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Italian Makeup Artist Gets Inspiration From the Arabian Culture
Manuela Pana is a 26-year-old Italian makeup artist who has worked with Marc Jacobs, Valentino, Vogue and a number of fashion shows. She recently visited Jeddah and gave makeup courses and applied make up on Saudi brides.
Pana’s love for makeup started at an early age and pushed her to join a makeup course with an Italian makeup artist where she later worked for two years as her assistant. “I discovered professional makeup, learned techniques that enhanced my natural talent and then, everything made sense,” says Pana. “I discovered the fashion world, and that exposure made me realize that this is what I would like to do for the rest of my life.”
Having an artistic background growing up has influenced Pana as her mother was an interior designer and her friends are painters. “They taught me the art of colors and I enjoyed it a lot. I painted and still use painting to unwind to this day,” she says. “They told me that every painting has to have a meaning and that is what I aim for in my makeup applications. Every makeup applied has to have a meaning and express something special.”
Being passionate about colors and makeup sets her apart from other makeup artists. “When you love what you do, regardless of your field, you develop yourself and become creative. Consequently, your work becomes your art. I put all my energy into my work so that every face I touch is my masterpiece,” says Pana. “I respect that clients entrust me with their image, and I make sure the result make them happy. I can happily say that I truly have not had any unhappy customer.”
Pana advises women not to go overboard with makeup applications, but rather keep it simple. “In makeup, it is essential to put the amount you really need and not any excess. I see people put a lot of foundation and eye shadow and that is not what makeup is about,” she says. “Makeup is about enhancing natural beauty, not painting on another face.”
She offers the following tips for the summer season: “When the weather is hot, the face needs to breathe more. So, instead of foundation, you can obtain a fresh look by using a hydrating cream followed by a layer of compact powder.”
Pana says that Arabian women are naturally beautiful, but they overdo their makeup. She recommends that they enhance their natural beauty instead of altering it. “There is a lot that the Arab culture has to offer, and it always inspires me in my work,” she says. “Arabian eyes, the desert and the amazing Arabian scents like Oud are enchanting and I enjoy incorporating Arabian themes in my work.” She adds that she learned the technique of henna body painting and will use it soon in fashion shows abroad.
Pana frequently does makeup for fashion magazines, fashion shows, designers, music videos and movies. Before each show or photo shoot, Pana meets with the designers and photographers to understand the creative theme and to enhance it with them. “I believe that no matter how talented or famous a person is, he/she always has to respect other peoples’ vision and work,” she explains. “However, I do not let that compromise my work and always add my special touches.”
Working in this field makes it easy for Pana to be exposed to the new fashion and makeup trends, and through time, has found it easy to adapt to new fashion movements. “I’m always the first to find out about new trends from the catwalk because I work directly with fashion designers in European fashion shows and shoots. I actually contribute in my own way to those trends so it’s natural for me to understand them inside and out,” she explains.
Pana advises aspiring makeup artists to learn from others and continue practicing. “A professional makeup artist needs three elements: Talent, knowledge and practice,” she explains. “No matter how talented you are, you have to work hard at your craft. You cannot depend on your skill alone and should always work to improve yourself. A successful person is always humble and learns from others and his environment. This is what makes him/her evolve, get better and surpass others.”
Rima Al-Mukhtar
Arab News