PHILIPPA WALKER

MAKEUP ARTIST

Growing up I used to love watching old movies with Audrey Hepburn, Raquel Welch and Marilyn Monroe. I'd watch all the old James Bond movies and I'd love the heroin characters.  I loved their style, hair and makeup, I'd try and re-create their looks on myself in my bedroom and run around acting like them. I had no idea it was even a job that somebody had to make these women look beautiful until I was a teenager. By the time I was 16 I started volunteering to do makeup for the drama department at school and it was my parents that first suggested that I study media makeup once I left high school.

In 2007 I gained my Foundation Degree in Media Makeup in Somerset, England. Once qualified, I worked part time for MAC Cosmetics and part time for a photography studio as the in house makeup artist.  I then worked for an AVEDA salon, before working for Bobbi Brown for 2 years.

In 2008, I also had the opportunity to worked with the makeup department in London for the BBC television show Silent Witness.  Later that year I also worked on more TV productions including historical drama documentary Ancient Mega Structures, produced by Darlow Smithson.  

I've always loved making people look like a prettier version of themselves. With all the training I've had I've felt my skill and passion grow.  It's very satisfying to know that I'm good at something I love.  Some of the best moments are when I finish someones makeup and they can't believe how good they look and feel.  It's a hugely rewarding feeling to know I've helped that person feel so great about themselves.

I arrived in New Zealand in 2010 and took an 'intermission' from makeup and worked at AJ Hackett for 4 years. I was then offered a job as a makeup artist at Collective Salon, to specialise in bridal work.  On behalf of Collective I've also done a few commercials and photoshoots including Mind Food magazine and had work featured in Together Journal for 'Wild Hearts'. Early in 2017 I was delighted to become a resident of New Zealand and this affirmed to me, this was home.

When I'm not behind the makeup brushes I'm usual planning my next overseas trip - usually back home to visit family. My partner and I love to hike so we'll do lots of day trips or go and set up camp somewhere in the great outdoors.  Since moving to New Zealand I've taken up snow boarding so I try and do that every winter too.