Our Make-Up Students’ Achievements

A selection of notable projects our graduates have worked on

TV

Dancing on Ice 2024 (ITV) • Mr Bates vs The Post Office (ITV) • Juice (BBC 3) • The Gentlemen (Netflix) • Blood Actually: A ‘Murder, They Hope’ Mystery (GOLD) • Renegade Nell (Disney+) ITV Racing • Guessable • This Morning (ITV) • Strictly Come Dancing (BBC) • Family Fortunes • Suspect • The Lark • The Witcher • Worzel Gummidge • Death in Paradise • Endeavour • The One Show • Channel 4: Stand up to Cancer • Bridgerton • Killing Eve 3 • LIAR • After Life • Motherland • Mother Father Son • Informer • Cleaning Up • Women on the Verge • Our Girl • Save Me • Game of Thrones • Black Mirror • Fortitude • Inside No.9 • Bliss • Good Morning Britain • Vanity Fair • Collateral • Victoria • The Crown • The Good Karma Hospital • Britain’s Got Talent • WILL • Broadchurch • SKY Sports • SKY News • Taboo • Grantchester • Prime Suspect • 1973 • The Voice • Benidorm • The Brits • The One Show • Emmerdale • The Night Manager • Humans • In the Club • Silent Witness • I Want my Wife Back • The X Factor • Hoff the Record • Drunk History • The Unforgotten • And Then There Were None • Home Fires • The Syndicate • Deep State • Arthur and George • Mr Selfridge • Eastenders • Endeavour • Stella • Got to Dance • Horrible Histories • Horrid Henry • Misfits • My Mad Fat Diary • Father Brown • Doc Martin • Casualty • Recall • BBC Wimbledon Tennis • Russell Howard’s Good News • The Honourable Woman • The Guilty • Call the Midwife • Prisoners Wives • The Mill • The Paradise • The Bletchley Circle • London 2012 Opening Ceremony • London 2012 Closing Ceremony • Got to Dance • The Jewellery Channel • Top Boy • The Football League Show • SKY Sports • SKY News • Something for the Weekend • Silk • Whitechapel • Criminal Justice • The New Jackanory • Downton Abbey • Fear of Fanny • H G Wells • A Waste of Shame • Skins • Spooks • Most Sincerely – Hughie Green • Coronation Street • Trial and Retribution • Wire in the Blood • Top Gear • Codex • How to Solve a Problem Like Maria • Hello Panda • Spike Milligan • The Royal Variety Performance • ITN News • Last of the Summer • Wine The Bill • The Dream Team • Band Of Brothers • The Medical Channel • The Discovery Channel • See it Saw it • Bad Girls • The Generation Game • The Clothes Show • A Tribute to Ira • Gershwin • They Think It’s All Over • Brookside • Red Dwarf • The Jonathan Ross Show • Bramwell Johnny • The Dead • 25 Years Of Summer Wine • Blind Date • Big Break • Make or Break • Pet Power • I Hate Christmas • Cutting Edge Equinox • Magic House • The Human Body • Chatterhappy • Ponies • The Movie Show • 10 Minutes • Off The Peg • Urban Myth Chillers • The Making Of Blake’s Seven Banzai • Life On Earth • The Saucers

Film

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire • Wicked Little Letters • Argylle • Golda • 1000 Blows (Disney) • Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (2024) • A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) • Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) • Barbie (2023) • Fast X (2023) • The Little Mermaid (2023) • Cruella (2021) • Blithe Spirit (2021) • Artemis Fowl (2020) • 1917 (2020) • Official Secrets (2019) • Tolkien (2019) • Dumbo (2019) • Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) • The Kid Who Would Be King (2019) • All The Money In The World (2017) • Aladdin (2019) • Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Mamma Mia – Here We Go Again (2018) • King of Thieves (2018) • All the Money in the World (2017) The Mummy (2017) • Beauty and the Beast (2017) • Star Wars (2017) Absolutely Fabulous – The Movie (2016) • The Infiltrator (2016) • The Legend of Tarzan (2016) • Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016) • The Man from U.N.C.L.E (2015) • Avengers: Age of Ulton (2015) • The Danish Girl (2015) • Bad Education – The Movie (2015) • Suffragette (2015) • Cinderella (2015) • PAN (2015) • Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015) • Maleficent (2014) • Fast and Furious 6 (2013) • Jack the Giant Slayer (2013) • The Christmas Candle (2013) • Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) • Prometheus (2012) • John Carter (2012) • The Wedding Video (2012) • War Horse (2011) • X-Men First Class (2011) • Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) • Gulliver’s Travels (2010) • Robin Hood (2010) • Clash of the Titans (2010) • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2010) • Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (2009) • Nine (2009) • ‘Tere Ishq Mein’ Bollywood Feature (2009) Mamma Mia (2008) • Journey to the moon (2008) • How To Lose Friends and Alienate People (2008) • The Golden Compass (2007) • Confetti (2006) • The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2003) • The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2002) • Captain Correlli’s Mandolin (2001) • Love, Honour and Obey (2000) • Gladiator (2000) • Legends of the Living Dead (1999) • Batman (1992) • Saving Private Ryan (1998) • Shakespeare In Love

Theatre

Phantom of the Opera (West End) • The Red Shoes (Sadler’s Wells) • Mary Poppins (West End) • Only Fools And Horses • Kinky Boots (West End) • English National Ballet The Magic Flute (Opera) • This House (National Theatre) • Carousel (ENO) Sunset Boulevard (ENO) • Funny Girl the Musical (West End) • Gypsy (West End) Taken at Midnight (West End) • Matilda (West End) • Madam Butterfly at the Royal Albert Hall (ENO) • Sweeney Todd (ENO) • Carmen (ENO) • Pirates of Penzance (ENO) • Shakespeare in Love • Elf The Musical Tour (West End) • Dirty Dancing UK tour (2014) • Swan Lake (Theatre) • Singin’ in the Rain (West End) • Scrooge The Musical (West End) • CATS Tour (West End) • 9 to 5: Dolly Parton Musical (West End) • Coronation Street the Musical Hay Fever (West End) • War Horse (West End) • Hair Spray (West End) • Minder (Theatre) • Thoroughly Modern Millie (Theatre) • Midsummer’s Night Dream (Theatre) • Jane Eyre (Theatre) • Frankenstein (Theatre) • Porgy and Bess (Gershwin) • Mary Poppins (West End) • Guys and Dolls (West End) • Dirty Dancing (West End) • Les Miserables (West End) • The King And I (West End) • Chicago (West End) • Phantom of the Opera (West End) • Grease (West End) • Cats (West End) • The Fly (Thetare) • The Royal Variety Performance Eugene Onegin (Opera) • Life On Earth (West End)

Fashion and Editorial

Forbes Magazine • Reiss • Bazaar Kids • John Lewis • Max Mara • REVLON • GARNIER UK • Future of Fashion (Vogue) • NIKE London • NIVEA UK • VOGUE ITALIA • London Fashion Week • Paris Fashion Week • New York Fashion Week • NIKON Europe • DIOR trunk shows • Taylor Morris: Eyewear shoot • Tash Oakley for Miss Guided • Aquascutum Balmain • Hair UK (various shoots) • Wizkid for Hunger Magazine • Blondie for Q Magazine • Closet London • VOGUE online • LOOK Magazine • GRAZIA Magazine • Protein World Campaigns • Women’s Health Magazine • HELLO Magazine • TATLER Magazine • Asian Bride Magazine • VOGUE Magazine • SHE Magazine • YOU Magazine • STAR Magazine • Girls on Film Magazine • Perfect • Wedding Magazine • Waste busters fashion show in association with H&M • ADIDAS – Eye Wear Campaign • Family Traveller Magazine • Good Housekeeping Magazine • The Spice Girls – Photoshoot • Evening Standard Magazine

Music

Georgia Smith • STEPS • James Blunt • Ed Sheerhan • Sting • Snow Patrol • Elin Manahan Thomas • Paloma Faith (Musicians) • Labynth • Zayn Malik ft Sia (Dusk til Dawn) • Nadine Coyle • Dizzee Rascal • STEPS • Hey Violet • The Brits (2016-19) • John Legend • Jonas Blue • The Shires (My Universe) • The Corrs • Rita Ora • Lost Frequency (Top of the Pops 2016) • Kasabian (iTunes Festival) • Kylie Minogue • The Vamps • Lonesound (Don’t hold me back) • The Saturdays • Girls Aloud • The Sugababes • Stavros Flatley (Santas Funky Groove) • Chase and Status • Maverick Sabre • Pulled Apart By Horses • The Steers • The Infadels • McFly • Emma Bunton (Downtown) • The Others

Celebrities

Will Mellor • Josie Gibson • Dermot O’Leary • Amanda Holden • Binky Felstead • John Altman • Annabel Croft • Josephine De la Baume • Robert De Niro • Jourdan Dunn • Tamara Ecclestone • Samantha Faiers • Greg Fossard • Holly Hagan • Zoe Hardman • Ben Hardy • Nicky Hilton • Paris Hilton • Lady Kitty Spencer • Danielle Lloyd • Camilla Mackintosh • Zara Martin • Lilah Parsons • Vicky Pattison • Laura Pradelska • Denise Van Outen • Laura Whitmore • Jonny Wilkinson • Mark Wright

Commercials and Events

The Brit Awards 2024 (O2) • Bertolli • Bacardi • British Hair Awards • Boohoo.com • Lexus Europe – Commercial • The ‘GLAMOUR’ Beauty Festival • Heart Radio • Capital Radio • Mahogany shows for Salon International 2013 to 17 • Fabulous Magazine Event • L’Oreal Colour Trophy Awards • The Serpentine Summer Party • The London Cabaret Club – Halloween Event • Cartier Event London • SKY VIP HUB at the 02 Arena • NFTS: National Film and Television School Productions • Nytimber Sparkling Wine Commercial • V Festival • Toni and Guy Graduation Shows • Vintage at ‘Goodwood’ • Revival At ‘Goodwood’ • Sheila’s Wheels commercial • Macmillan ‘Falling’ commercial • Samsung commercial • John Freida – Soiree • Mahogany Salon Graduation Shows • Golden Jubilee Song 2012 • Panasonic mobile phone app for London 2012 • London 2012 • Facebook app for Panasonic • Visit Britain promotional video.

Reporting on the progress of our students 

This is where we report on the progress of our students. We’re always keen to share news about the projects they’re working on, the people they’re meeting, and how they’re developing their skills and knowledge. We also ask them for tips and advice for those students about to start working in the film, TV, stage, and fashion industries. This is by no means a record of all our students; we can’t keep up with them all and there probably isn’t room for each of their success stories! (The full list is included in our prospectus so do get in touch if you would like one sent to you.)

We’re proud of them all and happy to help promote their individual achievements at every opportunity. In so doing, of course, we’re also demonstrating how relevant Brushstroke training has been to every single one of them. We receive many glowing testimonials from clients who have used our students as you can see on our page encouraging production companies and teams to hire a make-up artist through us.

 Lorna Stimson

To say that Lorna loves working as a make-up and hair artist in the theatre is probably an understatement. She has some film work to her credit but has found her niche with live performance thanks to some early work experience on the 2012 Olympics. With stage work, she enjoys the lead up to each performance – often 2 a day – and the sense of family that builds around the whole team. Since leaving Brushstroke she’s worked on some high profile West End shows including Gypsy starring Imelda Staunton, Cats, Singing in the Rain and Funny Girl with Sheridan Smith and Only Fools and Horses. Lorna has been Head of Wigs on Kinky Boots which has now finished its run in the West End. She’s now working on Mary Poppins the musical.

Top Tip: “Be passionate about your work – and let it shine through all the time.”

Elizabeth Rita

Elizabeth Rita studied theatre design at university before she enrolled at Brushstroke. Now she is a well-established make-up and hair artist working across music, TV, editorial, and advertising. (You can read more about Elizabeth on our blog about beauty make-up.) Like many make-up artists, she has the ability to turn her hand to very different projects (for example editorial for Nivea, The Vamps’ video and  TV with This Morning). She emphasises the importance of getting on the same wavelength as the client – understanding and developing an art director’s vision so your creative ideas gel together and create a single brief.

Top Tip: practice your skills over and over – that’s how you become proficient and confident.

Rosie Scott

Rosie is a career-changer. Having worked in media sales, she decided the time had come to re-train in a craft that she’d always loved – make-up. Since this time, she’s certainly undertaken some very different work: music and corporate videos, editorial work (eg Marie Claire, Hairdressers Journal International and Wedding Ideas) and 2 years on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip. The latter meant she worked with household names such as Diana Rigg and Downton’s Phyllis Logan. Rosie played her own part in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding as make-up and hair artist for Erin Manahan Thomas, the soprano who sang at the service. This piece of work came through her work as a bridal make-up and hair artist in Berkshire.

Top Tip: “Have faith in yourself but do explore every opportunity.”

Charlotte Trendell

Charlotte is another career-changer and reckons “it was the best decision [she] ever made coming to Brushstroke”. She has been concentrating upon film and TV work since graduating. Indeed, 2 days after leaving Brushstroke, she got her first job designing the make-up for short film, The Pick Up. 4 more short films followed, including award-winning Orchid. Charlotte was crowd trainee on Farming, a feature film set in Nigeria (but filmed in St Albans) staring Kate Beckinsale. She also had a huge amount of fun on the Eastenders Victorian dancing sequence for Children in Need.

Top Tip: learn how to talk to people – when to put your ideas forward, when to hold back

From beauty to casualty, the range of Charlotte’s work can be extreme – just like any make-up artist!

Alix Holdaway-Salmon

Alix is credited with make-up and hair on Wellington: The Iron Duke Unmasked. However, it’s her private client career where she’s achieving great success currently. At the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, her clients included 2 of the little bridesmaids and several other high profile guests (including German royalty). She works closely with a number of events organisations and the resulting delighted clients recommend her to their colleagues and acquaintances.

Top Tip: “network, network, network!”

Rebecca Robinson

While still a student with us, Rebecca worked as a trainee on The Crown for Netflix and BBC2’s Collateral. Then, after graduating, she was the main team trainee for ITV’s adaptation of Vanity Fair. Set in the 1800s, it’s full of facial hair and intricate hair styles – much to Rebecca’s delight. She’s also worked on Artemis Fowl, Women On The Verge, Lucky Man and All The Money In The World.

Top Tip: make-up must always be a pleasant place for the actors to calm themselves before rushing on set, especially at 5.30 in the morning!

Alice Jones

Alice was a student on our 9 Month Make-Up & Hair course. “The past 9 months have been so much fun and I have learnt so much. The tutors have all offered something different and have passed on so much knowledge and wisdom! I am very excited about the future and intrigued to see where my knowledge and skills will take me. Thank you Molly and Louise for all your support! Love Alice J xxx”

Harriet McKenna

Harriet was a student on our 9 Month Make-Up & Hair course. “I’ve loved my time here at Brushstroke doing the 9 month course. It was the best decision! Thank you so much for all your help and support. The teachers have been great and I have learnt so much. I will miss coming in and seeing everyone. Lots of love Harriet xx”

Zoe Carr

Zoe was a student on our 9 Month Make-Up & Hair course. “Can’t thank the Brushstroke team enough for an amazing 9 months. I have loved every minute and can’t wait to take away all the skills and knowledge I have learnt and put them into practice. Lots of love, Zoe”

Katharine Scott

Katharine was a student on our 2 Year Make-Up & Hair course. “The 2 Year Make-up and Hair Course has given me the confidence and the skills needed to work as a hair and make-up artist. I have been very lucky with the jobs I have been able to do. I worked as a trainee on Silk (BBC) with Marella Shearer and then went on to work as a trainee for Nick Dudman in his Make-up FX Department at Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. I have also continued to work at Warhorse in the west end covering for the wig mistress; a job that started initially as work experience from Brushstroke. Without the sound teaching and continued support from everyone at Brushstroke I would not be as confident as I am in my chosen career. All of the teachers, as well as Louise, continue to be supportive; always happy to answer any questions I might have. Once again I would like to say thank you so much for everything!! All the Best, Katharine Scott.”

Fern Wright

Fern was a student on our 9 Month Make-Up & Hair course. “I have loved my time at Brushstroke! It was definitely the best choice I made. I’ve learnt so much here and I thank everyone at Brushstroke for making my 9 months here the best 9 months. Lots of hugs Ferny xxx”

Alix Gardner

Alix was a student on our 9 Month Make-Up & Hair course. “Joining Brushstroke was honestly the best decision I ever made. I have honestly loved every minute of it and all the team at Brushstroke have been amazing! Thank you so much for everything! Lots of love, Alix Gardner xxxx”

Katie Ross

Katie was a student on our 9 Month Make-Up & Hair course. I have loved the 9 month course – it was such a good decision to join and now I have finally decided what I want to do, all thanks to you! Thanks so much for all your help and support, all the tutors and extra talks have been so great. Going to miss coming to such a lovely bubbly atmosphere every day! Thank you!!! Katie Ross xxx Ps. Extra thanks for all the Black Jacks!”

Serena Barney

Serena was a student on our 9 Month Make-Up & Hair course. “Loved every minute of the 9 month course. I have learned so much from every tutor and can’t wait to put it all to use. Everyone here has been lovely and I’m so sorry to leave. It has gone so fast, I can’t believe it’s over. Huge thank you to all the tutors, students and everyone in the office for what has been an incredible experience. Lots of Lots, Serena xxx”

Nikki Kearns

Nikki was a student on our 2 Year Make-Up & Hair course. “Having undertaken the 2 Year Make-Up and Hair course, I now feel I have the confidence, knowledge, basic skills, and understanding to stand me in good stead for a successful future career. Not only has Brushstroke taught me the skills I need to know, but they have also given me an insight into the industry and taught me invaluable information about the industry itself which has already proven so valuable to me at this early stage of my career. I found it to be such a bonus to have tutors who actively work in all areas of the industry, the skills, information, and even stories they had to tell about their work not only made me more motivated to get a successful career after leaving Brushstroke but also, I felt that it helped me to reach a higher standard of work as I felt I could understand the standards the industry would expect of me, also due to great encouragement and constructive criticism. So a massive THANK YOU once again to everyone for giving me such a great time over the past two years, you have really made it possible for me to achieve my goal of being a professional Makeup Artist!! Best Wishes Always, Nikki.”