Television.
That autonomous technology that allows us to communicate, daydream with our eyes open, entertain and inform.
The time waster behind those unfinished assignments, dog eaten homework and weary eyes at work.
How often do we all sit down in front of the screen and actually consider how it all comes to form?
I had no clue.
I had spent very little time considering all the effort behind the scenes until last Thursday afternoon when I was invited by Fashfest Makeup Director Diana Cheetham to gain an exclusive look behind the scenes at Prime 7 Canberra.
I guess you could say I was a bit excited.
Just a little bit.
Diana (make up genius and descendent of hair gods) was at Prime 7 last week to assist in the launch of their new look broadcast. So much thought, time and effort went into the new looks for each individual journalist. In particular Madelaine Collignon and Natalie Forrest, both of whom were warm in their welcome and open to all of my questions about makeup, hair, journalism, and even how they came to be in the career that they are in today.
After my first 5 minutes in the back rooms watching Diana create a new look for Natalie, I quickly learnt that there is an abundance of details to be considered before the camera rolls.
Before Diana had touched her Harlotte Primer Brush she had to consider the new set, lighting and the individual characteristics of each of her new clients.
First up was the lighting.
The wrong application, or lack of makeup would result in the newsreader looking sickly and washed out on your television screens at home. No matter how beautiful they may have looked back in the makeup chair, the lights on set can make or break a presenters’ appearance. The lights highlight your flaws and emphasise them tenfold.
I was feeling the pressure and I was only taking notes.
The men, one whom was journalist and author Kenny Heatley, wore a thick layer of powder (Diana favours StudioFix Mattify Powder by MAC) to minimise shine and enhance their appearance under the harsh lights of the new set.
Whilst journalist Natalie Forrest was in the makeup chair on this particular Thursday afternoon she said, and I quote:
“I will wear black on Friday”
Why? I can hear you thinking. Trust me, my mind was in overdrive at this point too. Had I missed a significant event? Should I have worn black? Was I being disgustingly rude and ignorant by not saying something? Would my dear mother Carole be ashamed of the daughter she had raised?
My mini anxiety attack was soon soothed as Natalie calmly informed me that she would be wearing black because it was Diana’s and Makeup Artist Hannah Belle‘s last day at the studios applying makeup and styling hair.
Diana is a pro. The little girl in me watched in awe, trying to soak up all of her beauty wisdom and styling skill as she worked methodically on Natalie’s face and hair.
Every detail of her client’s personal characteristics including face shape, eye size and colour, skin tone, blemishes and any insecurities had been considered. That week Natalie had been watching makeup tutorials online (and was also introduced to the work of Lauren Curtis) which Diana then crafted to suit Natalie‘s face and role in front of the camera. On Tuesday they opted for a terracotta palette, coining the phrase ‘Terracotta Tuesday’.
When it came to hair both Natalie and Madelaine tried out numerous styles which were then photographed and sent off to the head office for approval.
For all my fellow ladies reading I learnt that you can disguise the appearance of regrowth in your hair simply by changing up the parting of your hair. Opt for a zig zag part rather than the usual straight parting. I used this on my hair this morning. Safe to say I have rescheduled my hair appointment for a further two weeks.
As men ducked in and out grabbing ties and shirts, and the women adjusted their hair and checked their false lashes, I stood on the sidelines gazing enviously at the Make Up kit of Hannah Belle (who had also been scouted alongside Diana to perform Makeup and Styling). For all the makeup junkies out there imagine rows upon rows of every product you had ever wanted. I even envied the containers that these products were in. It spoke to both my inner OCD and makeup junkie self.
Both Diana and Hannah used a select range of products and tools while creating new looks for the journalists at Prime 7. Diana consistently used the Deluxe 14 piece brush set from Harlotte Cosmetics. For foundation, both Diana and Hannah favoured the Kryolan Cosmetics which also doubled as a concealer. Both Madelaine and Nat wore False Lashes by Gloss Girl Bridal Story.
My experience at Prime 7 that fateful Thursday afternoon was amazing. I learnt more about makeup in a couple of hours than I have in the past six months. But I think the best part of the experience was the people that I met, their stories and how they have inspired me. A great big huge thank you to Natalie Forrest for letting me pick your brain and for telling me stories about your younger self and what experience has taught you, to Kenny Heatley and Madelaine Collignon for letting me be a fly on the wall, the cool camera crew for telling me what was going on and how everything worked, and of course my mentor Diana for taking me under her wing and letting me soak up all of her beauty/hair/professionalism/basically everything goodness.
Prime 7 local news and updates are available 24/7 at prime7.com.au .
Love,
Sam Xx
