At TTM Management we proudly represent a diverse range of talent from models, families, influencers and creatives. We are excited to announce we are now representing the very talented Makeup Artist, Roos James, for makeup bookings with our clients.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in the makeup industry?
I’m a Makeup Artist and owner of Oracle Beauty, a local Makeup and Beauty Studio located in The Junkyard, Newcastle. I’ve worked on just about every style of Makeup or project that you can think of over the years! I started out trawling the internet looking for unpaid Makeup photoshoots to help gain experience and practise my skills. I’ve worked at various London Fashion Week shows under Head Makeup Artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis and I’m also a Special Effects Makeup Artist.
What inspired you to become a makeup artist?
It was something that happened by accident, my plans as a child was always to become a Tattoo Artist! I’ve been interested in alternative culture, music, aesthetics etc. since I was about 6 years old, and so it was actually experimenting with my own style and image that got me interested in makeup. Eventually, I discovered that I could follow my interests and take it further, and so I enrolled in a college course which at the time covered only Makeup and had no ‘Beauty (waxing or beauty treatment) subject matter. It focused solely on Makeup and Special Effects and it was exactly what I wanted. I tend to say that I started in the industry properly after I graduated university in 2018, I had completed my Ba Hons in Media Makeup and Special Effects for TV and Film. With that in mind, I’d say I’ve been in industry for about 6 years, but I was working on shoots and practising my skills before then in 2013 and 2014.
What does your creative process look like when conceptualising a makeup look?
Some projects will of course come with some initial concepts already established and in those cases, I like to look into which specific aspects of each inspo pic that the organiser is particularly keen on. Is there anything that the client specifically does not want? These kinds of questions make the process so much more streamlined. I absolutely love Pinterest to help me visualise what it is exactly that I am after. Once I have a few ideas in mind for a project, I like to send over a brief of my ideas and concept to the organiser/client etc to get their thoughts and feedback.
Where do you draw inspiration from for your makeup looks?
I’m a self confessed “inspo book hoarder” and I’ve an overflowing bookcase full of books covering the works of other Makeup Artists, as well as Photographers, Designers and Haute Couture, Graphic Design, Video Games and Film, Art, Tattooing, Pathology and so much more! I think it’s important to surround yourself with the things that make you feel inspired, it’s so easy these days to feel bogged down with content and trends that you can forget what it is that you actually want to do.
How would you describe your signature makeup style?
I think that these days my signature Makeup would be described in a very different way than it used to be, and I think it’s because over the years my goals have changed. I wanted to be known for different things as I’ve gotten older, you know? As I’ve gotten older I’ve found a love for softer looks that have almost over the top glossy, healthy skin and bright colours. I think if you sat my ‘signature’ looks side by side, you’d never believe that they were both my work! Don’t get me wrong, I love bold, unusual and creative makeup, but overall there’s a lot less chaos in my work, it’s matured a bit!
Are there any specific makeup techniques or tricks that you’re known for?
I think that I’m known for the way that I like to do complexion on a Makeup, particularly in a photoshoot setting. Complexion has always consistently been something that I wanted to make sure I was nailing for every model, so I made sure to practise on every skin type and skin tone, do my research and try new things.
What are some of your favourite makeup products or tools that you can’t live without?
Oh there’s a lot! I always need my bottle of 99% alcohol on set to make sure everything is sterile and fresh, ready to go! My palette knife and palette come everywhere with me too. It’s a magnetic palette filled with so many beautiful colours and brands that I know I can depend on for any look. If you’ve ever been on a shoot with me too you’ll know how much I love my brushes – I think I’m a bit of a brush hoarder!
Can you tell us about one of your favourite makeup projects or collaborations you’ve worked on?
I collaborated with my friend G who owns Broke Boutique, a totally sustainable, recycled and handmade garment business to create a shoot that was grungy, gritty and had a real industrial vibe. I work a lot with my friend and hairdresser Jude Taylor on various concepts and so we got together and created this really over the top editorial look with studded eyebrows, smeared eye makeup, my signature glossy skin and these gorgeously long braids that Jude created that were full of nails! There was so much going on by the end but the end result fit the Broke Boutique Brand and our vision so well! Chris who we shoot with regularly created some beautiful edits of this look, and Lola just embodied the whole look. I’m super excited with the end result!
Are there any dream projects or collaborations you hope to pursue in the future?
I’d love to go to America to work some day, so that is definitely on my to-do list! I also really want to be a part of an Alexander McQueen show, as an artist he was someone who massively inspired me. I think it’s good to aim high, it keeps my brain busy! Who knows, maybe I’ll expand Oracle Beauty too?
Check out Roos’s work:
To book the talented Roos for an upcoming shoot, please contact our team: bookings@ttmmanagement.co.uk