Makeup artist interview with Anna Sokołowska

Makeup artists love to know the inside scoop from other fellow makeup artists to learn from how they work and what tips we can pick up. It is a never-ending process of learning! This week we talk to Anna Sokołowska. We met backstage at the Burberry SS19 show when we set up next to each other and have kept in touch ever since. Anna is based in Poland and often travels across Europe. Her work is flawless, fun and artful.

How did you start out in makeup? 

I’ve always been a creative person with a lot of imagination. If I didn’t have something I was able to make it myself. So I guess that the eagerness to create was always there in me. In my early teens, I discovered make-up. We didn’t have YouTube back then so I learnt everything I could from magazines. But there was one situation that made me decide that I wanted to become a professional make-up artist.

It all started with a mishap. I was about to get married so I went for my make-up trial. Things got out of control and instead of looking my best I ended up with a Halloween make-up: black eyeshadow fallout all over my face. I learnt two things then: first, I needed to find another make-up artist and second, I could do it much better myself. I started with a basic course but I felt it wasn’t enough. I kept saying that in order to create beauty, you need to know ugliness. I went on to study at the Warsaw Film School and graduated with a vast knowledge of special effects make-up. My first job was a photo shoot and I loved it! So here I am, twelve years later, living my dream of creating beauty and I couldn’t be happier. 

A day in the life of...What does an average day consist of? 

That’s a hard question! I mostly work at photoshoots but also adverts or events so each day is totally different. But some things are the same: I never leave without breakfast and a cup of Earl Grey tea. I always take public transport so I have quite a lot of time to read books on a bus or train. In the evening it’s time to clean the brushes and get my kit ready for the next day. Sounds basic and not glamourous at all but the beauty of being a make-up artist is meeting new people and creating magic with others. Every single day is full of new adventures!

What is your signature style in your work? Is this your favourite thing to do in makeup? 

I’ve always described my style as minimalism with a twist. Every face is different and I believe it’s important to highlight that in make-up. However, I hate clichés so I always bring a twist to everything I do – it maybe emphasising model’s features or adding something characteristic to the look. I also love playing with patterns and shapes but I strongly believe that beauty is in simplicity.

Missha – Super Aqua Cell Renew

Laura Mercier – Secret Camouflage concealer

Inglot – Gel Eyeliner

Your favourite products:

Skincare: Clarins – Beauty Flash Balm, Missha – Super Aqua Cell Renew (Korean skincare – I can talk about it for hours)

Foundation: MAC – Face and Body (so basic but so versatile!)

Concealer: Laura Mercier – Secret Camouflage concealer (does pretty much everything)

Mascara: Max Factor – 2000 Calories (in my kit since… the beginnings of time)

Eyeshadow: Pat McGrath – Mothership Palette (try it once and you’ll fall in love)

Eyeliner: Inglot – Gel Eyeliner (doesn’t budge, doesn’t smudge – unbreakable! Plus Inglot is a Polish company so I treat it as a part of my heritage)

Lip product: humble lanolin (the best moisturiser in the world)

Brush: Rae Morris – Lash Liner Smudger (so handy!)

What should every woman own in her makeup bag?

 A good concealer and red lipstick. These two things are enough to create gorgeous, statement make-up and look amazing all day long.

 What's your advice to someone wanting to be a makeup artist?

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Fear stops you from experimenting and meeting new people. The most amazing things are created by accident! (if you don’t trust me, think: penicillin – that was a gamechanger) Don’t panic, it’s just make-up, not a surgery. And one more thing, above all: be kind. Hard work and kindness will get you far.

What’s been your OMG wake me up, pinch me am I dreaming moment?

 Getting a phone call and hearing that I was going to do a Burberry show the next day. I thought it was a dream and, honestly, sometimes I think I’m still dreaming because it was just too perfect to be true.

What is the greatest challenge you have overcome in your career?

Believe or not but self-doubt and low self-esteem. These things can drag you down more than an inability to create a perfect winged eyeliner look. Once I decided to be my own best friend, amazing things started to happen. Try it! 

Scenario: You have arrived at a job, your case has gone missing at the airport. You have 15mins to grab essentials. What are your 5 essentials do you pick up to complete the look?

Losing my kit at an airport is my biggest fear ever! But 5 essentials is more than enough to create a great look. Weleda’s Skinfood may act not only as skincare, but I often apply it on lips to moisturise them and an additional layer on cheeks acts as a highlighter. Laura Mercier – Secret Camouflage will even out the skin. Another product is Shape and Shade Brow Tint from MAC in Taupe to create flawless and natural-looking brows. Charlotte Tilbury lipstick in Pillow Talk will add some colour to lips and will act as a blusher. Shu Uemura eyelash curler is a must! No look is complete without a pair of well-curled eyelashes.

How do you like to organise your kit?

I’m a big fan of organising things! I love everything to be spotless, easy to reach and have its own place. Most of my make-up products are in a case with dividers (this one with zippers – you must have seen one already). I use Muji containers to keep cotton pads and buds in order. I also depot lipsticks and concealers and put them in palettes. It’s handy and I know exactly where to find things. Mykitco organisers keep all the rest of the products divided into categories. I actually believe that the lighter the kit, the better so I’m on a constant quest to downsizing it.

What's your best kit hack?

Depotting! It saves space and… your back!

How do you set up your work station?

I keep my kit really compact so setting up my work station takes me up to 5 minutes. And if it’s possible I ask my model to sit in front of a window: daylight is my best friend. During the make-up process, I tend to put all the things where they belong. This way I don’t waste time looking for something and it makes it quicker to pack all my kit at the end of the day.

What trend should be left behind in 2020?

Big, fat, black eyebrows that don’t go well with anything. And ridiculously long, fake eyelashes with a lot of volume.

Where can we follow you online?

Mainly Instagram: @sokolowskaanna and make sure to check my stories to be up to date with behind the scenes and my website www.annasokolowska.com

Thank you so much for your time, Anna it is greatly appreciated!

Love,

Lisa x