Kerry September
Hair & Make-up Artist
Can you tell us about the chosen look? What was the inspiration for it?
My chosen look is one Influenced by Supremes-era style, culture & sound but with an extreme bold 60’s eyeliner. Styled by Didi Danso & shot by Ed Miles.
What products did you use to create the look?
I mostly used products by AJ Crimson. I love his Beauty Duel Skin Creme & Translucent powder. SUQQU Signature eye pallete, HOURGLASS Graphik Eyeshadow Palette in Ravine. lllamasqa precision gel liner, Make Up Forever Flash Colour palette & Dr Lipp which I love & have used since it launched in 2004.
Any tips for anyone at home wanting to recreate a similar look?
Start with a clean primed eye. Go light with eye creams to prevent product moving. Start by shaping the eye with taupes matching the natural shadow of your eye socket. Build a shade darker with each layer to add depth. This look does take a little time. I used an imperfect eyeshadow brush to create the FLICK. Taper from the edge of the eye line & flick out towards the outer brow. This is your guideline to build upon. It’s more painting than precision so don’t overthink it, have fun! I added the flash of colour last to make the eye POP.
What would you say your signature beauty look is?
Skin skin beautiful skin or a strong eye, for me always with an understated lip. I love nothing more than to make people look a more beautiful version of who they already are. My signature Hair look is one that compliments, looks effortless, not using too much product to allow movement.
Here at Dr.Lipp, we make multi-use skincare solutions to keep life simple and reduce our carbon footprint – do you think it’s important to streamline your beauty kit?
That’s funny because Im always having a little competition with myself to see how streamlined & condensed I can make my kit. Strong on both Hair & Make Up I gotta squeeze two kits into one that I can carry on public transport as I love to people watch. This is where I find Inspo on the streets or traveling. When Im flying I take a mini hair & make up kit in my hand luggage. I can’t tell you how many times luggage has been delayed or missing but I kinda get a kick out of it. It pushes me outside of my comfort zone. You can double up lips for cheeks, hairspray for brows, & straighteners to put a curl or bend in the hair.De canter your favourite products into Muji minis to reduce your carbon footprint.
What would you be doing if you were not a makeup artist?
Probably be a carpenter. I love D.I.Y and currently winging my way round a renovation on a shoestring budget.
"I have Dr Lipp in my kit & one in my set bag. I love it for high shine on cheeks & lips & a glossy eye. Great applied on an area of dry skin before applying base. It looks amazing brushed through brows & I have even used it on the ends of my hair to add shine. I cannot live without it!"
What items should everyone have in their kit?
A good hair prep spray & serum by GHD, Eyelash curlers, Chanel foundation, Dior top coat (drys in 11 seconds) learned from Trish Lomax top manicurist & Dr Lipp, there is no other balm that looks this good on camera.
Who is your dream client?
One that sits still..…dreamboat.
Do you have any career highlights so far?
There have been so many! Being flown to Bali to body paint an actor for one scene. Shooting all over Africa sitting under the stars with the Samburu tribe. Listening to Quentin Tarrantino talk about how he came to make ‘Kill Bill’. Three months as personal Hair & make up artist to an actress being filmed partying on the Jet Set. I had to get her ready to party and couldn’t go to bed until she did. It was intense but the trip of a lifetime.
What is a day in the life like for you?
I love prepping the looks & kit leading up to a shoot. Travelling by train or bus is my golden time listening to music or a podcast. I like to arrive early & set up ready for the artist. I usually find myself working with friends, long term clients or new talent so catch up over a coffee & discuss final looks for each shot. Shoot days can be anything from a couple of hours for a ‘Get Ready’ to a 15 hour film day. On my days off I love to go for a run followed by a sunrise swim in the sea. I practise Yoga, LOVE breakfast, homeschool my son whilst currently trying to renovate a house & schedule Zoom calls. I’m a big believer in taking time off from work. Pre covid I took my son travelling to Vietnam & India for a month in each. I hired a moped which is the ultimate freedom. It’s equally important to get inspiration & come back with fresh ideas.
What is the best piece of beauty advice you ever received and what is the best piece you could give?
When I started out in West End theatre a Dresser introduced me to Echinacea. She had the most amazing skin. She told me you could use it on spots, pimples & bites. It’s a natural remedy and it works. My beauty advice is not to cover spots/pimples with make up. If you can…. go commando & let the skin breathe until it heals. If you can’t, be sure to cleanse & remove every bit of makeup. Lastly, clean your makeup brushes frequently. I can’t tell you how bad dirty brushes are for your skin.
What do you like about Dr.Lipp?
I did a shoot with your founder Pontine Paus just around the time Dr Lipp had launched in 2004. Pontine recalled how she discovered lanolin whilst breast feeding & thought ‘I wonder if this would work on my lips’ The story always stuck in my head. At the time there wasn’t a product using bold words like ‘Nipple cream’ it was genius & a brilliant topic of conversation in the makeup chair.
