Interview with Ioannis Tsangaris, a make-up artist
What sparked your interest in make-up?
As a kid I remember being passionate about art. I used to take art classes and spend my days in art galleries. I loved the idea of creating something unique and painting on a canvas. Make up for me is the same principle but in this case it's all about painting people's faces instead. It's a very creative way to express myself and also it's a way to make people feel more confident by looking their best version of themselves.
What training is involved in learning this skill? Is an art degree essential?
To become a makeup artist you just need passion. Training is great if you can get it or if you need it but I know some of the best makeup artists out there are self taught. It's all about research, observation, creativity, passion and getting inspired by everything around you. You don't need an art degree although in my case I did go to one of the best make up schools in London for a year but I learnt more by practising make up and by learning from working with other artists! You never stop learning new techniques.
Is make-up a full time career for you?
Yes make up is now my life, it's my work and I can't imagine doing anything else. I am blessed that I can do something that I love so much and get paid for it.
Do you come from a family of artists?
I think I am the only one that is artistic in my family. I come from a family of lawyers and accountants so definitely I am the exception.
In your view, is make-up only for women?
Throughout the history of ancient Rome, Egypt and Greece you will see that make up was used by both men and women. It wasn't considered to be feminine but was used for religious or political purposes as well. Men have always used make up and especially now with so many make up artists applying make up on themselves for Instagram and YouTube it is very common and accepted for men to use makeup. If a guy has acne or scars and he can look better with make up then it shouldn't be a privilege used only by women.
Metrosexual men in Japan and Korea use make-up; do you think this trend could reach Europe?
I know for sure that metrosexual men that use make up are found not only in Japan or Korea but also in Europe and the United States. Lots of my customers are professional men that might just want a concealer to hide their dark circles and look better for their meeting or guys that want to hide their problematic skin or even guys that want to experiment with makeup. Now it's very accepted.
Who are your typical clients? Actors? TV presenters? Catwalk models? Magazines? Brides? Media stars?
In my career I was very lucky to work on big stars and celebrities, actors, famous models and TV presenters. But I also love transforming real women. Women that have cancer, women that have low self confidence, women with problematic skin and women whose work doesn't allow them to wear too much make up. The feeling when they gain their confidence back is priceless.
Do you give lessons in how to apply make-up?
I provide masterclasses on how to apply make up and change a person’s make up look from desk floor to dance floor. It depends what my clients want. Different people are interested in different looks that best suit their personality.
Are make-up products good for the skin?
Make up in the past used to be heavy and irritate the skin on some occasions. Now with technology it's amazing the variety of make up products out there that don't act only as make up but are packed with vitamins, antioxidants and minerals that are non-comedogenic and can boost hydration, have anti-ageing properties or minimise pores. It's makeup that works with your skin and not against it.
Have you come across allergies to make-up products?
From my experience it doesn't matter what brand I am using I accept that certain people will be allergic to something. My advice would be to get tested to find out what ingredients they are allergic to and find products that are suitable for their skin. It's all about research.
Some people say that make-up is for women a form of enslavement; what would you reply to those people?
I don't agree that make up can be a form of enslavement for some women if it makes them feel happy and more sexy. Some people like expensive cars or spending money on clothes or cigarettes. They do it because they enjoy it and it makes them happy. My only concern would be that we feel great in our real skin whether we use make up or not.
Around forty years ago primary school girls were rarely seen wearing make-up whereas nowadays it is commonplace; is this too young?
I personally don't like young girls in schools with a lot of make up. They are too young to use so much make up on their skin from such an early age. I think with social media they are under big pressure to look amazing instead of enjoying being children and do other stuff. Kids nowadays grow up in a different society where they have different role models and access to so much technology. It's insane!
I see that you have used make-up to transform people who are disfigured or scarred; in what ways has this changed their lives?
When people have low self confidence because of bad skin or a disease it affects their everyday life. Some people would not go shopping, for coffee or even dare to go on a date and meet someone because they feel they will be judged. The feeling of giving their confidence back because of make up it's just out of this world. To see people crying having gained the confidence to face the world again because of a make up transformation is priceless and it always makes me very emotional.
Photo credit Ioannis Tsangaris
Can make-up be a healing factor or at least a psychological aid?
Make up that is good for the skin and free from chemicals and parabens definitely can improve someone's skin. On the other hand for people that want coverage and don't care as much for ingredients then a good make up will boost their confidence for sure.
Photo credit Ioannis Tsangaris
When you meet someone for the first time and they are wearing make-up, can you see behind the mask to the person beneath? Or do you see their makeup as more of a form of self-expression?
I try not to judge people in general but I can tell after so many years in the industry who's wearing makeup to hide their bad skin and feel better and who’s wearing makeup as a form of self-expression or because they are artistic or eccentric.
What do you love most about the process of applying make-up to another person?
When applying make up I get totally lost in my own world of creativity. I don't think of anything else and definitely I forget all of my worries. I also love seeing how people enjoy having their make up done and their reaction when they see the finished look. It's a give and take relationship.
If you could make up one female & one male famous person, who would they be?
I would love to do Angelina Jolie's makeup because she is such an interesting and eccentric personality and, if he was alive, the one and only Michael Jackson. With all the surgery he had over so many years it would be interesting to see how you could change some of his features with makeup.
Interviewed by Pierre Scordia and Annie Solomons - FΩRMIdea London, 25th July 2017.
Ioannis's official make-up page on Facebook is:facebook.com/IoannisMakeupArtist (Ioannis Tsangaris Makeup Artist)
Sarah Monrose (photographer): www.glowphotography.co.uk
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