Yesterday I had an honor to meet Daniel Sallstrom, member of Illamasqua Art Team and Educator in School of Make-up Art, who came to Zagreb to see the progress of Illamasqua Hrvatska Master Class.
I was nervous, I admit that. However, I had absolutely no reason because when Daniel came into store, shook my hand and smiled, I realized I was doing interview with extremely down-to-earth person whos beautiful British accent immediately melted all my anxiety away. We went to the Davorkas office to have some privacy and I started asking questions.
Daniel, who is just 25 years old, regardless his age has a lot of experience as make up artist. So how did the young Swedish art student found his way to London and to the core of Illamasqua art team? He smiles and explains to me what Illamasqua actually is – an idea of celebrating diversity. “If you like strong, dramatic make up or you are part of gothic scene – Illamasqua has products for you. If you, on the other hand, want to look like tanned Barbie…we have products for you, too. It about what you want and what you like, it’s about being yourself.”
I couldnt resist asking what makes working for Illamasqua different from working with some other brands. Daniel continues to smile and remembers his first job interview. “I came there in my platform shoes, long leather skirt and had my make up overdramatic done in shades of yellow, orange and red. They hired me right away.” He follows that memory with a thought “But now the boy has grown up a little and doesnt use so much make up.” I smile, inevitably asking myself when will I grow up and let my colorful make up toys go. Moment of nostalgia, with a hope that the answer will be never.
Some strange nostalgia reaches over my next question,too. What did he want to be when he was a child? Daniel becomes pensive and takes a moment to remember, looks at the ceiling and lists through his childhood memories. “As long as I remember, I wanted to be an artist. I guess I am one now, but my medium is no longer a canvas, but human face. I also wanted to study religions, I find that very interesting.” But what exactly does inspire this artist? “Faces…portraits. There is a National Portrait Gallery in London where you can see various portraits of man and woman, from 16th century to the present day. I study brush strokes, analyze how different artists painted skin. It is amazing, and absolutely full of inspiration.”
The fact that being a make up artist is not milk and honey like most people think, proves my question about challenges and downsides of that job. Daniel states that every face is challenge for him. Working with caucassian, african american or asian skin tone for the first time is something you are often not prepared for. But that what comes with the job – constant learning and upgrading of existing knowledge. He also states that the hardest part of being an make up artist is taming your creativity. “If you want to get paid, you will live off of doing wedding, commercial and editorial make up which is mostly neutral. Letting your imagination run wild and have a freedom to do make up like YOU want on a model is something that usually not gets you no money.”
Daniel is monitoring two make up classes in order to see if everything is going as it should. So what can students expect to learn in Illamasqua make up school? He answers very shortly “We have a drill – we go with the hardest thing right at the beginning. e.g. – if you can do a perfect black lip, you will be able to do it in any other color. But the black is unforgiving – every mistake shows.”
When I asked him what is his favorite make up look ever, he replied very fast. “Arabic beauty. It’s amazing, all that colors on eyes in contrast with completely covered body…I cant even express my love for that look and the fact that arabic woman spend hours perfecting eye designs – just gorgeous!” And what about make up mistakes? “Seeing eyeshadow applied with no base. That looks criminal. And contouring with shimmery bronzer.” We talk about contouring a bit, and I see Daniel explaining the basics with so much passion in his voice and strong body expression. He compliments my make up and so I can die happy (although it was melted and I looked like Wicked Witch of the East after meeting a bucket of water).
I couldnt finish this interview without asking him about his favorite make up products. “Heroine eyeshadow – I cant live without it! Skin Base is my favorite foundation to use. And yeah, Debonair pencil – the perfect blue.”
The most interesting answer I got was when I asked him about his dream make up product that doesnt exist yet. “I want something that would grow on a face. You put it on, lets say, eyebrows and it grows and spreads, creating a pattern and art of itself.” I admit something like that never crossed my mind. Davorka agrees with me.
After a little chit chat up in the office, a clock strikes 6. It was time to start with the class. We came down and Daniel introduced himself to students. He did seem a bit tired, but when the girls took pencils and started creating above mentioned black lip, he was all over, looking over their shoulders and helping with advices, writing down notes and taking photos of the progress. Girls loved him, that I can say. Who would stay immune to the boyish charm and irresistible accent, combined with with beautiful arm tattoos? I definitely cant.
But above all that, what he offers is priceless.
Daniel is, at least to me, a role model and a proof that a young person can succeed without changing who he is. Hey, I will be 25 next year. And Illamasqua slowly becomes the only thing I would ever consider changing my nurse career for.
Who and what inspires you? Tell me in comments.
Croatian
