Makeup legend Todd McIntosh is more than a guest on his regular visits to Blanche Macdonald. Todd is family. 

As our Makeup Director, Todd’s expert fingerprints – the same ones that won Emmy Awards for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Pushing Daisies – can be found over Canada’s ever-evolving and most complete makeup curriculum. He’s been at the helm of Blanche Macdonald’s Makeup Program for nearly 30 years now. So when Todd makes one of this regular pilgrimages to Vancouver, it’s more than business. It’s pleasure too.

That pleasure was shared with Blanche Macdonald’s students and instructors as Todd spent a week and half with us this summer, providing multiple days of detailed artistic and career advice with the next generation of makeup superstars.

Todd’s time at Canada’s Top Makeup School began with one-on-one sessions with our Battle of the Brushes contestants at the Vancouver IMATS, delivering wisdom that helped our graduates to a clean sweep of the podium – first, second and third – in the Character Prosthetics category and a superb second in the Beauty/Fantasy. 

“I’ve been a huge fan of Todd since I was ten years old, when I watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” explained Battle of the Brushes first place winner Devon Burbank. “The fact that he took time to critique my work was amazing. He suggested so many ideas about hiding edges and folding things out. Todd is incredible. At the end he gave me a full hug and I freaked out.”

Todd went on to spend two days visiting classes in progress, meeting students while providing hefty doses of inspiration and hands-on expertise.

Perhaps the highlights of his visit were a pair of detail-focussed demonstrations at our Atelier Campus, where Todd proved that you don’t need miracles to create makeup magic. Using products from the pro store at CurliQue Beauty and latex masks retrieved from the bottom of the leftovers cupboard at Masters FX, Todd combined technical wizardry and artistic flair to create screen-ready aliens in under two fascinating hours.

“Of course the School is bigger than when I first became involved,” he explained, “but it doesn’t change that much. We’re constantly expanding the Makeup Program, but students will always be students. They’re just beginning to understand how deep this career can go and what it takes to be in this industry. The questions they asked me were really intelligent. I know that their teachers have already answered those questions. But because they’re asking this mysterious figure that wrote the curriculum, perhaps they listen to my answers more. The ideas about the realities of the industry are coming into their heads.”

The technical and artistic secrets revealed by Todd are going to stay with the students lucky enough to have seen them at first hand, but there were plenty more industry and life lessons to be learned. Here are just a few of our favourites.

“When I was a young makeup artist I travelled to New York to visit Dick Smith. He showed me some makeup work photos from a young student. They were terrible. Dick explained how he recommended that the artist should take some sculpting and painting classes. Then he showed me photos of amazing work of a model in Alfred Hitchcock makeup. It was the same artist. Dick taught me that you can’t judge a student before they’ve had the training.”

“I was told a Makeup Artist had worked on Planet of the Apes so I brought him into our trailer to apply some prosthetics. After two hours, he still hadn’t attached the ears. It turned out that he had just been pulling ape masks onto actors’ heads. Don’t lie about what you’ve done. Tell your Department Head the truth.”

“I was asked to do some beauty makeup for an actress making a speech. That actress turned out to be Audrey Hepburn. It turns out that she was nervous about speaking in front of people. It’s ok to be nervous. I still get nervous!”

“This job can be stressful. In the event of panic, breathe in for a count of four then breathe out for a count of four. Keep calm and controlled. Don’t be dragged out of your circle.”

“Young artists need to temper their fire and arrogance. You might feel like you know better, but listen to people’s experiences. Your mistakes will follow you.”

“I’m not into this to meet famous people. I love the process and art of transformation. I’m fascinated, not just by the surface, but by what happens inside when you’re transformed.”

It was an honour and a pleasure for all of us to welcome Todd back to Blanche Macdonald. The funniest thing is, he might have enjoyed his time here more than anyone.

“It’s always wonderful to come back here! Just walking around Vancouver it’s so different to my home in LA.

“Jen Folk, Tracey Payne and I have been busy working on curriculum, bringing things up to date in regards to the latest products and developments in HD. And it’s been a pleasure. This is home. I love it here. As long as I have a tea in my hand I’m comfortable!”

Kirsten Ley won more than the Award for Overall Achievement at Neon Dreams, this year’s Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design Graduate Show. She also received one of the all-time great complements from Executive Program Director Peggy Morrison (not someone known for distributing praise lavishly), who declared Kirsten, “the Student of the Decade.”

Since then Kirsten’s been busy preparing to conquer the world with her eponymous label. And it’ll be little surprise if Kirsten Ley becomes a household name in fashionable homes within the next five years. She’s practically Wonder Woman.

“I get up at 5am every morning and go to bed around 2am every night,” she explains. “When I was in the Fashion Design program at Blanche Macdonald I also had an internship and was teaching yoga every morning. I'm a night owl and a morning person. I find my relaxation and rest practicing yoga. I get enough rejuvenation from that to compliment my sleeping schedule, or lack of one!”

Channelling her endless energy directly from the universe (rather than the traditional method of sleep we mortals use), Kirsten’s intellectual approach to creativity knows few bounds either. Her brilliant graduate collection juxtaposed concepts by matching the constriction of leather body casts with the free-spirited escapism of billowing silks.

“One of the ideas that sparked this collection was my own personal experience,” continues Kirsten. “I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 13 and was put in a back brace for 22 hours a day. I was an actress, dancer and opera singer and the only time I was out of the brace was when I would dance, sing or perform. The dichotomy of the bound leather garments with the flowing silks is like breaking free of the confines I grew up with, which is one reason why I called my collection ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being.’ That’s one of my favourite novels too. Milan Kundera took Nietzsche’s idea of eternal return, which I think is relevant to the cyclical nature of fashion. 

“I’m also intrigued by the way the Victorians drew their anatomy diagrams. These diagrams were not just medical but extremely artistic and beautiful in a grotesque way. I was drawn to them in my own collection. The predominant colour in my collection is oxblood, and I jokingly refer to my leather bodice as a ‘skin suit’ because it reminds me of these Victorian Illustrations and the peeling back of layers of skin to reveal what lies beneath.”

Physical and creative super powers are helpful, but Kirsten insists she couldn’t have scaled her award-winning heights without the assistance of the Team at Canada’s top Fashion School.

“I loved my time at Blanche. I would do the program over and over again. I loved everything that the faculty continue to offer. I hear a lot of grads say that you get out of this what you put into it. That’s absolutely true. I wanted to work my butt off and make something of my time here. The faculty and staff have gone above and beyond helping me at school and after graduation.

“Tyler Udall, from our first meeting, completely understood me. He has the ability to see the final picture and to visualize it on the runway before a needle has been brought to fabric. His illustrious experience in the industry warrants complete respect and he helped elevate my garments to a professional level. I have the utmost respect for him and I’m honoured by his belief in me.” 

“Peggy Morrison is an incredible woman with a massive wealth of knowledge about every designer you could possibly imagine. Picking her brain opens up a Pandora’s Box into the insides of the world of fashion. Her classes amplified my designs through learning different details from the past. Her approval and support truly meant that I was doing something right because she doesn't sugar coat anything. She’s been a pillar of inspiration.

“Sara Armstrong’s ability to see things differently and from an artistic perspective helped me eternally with my drafting and construction process. Most of my pieces aren’t traditional and Sara helped me achieve what was in my head in a non-traditional way. I’m forever grateful that we had the gift of Sara as our teacher because she allowed me to experiment in my own way. She gave me the confidence to trust my own gut instinct.

“Mel Watts has been absolutely incredible. She was a ray of sunshine when the world seemed to be crumbling down around me. She keeps the wheels running and she has a work ethic to be envied and admired. I have massive respect for Mel and her support for me has been incredibly humbling.” 

Kirsten’s kind words reflect her deep affection for her year at Fashion School. Now she’s showing the same levels of enthusiasm and passion as she looks to the future and focuses her considerable talents on her own label. She’s off to an incredible start, having been invited to show her first collection in the ‘Emerging Designer Series’ at this year’s Vancouver Fashion Week.

“I get to completely curate my show. I’m provided with hair and makeup artists, models and a sound engineer. It’s a dream come true so soon after graduation. Things have started to move at a faster pace than I initially expected them to, but that’s how I like it. It’s exciting to have a very attainable goal in the near future.

“I designed four entirely new looks which weren’t in my original portfolio. I feel that I’ve already evolved as a designer; so sticking with my designs from six months ago didn’t fit where I wanted to go. The inspiration is still the same. This is a continuation of the same collection, but it’s the evolution.”

The garments Kirsten sends down the runway at Vancouver Fashion Week represent far more than her fashion sensibilities. They’re the next step on a deeply personal creative journey. And even she doesn’t know where that will lead her.

“I wouldn’t be completely happy if I didn’t give this a shot. I know it’s tough out there to start your own label, but I feel that I couldn’t ignore this urge to explore. I need to purge these designs and I feel that the world could benefit from my perspective. I hope that people enjoy my work and more importantly, that my designs make them feel beautiful and powerful. I want to offer a strong perspective of female empowerment and statement pieces.

“People want their individual voices heard. How you dress has a lot to do with that. We all know that when you feel beautiful, you become more confident. I simply want to help my clients get to that point of self-love. The future is bright and my work ethic, determination and optimistic spirit will drive me through to greener pastures. You have to work hard to get what you want. I'm not stopping until I get there!”

“I love the flexibility of being my own boss,” insists Sabrina Beltrano, relaxing between clients at her professional home at Workshop, one of Downtown Vancouver’s most beloved and fashion forward salons. “I like that I can create my own hours, charge what I want to charge, and use the colour lines that I love. I never want to stop getting more clients. Getting new people in my chair keeps me motivated.”

Staying motivated is never a challenge for Sabrina. The Blanche Macdonald Pro Hair grad runs her own business as one of the independent hair professionals gathered under a single stylish roof at Workshop. A community of creative and entrepreneurial spirits, it’s the perfect spot for stylists who enjoy working and playing by their own rules.

“I didn’t want to be a regular stylist who’d do cuts and colours and then go home,” continues Sabrina. “Renting a chair means it’s my business and my responsibility. That means you have to make sure you’re keeping up on Instagram, Facebook and Craigslist.”

Was a career in hair Sabrina’s destiny? Growing up in Kamloops, BC with a stylist mother meant it was always a distinct possibility, even when other passions took priority. 

“I’ve had pretty much the same hairstyle since I was five. Long and dark! I knew I wanted to follow in my Mom’s footsteps, but I was also a soccer-playing tomboy. I cared about my hair but I cared even more about sports.” 

It didn’t take long after graduating high school to commit to a career in hair. And once that decision had been made the search for the perfect Hair School was swift and effective.

“I wanted to go to the best of the best. I googled ‘Best Hair School’ and Blanche Macdonald came up! I knew that when I would go for interviews employers would see the Blanche name and know that my training was really good.”

Those high expectations were realized on Day One.

“Starting Hair School was so exciting. When we all received our boxes of equipment I saw the Bumble and bumble products and knew how luxurious it all was. I wanted to cut right away!”

When the time arrived for that first cut on a real client in the Blanche Macdonald school salon, it wasn’t easy, but Sabrina delivered.

“I was so nervous. That haircut took three hours. I kept asking for the teacher and was worried that one side of the cut was radically different from the other. But once I finished the client loved it. I thought, ‘Ok, I think I can do this.’ 

“Not long after that people began calling the School and booking with me. I would cut one person’s hair and they’d tell their friends. After a month or two people started coming in just to be styled. I felt like I could talk to clients and tell them how to best wear and style their hair. We were taught to demonstrate our confidence. You could be the best cutter but unless you’re confident, no one will believe that you’ll do a good job. It’s a combination of your words, body posture and looking people in the eye. If you can tell clients how to look after their hair at home and what products to use they’ll want to come back and learn more.

“Lisa Callender and Renata Trebacz were great instructors. Renata would get straight down to business. She was so professional. She taught us that our blow dry would have to be a ten out of ten every time. If you can finish with a great style, she told us, clients will always come back to you. That stuck with me.”

Today Sabrina is a colour specialist, a veritable master of Balayage whose expertise is known and respected across Vancouver. But she’d never describe herself as a natural colour scientist. Her abilities arrived through countless hours of study and practice.

“I was literally the worst in the class!” she laughs “I was always asking questions. As the class progressed I started getting it and I began practicing more. I would watch videos of different techniques. I wanted to go above and beyond. I practiced on mannequins in my own time. I enjoyed being creative with the colours, with different placements and techniques. Clients these days like a more natural look. That’s hard to replicate.”

Eager to begin cutting and colouring immediately after graduation, Sabrina took a tip from Program Director Phil Loiselle and launched herself into what would become the first step into her self-propelled professional career.

“Phil told me that there was a space at Eterna Salon and Day Spa in Lougheed Mall. It was a salon that used Joico colour, which is what we used at school, so I felt very confident with that. I started right away as a stylist and began building my clientele. Within four months I was fully booked. I was always hustling around the mall. If I saw someone walking by me I’d hand them a card and say, ‘Hey, we’re having 20% off at the salon.’ I’d offer a deal. It was all about confidence.

“I loved it. I was busy all the time but after three years I was ready to take the next step. Franco Federico runs Workshop. I met his parents at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver and they told me their son owned a salon downtown. I applied, he gave me a job as a commission stylist and I soon became busy enough to rent a chair.”

She’s been a core member of the Workshop Team ever since, bringing colour and charisma to one of the city’s most bustling salons. Despite her impressive skill set, Sabrina insists that it’s the personality she brings to work every day that keeps her clientele excited about returning to her chair. 

“I’m sure that people sometimes sit down and don’t even care about their haircut. That sounds crazy, but they’re more interested in talking and hearing what you’ll say to them. Your personality and energy can be more significant than the haircut itself. You still have to do a good cut, of course, but they come back for more than that. They come to see you. They tell you about their lives. You build friendships. An important part of being a stylist is being open with people. If you do that people will open up to you.”

The future is beyond bright from Sabrina. She’s already proved that her abilities and attitude can take her wherever she chooses. Success is guaranteed. It’s merely a matter of deciding what it’s going to look like. 

“For now I love renting a chair at Workshop but I would love to own my own boutique salon one day. I love setting goals for myself but I’ve grown to understand that you need to put in your time first. Everything won’t come immediately. Continue your education as new products and trends emerge. It’ll happen. You just have to put in the work! 

“It still feels so good that I can make people love their hair. Even after I graduated Hair School I still didn’t understand that I had that ability. It was only once people kept coming back to me I realized that I must know what I’m doing!”

Makeup students lucky enough to be attending Leah Ehman's classes at Blanche Macdonald soon realize that they’re being treated to more than expert training from a Gemini Award-winning artist. They are getting the opportunity to fall in love with the artistry and emotion that go hand in hand with the creative process.

“I was on the set of Tron: Legacy when I realized that I’d achieved what I’d set out to do,” she smiles. “There is a scene where Garrett Hedlund enters the Tron world and is transformed into a computer program. The director asked us to come up with a look that had never been seen before. We were able to create some pretty amazing makeups that I’m very proud of on that show. On that set I was surrounded by international superstars like Jeff Bridges and Olivia Wilde. I’d already been working in film for many years, but that was a moment when I realized where I was and the level of work I was producing. That's when I realized my dreams were coming true.”

Leah understood the magnitude of her achievement. She's been a major contributor on TV shows and films including Suckerpunch, Stargate Atlantis, I Robot, The Big Year and countless more. Coming from the tiny northern Alberta town of Athabasca, it’s been a remarkable journey.

“Art has always played a major role in my life. Both my mother and grandmother were art teachers and my brother grew up to be a professional artist. Even today, one of my favourite things to do is spend an afternoon at galleries or museums. I remember being five years old scooping up clay to sculpt horses, and copying paintings from my parents’ art books.

“Growing up I was often mistaken for a boy. I was an ugly duckling always wishing for the swan transformation. I would save up all my babysitting money and invest it directly into magazines, clothes and of course makeup. I used the makeup to paint a more feminine me.”

Leah began her working career in hair salons, moving from Calgary to Edmonton and eventually Vancouver. By the time she reached Hollywood North, no one was mistaking her for a boy anymore.

“A talent agent spotted me and asked if I’d like to be an actress. I didn’t have the personality for that, but I did work as an extra once and awhile.” 

One of those shows in need of a stunning extra was the X Files. It was where Leah’s eureka moment arrived.

“I walked into the hair and makeup trailer and I couldn’t believe it! They put me through the works. That’s when I first saw the level of excellence involved in being a film and television Makeup Artist. I thought to myself, I could do this!

“I attended makeup school in Vancouver, but I didn’t receive the level of education that Blanche Macdonald students get. Not even close. I had to seek out extra training on my own. Monique Venier was a teacher of mine. She was incredibly inspiring. She took me under her wing. I assisted her on photo shoots, runway shows, and even my first film. It was a cheesy film called The Fear Resurrection. It was so exciting. I couldn’t wait to jump out of bed and get to work every day.  Monique was everything I wanted to be. Now that I’m a teacher, I strive to do the same: share my knowledge, inspire and nurture creativity.”  

Leah loved her first taste of the movie life. Nothing was going to stop her from making it her everyday reality.

“I wanted a career where I could work alongside creative geniuses. I wanted to be surrounded by hard working people who had made it. I was working as a waitress on weekends and volunteering Monday through Friday on film sets. Living on Mr Noodles and toast didn’t stop me from chasing my dreams. Eventually I received a call from Lili Marchenski of ACFC and after an interview I was invited to join the union. This led to my first job as first assistant on a sci-fi series called First Wave. That was when my career exploded! I was very excited and proud of the work I was doing. Soon I had enough experience to join IATSE. My first day call was assisting Jayne Dancose on a show called Millennium. I got to paint a dead foot. I remember sitting in front of the television as the episode aired, and seeing my work. I screamed, ‘That's my foot!’” 

Matching her natural talent with an easy charm and a hunger for hard work, Leah’s reputation swiftly spread through the industry. In a few short years she’d risen to the position of department head, receiving three Gemini Award nominations and winning one for her work on Stargate Atlantis. 

“My work was submitted for the Emmy Awards when I was Head of Department for Unbreak My Heart, The Toni Braxton biopic. We shot the entire movie in three weeks. We took Toni’s character from a small town girl with acne to the superstar she is today. We recreated her music videos, awards shows, makeovers, and her battle with lupus. I was doing up to ten makeup changes on our lead actress daily and overseeing the large cast as well. I brought some of my Blanche students on set to assist me. I love giving the stars in the classroom a foot in the door. That's one of the reasons I became a teacher. As a Department Head, I’m always looking for people who possess great work ethic as well as creative talent. That’s how I choose my assistants. I want team players with good attitudes who can take direction. I wouldn’t hire an amazing artist with a bad attitude, and I make sure my students understand that.”

Students are reaping the benefits of Leah’s expertise in class and on set, but that exchange of creativity is a two way street.

“I’m constantly inspired by my students,” she insists. “They are from a different generation, so they’re interested in different music, media, and fashion. Teaching has made me a better makeup artist. I don’t encourage students to copy my work, I want them to discover and explore their own style. I help them develop that. This way they will become Department Heads and industry leaders. By the time they complete their studies at Blanche Macdonald, they can do some pretty impressive stuff. I want the next generation of makeup artists to be outstanding, and I hope that my students make that happen.”

Leah wants her students to succeed. She supports them from the moment they walk into her classroom. On one condition... they need to push themselves the same way Leah pushes herself. 

“Try everything. Accept jobs even if they scare you, be professional at all times and do every job to the best of your abilities. Even if your work is cut in editing, you’re still proving yourself. Every new opportunity will build pride and confidence in your work.”

For Leah, professionalism and artistry go hand in hand. Sure she's tough, but the girl from Athabasca has the same enthusiasm and creative spirit she had when she was a five year old sculpting horses out of clay.

“Even now, whenever I accept a job, I love diving into the research and character development from the script. I’m always eager to meet the group of talented people that I will be working with from job to job. The whole process is fascinating to me. 

“I’m learning every day, whether it’s a new technique or just a different point of view. You learn from your mistakes. Keep your eyes open all the time. Looks at faces, art, nature, tragedy and celebration. You can draw from everything around you. There is inspiration everywhere!”

With thousands of artists soaring into our halls from around the world each year, our classrooms have become dynamic global communities under the unitedly diverse banner of our Blanche World – a United Nations of creativity! In a glorious culture clash, our International students import a vibrant collection of new customs, insights and inspiration that colour our world in exciting new ways. The leap from their home countries to our corner of Canada comes with big change, courage and incredible journeys. Speaking in the international language of passion, we sit down with our global talent to talk the dreams that brought them here, the challenges they overcame, and all about the power of being an artistic representative in a new country. Meet the burgeoning stars that have joined us from around the globe in our UN storytelling!

Beauty. For Global Makeup graduate Eva Svobodova, it has been a lifelong fascination.

At University in her home country of the Czech Republic, Eva earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree studying the question “What is Beauty?” analyzing the theories of critics, philosophers and art historians who, like Eva, were searching for the answer.

Now, halfway across the world, Eva explores that very same question as a professional Makeup Artist in Vancouver, Canada. Moving from the theoretical to the practical, and from the pen to the brush, Eva creates beauty through her daring and dazzling artistry. Through her bold, colourful work she challenges us to question, to interact with and marvel at the medium of makeup.

In her short career Eva has graced the podium three times at the IMATS (International Makeup Trade Show) Battle of the Brushes, and she is already working as an in-demand Freelance artist for editorial, fashion shoots and films. With all that Eva has achieved just a month after her graduation, you would think she was born a makeup artist. But before she stumbled upon Blanche Macdonald two years ago, she didn’t even know makeup schools existed.

“I was 27 and I still didn’t know what I wanted to do. I was googling one day and I found Blanche Macdonald by chance. I didn’t know you could actually study Makeup Artistry! So when I found out about the school, I knew I wanted to do it.”

Eva had always loved art, but she was left unfulfilled by her academic studies at University. Hoping that things would become clearer with a fresh perspective, Eva decided to travel and improve her English. She obtained a work permit for Canada, and landed on the West Coast ready for an adventure. But after a year in Vancouver, the only thing that was clear was that she wanted to remain in Canada. With work permit options exhausted, she decided to apply for a student visa. But to study what?

“I wanted to do something creative,” she recalls. “That was when I discovered Blanche Macdonald. I came and met with a director, read the reviews and it was all great. Everyone was so excited about this Makeup program. The atmosphere was so professional and everyone was so nice. I was really excited. So I said okay, let’s do it! And I am glad I did it!”

Eva hasn’t looked back. Always facing forward, she continually challenges artistic boundaries, creating avant garde makeups that deconstruct questions of beauty and push at the borders of the medium. From pastiche to postmodern to painterly, Eva’s provocative work is as intelligent as it is eye-catching.

The IMATS judges obviously agree. In two years Eva has taken home first, second and third prizes across two categories in Vancouver and in Toronto.

“The first time I was at IMATS was in 2014. I saw the Battle of the Brushes contestants and I thought, that’s going to be me next year! So I made it my goal. I applied, and in 2015 I won first place in Beauty/Fantasy. It was a surprise! You hope for it but you never expect it. It felt great!”

Bolstered by her win, Eva applied to IMATS 2015 in Toronto, where she won third place in Beauty/Fantasy. Then at IMATS 2016 in Vancouver, she placed on the podium yet again with second place in Character/Prosthetics. But this time it wasn’t just the prize that made it special. Eva fulfilled another goal: meeting Todd McIntosh, Blanche Macdonald’s Emmy-award winning Makeup Director. Todd was Eva’s personal Battle of the Brushes mentor in a private one-on-one coaching session of a lifetime.

“Before I enrolled I was reading the brochure of the school and there was Todd McIntosh. I thought, I want to meet him. And then I got to have him as a mentor! It was a huge honour, it was amazing. He was so open. He showed us a demo and how he does Prosthetics. He was really nice and gave me great advice and feedback on my work. He was a huge help. I love him!”

Creative, determined, driven and unstoppable, Eva is a true artist, combining raw talent with a winning work ethic. But to define Eva in one word would be: fearless. In her work, in her art and in her life. She takes on challenges with grace and confidence, embraces risk and takes leaps of faith across continents, across careers, across expectations. This fearlessness will continue to raise her to soaring heights of artistry and success. It is the foundation upon which she will build her amazing career.

Have No Fear: these are words Eva lives by, and her most precious advice to fellow budding artists and international students.

“Don’t be afraid of the language. Don’t be afraid at all. Because everything is just fine and everyone is so supportive. I loved my time at Blanche Macdonald. If you know you want to do makeup, this is just the best place to be!” 

They're the pruners of our strands, the keepers of our secrets and the masterminds behind those picture-perfect balayages. These Blanche Macdonald Pro Hair graduates are just getting their feet wet in the whirlwind world of Hair, but already, they're making waves in their new careers. Spanning the scene from stylists and barbers to Pro-Educators and entrepreneurs, our grads own their very own hair salons, hold the hottest seats in top salons, and work behind the scenes to create stunning editorials. Armed with the knowledge of our internationally recognized training, and a pair or two of super-sharp shears, these remarkable individuals have heard the entrepreneurial call of the Hair world and they have answered back. With Contessa Awards and other prestigious national and international competition wins under their collective belts, our grads are climbing the ranks of local and international scenes one snip at a time. It can be hairy, but they're ready for anything!

What happens when you mix a spot of South Park, a dash of Pokémon and a heaping tablespoon of competitive cheerleading and shake it up with a little somethin’ extra? You get Blanche Macdonald grad and wearer of infinite hair bows Jashper Paras! With such eclectic interests, it’s no surprise that Jashper has found his home at B-Bombshell Salon “Where Geek is Chic.” Jashper is here, in charge and ready to rock your hair world with a dazzling smile that just happens to bring out the cutest dimples you ever did see - and let’s be real, a dramatic cape flourish upon entrance. With a penchant for everything and anything from easy everyday looks to crazy fashion colours, there’s nothing he can’t do - including a darn good bouncy blowout. Skills? Check. Entertaining? Double Check. Enter your new stylist Sailor Jashper Paras: Agent of love, beauty and killer hair days.


Blanche Macdonald: What was your favourite part of our Hair program?

Jashper Paras: My favourite part of the Hair program was the TV & Film module. The module combined history and hairstyling - which was very interesting. Doing hair through the ages gave a great insight into which trends were popular in each era. On the practical side, it expanded our knowledge in styling by creating different textures and silhouettes that you wouldn’t normally do on a client. Also the photo shoot at the end of the module was like one big cosplay contest and we were given the freedom to recreate an iconic character from TV or Film. It was very fun!

BMC: 
What is your specialty (cut, colour, ombre, etc)?

JP: I love everything about hair! There is so much I’ve learned at Blanche Macdonald and in continuing my education with brands like L'Oréal, Redken and Davines. But my passion lies in styling. I love blowdry styling especially; there are so many possibilities and techniques to give a natural finish.


BMC: Was there any advice you got going into Hair school from your friends and/or family?

JP: Yes! My mother told to me to never be ashamed of working hard or letting people see you sweat. And I believe that some people can get caught up in appearances trying to look effortless, which ironically makes them not focused on their work. Another tidbit of of advice that I had echo in my head during photo shoot exams specifically was “KISS” or “Keep It Simple Stupid.” I'm not sure where it comes from but I heard it quoted by a drag queen, Ginger Minj during her interview for RuPaul’s Drag Race so basically, it’s gospel.

BMC: How did our Career Services and job placements help you find work?

JP: My job placement gave me real life expectations of what it takes to find the courage to introduce yourself to salons and go through a hiring process. I chose to do my work experience at B-Bombshell Salon in New Westminster. I was attracted to it because of its unique gaming style setting and high quality products. This experience helped me find work because around a year later, I was asked to come back and work as a stylist!


BMC: What’s one hair trend you’d love to try?

JP: A few of years ago Davines came out with a colour idea called “Mother of Pearl.” The concept was to mirror the opalescent effect of the inside of a seashell on the hair. By taking slices of hair and applying red, blue and green to the hair in blocks it creates a very interesting versatile look.


BMC: What’s the one thing about doing hair you find the most difficult? And why?

JP: Breaking old habits. There are so many techniques and different ways to do hair. If something isn't working for you, try doing that technique a couple different ways and you'll find one that sits well with your style.

BMC: 
What movie title best describes your life?

JP: La Vie En Rose, the movie depicting the life of French singer Édith Piaf. The translation of the title is “life in pink” or, “life through rosy glasses”, meaning that you look at things with joy or a cheery disposition. I feel like I always strive to look at the bright side, to see the good in everything and everyone. It also describes the state you are in when in love, and I'm in love with life.


BMC: If you had to wear one outfit for the rest of your life what would it be?

JP: That's a hard question! I would love to wear sweatpants and a baggy knit sweater. But it would also have to be something all black and the outfit would totally have a cape or poncho – basically anything I can flourish for dramatic effect during casual conversations!

BMC: Which Sailor Scout are you and why?

JP: I love Sailor Moon but in my heart, I know I am Sailor Venus: Guardian of Love and Beauty. I most relate with her because of the way she balances her dreams of singing and being a volleyball star. Sailor Venus has an artistic side and a sporty side but at her core, I believe she is simply entertaining. She has a very carpe diem attitude, is driven in achieving her goals and so supportive of her friends. I like to express my artistic side through hair and the fact that I get money for it is just a perk of my passion. But I express my athleticism through cheerleading! I’ve been a cheerleader since I was 15 and I compete at national and international competitions. With both my passions of hair and cheerleading, I may falter and excel in certain aspects but I always try to keep a high level of entertainment. And that's who Sailor Venus is; she’s an entertainer, and a star just like me!

Photo credits: @jashpy, process photos by Sam Chua: Image Creator. All photos provided by Jashper Paras

With thousands of artists soaring into our halls from around the world each year, our classrooms have become dynamic global communities under the unitedly diverse banner of our Blanche World – a United Nations of creativity! In a glorious culture clash, our International students import a vibrant collection of new customs, insights and inspiration that colour our world in exciting new ways. The leap from their home countries to our corner of Canada comes with big change, courage and incredible journeys. Speaking in the international language of passion, we sit down with our global talent to talk the dreams that brought them here, the challenges they overcame, and all about the power of being an artistic representative in a new country. Meet the burgeoning stars that have joined us from around the globe in our UN storytelling!

Global Makeup Graduate Mayuko Tsuji has quietly captivated her audience since day one at Blanche Macdonald. Her charming demeanour, enthusiasm to challenge herself and commitment to learning have been nothing short of inspiring. Quietly brave and fearlessly bold, it's hard to believe this Osaka-native moved all the way to Vancouver on her own - despite speaking very little English.

Mayuko wasted no time getting comfortable, eagerly immersing herself in a new culture and navigating her way through a foreign city. She then settled into her studies at Canada's Top Makeup School where she continued to demonstrate gratitude and benevolence to anyone that crossed her path. Her soft spoken words are articulated with profound sincerity as she recounts her experiences of coming to Canada.

"I am originally from Osaka, Japan. Japan is an incredible country for so many reasons, however, it is a difficult place for an aspiring Makeup Artist. When I was growing up I was very interested in Makeup and I was always reading fashion magazines and watching video tutorials about makeup. I remember this time a friend asked me to do her Makeup. I was surprisingly pleased with the outcome and it was after that experience that I said to myself, 'This job is amazing. I could make people really happy'."

Filled with ardour for this thrilling industry, Mayuko was determined to carve out a niche for herself in the world of Makeup. It wasn’t long after this that she began exploring her options.

“I knew that Makeup was what I wanted to do so that was the first step. I travelled from Japan to New York to look at Makeup Schools, however, I quickly realized how hard it is to obtain a United States visa. Unlike Canada, they do not offer any support, so you need to hire a lawyer which is very expensive. In addition to this, for how expensive the tuition is, most of the programs they offer in New York are only three or six months and I was looking for something longer.”

A small hiccup but by no means a hindrance, Mayuko said goodbye (for now) to New York and began to look at her other options. It was a conversation with a friend that brought her hunt to a close.

“A friend of mine who is Canadian told me about Blanche Macdonald Centre. She told me it was the best school in Canada. Soon after I came to visit the school and I met with International Admissions Director, Lina Lee. Right away I felt at ease with Lina. She showed me around the campuses and I knew right away that this was it. This was the school for me. I applied right on the spot and have never looked back!”

Mayuko never doubted her choice. Though she’ll admit that things were far from easy at the beginning, she was armed with determination, ready to face every obstacle head on. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Mayuko’s positive attitude proved to be her greatest ally, landing her in the driver’s seat of numerous artistic projects within Vancouver and beyond.

“Coming to Vancouver had its challenges but was also the best decision I ever made. I moved here not knowing anyone and was living on my own. Everyone was so kind though, and I've met lots of new friends. School was a lot of work but so much fun. It exceeded all my expectations!”

Mayuko has not only learned her way around the city, but she’s even learned to expertly navigate the creative community. Mayuko is glowing in her accomplishments, as she shares the news of her latest, and most exciting, project to date.

“During my last week of school I was filmed for a reality television show based out of Japan by Wonderland Tours Inc. Productions called “Gutto! Chikyubin” (Worldwide Postal Service). It documents people living abroad, pursuing different avenues of studies and careers. It is a show that I have always watched and I thought, if I could be on it, it would bring great awareness for my career. So when I was home for Christmas I asked my mom if she’d nominate me for the show. It was one of those far-fetched things that I thought would never happen. But then months later I received a call out of the blue! They called me a week before the filming was scheduled to start to let me know that I had been selected.

“A small film crew flew in from Japan to film me for four days straight in Vancouver and at the Blanche Macdonald City Square campus. This was during my final exams so it was really busy. It was a stressful few days but it was so much fun and such an amazing opportunity. I feel very grateful to have been a part of it.”

With her boldness in dreams, and her initiative in making industry connections, Mayuko is well on her way to future successes. Eager to take on even more daring moves, she already has big plans for her burgeoning future.

“My goal is to move to London, England. My first love is Fashion Makeup and so that is the place to be. The energy and passion of London is so exhilarating! I hope to start my career there and then you never know, maybe end up back in New York.”

Currently, Mayuko is happily living back home in Japan. Brimming with ambition, she is working at Lancôme in Tokyo, gaining experience and making connections in the global makeup scene.

Moving ahead, Mayuko plans to see out her calling in the world of Fashion Makeup. With her professional savvy and natural charms, one thing this is for certain: wherever Mayuko’s next journey takes her, it will be filled with beautiful things.

If you find yourself in one of Vanessa Giles’ classes at Blanche Macdonald, pay attention to every word. You never know when you’re going to be treated to a magical story from the daily adventure that is the TV and film industry.

“On Once Upon A Time I was working with Ginnifer Goodwin, who plays Snow White. In a horseback scene Ginnifer was knocked to the ground by a horse. Our lead lady literally flew face first into the ground as hooves landed all around her! Ginnifer, being the trooper that she is, got up with her face covered in blood and the crew tentatively applauded her as she walked off to get treated. She asked me to accompany her to the hospital for stitches on her brow. It was up to me to calm her nerves about the prospect of scarring. I promised I’d do everything I could for her to continue shooting. We returned to the makeup trailer where I counter-shaded her swelling, covered her bruising, reshaped her eyebrow and camouflaged her bandage as best I could. She was able to return to set that same afternoon and I received flowers from production the next day for allowing them to keep shooting as planned.”

Vanessa’s always ready to save the day. The Blanche Macdonald Makeup graduate-turned-instructor has a dazzling résumé, working on blockbusters including The Chronicles of Riddick, Watchmen, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, War of the Planet of the Apes, 50 Shades of Grey, Sucker Punch, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Night at the Museum 2 (which narrowly missed an Oscar nomination for Makeup) and the forthcoming Tomboy, where she was the personal Makeup Artist for the legendary Sigourney Weaver. Pretty impressive for someone who didn’t even consider herself an artist until towards the end of her high school career.

“I really wasn’t the best artist until I had an art teacher, Mr. Sandvoss, who showed me Georgia O’Keeffe’s work,” she recalls. “I’d never seen anything like that before. A switch went off in my head, and all of a sudden I could draw and paint.”

From that moment Vanessa knew she was going to be an artist. She just didn’t know what kind.

“I was building my portfolio but the work I was doing at the time was pointillist. I had to spend a lot of time alone to concentrate. I like being around people, laughing and interacting. I told my Mom this and she said, ‘Why don’t you do drawing, painting and sculpting on people?’ I went down to Blanche Macdonald to check it out and signed up the next week. I’ve been doing makeup ever since!

“The program incorporated all the elements I was looking for – drawing, painting and working with people. I had great teachers, including Jen Folk. The first time I saw myself with a white goatee in Jen’s class was hilarious.”

Blanche Macdonald provided Vanessa with more than facial hair and creative guidance. It also gave the young makeup artist the keys to the door of the TV and film industry.

“A career director called me and asked me if I wanted to work on an independent film called Horsey. One of my co-workers on that film was Leanne Podavin. We hit it off immediately. I thought that if this is the kind of person I get to hang out with, then this is a great job.”

She’d made a great start, but Vanessa was taking control of her own destiny, embracing new experiences and expanding her professional network.

“I sent out my résumé a lot. I would look through the phone book and cold call and fax photographers. It totally worked. I was doing beauty shoots and began working my way up the independent film circuit.

“I covered for another makeup artist for two weeks with a production company called Sodona Entertainment. They started offering me Department Head positions and I worked for them happily for many years. The one downside was that I was always hiring people with less experience than me. I wanted to work with industry leaders who had been on the big shows who I could learn from. As it was I was figuring things out on my own. On Lone Hero, I had to create full tattoo sleeves for Lou Diamond Phillips and keep them on him for a month. This was before tattoo transfers existed. I made stencils and did touch-ups by hand every day. And I made him wear saran wrap in the shower!”

Vanessa had a comfortable and prestigious position with Sodona, but she wanted to experience more. Job security couldn’t compete with the prospect of learning from the best of the best. 

“I joined the ACFC West Local 2020 union and started Department Heading small TV series. I taught Lil’ Romeo how to shave for his series. I did another show called Skate, where I got to work with the world’s best skateboarders. I became an IATSE permittee and ended up working with Jen Folk on The Chronicles of Riddick. She would help me by telling me when to be invisible and when to make myself visible. It was wonderful of her to help me like that.”

It was on that set that Vanessa had the first of many brushes with Makeup Royalty when she was summoned into the trailer of the legendary Ve Neill.

“A group of us were working on necromonger women test makeups. Ve was watching what we were doing and would take over for a second, make these beautiful brush stroke adjustments, and we would follow her lead. It was so exciting: one-on-one tutoring with Ve Neill! The other fantastic thing about that show was that it led me to my friend and mentor for the past ten years, Victoria Down. Victoria brought me in as a second first assistant on John Tucker Must Die and we started working together regularly after that.”

It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. As one of Victoria’s right hand people, Vanessa has been the Key First Assistant on War of the Planet of the Apes, The X-Files, Night at the Museum 2 and 3, 50 Shades of Grey, Big Eyes, Hidden, Superman: Man of Steel, Once Upon a Time, This Means War, and Percy Jackson and The Lightening Thief. Happy to share her talented assistants, Victoria recommended Vanessa to Rosalina Da Silva, who brought Vanessa into the fold for the explosion of creativity that was Watchmen and Sucker Punch.

“Most movies want less Makeup, but Zach Snyder, who directed Watchmen and 300, always wants more, more, more makeup! We created looks for Knights and Devil Girls on Sucker Punch and Zach kept asking for bigger and bigger, so we started busting out rhinestones, eyelashes and airbrushes. Which was amazing!”

Now Vanessa is sharing her expertise and stories with the next generation of movie makeup magicians in Blanche Macdonald’s classrooms. Her most important lesson is that no matter how great your work, it’s your professionalism that will take you into the top of the industry. 

“There are a lot of egos in this industry. Everyone has one. You need to know when it’s not about you, and you need to be ok with that. You need to know when to fade back and when to shine. You can’t step on a department head’s toes. Making your department head look good is the key to your success.

“I encourage students to consider that their professional career begins the moment they come to Makeup School. Let’s focus on learning to do makeup on other people and learning how to present yourself. You can have piercings and tattoos, but having the proper professional decorum will be what takes you far in the film industry. You have to work hard to succeed, but it’s possible. I taught at Blanche 15 years ago, and many of my students from then are now Department Heads.” 

If you do find yourself in one of Vanessa’s classes brace yourself for the highest levels of professionalism, techniques and, above all, stories that will challenge your TV and film preconceptions. 

“I’ll talk about some of the ‘personal’ body makeup on 50 Shades of Grey. Sometimes my students look shocked when I explain that you have to paint things other than faces. I try to prepare my students as best I can for what to expect. I want them to feel confident and excited to start working. It’s an action packed road ahead!”

“I love the flexibility of being my own boss,” insists Sabrina Beltrano, relaxing between clients at her professional home at Workshop, one of Downtown Vancouver’s most beloved and fashion forward salons. “I like that I can create my own hours, charge what I want to charge, and use the colour lines that I love. I never want to stop getting more clients. Getting new people in my chair keeps me motivated.”

Staying motivated is never a challenge for Sabrina. The Blanche Macdonald Pro Hair grad runs her own business as one of the independent hair professionals gathered under a single stylish roof at Workshop. A community of creative and entrepreneurial spirits, it’s the perfect spot for stylists who enjoy working and playing by their own rules.

“I didn’t want to be a regular stylist who’d do cuts and colours and then go home,” continues Sabrina. “Renting a chair means it’s my business and my responsibility. That means you have to make sure you’re keeping up on Instagram, Facebook and Craigslist.”

Was a career in hair Sabrina’s destiny? Growing up in Kamloops, BC with a stylist mother meant it was always a distinct possibility, even when other passions took priority. 

“I’ve had pretty much the same hairstyle since I was five. Long and dark! I knew I wanted to follow in my Mom’s footsteps, but I was also a soccer-playing tomboy. I cared about my hair but I cared even more about sports.” 

It didn’t take long after graduating high school to commit to a career in hair. And once that decision had been made the search for the perfect Hair School was swift and effective.

“I wanted to go to the best of the best. I googled ‘Best Hair School’ and Blanche Macdonald came up! I knew that when I would go for interviews employers would see the Blanche name and know that my training was really good.”

Those high expectations were realized on Day One.

“Starting Hair School was so exciting. When we all received our boxes of equipment I saw the Bumble and bumble products and knew how luxurious it all was. I wanted to cut right away!”

When the time arrived for that first cut on a real client in the Blanche Macdonald school salon, it wasn’t easy, but Sabrina delivered.

“I was so nervous. That haircut took three hours. I kept asking for the teacher and was worried that one side of the cut was radically different from the other. But once I finished the client loved it. I thought, ‘Ok, I think I can do this.’ 

“Not long after that people began calling the School and booking with me. I would cut one person’s hair and they’d tell their friends. After a month or two people started coming in just to be styled. I felt like I could talk to clients and tell them how to best wear and style their hair. We were taught to demonstrate our confidence. You could be the best cutter but unless you’re confident, no one will believe that you’ll do a good job. It’s a combination of your words, body posture and looking people in the eye. If you can tell clients how to look after their hair at home and what products to use they’ll want to come back and learn more.

“Lisa Callender and Renata Trebacz were great instructors. Renata would get straight down to business. She was so professional. She taught us that our blow dry would have to be a ten out of ten every time. If you can finish with a great style, she told us, clients will always come back to you. That stuck with me.”

Today Sabrina is a colour specialist, a veritable master of Balayage whose expertise is known and respected across Vancouver. But she’d never describe herself as a natural colour scientist. Her abilities arrived through countless hours of study and practice.

“I was literally the worst in the class!” she laughs “I was always asking questions. As the class progressed I started getting it and I began practicing more. I would watch videos of different techniques. I wanted to go above and beyond. I practiced on mannequins in my own time. I enjoyed being creative with the colours, with different placements and techniques. Clients these days like a more natural look. That’s hard to replicate.”

Eager to begin cutting and colouring immediately after graduation, Sabrina took a tip from Program Director Phil Loiselle and launched herself into what would become the first step into her self-propelled professional career.

“Phil told me that there was a space at Eterna Salon and Day Spa in Lougheed Mall. It was a salon that used Joico colour, which is what we used at school, so I felt very confident with that. I started right away as a stylist and began building my clientele. Within four months I was fully booked. I was always hustling around the mall. If I saw someone walking by me I’d hand them a card and say, ‘Hey, we’re having 20% off at the salon.’ I’d offer a deal. It was all about confidence.

“I loved it. I was busy all the time but after three years I was ready to take the next step. Franco Federico runs Workshop. I met his parents at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver and they told me their son owned a salon downtown. I applied, he gave me a job as a commission stylist and I soon became busy enough to rent a chair.”

She’s been a core member of the Workshop Team ever since, bringing colour and charisma to one of the city’s most bustling salons. Despite her impressive skill set, Sabrina insists that it’s the personality she brings to work every day that keeps her clientele excited about returning to her chair. 

“I’m sure that people sometimes sit down and don’t even care about their haircut. That sounds crazy, but they’re more interested in talking and hearing what you’ll say to them. Your personality and energy can be more significant than the haircut itself. You still have to do a good cut, of course, but they come back for more than that. They come to see you. They tell you about their lives. You build friendships. An important part of being a stylist is being open with people. If you do that people will open up to you.”

The future is beyond bright from Sabrina. She’s already proved that her abilities and attitude can take her wherever she chooses. Success is guaranteed. It’s merely a matter of deciding what it’s going to look like. 

“For now I love renting a chair at Workshop but I would love to own my own boutique salon one day. I love setting goals for myself but I’ve grown to understand that you need to put in your time first. Everything won’t come immediately. Continue your education as new products and trends emerge. It’ll happen. You just have to put in the work! 

“It still feels so good that I can make people love their hair. Even after I graduated Hair School I still didn’t understand that I had that ability. It was only once people kept coming back to me I realized that I must know what I’m doing!”

Amidst the sprawling metropolis of New York City, film fanatics and beauty aficionados flocked to Pier 94 New York, New York this past month to take in everything Makeup at the prestigious International Make-up Artist Trade Show (IMATS). Held annually in only six mega makeup hubs across the globe (LA, New York, Vancouver, London, Toronto and Sydney) IMATS is a cosmetic wonderland and an opportunity to rub shoulders with the best of the best: from tip-top Makeup industry veterans and innovators, to Award-Winning Artists and YouTube/Vlogger sensations. This year, two superstar Blanche Macdonald Makeup prodigies – recent Global Makeup graduate and first time competitor from Ottawa, Ontario Aurezo Sanari as well as Global Makeup Co-op graduate and two-time competitor from Monroe, Michigan, Erin Geer – were selected to compete in the hotly contested Battle of the Brushes competition at this renowned event. With thousands milling about and Facebook live feeds streaming away, these two took to the stage with a carefully selected group of outrageous new makeup artists to battle it out for those coveted podium spots.

Blanche Macdonald: How did you prepare for this event?

Erin Geer: With the Battle of the Brushes Prosthetics category you aren't told how many pieces  or even what exact pieces you will be getting. Because of this, there is only so much prep you can do. I practiced at home for the last two months, making sure I knew my layers and the order I would do things in so that I didn't get lost. This helped a lot in my time management.

Aurezo Sanari: I received the news that I was a finalist seven weeks before the show, which is exactly when the preparations began! In terms of preparing for the day itself, I packed doubles of every product I used just in case something didn't work!

BMC: What spoke to you most about the theme of each contest? What aspects did you want to integrate into your look because of the theme?

EG: I LOVE LOVE LOVE creating aliens and creatures!!! It is a giant passion of mine. When I heard that Guardians of the Galaxy was this year’s theme for the Character / Prosthetic competition, I couldn't wait to apply. One thing I noticed while watching the movie was that a lot of the characters had illuminated skin or different shaped heads. I knew I wanted to try to incorporate those aspects.

AS: I’m always drawn to the Middle East and constantly inspired by their countries, the beautiful women and their rich culture. Competing in the Beauty / Fantasy category, I knew I wanted to include those things along with some gold into it. I didn't want to go political with my concept but I couldn't find myself creating something without emotion.

BMC: Were there any challenges you encountered?

EG: Oh man - figuring out how to put lighting under a bald cap was my biggest challenge for sure! It wasn't until about a week and a half before we left that I was able to create a piece that worked properly and allowed me to attach it to the hair wrap without major issues.

AS: There was one problem that arose during the two hours I had. When I had practiced before I left, the tears I was using for my look dripped freely but the area we were in for the competition was so cold, the tear drops wouldn’t drop at all! I spent a lot more time trying to get them to drip naturally so I ended up leaving it for a bit and coming back to it later.

BMC: How did you prepare for such a high-pressure, public competition?

EG: I had some amazing teachers at Blanche who really took the time to make sure that I knew what I was doing. I just imagined my competition was a final and I was fine!

AS: During my year at Blanche Macdonald I kept hearing about IMATS and our instructors and faculty at the school are very encouraging. I watched everyone on stage and thought to myself - I think I can do that! And I still can't believe I did! I was overwhelmed by how many people believed in me and it made me work even harder.

BMC: When your name was announced as a winner in your category, how did that feel?

EG: During the competition I wasn't able to pay attention to the other contestants’ work so I wasn't sure what any of the models looked like. Once I got a look, I was blown away. It could have been anyone's game. When my name was called for 2nd I was so happy! It's not everyday that you get to compete against such a talented group of people and come out on top. Honestly, this year's group was really strong.

AS: It's hard to describe the feeling I had in that moment. There were so many emotions - I couldn't even believe I was in New York to begin with, let alone competing at IMATS and when I heard my name I didn't know what to do! I was a deer in headlights - I took a step out and paused because I couldn't quite believe it, and then kept walking to the front of the stage. It was an incredible feeling, I felt like my heart was going to burst!

The Blanche Macdonald Centre would like to offer our warmest congratulations to Erin Geer and Aurezo Sanari, along with huge thanks to our staff in the Blanche Macdonald Makeup department whose hard work was at the heart of these astoundingly talented students!

We’re so excited to introduce you to the pillars of our Global Makeup Artistry program, the creative forces that drive it and the graduates who are continuing to gain world-wide recognition for their unmatched Makeup skills. Our commitment to the global artistry community has only strengthened our dedication and reputation for excellence. Throughout the years, we have been fortunate to have forged incredible relationships with some of the top artists in their field who contribute to the successes of our programs and our graduates even now.

We are so humbled to be recognized as the “Harvard of Makeup” by someone of Eve Pearl’s stature. As a five-time Emmy Award winning Makeup Artist and one of the leading authorities on beauty, Eve Pearl is also a highly successful entrepreneur behind the international cosmetics brand Eve Pearl with over two decades of experience in TV, film, print and theatre.

With a myriad of remarkable Daytime Emmy nominations and wins, along with multiple Leo Award and Canadian Screen Award nominations in this past year alone, we are so proud of the local, national and international artists that have come through our halls! Of course, it helps that our Global Makeup program was written by Hollywood Makeup royalty, our own Makeup Director Todd McIntosh who also happens to hold two Emmy Award wins and 13 nominations under his name.

We are so happy to announce that a mere ten days ago Blanche Macdonald Global Makeup graduate Jenna Servatius joined the ranks of award-winning artists and took home the 2017 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Makeup on PBS’ Odd Squad.

"With a show like Odd Squad where Kid Agents could run into any number of strange people, there is no shortage of new characters and villains to create. A challenge when working on a show with this target age range (5-8 years) is creating characters who are both fantastical and villainous without being frightening. This was achieved by pulling inspiration from various eras, historical figures, Japanese animation, familiar childhood silhouettes and lots of research. In some cases it meant the use of faux fur, resin moulds, and prosthetics, in others, beards, brow blocks and even bread.

"Being a graduate of Blanche Macdonald I feel has really set me up for success. The in depth training I received certainly has set me apart from other artists in my area. Hiring many assistants over the past few years I have seen at first hand the vast difference in the confidence, skill level and overall knowledge of an artist who has graduated from Blanche compared to other schools graduates."

Flip through the stories and successes from Blanche Macdonald Global Makeup graduates from all over the world going from experiencing the majesty of Europe through the eye of Kelseyanna Fitzpatrick, master of atypical beauty and the youngest member of Kat Von D’s Beauty Collective; to the phantasmagoria of Instagram star Mimi Choi’s mind-bending makeup; to the couture creations that have helped Lyle Reimer reach global audiences with his celebrity collaborations; or to Makeup graduate-turned-instructor Jon Hennessey’s cultivation of Vancouver’s top creative beauty agency, NOBASURA.

Makeup is different for everyone. For some, it’s designated to special occasions; for others, it’s an essential daily routine. For Blanche Macdonald Freelance graduate AJ Woodworth, it’s a sacred ritual, deserving of respect in an appropriate space and environment. Upon graduating from Canada’s #1 Makeup School, that’s exactly what she set out to create. AJ’s dreams of a private and comfortable makeup studio have come to fruition in The Glamoury – Yaletown’s newest luxury styling salon.

“Before I did anything in makeup, I was a musician and there were always TV segments, performances or rehearsals that I had to be done up for, usually super early in the morning. I do not go out without my makeup on so the idea of going out to a store to get my makeup done, if they were even open that early, was horrifying. I always wanted something that was really private and that gave the clients an experience, which didn’t exist. So that’s when this idea started to take hold in me.”

With the idea firmly planted, AJ took the plunge and began searching for the perfect location to create her makeup heaven.

“Yaletown was a natural place to be in my mind. I was putting my business plan together and I contacted a leasing agent. I told him what I wanted and he basically told me it would be impossible! Weirdly enough, he called me a few weeks later and was like ‘I found your space!’”

Armed with a business plan and now a place to set it all up, it was time for AJ to decide exactly what aesthetic and feel she wanted her dream studio to take on.

“I can’t take credit for the beauty in here! The one thing I can take credit for is the fact that I knew I wanted something different, something that would make a statement and feel luxurious when you were in it. I knew I wanted lights around the mirrors, lots of privacy – hence the partitions – and an old Hollywood vibe but without the sparkly chandeliers. So I started working with the team at Ste Marie [design studio] and they presented me with this colour palette of reds, eggplant, brass and wallpaper and I just fell in love. They basically took everything I wanted, combined it all and bumped it up 1 million percent! We also worked with Glasfurd & Walker [branding and identity design studio] who did all of our branding and signage.”

Now came time to decide exactly how to shape the perfect experience AJ had dreamed up so long ago. Needing no honing or clarification, AJ knew exactly what variables needed controlling in order to give each client the salon experience of their dreams.

“When people come in, they’re greeted with a client card and given a robe. They can tell us if they’d like to talk or keep it quiet, if they want photos or not, and what exact services they’re looking for. It’s really the best way for them to tell us what they want and for us to deliver it with the least amount of pressure. If they’re having a bad day and they want to come in and relax, they can. If they’re here to catch up on girl talk, we can do that too. I want people to feel like they can get whatever they’re coming for.

“After the card, they get our look book which has our 8 looks and 7 hairstyles to choose from. There are also other options and add-ons they can choose from, like teeth whitening. Basically we’ll do everything a client needs to get them ready for wherever they’re going or whatever they’re doing. This is also the reason we have little pockets of merchandise around the store like body glow, jewelry and a bit of nail polish. We want you leaving completely styled!”

Having each team member’s kit stocked with AJ’s personal favourites, as well as industry and cult beauty picks like NARS, Anastasia and MAC, is the perfect way to make sure there’s consistency and unification between each look or visit, no matter which artist’s chair you sit in.

And if that’s not impressive enough, there’s also the branded line of cosmetics The Glamoury carries.

“I wanted clients to be able to take products with them for touch ups but it was hard to get some lines in here. So I started working on our own line with a company in Toronto to supply some lip colours for us. It’s made in Canada, paraben free and not tested on animals.”

In assembling a team to complete her space, AJ knew that any artists she hired would have to understand the Glamoury’s culture and respect the sanctity of makeup as much as she did. The task seemed daunting, but luckily AJ knew exactly where to look. With such specific needs, it’s no wonder that half of AJ’s team are also graduates of Canada’s #1 Makeup Program.

“It happened pretty organically but Blanche Macdonald has been just so supportive in this area too. I go off of personality and my gut mostly, skill too but personality here is just so important. For example, when I first met Claudia I thought she was the sweetest person I’d ever met and her work was incredible. Then came Martha Camara and Ksenia Ogolikhina and of course, they’re all from Blanche!”

Before AJ could capitalize on her brilliant idea of a private makeup studio, she had to get the training she needed. When the day came to enroll in a Freelance Makeup program, she knew exactly where to go.

“My sister went to Blanche Macdonald for Esthetics and she knew Heather [Sosa, Makeup Career Director] really well from working with her at Holt Renfrew. I always knew Blanche was the only place I would ever go. I loved my time there and my teachers were amazing! You learn so much about everything, from sanitizing stations to interacting with clients and working with other artists, as well as the technical aspects of makeup. I wouldn’t have been able to do what I’ve done if I hadn’t gone to Blanche.

“I went back to Jen [Rothfelder] and Heather when I first opened and asked questions about everything from stocking to kits to the interview process. I go to them for absolutely everything, partly because they have so much to say and partly because they’re so awesome!”

Since their May 2016 opening, AJ has not only created this refreshingly unique space but has also launched a mobile version of The Glamoury for shoots and location services, pinned down collaborations with a number of events and other businesses, and is preparing for the launch of their educational classes starting in the spring. The Glamoury has met so much success in its first few months of business that it’s already got AJ dreaming about the future.

“We’re the official beauty sponsor for the Love Her event, we’re doing a fashion show at the Pacific Rim and we’re going to be in Hush’s Wedding Show at Terminal City! I want to grow this store and make sure it would be good to stand on its own first, obviously, but I’d love to open another location in Toronto. I’d probably never sleep again but I’d love it!”

Vancouver, A.K.A. Hollywood North, is home to towering mountains, lush rainforests and stunning ocean views. It’s a small slice of filming heaven which has helped make the past year one of the busiest and most exciting in Canada’s Film and TV history. In and around Vancouver you can find alien invasions and fairy tale endings, Super Hero battles and monster truck adventures. It was a blockbuster year that saw studio space become limited due to an ever-expanding line up of productions from X-Files and Prison Break reboots to comic book juggernauts Arrow, Supergirl and The Flash fighting crime across the Lower Mainland. In a historic move Hollywood studio giant Skydance opened up one of the world’s longest and tallest stages right here on the West Coast, breathing Altered Carbon to life in Netflix’s biggest creative endeavor yet! With impressive scenery, diverse shooting locales and an incredibly talented pool of TV and film crew, the decision to utilize everything British Columbia has to offer was an easy one.

Vancouver boasts some of the world’s best TV and Film Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists, a previously exclusive club that’s now parting the ropes as high demand for their skills continues to skyrocket. With our city playing host to gruesome hits like Supernatural, iZombie and Deadpool our Blanche Macdonald Hair and Makeup family is beyond busy creating epic looks and winning major awards. In the past year they have been recognized with multiple Emmy, Canadian Screen Awards and Leo Awards for their outstanding work and dedication to their craft. The diversity of the abilities throughout our Fashion scene is becoming more involved and the Film & TV industry is taking note! They are scouting local talent and our contribution is only growing. From Vancouver to Prince George, film productions dotted the landscape in this momentous year and Blanche Macdonald graduates and instructors were lucky enough to take on leading roles.

At the forefront of many of the main costuming jobs that roll through Vancouver is Blanche Macdonald Costuming for TV & Film instructor Derek Baskerville. As an industry veteran with titles like I, Robot, Untold Stories of the ER and Wedding Bells behind him, Derek has an innate understanding of all the demands and responsibilities that come with a role in the costume department of any production. He also has an excellent eye for those students of his who possess such gritty sparkle. Students such as Fashion Marketing graduate Madison Douglas, who is excelling as an assistant to Derek on a number of his upcoming projects! Luckily for our Fashion Marketing and Design students, Derek is also an extraordinary mentor and has placed many Blanche Macdonald Fashion students and graduates behind the scenes of multiple productions.

“One of my greatest pleasures when hiring Blanche Macdonald graduates is that within a very short time they make themselves indispensable with their willingness to take it all on, ‘own it’ and have fun at the same time. In the industry we are always looking for people with fresh ideas and ways to make challenges work while working on tight timelines.  We are looking for people who bring enthusiasm, courage and a positive attitude when they join a new costuming team!”

Whether you are scouring the shops for that perfect piece as a Buyer, dressing background actors for key scenes, giving new clothes “old” life as a breakdown artist like Fashion Design graduate Julian Leclerc is on Netflix’s vampire hunter series Van Helsing, or challenging your skills in sewing and breakdown as a Truck Costumer; being prepared for anything and everything is crucial. It was this ability to acclimate quickly that saw Fashion Design graduate Andromeda Nelson ignite her passion working alongside Derek Baskerville as a Background Costumer on myriad projects and then promptly work her way up to Assistant Costumer. Similarly, Blanche Macdonald Fashion Marketing graduate Angela Ivanochko’s capability to be adaptable in all situations allowed her the opportunity to work as a Buyer on the CW’s breakout hit drama Riverdale.

“Be over prepared and always expect the unexpected to happen. No day in film is ever the same, one day you might be shopping glitzy cocktail gowns at Nordstrom and the next your sourcing men's jockstraps for the high school football team. It can be challenging at times, like anything else in life worth having it requires a lot of effort. But there is nothing more rewarding than hitting up the theatre and seeing you and all your team's hard work showcased on the big screen - that is a moment I live for!”  

Building an encyclopedia of knowledge on style, fit and silhouette is pivotal in being able to translate fundamental looks for TV & Film projects. Just ask Iranian born Fashion Design graduate Maryam Asgari whose role as a Truck Costumer has her responsible for everything from assisting cast at their trailers to properly hot-stocking costumes with a complex series of breakdown phases. Maryam’s hard work has propelled her steady rise through the ranks on hit CW shows such as The Flash and Arrow, ABC’s Once Upon a Time as well as Disney’s Descendants 2 – where she was fortunate to work alongside LA-based Fashion and Costume Designer Kara Saun. As an International student, Maryam faced many adjustments while living abroad and in addition to those was now discovering a whole new terminology – all outside of her native tongue.  

“When I learned the term silhouette it was a huge deal for me. I was asked to day call on The X-Files reboot shortly afterwards and the designer needed me to find him a ‘beautiful silhouette’. I felt amazing because I had the confidence in knowing what that meant! The Fashion Awareness course gave me the knowledge to completely envision a look – beyond even the clothes. I’m able to make sure that everything is there to pull it together from top to toe and place it in the correct era.  Every day on set is completely different, I might be responsible for breakdown, design, background or even sewing. Moving across the world and enrolling in Fashion Design at Blanche Macdonald was intimidating, but has paid off – I work in an industry I love and feel creatively fulfilled.”  

TV and Film is an industry where being at the top of your game 100% of the time is the expectation – space at the top is limited and to play alongside of the best you need to have your game face on. Long hours, changing weather conditions and working accurately under pressure are just a few challenges working on set will throw at you and preparation is key! Fashion Marketing Graduate Renata Mihalickova (Assistant Prep Costumer/Buyer – Love Finds Its Way) quickly found this out maneuvering the world of Hollywood North.

“You have to be on time, whether it’s an early morning crew call or an overnight shoot, so organization is key. You need to work quickly and, most importantly, be accurate and communicate. In this industry it’s important to stay cool under pressure and be able to roll with a changing schedule. There is a very fast moving work flow and you have an ever changing job description. It’s so important to be able to be adaptive and ready for anything – all skills I learned at Blanche Macdonald!”

If you find yourself in one of Vanessa Giles’ classes at Blanche Macdonald, pay attention to every word. You never know when you’re going to be treated to a magical story from the daily adventure that is the TV and film industry.

“On Once Upon A Time I was working with Ginnifer Goodwin, who plays Snow White. In a horseback scene Ginnifer was knocked to the ground by a horse. Our lead lady literally flew face first into the ground as hooves landed all around her! Ginnifer, being the trooper that she is, got up with her face covered in blood and the crew tentatively applauded her as she walked off to get treated. She asked me to accompany her to the hospital for stitches on her brow. It was up to me to calm her nerves about the prospect of scarring. I promised I’d do everything I could for her to continue shooting. We returned to the makeup trailer where I counter-shaded her swelling, covered her bruising, reshaped her eyebrow and camouflaged her bandage as best I could. She was able to return to set that same afternoon and I received flowers from production the next day for allowing them to keep shooting as planned.”

Vanessa’s always ready to save the day. The Blanche Macdonald Makeup graduate-turned-instructor has a dazzling résumé, working on blockbusters including The Chronicles of Riddick, Watchmen, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, War of the Planet of the Apes, 50 Shades of Grey, Sucker Punch, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Night at the Museum 2 (which narrowly missed an Oscar nomination for Makeup), The Assignment with Sigourney Weaver, and the forthcoming Tully, where she was the personal Makeup Artist for the legendary Charlize Theron. Pretty impressive for someone who didn’t even consider herself an artist until towards the end of her high school career.

“I really wasn’t the best artist until I had an art teacher, Mr. Sandvoss, who showed me Georgia O’Keeffe’s work,” she recalls. “I’d never seen anything like that before. A switch went off in my head, and all of a sudden I could draw and paint.”

From that moment Vanessa knew she was going to be an artist. She just didn’t know what kind.

“I was building my portfolio but the work I was doing at the time was pointillist. I had to spend a lot of time alone to concentrate. I like being around people, laughing and interacting. I told my Mom this and she said, ‘Why don’t you do drawing, painting and sculpting on people?’ I went down to Blanche Macdonald to check it out and signed up the next week. I’ve been doing makeup ever since!

“The program incorporated all the elements I was looking for – drawing, painting and working with people. I had great teachers, including Jen Folk. The first time I saw myself with a white goatee in Jen’s class was hilarious.”

Blanche Macdonald provided Vanessa with more than facial hair and creative guidance. It also gave the young makeup artist the keys to the door of the TV and film industry.

“A career director called me and asked me if I wanted to work on an independent film called Horsey. One of my co-workers on that film was Leanne Podavin. We hit it off immediately. I thought that if this is the kind of person I get to hang out with, then this is a great job.”

She’d made a great start, but Vanessa was taking control of her own destiny, embracing new experiences and expanding her professional network.

“I sent out my résumé a lot. I would look through the phone book and cold call and fax photographers. It totally worked. I was doing beauty shoots and began working my way up the independent film circuit.

“I covered for another makeup artist for two weeks with a production company called Sodona Entertainment. They started offering me Department Head positions and I worked for them happily for many years. The one downside was that I was always hiring people with less experience than me. I wanted to work with industry leaders who had been on the big shows who I could learn from. As it was I was figuring things out on my own. On Lone Hero, I had to create full tattoo sleeves for Lou Diamond Phillips and keep them on him for a month. This was before tattoo transfers existed. I made stencils and did touch-ups by hand every day. And I made him wear saran wrap in the shower!”

Vanessa had a comfortable and prestigious position with Sodona, but she wanted to experience more. Job security couldn’t compete with the prospect of learning from the best of the best. 

“I joined the ACFC West Local 2020 union and started Department Heading small TV series. I taught Lil’ Romeo how to shave for his series. I did another show called Skate, where I got to work with the world’s best skateboarders. I became an IATSE permittee and ended up working with Jen Folk on The Chronicles of Riddick. She would help me by telling me when to be invisible and when to make myself visible. It was wonderful of her to help me like that.”

It was on that set that Vanessa had the first of many brushes with Makeup Royalty when she was summoned into the trailer of the legendary Ve Neill.

“A group of us were working on necromonger women test makeups. Ve was watching what we were doing and would take over for a second, make these beautiful brush stroke adjustments, and we would follow her lead. It was so exciting: one-on-one tutoring with Ve Neill! The other fantastic thing about that show was that it led me to my friend and mentor for the past ten years, Victoria Down. Victoria brought me in as a second first assistant on John Tucker Must Die and we started working together regularly after that.”

It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. As one of Victoria’s right hand people, Vanessa has been the Key First Assistant on War of the Planet of the Apes, The X-Files, Night at the Museum 2 and 3, 50 Shades of Grey, Big Eyes, Hidden, Superman: Man of Steel, Once Upon a Time, This Means War, and Percy Jackson and The Lightening Thief. Happy to share her talented assistants, Victoria recommended Vanessa to Rosalina Da Silva, who brought Vanessa into the fold for the explosion of creativity that was Watchmen and Sucker Punch.

“Most movies want less Makeup, but Zach Snyder, who directed Watchmen and 300, always wants more, more, more makeup! We created looks for Knights and Devil Girls on Sucker Punch and Zach kept asking for bigger and bigger, so we started busting out rhinestones, eyelashes and airbrushes. Which was amazing!”

Now Vanessa is sharing her expertise and stories with the next generation of movie makeup magicians in Blanche Macdonald’s classrooms. Her most important lesson is that no matter how great your work, it’s your professionalism that will take you into the top of the industry. 

“There are a lot of egos in this industry. Everyone has one. You need to know when it’s not about you, and you need to be ok with that. You need to know when to fade back and when to shine. You can’t step on a department head’s toes. Making your department head look good is the key to your success.

“I encourage students to consider that their professional career begins the moment they come to Makeup School. Let’s focus on learning to do makeup on other people and learning how to present yourself. You can have piercings and tattoos, but having the proper professional decorum will be what takes you far in the film industry. You have to work hard to succeed, but it’s possible. I taught at Blanche 15 years ago, and many of my students from then are now Department Heads.

“I’ll talk about some of the ‘personal’ body makeup on 50 Shades of Grey. Sometimes my students look shocked when I explain that you have to paint things other than faces. I try to prepare my students as best I can for what to expect. I want them to feel confident and excited to start working. It’s an action packed road ahead!”

If you do find yourself in one of Vanessa’s classes brace yourself for the highest levels of professionalism, techniques and, above all, stories that will challenge your TV and film preconceptions. 

You’d hardly expect to find your hair’s next best friend deep in the corridors of one of the city’s busiest train stations - but that’s exactly where you’ll find Blanche Macdonald Pro Hair graduate Erin Murphy. Nestled in Vancouver, a city famous for its artists and creatives, Erin has managed to build a steady clientele at her salon, carving a niche out for her instantly-recognizable hair skills just a few years after graduating from Canada’s Top Hair School. Recently recognized by both Allure and Teen Vogue for her superior holographic hair creation, Erin’s Instagram teems with her most luscious creations : from silky smooth balayages to dizzying dollops of the most electric colours you could possibly paint! Stunningly sweet, gracious and humble, Erin is here to whip your locks into the frenzy you’ve always wanted.

Blanche Macdonald: So firstly, tell us what a typical day looks like for you.

Erin Murphy: Very busy! And always different. If I’m doing colours, I can usually do two big colour jobs a day. In between that, there may be some cuts or Instagram stuff that I can fit in, but everyday is always fun.

BMC: And what is it about Juju that made you feel like it would be a good salon to call home?

EM: My friend worked here and was moving away so she messaged me saying how great a fit she thought I’d be and that I should apply. At first I was apprehensive because until then, I’d only been an assistant but I applied anyways and the owner really liked me and it’s been great! I’ve been here since last March and it’s an amazing fit for me.

BMC: In a city where there’s so much competition amongst stylists and salons, how did you build such a loyal clientele in such a short time?

EM: It’s a hard thing to do! Word of mouth definitely helps. People notice nice hair and ask ‘Oh, who did that?’ but social media is huge. I’d even go so far as to say that Instagram brings me at least 75% of my clients. Luckily for us, our salon is also in a great location so we get a lot of traffic through because of that as well.

BMC: Can you tell us about the moment you knew you wanted to do hair?

EM: I was working in an office and one day I just looked around and was like ‘What am I doing? I need to be creative.’ I’d already taken the Makeup program at Blanche Macdonald and initially, I thought I’d take hair and be able to combine it with makeup but as soon as I started I loved it so much more than makeup and it became my main passion.

BMC: And was your family supportive?

EM: My family is great and always supportive of me but they were a little iffy when I made the decision to go into hair. They knew I had a good job and so much security so when I said I was going to quit, they were kind of like ‘But, why?’ Then they saw how passionate I was and now that I have a job I love, they’re so happy for me.

BMC: So what made you choose Blanche Macdonald?

EM: I lived on the island when I was looking into schools so I basically just Googled a bunch and Blanche Macdonald came up and had by far, the most recognition and best reputation. When I came to Vancouver to check it out, I knew it was for me. When I decided to go back for hair, I didn’t even look anywhere else. I really enjoyed the Makeup program and knew that I learned everything that I could possibly need to have a career in it and I knew the Pro Hair program would be the same.

BMC: What was the most memorable day / time / teacher at BMC for you?

EM: That’s hard because everyday was so interesting! I loved all the instructors in the Hair program. When we worked in [student salon] Q+A, they would always give me the clients who wanted something bright and fun because they knew that was what I loved to do. They were really great about helping us find and develop our niches as Hair Artists.

BMC: What’s your niche now that you’re out in the hair world?

EM: Definitely vivids! Any fun, bright colours or pastels. I love a good balayage too!  

BMC: What’s one of the looks or styles you’ve done that you’re most proud of?

EM: Recently I did a pastel holographic colour job for a client and it got included in a hair article in both Allure and Teen Vogue! That was such a good feeling. One of my clients sent me the article and I was going to respond being like ‘OMG, I love it!’ and then I realized it was my hair! I’ve had a few clients come in that have seen it also and the salon was super proud of me so that was a pretty cool thing and definitely one of my best hair moments to date.

BMC: So was there a certain technique that you learned and adapted to create the holographic look? Or did you teach yourself how to do it?

EM: I watch videos and techniques, of course, but it’s all about knowing the technique and then adapting it to yourself and your style. When I’m doing those types of colours, my co-workers always ask to watch how I do it but I just put colour where I feel it should go!

BMC: To create these looks, you must have to keep constantly inspired. Where do you find your inspiration?

EM: From all over! I get lots through other work I see that I can build off of. Colour is a big one for me too, we always have flowers in the salon so lots of time I’ll get inspiration from the colour palette of our bouquets!

BMC: Is there a hair trend you’ve seen on Instagram that you’re loving right now?

EM: Maybe it’s the time of year, but I’m loving all the crazy festival hair in such fun colours with braids and things added in. I love it all!

BMC: What about a certain cut or colour you’re dying to try out on someone?

EM: I get to do a lot of colour but there’s a few styles I’d love to be able to do - lots more braiding definitely. Things that are a little more ‘out there.’ But it’s hard to ask that someone stay to let you play with their hair and style it after they’ve spent four hours getting a colour process done!

BMC: You’ve done so well since graduating, is there advice would you give to new stylists or people looking to get into the career?

EM: You’ve got to really put yourself out there. Get out and volunteer and meet people. It’s also very important to get into a salon where you can assist or apprentice to learn all you can. It’s definitely not a job that will just come to you if you just sit back and take it easy.

BMC: What are some challenges of being a stylist?

EM: It’s definitely the hardest when you first start out, for sure. It’s super intimidating to put yourself out there, especially when you’re a new stylist.

BMC: And what is your favourite part of being a stylist?

EM: I love doing what I do and I love doing hair! It’s really awesome to meet people that I do and hear their fun stories. Our area has lots of tourists from all over the world so it can be really interesting to meet them and get to do their hair!

At Blanche Macdonald, we create passionately and dream exquisite dreams - one of those exquisite dreams will come to fruition next week when beauty-industry pro Roque Cozzette comes to do a live makeup demonstration, share inspiration and insight and judge a BMC-family makeup competition!

“Thank you for following your dreams" are the the words Roque Cozzette, whose expertise ranges from print and fashion, to television and celebrity, shares freely with his fellow artists in recognition of the sacrifice and dedication it takes to live an artist’s life. Roque has lent his creative vision to many fashion houses such as Christian Dior, Valentino, John Galliano and Prada, among others.  The world renowned makeup artist and founder of the exquisite 'COZZETTE' brand - a brush and makeup collection that offers luxury and performance with a commitment to provide natural and vegan beauty options - leads in the beauty industry not only as a brilliant artist, but also as an inspiration for the community proving the combined power of positivity and passion.

We are thrilled to announce that Roque will be flying in from New York City to meet with Blanche Macdonald Students and grads, share his magical story and choose the winners from our exclusive ‘Quote with Couture' artist competition!

GOOD LUCK!

“Creativity is the development of ones orchestrated sensibilities of beauty, mind and soul. The ​evidence that allows divine guidance and the interpretation of inner reflection. The art of allowing that results in a masterpiece.” - Roque Cozzette

THEME: Couture Makeup Design 

Allow the quote and the power of beautiful words to inspire your makeup masterpiece - a visual interpretation of your Couture makeup design.

Source inspiration from Roque's rich history in Couture makeup design such as his collaboration with John Galliano during his reign with Dior and Roque's runway work with Valentino and Prada.

We welcome you to submit your favourite photos, along with your personal Artist’s Description by Tuesday, July 4th at noon (PST)!

x Submit a full-faced makeup look.

x Photos may be taken from various angles, but must include the collarbone area and the top of the model’s head.

x Full concept styling is encouraged. While judging will be based on the quality of the Makeup demonstrated, costuming and hair styling will also be taken into consideration.

How your submissions will be judged (out of 100 points):

Theme interpretation - 20 points
Emotional impact of creation - 20 points
Creativity/Originality - 20 points
Use of colour and texture - 20 points
Fashion/Couture detailing - 10 points
Appropriate use of editing - 10 points

This contest is open to all Blanche Macdonald family - current students, graduates and faculty (any program)!

Email your submission to allie.s@blanchemacdonald.com by Tuesday, July 4th, NOON (PST). Please include a few sentences re: your Artists’ Description - your interpretation of the theme in your creation and/or makeup techniques used.

x Submit 2 photos (max 5) for each look you enter. Unlimited entries.

x Photo editing is allowed, but we ask that you send in the original untouched photo along with the edited version.

x Please take your photo setting/background into consideration as we will be posting the top creations publicly on Blanche Macdonald’s social media accounts and website.

The Top 10 submissions will be decided by Blanche Macdonald’s Makeup Program Department and will be contacted via email/phone by 5pm on July 4th and invited to join the special presentation on Wednesday, July 5th at Blanche Macdonald’s Atelier Campus. (Prizes will be mailed to finalists who reside outside of Vancouver.)

Roque Cozzette will announce the Top 3 finalists live during his special Blanche Macdonald presentation on July 5th, 2-4pm!

Note: Wednesday July 5th presentation is solely for Blanche Macdonald current Makeup students. Only graduates who are selected within the Top 10 will be invited to attend.

​TOP TEN: All finalists from 4th to 10th place will receive Roque Cozzette’s 11pc Infinite Makeup Brush Set (valued at $111USD)!

3RD PLACE: Third place winner will receive Roque Cozzette’s 11pc Infinite Makeup Brush Set (valued at $111USD), Aromatherapy Brush Cleanser, and new MATRIX Mixing Liquid!

2ND PLACE: Second Place winner will receive Roque Cozzette’s 11pc Infinite Makeup Brush Set (valued at $111USD), Aromatherapy Brush Cleanser, and new MATRIX Mixing Liquid!

1ST PLACE: ​First Place winner will receive Roque Cozzette’s 12pc eyeshadows, 24pc Divinity Brush Collection (valued at $485USD) with vessel, Aromatherapy Brush Cleanser, and new MATRIX Mixing Liquid!

*All prizes are provided by Roque Cozzette

*Every Cozzette product is vegan, 100% cruelty-free, long-lasting and made to withstand professional circumstances.

*Fact: Cozzette created the world’s first 100% animal free makeup brush brand in 2009! His brushes are synthetic, high quality and innovatively mimic the consistency of real fur. We call them faux-fabulous!

QUESTIONS?

Please feel free to email natasha@blanchemacdonald.com should you have any questions regarding this contest!

With their unique fashion voices, these Blanche Macdonald Global Fashion Marketing graduates are taking the industry by storm. Articulating their story to the world, our grads have navigated their way through fashion's ever evolving terrain, bridging the gap between knowledge and success: from luxury retail brands and glossy magazine offices, to prestigious PR firms and leading buying agencies. Our grads are 'serging' ahead of the trend, climbing the ranks of local and international scenes one fashion forward trend at a time. Meet these burgeoning fashion mavens that have become part of this thrilling community in our Fashion Fervour storytelling!

As the Visual Manager at the highly-anticipated Vancouver opening of Swedish modern-minimalist brand COS, Blanche Macdonald Global Fashion Marketing graduate and Saskatoon-native, Janelle Knihnitski has successfully circumnavigated the Vancouver fashion scene, testing fate and ambitiously pursuing her goals to land herself in this coveted role. Besides being aligned with Janelle’s values and personal aesthetic, another fulfilling aspect of life with COS is that Janelle has already had the opportunity to travel to Montreal, New York, Toronto and Miami in her new position. Maintaining this sleek and resplendent space is no easy feat, but Janelle has demonstrated she is up to the task. Enthusiastic to learn, eager to grow and excited for what’s next to come, meet Janelle Knihnitski, accomplished, adventurous and a visionary in her creative field.  

Blanche Macdonald Centre: As Head of Visual at COS, what does an average workday look like for you?

Janelle Knihnitski: There isn’t really an average workday at COS because there are so many facets to the job. Your objective as a visual is to ensure the store represents the brand and is cohesive with the company globally. This can involve anything from merchandising a room and styling mannequins to using your tool kit and building window props (I’ve become very good friends with my drill). At the same time looking at the targets and re-evaluating your merchandising and making a change while working with your team on achieving visual standards.

There is a lot that goes into the job and you can take inspirations from many different resources; the website, newsletters and company documents. You want a customer to walk into a store in Vancouver and walk into a store in London and recognize that it is the same brand just in different environments. Everyday is a different adventure, which keeps you on your toes. Making it always feel new and exciting!

BMC: Becoming part of the team for this highly-anticipated store opening must have been really exciting. What were the stepping stones for you to achieve such a coveted role?

JK: Yes it was and still is very exciting. It’s been quite a journey to get where I am now and I couldn’t be happier, it just took some time to realize my goals and what truly makes me happy at work.

I’m originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan—The Paris of the Prairies! The city is beautiful and I have wonderful friends and family there but it came to a point where I needed more. So I packed my bags and made my way to Vancouver to attend the Fashion Marketing Program at Canada's Top Fashion School.

Once I graduated I worked my way up to management, mostly in operations. But I always found myself merchandising and helping with visuals. So I decided that if I’m going to work I might as well be doing what makes me happy. The next step was hard to do, but I decided to quit my job and start over. I had no backup plan and barely any savings. The months following were quite an adventure, you get to be pretty inventive when you don’t have a job. But it gave me the opportunity to look for a career that would make me truly happy.

So I re-started from the ground up working in visuals, I worked hard and stuck to my goals and the right people started to take notice. It gave me the confidence to take my career to the next level and find a company that I truly believed in.

Now here I am working at COS as the Visual Manager! I believe in their values, I love the clothes and the space is a dream to work with. I started in September and have gotten to travel to so many places already; I’ve gotten to see Montreal, New York, Toronto and Miami.

The opening was a lot of hard work and busy days but it was amazing. We had COS employees from all over the world coming to support us here in Vancouver to make the opening a success. Now I have friends from Canada, London, Spain, France and Austria. It’s incredible that this company invests in their employee trainings so that they can travel around the world sharing their knowledge to ensure every opening is a success. I can’t wait to see where this journey will take me, who I’m going to meet and where I’ll get to go.

I’m excited to learn, ready to grow and eager to continue on this adventure!

BMC: How did the Blanche Macdonald Career Department help you in pursuing your goals?

JK: When you attend Blanche Macdonald you are given an opportunity to make connections with professionals in the fashion industry; [Blanche Macdonald Career Director] Mel Watts is one of those people. She was always there to help me with volunteering, where to intern and job openings.

There are a number of platforms to look for a career and sometimes it would result in a job and sometimes a wild goose chase. But when I would come back to Blanche Macdonald and reach out to Mel for a job or to do some recruiting, she would show up with her fiery red hair, make you feel supported and get the best outcome for you.

BMC: What was your favourite part of your Fashion Marketing program experience?

JK: Any one of [Blanche Macdonald Fashion Program Director and Instructor] Peggy’s Morrison’s classes. It was such an honour to be in her classes and learn from her, she has so much knowledge and passion. I would be so excited to go to school and sit in her classes and just devour what she had to offer. Her personal experiences brought a unique insight into what she shared in class, it was naturally engaging.

BMC: How would you describe your personal style?

JK: Minimal, considered and with an emphasis on shapes. I’m all about being comfortable (aka a fashionable potato sack), so now it’s figuring out how to take that and combine it with neutral tones, movable silhouettes and adding a becoming accessory to bring it all together.

BMC: If you had to wear one outfit for the rest of your life what would it be?

JK: I’m really into cropped trousers right now so I would definitely be wearing those with some clean cut sneakers, a kimono sleeved shirt and this great beige duster coat I got on sale in New York City.

BMC: What movie title best describes your life?

JK: Thelma and Louise. I’m up for adventures, I’ll try most things once. I believe that I’m strong and I try to live in the moment for the lasting moment.

BMC: What advice would you have for someone who is just graduating?

JK: Be kind, work hard and remember that the right people always eventually notice. Sometimes you have to wait longer for the results but it will ultimately work out. Kindness and work ethic goes a long way when there is so much hustle and bustle in the workplace.

Learn about yourself, celebrate your strengths and acknowledge your weaknesses. As long as you try to work on yourself everyday or week or month, you’re on the path to your own success.

Take the time to connect; even a five-minute conversation can go a long way. It’s a chance to bond with your team members and you never know when you’ll need to rely on that connection.

If life had turned out the way Tracy imagined, you’d be visiting her on the deck of a luxury cruise liner. But it was her piqued curiosity that got the better of her and forever set her life on a new path.

“Initially, I wanted to work in tourism. I had a friend who had registered for the Spa and Esthetics program at Blanche Macdonald and I thought it sounded so cool! I didn’t know anything about esthetics, or even what to call it, but I made an appointment with the school to have a tour and the next thing I knew, I was enrolling in the program. I liked the idea of a service industry, but this was much more realistic and with so many more opportunities!”

The opportunities that followed a world class education at Canada’s Top Spa School were almost immediately discernible to Tracy.

“I did do a bit of research on other schools, but nothing jumped out at me. I decided that I would call some local spas and ask whose graduates they would hire and everyone said ‘Oh, Blanche Macdonald grads are the best!’”

That was over 13 years ago. Now firmly planted in the Esthetics industry, there’s no other place Tracy would rather be. She’s the Spa Lead of North Vancouver’s Blu Harbour Wellness + Spa, the area’s only spa certified in Medical and Advanced Esthetics, which has been her home for the last 6 years.

“This location is fantastic. And my clients here are really wonderful. One of the estheticians we hired here was actually the one that covered my maternity leave at another spa in the area so we’re like a big family! And the owners are great - they’ve given me the opportunity to really grow my career and expand my skills.”

Despite a wonderful and family-like work atmosphere, there’s one other very important factor that keeps Tracy doing what she does every single day.

“I enjoy esthetics. I’m definitely a lifer. I always reflect back when I was a kid and my poor little sister! I used to pretend to do her nails or I’d put a bowl of boiling water on the floor and make her lean over it to give her a facial. When I started school, she was always my model and she was like ‘This is nice! You know what you’re doing now!’”

In fact, Tracy is so good at what she does, her clientele spans from Squamish to Cloverdale and Kitsilano to Tsawwassen. Tracy’s service specialities span from advanced skincare treatments to OxyGeneo facials and Micro Needling but what she’s known for specifically is her Sugar Hair Removal services. As the only Sugar expert at Blu Harbour, to say Tracy’s services are ‘in-demand’ would be a bit of an understatement; couple this demand with her inability to say ‘no’ to a client, and Tracy’s days get very busy, very fast.

“My days are very busy. I do a lot of sugaring and then there’s usually some other services sprinkled in like manis, pedis and facials. My days get booked so fast that when a client calls and can’t get in, I usually take them even if it means I stay later than I’m meant to. I’ve very bad at saying ‘no’! I even booked myself 2 hours later tomorrow night because there are clients who absolutely need to come in.”

But staying late doesn’t bother Tracy. Keeping her clients happy, as she sees it, is the main point of the job.

“My clients are very, very loyal. They’re the ones who, during a discouraging or slow time, will help carry me through. I’ve been in the industry for a long time and one of the main keys to success is building good relationships with your clients.”

It should come as no surprise then, that Tracy’s favourite part of her job is her clients.

“My clients are the best part of my day. Getting to know them and share their lives is amazing. Some of them are my close friends now, we’ve really surpassed that client/esthetician relationship. I’m a talker so to get to come to work and socialize all day is great to me.”

And the clients seem to love her as much as she loves them. With so much industry experience and a dedicated following of clientele, Tracy has found true success in a career she’s built all on her own and now, new estheticians are coming to her to develop their own career path.

“We recently hired a new esthetician at the spa and I’m mentoring her. The thing I keep saying to her is to not get discouraged. It takes about a year to build a good client base but that will come, especially if you take your time and do little extras for them. Even if they’re coming in for a hair removal, give them a little massage after. Whatever their service, just try and make it the nicest and most relaxing version of that service. We have the power to make people’s days so much better so why wouldn’t we try our absolute best to do that?”

From a Vancouver basement to the sets and FX shops behind global hits like The X-Files, Millennium, Stargate, Supernatural, Fringe, Once Upon A Time, Battlestar Galactica, Falling Skies, iZombie, Lone Gunman, Harsh Realm and countless others, Makeup superstar Rachel Griffin has proved that passion and practice can turn a fan into an industry insider.

“I blame it on my father,” laughs Rachel, relaxing in a classroom at Canada's #1 Makeup School, her home base for inspiring the next generation of makeup magicians. “I grew up on a steady diet of cheesy sci-fi. We’d watch things together like Star Trek, Lost in Space, Land of the Giants, Time Tunnel and Dr Who. When I was 16 or 17 Dad took me to see Star Wars. After that I knew I wanted to do something in film.”

Rachel’s done more than “something.” She’s become a fixture in the Vancouver Film and TV industry, starring in the city’s most creative FX shops and continuing to be producers’ favourites when they need an experienced hand on set. It’s more than a job to Rachel. She’s doing what she’s always loved.

“I’d watch sci-fi shows and think, how do they make these things? So I started buying special makeup effects books like Tom Savini’s Grand Illusions; that’s a bible for makeup effects people. I had a lab in my Mom’s basement! I made a little Star Wars movie in my bedroom with the toy figures and a Super 8 camera. I basically learned what not to do.”

If at first you don’t succeed, try harder. At the time there were no Makeup Effects courses in Vancouver (not until Blanche Macdonald incorporated them into our programs) so Rachel continued to work on her craft in her Mom’s basement, creating opportunities for herself by distributing her business card around the city’s few film schools.

Vancouver’s film industry was taking its first baby steps back in the 1980s. Aware that opportunity was unlikely to come knocking, Rachel decided to kick the door down.

“I called myself ‘The Foam Latex Surgeon, Your Doctor of Disguise!’ I had a portfolio I would carry around with me. I eventually ran into Todd McIntosh on Hastings Street and introduced myself. He took my number and one day he gave me a call out of the blue, asking for help on an A&W root beer commercial. He had a lab in the basement of his house and I helped him make prosthetics and dentures for the cavemen in the commercial. We filmed in Porteau Cove, and I remember the reaction of people we drove past on the highway from Vancouver, staring at the cavemen in the truck with us. It made me think, this is a neat thing to do!”

Vancouver didn’t have the industry infrastructure to support full time Makeup Effects Artists back then. That didn’t deter Rachel, who opened her own FX Shop, Underground Effects.

“The fire inspector arrived, and that was the beginning of the end of Underground Effects,” she laughs. “But through that I’d met Toby Lindala, Bill Terezakis and made friends with a lot of the people doing Makeup Effects in Vancouver. Halfway through the first series of The X-Files Toby Lindala called me up and told me he needed some help. I’ve been full time in film and TV ever since. I worked on Supernatural since the first episode. What a great show! We did a guy whose face had been ripped off last season. I’ve done eyes that have been blown out a head. Even if my work is only on screen for a fraction of a second, I still want to make it look great.”

Equally enthusiastic on set or in the FX shop, Rachel’s versatility enables her to enjoy the best of both worlds.

“Jan Newman had hired me to do regular makeup for Stargate, when Todd Masters approached me to work at his FX shop for the same show! It’s nice to do a combination of both aspects of Makeup Effects. When I started working on The X-Files and Millennium I would help with the designs, sculpt and mould the prosthetics and then take them to set to apply them to the actors. Nowadays those are two jobs. Set life has a whole different list of demands. You’re there all day, keeping an eye on your makeups and cleaning things up after the actors have been eating. The shop is a little more relaxed, even though I do go through set withdrawal when I’m not there for a while. I like an equal balance of both, and now I enjoy teaching too!”

Students at Blanche Macdonald are also enjoying it, learning what it takes to succeed in the highly competitive TV and Film Makeup business from an Artist that has done it all.

“I bring my experience to the classroom. I used to get emails all the time from perspective students asking what they should look for in a school, and I’d always say the most important thing is learning from industry professionals. You’re not being taught out of a book. You’re getting the benefit of someone who’s been on set and lived it. You not only have to be good, you have to be fast. When I’m working on Supernatural, they’ll always say ‘it’s Rachel, she can do it in 20 minutes!’ I tell my students to get good first. Then work on your speed.

“Blanche Macdonald is a great school. It’s full of industry professionals. We’ve all been there and done it. I teach what I’ve done on set and in the shop on class, exactly how we’d do it in the film industry. I try to make my classes as close to being in a studio or on set as possible. Time management is huge in this business. If you miss a deadline in class you lose marks, but if you miss a deadline professionally you won’t be working for long! There’s no messing around.”

Having utilized her talents at beauty and effects makeup throughout her movie adventures, Rachel understands that the more skills students have under their belt, the further they can take their own careers.

“It comes down to colour. When you’re doing beauty makeup you’re choosing a colour foundation. With prosthetics you’re picking a colour too. You’re painting the life into it. Todd McIntosh led the Makeup Team on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In the morning he’d do the prosthetics and in the afternoon he’d do the beauty makeup. If you can do both yourself that’s another person they don’t have to hire. And more work for you! In the commercial and independent worlds you’re probably going to get hired over the person who doesn’t have the extra skill. I teach Photoshop too. If you’re interviewing for a movie it’s very impressive for directors and producer when you can pull out Photoshop designs to show your ideas. You’re showing them that you have skills and the enthusiasm to go that extra mile.”

“I love it when I see a student’s light bulb go on and they finally figure it out. They’ll go from a confused frown to a smile. I love that moment of discovery.”

Blanche Macdonald students are getting more than expertise and experience. They’re receiving daily doses of inspiration from an industry insider whose inner nerd is still alive and kicking.

“On the first day of Millennium I was painting a headless body when Lance Henriksen, from Aliens, started chatting with me. His wife was a Makeup Artist and we hit it off. After that we would chat like normal pals. It took me years to ask him for an autograph!”

With thousands of artists, stylists and designers soaring into our halls from around the world each year, our  classrooms have become dynamic global communities under the unitedly diverse banner of our Blanche World – a United Nations of creativity! In a glorious celebration of culture, our International students import a vibrant collection of new customs, insights and inspiration that colour our world in exciting new ways. The leap from their home countries to our corner of Canada comes with big change, courage and incredible journeys. Speaking in the international language of passion, we sit down with our global talent to talk the dreams that brought them here, the challenges they overcame, and all about the power of being an artistic representative in a new country. Meet the burgeoning stars that have joined us from around the globe in our UN storytelling!

Fresh faced and humbly confident, Andrea offers a huge smile from her red-slicked lips immediately upon meeting me. Her rolled ‘r’s and charming Spanish accent make every word so melodious, it’s hard not to be hypnotized once she begins speaking of her native Guadalajara, Mexico and her passion for her artistry. Only half-way through Blanche Macdonald's Global Makeup program, she’s already achieved some incredible milestones - being one of 10 chosen winners of the Backstage with Pat McGrath Instagram contest and a spread in Harper’s Bazaar Mexico and Vogue Italia. Despite this, it’s clear her gratitude for everything she’s done serves only as a fire that fuels her desire to do and learn even more. With a penchant for ‘pretty’, a style that is ‘natural but with light touches’ and an aim to delve deep into the Fashion / Editorial Makeup world, this driven soon-to-be powerhouse has her sights set on fashion capitals New York, Milan, Paris, London and beyond. At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before she gets there!

Blanche Macdonald Centre: Let’s get straight to juicy details. Tell us about your time with Pat McGrath and the contest you won!

Andrea Palomec Urrea: It was so good! I stayed in The Mondrian which was so nice and she left little handwritten notes in our rooms saying that she would see us all for breakfast the next morning, there were about ten other artists there. Suddenly, we were backstage at the Tommy Hilfiger RTW spring 2017 show! We got to do makeup on the models and got direction and feedback from her team! Her team really is amazing, they work so differently from anything I’d ever seen. Even the way they put moisturizer on models, it’s so specific. They do everything with their hands and they’re always so, so clean with everything. I even met Jenna Kuchera (Blanche Macdonald graduate)! She made a point to find me and say ‘Hi’ - she was so sweet. Pat McGrath is super nice, just the best person. I felt so lucky the entire time.

BMC: That’s SO amazing! And how did it all come about?

APU: It started with a photographer friend I have in Mexico. When we were working together, he started helping me with my social media. He started tagging artists and brands in our photos and of course, Pat McGrath on our best images. One day she liked a photo and so I started tagging her in more and more on my own. When she messaged me telling me I’d won the Backstage with Pat McGrath contest and I almost started to cry! I actually didn’t hear anything for months. So I reached out and asked if it was still happening and she got back to me and said it absolutely was so I waited some more. Randomly in the gym one day I checked my email, I’m really bad with my email, and there was a message from her saying I needed to be in LA for this certain date and it was like two weeks away! But I got my ticket and made the arrangements to go.

BMC: How did that experience affect your artistry and outlook when you got back?

APU: When I came back, I felt so different because I knew exactly where I wanted to be. I’ve always loved fashion makeup but I’d never knew Prosthetics or Special Effects makeup. After that, I knew that I wanted to be part of a team doing things like that. It really changed my perspective.

BMC: Have you always wanted to study makeup?

APU: Ever since I was an older teenager, yes. When I was 18, I went to a smaller makeup school, which was actually started by a Blanche Macdonald graduate, that had all these little courses in different makeup styles and I loved it! I was so excited by everything I was learning. I couldn’t do enough - I started doing makeup for my friends, for weddings and special events and everything!

BMC: Wow! And were you able to start your portfolio with some of these jobs?

APU: Yes! I had a friend who wanted to be a photographer and another friend who did hair so we teamed up and started doing projects and showing people and then all of a sudden, we were getting jobs all over Mexico!

BMC: That’s amazing. Were parents supportive of this career path for you?

APU: They were very supportive of me. After I finished my makeup program there, I wanted to just come straight here but my parents said that if I finished a degree in university, any degree, that they would send me wherever I wanted to go! I looked at it as an opportunity to study makeup from another angle so I studied film and production. I did an accelerated program because I wanted to come to Blanche Macdonald so badly so I took more and more classes and I actually went back in December, during my break from my Makeup program here, to walk in my graduation ceremony from university.

BMC: It must’ve been nice to visit home for a little bit. You got a pretty cool job out of the trip home, didn’t you?

APU: Yes! My photographer friend knew I was coming home for my university graduation and so he called me and was like ‘You have to come through Mexico City - I got us a job.’ I didn’t really know what it was but I did it anyways and it turned out that he was shooting for Harper’s Bazaar Mexico and they wanted him to find a Makeup Artist for the shoot!

BMC: What an amazing opportunity and great friend! What made you sure you wanted to come to Blanche Macdonald?

APU: The instructor I had in my makeup courses in Mexico knew how much I loved it and how I wanted to learn every aspect of the business and every makeup technique was initially the one that suggested Blanche Macdonald to me. So I looked it up and saw the course outline, the website, all the social media channels and then I read some grad profiles and reviews and it was all so inspiring! I knew it was going to teach me everything I wanted to learn.

BMC: What have been some of your favourite moments and projects so far in your program?

APU: That’s a hard question to answer! I love every moment with my classmates - they’re so funny and nice. They’re always doing things that make us laugh and learn together. Every day is my favourite. My favourite project was my fashion one for sure. I experimented with blending and really impressed myself with what I could do. I also really liked my TV & Film final thought. It was really hard but I was really proud of the final project. Everyone did bloody things for that final but I don’t really like bloody things, I like pretty and so I made the cutest little cupid character with a teeny nose and everything!

BMC: So how has your time in Vancouver been so far? Is it a lot different from life in Mexico?

APU: It’s been so good! The people are so, so nice here and not at all cold. The city is full of people from all over the world which makes learning English so much easier and better. I feel like it’s OK if I still don’t know what some things mean because there’s so many other people speaking other languages. It’s way different here! Back in Mexico I had my room with my big, big bed, all my things and my car - I knew exactly where to get everything I wanted. Here I live with two girls downtown, in one room! But we’ve made it nice so it’s home. It’s more of an adventure here though!

BMC: What would you say to someone else wanting to move and come to school here?

APU: I would say to just enjoy every module even if you think you know which one you’ll like best. One thing I always try to think of is something my father always tells me when I worry ‘don't be desperate for things, just enjoy things and try your best and it will come by itself!’

This program definitely doesn’t feel like school! It feels like you’re having fun and creating things with very nice people. Everyone would love it here in Vancouver and at Blanche Macdonald - I’m very lucky.