a typical day like, for you, as a makeup artist?

Shella Martin: If I'm not on set or travelling to the next job, I find between home life I'm checking call sheets, chatting to production crews, client emails, product reviews, research on beauty trends and testing out looks.

Question: What originally inspired your passion for makeup?

Shella Martin: Growing up, I loved skin; so much I thought I would be a Dermatologist in my professional career. So naturally when I kept stumbling back on my love for colour and runway trends I took makeup as my career with open arms.


Question: What five makeup items could you not live without?

Shella Martin: RMS "un"cover-up cream foundation
Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate palette
Hourglass Arch Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel
Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Rosy Glow
Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara


Question: Do you have a favourite brand that dominates your makeup kit?

Shella Martin: We learn about the trends so easily these days but the success is also down to the way your favourite kit items preform. On set I always have my favourite items from Bioderma, Rationale, Mecca, Charlotte Tilbury, RMS, Nars, Hourglass, Ardelle Lashes, Kevyn Aucoin , Armani and Tom Ford...There are lots in there, I use the best items to help me achieve real skin finishes and smooth applications.


Question: Can you share the best makeup related advice you've received?
Shella Martin: Pack light and take out the distractions.


Question: What's next, for you?

Shella Martin: The next thing on the calendar will be another trip overseas for fashion week.
And working on a secret little project between all of that. I look forward to sharing it in 2020.


Interview by Brooke Hunter