By: Meisha Kerr

All those dark clouds and misty days have finally come to an end. We’ve been patiently waiting to pull out those bright colored tanks and slip into those Bermuda shorts. At last, summer is taking back its rightful position. What’s better than having the perfect beauty tips this summer to go with that sizzling body of yours? I had the chance to interview Lucky Bromhead, the woman responsible for making up those beautiful MTV Canada hosts. Lucky filled me in on her favourite beauty trends for this season and some of the perks at MTV.

Lucky and MTV The AfterShow's Jessi Cruickshank

Meisha: Hi Lucky! It’s great to have the opportunity to talk with you and learn about what you do. How did you get started in the beauty industry?

Lucky: I’ve been in this industry for 17 years.  I’ve always dabbled with makeup, even as a child and ever more as a teenager. I used to give all of my friends over-the-top makeovers inspired by fashion magazines and music videos.  I love art and communicating with people, so I suppose that the combination of those things was a natural fit for being a makeup artist.

Meisha: We were fascinated to learn that you are a beauty expert for MTV. It sounds like a fantastic job! What does the position entail?

Lucky: My job as makeup artist for MTV is really amazing.  All of the hosts that I work with are very personable and talented. I’m happy I can also call them friends.  It’s great because there is a real family vibe at MTV, which comes with seeing the same faces every day. I have also had the opportunity to meet some of the hottest celebrities and musicians in the world.

My position entails doing daily makeup for all of MTV’s shows hosts and guests (MTV Live, The AfterShow, MTV News) as well as any field shoots.  I do the makeup for any publicity shoots, commercials, interviews and often for magazine shoots relating to the hosts.  I also create looks for our female hosts to wear on the red carpet or any gala or function they may be attending.  I get to flex my makeup muscles as I do television and HD makeup, editorial makeup, special effects, print — let’s just say I’m never bored!

Lucky and Gene Simmons (Photo by: Telma Costa-Patmore)

Meisha: What have been some of your most memorable experiences (good or bad) as a beauty expert?

Lucky: Oh, I’ve had so many!  Kanye West telling me that my presence made him feel like he was on a picnic was pretty funny. Rihanna and I exchanged shopping tips and Cyndi Lauper would do her vocal warm-up while I did her makeup and she’d make up dirty lyrics to “Time After Time” and sing them to me.  I love doing makeup on someone like Peaches who really thinks outside the box when it comes to the perception of beauty.  Gene Simmons made me grab his butt and make an assessment on its firmness.  But some of my proudest moments have been doing things like Look Good Feel Better, Fashion Cares, watching some of the MTV hosts go from being excited kids to becoming Canadian and US celebrities, or my favorite:  doing a regular person’s makeup and showing them how really beautiful they are.  That transformation will never cease to thrill me.

Meisha: What can we look forward to from the beauty industry in terms of trends and innovation this season?

Lucky: With HDTV, I think that we will see a lot of companies moving forward with the technology of makeup. There are already really amazing foundation and powder products out there that make the skin look flawless and natural.

When it comes to trend, things move so quickly that the second you say something is out it’s back in.  I’ve learned that when it comes to fashion never say never!

MTV host Nicole Holness (Photo by: Richard Sibbald)

Meisha: What are some of your personal favorite looks and trends in makeup today?

Lucky: I appreciate the “art” of makeup, and people who constantly push boundaries in terms of what is beautiful, like Lady Gaga, Karen O and Alexander McQueen’s runway shows. That said, I’m also madly in love with classic beauty like the look of Dita von Teese.  There seems to be a trend right now toward a Studio 54 influence.  Any makeup that is heavily inspired by an era and avant-garde makeup are my favourites.
The essential products I’d recommend to my clients?  Primarily, that they have good skincare.  Your skin is your canvas and it’s imperative that you take care of it. Choose the best products you can for your price range.  Personal favorites are Mereadesso and Dermalogica. When it comes to makeup, I stand by MAC. They have the best colours and textures for every skin type and shade and their staff is stellar.  I like going to the Pro Store at 363 Queen St. West in Toronto, ask for Ricky, he’s incredibly knowledgeable and so much fun!

Meisha: What are the biggest mistakes or misconceptions you’ve witnessed in people’s skin care routines or habits?

Lucky: People with oily skin are always afraid of moisturizer. It’s a huge misconception that moisturizer will make oily skin oilier. You just need to find a moisturizer for oily skin.  Not moisturizing oily skin causes the skin to produce more oil to compensate for its lack of moisture.

Meisha: What are some of your favorite beauty tools?

Model at Fashion Cares

Lucky: MAC brushes are hands down my favorite beauty tool.  If you go to any MAC store the artists there will help you assess which brushes are right for your face to achieve the look you want. And those brushes, when properly cared for, last forever.

Meisha: Finally, what advice do you have for people looking to enter the beauty industry in some capacity?
Lucky: I believe the best advice for anyone looking to enter the beauty industry is that you should love what you do. Your energy directly affects anyone you are working with, so you need to have both the artistic skills and the people skills.  Also, always keep an open mind and be willing to learn. Most makeup artists have to do a lot of work for free at the beginning of their career until they earn their chops and build up a good portfolio, but it’s always an incredible learning experience.
It’s been proven that even in recessive times, the beauty industry always does well.  It’s a relatively inexpensive way to look and feel better about yourself.

Meisha: Thanks again, Lucky! It’s been a wonderful chance to learn the ins and outs of your professional life! Are there any comments you’d like to add?

Lucky: When it comes to makeup have fun!  Try something new, because if you don’t like how it looks it washes off.  And never hide behind your makeup, let it reveal you. Lastly, celebrate the things that make you different.  Chances are, the thing you dislike about your appearance is the thing that someone else wishes they had.