Retouching the images: Photoshop CS6

After our final assessment, I decided to have a play with the images from the final look. After learning a bit more about post production I gave the images I took of Hannah a bit of a tweak. I love them!!

I didn't do much to the images as I was really pleased with how the makeup came across in the photos and didn't want to ruin the work I'd done in the final assessment.

I used PhotoShop CS6 on my mac at home and tweaked the contrast and the brightness slightly. There were also a few white splodges around Hannah's shoulders from the white hairspray we used, so I used a clone tool to get rid of these. I used the spot tool to get rid of a few blemishes around the mouth area, as well as a white splodge from the hairspray on Hannah's forehead. Finally, I used a light airbrush tool which intensified the white base and smoothed out the areas.

Evaluating my design and my interpretation

Throughout the technical lessons I have learnt so much. I never thought I'd have taken in so much information in such a short amount of time, or be applying my newly learnt skills to every makeup look we design and execute. I have found learning about the Elizabethans and their makeup rituals particularly interesting, which is surprising because I didn't know what the project would entail or if I would even enjoy it. As a whole I have become better at applying makeup, more confident in trying new things, and more inspired than I've ever been! I can't wait to start the next project and apply the skills I've learnt to them, and keep improving as the course progresses.

Evaluating my design:

I really enjoyed the whole creative process of designing something unique and interesting for my final assessment. I was worried about whether or not my design was a good take on the Elizabethan era or not, but I think the qualities that it is made up of really apply to the period.
For one, the pale complexion is the most noticeable aspect of a typical Elizabethan woman when we see portraits and paintings of them. I thought the Illamasqua skin base was perfect for this and created the dewy look I was after - a more modern take on the design, as Elizabethans would typically have very chalky, matte skin.
The eyelashes and brows apply to the era because Elizabethan woman often used to blank these features out as it was deemed beautiful and fashionable at the time. I was inspired by the Elizabethan makeup we practiced in one of our technical lessons for this.
The gold used in the design is my favourite feature. Gold is considered a very royal, wealthy colour and was worn by Elizabeth 1st during her rein as Queen. I wanted to incorporate this not only for that reason, but also because I knew it would work perfectly with my red (Elizabethan) hair colour. I also applied the same gold to the lips as I thought it tied the whole look together.
If I had to re-do this project, I would have loved to add in royal purples, reds and some more exciting features. I really like my design idea and was so pleased with how it turned out, but now I'm in the zone with designing I know I'd like to try something a bit more adventurous next time. I'm really happy with how the design was executed by my partner, and I can't wait for the next project!

Evaluating my interpretation: 

I felt the pressure when I was handed Hannah's design! I loved it from the start and thought it would be really easy to interpret someone else's design and idea onto them.. I was surprised at how nerve-wracking it actually was. I was constantly asking for direction in our practice sessions because I wanted to make sure my partner was happy with how I was doing her design. I know that if my design was done by someone else and it wasn't how I wanted it I'd feel disappointed, so I made sure I perfected the design before assessment day.

I have previously written about the changes we both overcame in both of our designs, and I have to say when we altered Hannah's design slightly (on the lips and brows) I felt way more involved with the design! I was glad to have been able to put in some ideas about what would create a more 'Elizabethan' feel, and Hannah told me exactly how she wanted it to look and I did as she asked. I was so pleased with the outcome of this look, it is the best work I've ever done and I was chuffed to bits with whole assessment - especially when I was complimented on my blending skills!!

Next time I really want to study the design I'm creating more. I want to feel 100% confident and practice it until I feel like I could do it with my eyes closed. I am lucky in the way that I am able to work under pressure and to a time limit, but I want my partner to be confident that I can deliver the design she was wishing for. I loved working with my partner on this and got excited about the colours and the creativity of her design.. I will definitely be working with her on some makeup looks after Christmas!

Timed assessment - in the role of the makeup artist

Final side image from the timed assessment

I think Hannah designed an absolutely beautiful contemporary Elizabethan piece. I was so excited to start practising this design and really got into staying extra hours at University to nail it and make sure it was exactly how she wanted it.

What has your partner done well?

Hannah was great at providing me with instructions on how to apply the product, face charts, pictures and provided a list of products that I'd be using to bring the design to life. The instructions I was given was a step by step guide on which products worked well with her skin, which we needed to experiment with before the assessment day, and (in order) a guide to applying the makeup. The face chart we used for the final design and the day was an accurate representation of the design and the picture we had taken of the final practise before the assessment was put up on our mirror on the day so I had that to refer to as well.

What could be improved?

Similar to my design, Hannah's design changed slightly a few times before the final assessment. Thankfully they weren't huge designs but it meant we both had to tweak a few things before the day! I think for next time a definite final design should be ready in place without any changes. Naturally, as a makeup artist practising the design and working with someone meant there were bits we thought would look better and wanted to change, and as a mutual decision these were accepted and changed for the day. If the design had changed a huge amount with little time before the final assessment this could have been a problem.

Explain how it could be improved:

I think more time for trial and error could improve the changes before the deadline! If I'd had more time to practice (even though we practiced a lot) I think the decision to change things slightly would have come sooner rather than just before the assessment. Other than this I can't think of any faults when working with Hannah, and wouldn't have called this a major fault.

Timed Assessment - in the role of the designer/assessor:

My final design by Hannah

What has the makeup artist done well?

Hannah was really good at the final design. I didn't provide a picture for her to refer to in our first practise, I used an instruction guide with a breakdown of products/brushes/the process, and a face chart with the design on it. As there wasn't a photograph for Hannah to refer to I think she struggled to interpret the design exactly how I wanted it first time around. I guided her as she went along and she did everything brilliantly despite not being 100% on what she was doing - which was great. After our first practice session I wasn't overly pleased with my design. Hannah had executed it nicely but it didn't have the wow factor that I really wanted, so as a creative team we discussed about what I could do to make it more effective. We came up with a slightly different idea (the strong line that blends out downwards at the eye) and gave this a go in the next practice session. Before this session, I went home and did it on myself, took a picture and was more prepared for Hannah the next morning. She was good with asking questions to make sure everything was how I wanted it, and practiced using the products I had supplied for her.

Identify what could be improved and how it can be improved:

Hannah definitely needs to be more confident in herself! She was fabulous at executing the design but at some points wasn't happy with how it went. I felt every time she did it I was pleased, and didn't have any faults with how it looked in the final assessment. I think she worried about time and that she wouldn't get it all finished in the hour but I assured her she would! She was surprised at herself on the day when she completed it in under an hour even though I knew she'd be fully capable. Have confidence Hannah, you are great!

I was really pleased with the overall application and the process of practicing with Hannah. She was fully committed to spending time to get the design right, and helped me as a creative partner to improve my design when I lost confidence in it. We worked really well as a team and both felt so pleased with the results. I have graded Hannah A4 because she worked with little material at the start of the project and really pulled through it all. I was so impressed with her professionalism when preparing her work station, always having clean brushes and good hygiene, and her gentle mannerisms when working on a client. Really well done, great job!!!

Side view by Hannah

Outcome

Outcome