There’s no doubt about it fashion makeup artist Romy Soleimani creates amazing work. Her backstage resume includes shows like Jason Wu, Bill Blass, and Frankie Morello — which is the show I worked with her on, in Milan seasons ago. Fabulous editorials in practically every carnation of Vogue, as well as Numero, Muse and Bazaar to name a few also take up pages of Soleimani’s extensive portfolio of work.

Images from managementartists.com

James Kaliardos is amazingly creative. Make up artist, theatre owner, co-founder of V magazine, creative consultant to Loreal Paris. Covers of the best publications show Kaliardos’ work- Vogue, W, and Allure. His make up direction can be seen at shows such as Rodarte, DVF, and Matthew Williamson. A-listers like Beyonce, Madonna, and Angelina Jolie have all been made up by Kaliardos. What I especially admire about Kaliardos besides his brilliant talent, is his cool, calm, collected nature backstage. It’s like a breath of fresh air!

Images from models.com, callisteparis.com & style.com

Wendy Rowe British makeup artist does my kind of make up. Hot, smoky, gorgeous. With countless editorials  and covers in publications like Vogue and Numero, to backstage at shows like Burberry, and Rachel Roy, Rowe does some seriously brilliant make up.

In Milan a few years ago she was having an electrical tape moment. As in she hand cut pieces of black rubber like tape, into geometric shapes. Then hand positioned them on the girls eyes, sort of like an extension of their liquid eyeliner. I adore one of her more recent editorials featured in the August issue of Vogue Nippon (top right, 2nd row right) glam 70′s eyes, strong contouring, and the velvet red lip-stunning.

Images from caren.co.uk & models.com

The Burberry Beauty collection is as chic and sophisticated as it’s clothing line. Starting with the beautiful packaging with signature Burberry check, to the lipstick cases that close magnetically. After trying the majority of the line, I found the foundation, powder, eyeshadow, and gloss to be quite sheer. Everything feels very smooth and silky thanks to the silicones, and glides on for effortless application. Makeup Artist Wendy Rowe, responsible for the make up direction at Burberry’s runway makeup for the past nine years, says the line is “effortless and relaxed, but sophisticated.”

I purchased the gloss in nude beige No.9. It is sheer and very smooth, not at all sticky. Oils and ceramides that leave the lips hydrated, supple and naturally plumped. The shadows come in a variety of neutrals as well as some blues and purples inspired by England’s stormy weather. I picked up the eyeshadow in gold trench No.4 the colour is a pretty golden beige and it looks great on my lids or as a highlight colour.

The lipsticks come in a nice range of easy to wear colours from nude tones to darker reds. It’s very light on the lips and quite moisturizing while leaving just the right amount of pigment on the lips. Lisa got the No.3 cameo pink which is a light-medium warm pink colour.

Update: (From Lisa) After wearing this for a while I decided that I don’t love the smell of the lipstick and foundation. I find that a lot of the products smell like perfume — maybe even baby powder which is a bit off putting. But if you’re okay with the smell then its a pretty nice lipstick. Leah has been using the lipgloss and it has no smell.

Ellis Faas is a phenomenal make up artist.  Her work spans runways, magazines, as well as campaigns for cosmetic companies like MAC, Clinique, and Lancome. What I was most inspired by when I worked with her, was the way she mixed colours. Her concoctions created unique shades that proved that she was a true artist. I met Ellis Faas in Milan for the Fall shows in 2007. I assisted her for the make up test for Blumarine in Milan, Cacherel, and my favourite Giambattista Valli in Paris. I discovered that her make up kit was more like that of a painter than a make up artist. There were unmarked tubes, pots, and palettes of colour. So I was excited to hear last year Faas started her own make up line. I have not had the opportunity to try the line but from what I can see it looks very good. The products are straight forward and concise with sleek packaging.

Images from Management+Artists

I recently heard of Lloyd Simmonds while at a MAC Master Class on Spring runway trend. Simmonds created the look for the Blumarine SS10 show in Milan. Tanned, sculpted faces with gold highlights and dark black eye pencil smudged around the entire eye. Lips were a tan coloured gloss. Since this is one of my signature looks, and I enjoy Blumarine having worked on that show myself in the past, my interest was piqued! Apart from runway shows Simmonds has created beautiful work for magazines such as Vogue Nippon, i-D, Numéro, Mixte, and Flair.

Images from models.com & l’exposure.net

Hannah Murray is a make up artist based in London. I had the opportunity to work with her on the Jaeger show SS/09. She designed the prettiest look using pastel pinks on the cheeks that went up into the temple. As well as being a regular key make up artist at London Fashion Week, Hannah’s work is often seen in some of the industry’s best magazines: British, Italian and French Vogue, Dazed & Confused, i-D, AnOther and AnOther Man.

Hannah Murray is represented by Julian Watson Agency

Former New York club kid and one time model, Kabuki is one of the most phenomenal make up artists in the industry. What I find most intriguing about Kabuki is the diversity of his work. From creating the make up looks for the early seasons of Sex and the City to outrageous fantasy looks for Lady Gaga. I once saw him create this beautiful alien mask on a model, with wing like lashes that he’d made out of construction paper! I always say in this business the more you know, the more you work, and Kabuki is a testimony to that.

Images from kabukimagic.com

Alex Box has a wild imagination. Her creations are so incredible they have graced the pages of numerous magazines, and walked many runways. She is responsible for the much talked about Gareth Pugh SS 2010 make up. Alex uses the face as a canvas and pushes the limits of conventional make up to a world of fantasy. So it comes as no surprise that Alex is also the creative director of Illamasqua cosmetics. Illamasqua products are very intensely pigmented and inspired by theatrical make up. I have yet to try anything from the brand (currently not available in Canada) but from what I’ve seen it looks pretty amazing. Earlier this month Alex Box launched her first book entitled The Make Up Artist that showcases her phenomenal work.

It is really important to keep make up brushes as clean as possible since they are touching your face on a daily basis. I recommend doing a deep clean once a week by diluting a small amount of brush shampoo (enough to cover the brush hair but not too much that the handle is submerged) in water. Try Bare Escentuals Brush Conditioning Shampoo or Sephora Purifying Brush Shampoo. Let the brushes sit in the cleaning solution for about a minute, then rinse under the tap until the water runs clean. Reshape the hairs and lay flat to dry hanging off a table top so the air can circulate. It’s best to do this process in the evening so your brushes are ready to go for the next morning. If it’s a quick clean your are looking for, alcohol based cleaners like Smash Box Brush Cleaner or Cover FX Brush Cleanser can be poured onto a tissue, and then you can wipe the brush back and forth until the hairs are clean.

What’s so great about EA 8 hour cream? It’s jam packed with super moisturizing ingredients like petrolatum and vitamin E. This original skin protectant dates way back to the 1930’s and is still a staple in any savvy make up artists kit. The emollient texture leaves dry skin anywhere on the face or body feeling soothed and hydrated. Because of it’s natural sheen, Backstage it’s often used to highlight the high planes of models faces, gloss lips, and tame brows.