Charelle McAllister, #ProjectScouted’s stunning make-up artist

As beautiful as the looks she creates, Charelle McAllister ofMake-up by Charelle will be returning to the #ProjectScouted team this year after her work at last year’s Project blew everyone away. Having fallen in love with make-up as a child as she watched her mother put on red lipstick, Charelle is as passionate about beautifying and boosting confidence even now years later.

1.    Your work was absolutely breathtaking at last year’s Project! What motivated you to come on board again this year?

Thank you for saying my work was "absolutely breathtaking" at last year's Project! (Blush) It was such an experience for me to be able to be involved in such a successful Project, where so many professionals from different fields of artistry could connect and work with one another not only for the networking, but for helping the #ProjectScouted ladies. I also think that this is an awesome opportunity for the girls to be recognized for their diversity of skills they bring to the camera, as well as their uniqueness and natural beauty.  I could see and feel how awesome the idea behind Lee’s Projects is and I feel honored to be a part of this one as well.  To be involved feels so right!

2.    What did you enjoy most about the Project last year?

I loved the different phase briefs and concepts by the photographers!  It was always 'not known' (well, on my side anyway), and the surprise of what was expected from the ladies to get the "feel/message" across also challenged my skills to help the ladies get into character.

3.    What do you think is the best aspect of #ProjectScouted?

I feel NETWORKING is the best aspect here. It's not only what you know, but also who you know  that helps you to grow.

4.    Having worked with some of the girls last year, do you have any tips on how they can improve from last year’s participants?

Girls, enjoy yourselves. Let go and have fun! Don't be so hard on yourselves and let YOU come through.

5.    Thinking back to your makeup for the “Day of the Dead” shoot shot by Jerome Stoffels last year; do you do a trial before you have a big look to pull off? How do you prepare for something so different and intricate?

I was so nervous for this one, but I think the nervousness was partly due to it being an exciting look and something different where makeup was key. Honestly, no preparation or trial was done to prepare for that look, other than me being on Google to get different ideas of skull painting.  I love contrast, so I personally decided to go black and white. My male models were the handsome Brissett twins so once I had done Keelan's face, I pretty much just had to follow the same bone structure for Chad.  My ladies in that phase basically got creations I thought of as they sat down.  I had loads of freedom to create!

6.    What do you love most about being a makeup artist?

I love seeing how beautiful I can help someone feel.  It is truly rewarding to contribute to someone's confidence or very special day.  Make-up is basically enhancing what is already there.  Sometimes it happens where I see someone who sees themselves as beautiful for the first time, it is special for me to help them see that they always have been beautiful.

7.    What has been your most memorable experience as a makeup artist?

I had a client once who had very fair skin and darker enlarged pigmentation marks over the majority of her face.  She had never managed to entirely conceal her pigmentation herself in the past.  Once I had finished her makeup and she saw herself for the first time (there was no mirror infront of her) her reaction was worth everything to me.  I could see her confidence lift instantly.  I felt so happy I could do that for her!

Follow the progress of the #ProjectScouted girls on their journeys through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and now even YouTube with behind-the-scenes videos being posted regularly. Check out Charelle’s work on her Instagram account,@makeupbycharelle, as well as through the Project’s dedicated Instagram page. It’s difficult to imagine how Charelle could possibly outdo her work from last year, but we’re pretty sure that she will.

Charelle McAllister - #ProjectScouted’s (makeup) artist

One of the most talented and demanded makeup artists in Durban, Charelle McAllister of Makeup By Charelle, is as stunning as the makeup she creates on the faces of others. Faces are blank canvases for art to her and we got to know this artist better in our Q&A session with her as well as getting some expert makeup tips.

Lee Folkard Photography: Who is Charelle McAllister?

Charelle: My full name is Charelle Cassie McAllister. I love dancing A LOT, meeting new people, networking, creating art, hugging my friends, dark chocolate, red wine, animals, modelling, funky House music, and adventure. I'm inspired by nature and colour and, of course, I love beautifying men and women! I feel absolutely chuffed, motivated and inspired by how beautiful a person feels after a pamper session. It is so rewarding to be the contributor of that extra skip of confidence in someone.

LFP: What was your inspiration to become a makeup artist and how did you start off?

Charelle: I have always been fascinated by makeup and how it transformed or enhanced one's features. I remember as a child watching my mother apply her makeup (my mother wears makeup every single day and always looks good!) and being so excited about the bold red lip! On most Christmases, I can remember buying my mother a red lipstick or some sort of eyeshadow.

Another member of my family, my gran, who is known as 'Ouma', was a massive part of me using makeup as well, as she once bought me a complete makeup set which I would use colouring in the faces of my cousins and poor brother for dress up. So maybe being a lover of makeup was always just there. I was the friend doing my friends' makeup in the bathroom when it was time to go off to a party in my later high school years too.

That moment when everyone was like ''So what are you going to do after you leave school?'', I always answered, ''Makeup!'', without even thinking twice.

Ten years later, I'm loving it even more!

LFP: How did you become involved in Project Scouted and what motivated you to be a part of it?

Charelle: I was on a shoot doing makeup for a talented designer and label, 'Larissa Moda', and Lee was doing the photography for the shoot along with Jerome Stoffels. I had such fun with these two! As the day went on, I heard of Project Trinity and a while later I was contacted by Lee inquiring about my services for a model he was shooting for the Project. I became involved as a sponsor for the Project towards the end phases and absolutely loved being involved. So naturally, I offered my expertise for this year's Project Scouted!

LFP: What is your favourite type of makeup to do or occasion to do makeup for and why?

Charelle: My favourite type/style of makeup to do has got to be Avante Garde, hands down! I just absolutely go MAD for colours and creativity and love to play with textures, lashes and boldness. It's like creating whatever my mind sees or feels at that moment on a face. I love freedom to play! Personal projects are my best, as the style is my own and I don't have to stay with a brief.

LFP: Any tips or everyday makeup tricks that ladies can use at home?

Charelle:

©        For ladies who battle with puffiness and dark circles around the eyes; MAC's Fast Response eye cream is such lifesaver. If you tend to have late nights, oversleep or suffer from puffiness and dark circles under the eyes, it's a go-to quick-fix to reduce puffiness and concealer can be applied smoothly over it for a bright, fresh look. Even a good eye gel kept in the fridge for speedy results is good.

©        For those who battle with enlarged pores; a good primer with a silicone base to smooth over and fill pores is great. Not only does it help with reducing the appearance of pores, but it acts as a primer which is a must for the longevity of your foundation and makeup. And why not just go for one that contains an SPF too to protect your skin! My favourite is MAC'S Prep n' Prime Skin Base Visage (Silicone) and the Prep n' Prime CC (Colour Correct) Neutralise SPF 30. This baby helps reduce redness and you'd probably find you won't need to use as much foundation.

©        For those who battle with 'lip bleeding' or fading lip colour; be sure that your lips are conditioned well. Maybe start with conditioning your lips and moving on to the rest of your makeup. By the time you return to do your lips, dab off the excess moisture of the conditioner with a tissue and lightly apply either your foundation or concealer over the lips and lightly powder or dab. Fill in your entire lip with your chosen lip pencil and then apply your lip colour over. Blot again with a tissue and reapply if necessary. For best results, try using a lip primer as well, this also helps smoothen the lips' surface and lock in colour.

©        If you have had a rough night and need to look presentable, always keep eye drops handy to brighten the whites of the eyes and stay away from using pink and purple tones. They only make you appear tired and they enhance swollen, puffy eyes and redness. Rather opt for fresh vibrant tones with a slight highlight in the inner corner of the eyes and upper brows. White eye liner is amazing too.

LFP:  As a makeup artist, do you think a face has to have certain features or a certain look to be attractive?

Charelle: As an artist, a good bone structure is always great to work with. In saying this, it does not mean that if you don't have visible chiselled jaw lines and cheek bones that you are not attractive. Everyone carries their own kind of beautiful and an artist's job is to bring that out!

LFP: What is the average day like for a makeup artist?

Charelle: Quotes, emails, quotes, invoicing, washing brushes, driving from one private client to the next or rushing to a shoot on location or in studio, resetting the GPS to the next destination. Well, this is on a busy day!
On a quiet day; housework! And washing brushes and sorting out the kits.

LFP: If you wrote an autobiography, what would the title be?

Charelle: Shoooo weee! Right now to think of one title for my own biography is quite challenging. Maybe one day in a few years time I'll know myself better to sum my life up into a title. But for now, I'm just Charelle Inspired.

Check out Charelle's work on her Facebook page, Makeup By Charelle, as well as her artistry featured on last year's Project Trinity winner, Samantha, and on the ladies in the later stages of #ProjectScouted to come.

#ProjectScouted : Phase Eleven : Brief

In the words of the photographer:

Hola, welcome to the brief...

This round we will be taking the ladies to new heights.

Thursday 17th,

Hair and make-up will be done by the lovely Charelle and Kez, who have been briefed on the required looks. Charelle will be giving each of the models a time slot. 

Times start from 10:00am.

10:00AM - Lieche & Taliya

10:30AM - Toni & Sarah

11:00AM - Samantha 

Venue for hair and make-up will be Charelle's home. Address will be SMS'd to you. 

Since we are invading the private space of our make-up artist we are limiting attendance during the make-up and hair sessions to behind the scene, bloggers and those directly involved with project scouted. Please refrain from additional spectators - this is much appreciated. 

We leave to head to the location at 2:00pm sharp. The location is just past Collisheen in Ballito, but we can all drive in convoy from Charelle's place. If directions are needed don't hesitate to ask.

Models - please wear strapless nude bras (if needed) and dark leggings to cover your bottom half, the rest of the outfit will be provided. Strictly no heels or slops, sensible flats only - your feet wont be showing - this is to help with balance. Bring a gown or robe to wear before and after, nothing over the head please.

Please DO NOT wash your hair the night before and DO NOT put a straightening iron to hair. 

Jewellery - big bold chunky necklaces, layers, arm bands, bracelets, big is better.

 

I have attached some poses to inspire.  This round you need to think about shapes, gestures, intention and emotion. A serious "bored" look just aint going to cut it. Practice your posing on a high stool or on your bed. 

Balance is key.

Please no prima ballerinas.

Remember, this is all in the arms, hip and waist.

If there are any questions, please feel free to holla in my direction. 

Look forward to meeting everyone this thursday.

Cass

xoxo

The #ProjectScouted Top 6 ladies go underwater

“You can look at a picture for a week and never think of it again. You can also look at a picture for a second and think of it all your life.”

― Joan Miró (Painter, sculptor, and artist)

Every once in a while, if we are fortunate enough, we find ourselves feeling as if we are a part of something far larger and more beautiful than we could have ever usually experienced.  The Phase Ten #ProjectScouted shoot held at the Endless Horizons Boutique Hotel on Umhlanga Rocks Drive made everyone present feel exactly this way. As if the concept of the photoshoot was not breathtaking enough, the morale and sheer will-power of the Top 6 girls and the Phase Ten official photographer Roy Esterhuysen of Firsthouse Photography and Blush Boudoir, was inspiring and admirable beyond description.

The #ProjectScouted girls have braved some trying weather in the Project so far, but none of it could have properly prepared them for the underwater concept shoot that Roy had planned. This is Roy’s speciality and one that is not often ventured into by photographers, but even he was pushed to his limits in bearing the unbelievably cold temperature of the pool at the hotel. Despite coming prepared for the cold with layers of swimming gear (a Charlie Chaplin-type video of Roy getting dressed can be seen on Instagram), he pushed himself for the creation of art and an unforgettable experience.

The Top 6 girls have every reason to be extremely proud of themselves, and everyone present at the shoot can attest to that. Not only did they have to maintain their composure when in the water, they had to display the outfits sponsored by renowned Durban designer, Larisa MODA, who was also on location personally dressing the girls. Her graciousness is unmistakable – as she didn’t even think twice about the girls jumping into the water with her garments on. There were a few screams of shock from the icy water and a bit of breathlessness but with Roy’s patience and expert photography skills along with everyone’s support, the girls got their shots.

The Phase Ten shoot was quite an eventful morning and there were many visitors and spectators who came by who have selflessly given off their time to support the #ProjectScouted team and the models. The Make-up the College students and Charelle McAllister of Make-up by Charelle had their work cut out for them in giving the girls a waterproof make-up application. And as each girl stepped out of the pool, it was amazing to see that their faces were still exquisite with not a smudge or a smear in sight. Charelle will be exclusively handling the hair and make-up from Phase Eleven forward where she will take care of the Top 5 girls and so on.

Jerome Stoffels who is also a resident judge, Nilufer Yucel and Ryan Francis (aka The Clown) lurked around shooting behind the scenes with Ryan seeming to be completely comfortable in the freezing water with just his infamous clown suit on. Se-Anne Rall of the Tabloid Newspapers took some time out of her hectic journo’s schedule to come by; as well as past guest judge Lyle Young; parents; siblings and friends.

The shoot was completely engrossing and while we all cannot wait to see the images that will be undoubtedly breathtaking, we can also appreciate the lengths the girls and Roy went to for those shots. These images will definitely be those that you look at once but can never forget.