Five minutes with... Dominic Skinner
He’s an iconic makeup artist working for MAC all over the world, and he’s also one of the judges on brand-new BBC series Glow Up: Britain’s Next Makeup Star. We sat down with Dominic Skinner to find out more about the man behind the makeup.
When did you decide to become a makeup artist, and how did you get to the level you’re at today?
I fell into being a makeup artist. It’s not what I set out to be; I wanted to be an artist and live in a draughty loft apartment in Paris. However, through art and photography, I started to use makeup to create the final images, and found that I loved how makeup could enhance a face.
I then decided to go back to university to study makeup, completing a two-year course at LCF and, soon after graduating, I got a part-time job at MAC Cosmetics. That’s when my career really took off, and after 15 years, I’m now a Global Senior Artist for the number-one makeup brand in the world.
If only it was that easy! With anything you want in life, it takes hard work and a lot of dedication. I always thought that if I didn’t give it 110%, someone else would. That drive has helped to push me, but as I love what I do, it doesn’t feel like hard work at all. You have to do what you love!
What’s your all-time favourite beauty product to use?
I have three favourites that I can’t live without. The first is the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix, it’s the best eye cream I’ve ever tried. It truly works and banishes fine lines in a flash.
I love the GlamGlow Gravity Mud face mask; it’s an amazing silver mask which plumps and smooths the skin, making it a great canvas for applying makeup.
Lastly, I have to mention the one item that I use on a daily basis, without fail: MAC’s Strobe Cream in Peachlite. It hydrates the skin beautifully, making it super conditioned, but it also has a pearlescent finish which brightens and illuminates the skin, making you look fresh and wide-awake.
What’s the one item that every woman should have in her makeup bag?
A great nude lipstick! I recommend MAC Lipstick in Cream in your Coffee, it’s the perfect nude for every skin tone, and instantly makes you look ready to take on the world.
Tell us more about Glow Up and your role on the show – why did you want to be a part of the series?
When I was first told about Glow Up and what the show’s team wanted to do, I jumped at it. I was really impressed with how much the producers wanted to know, and how much respect they had for the art of makeup.
I personally love working with new, up-and-coming makeup artists; I love seeing their passion and their drive, so I saw my role on the show as more mentor than judge. Yes, I was judging them each week, but I wanted that feedback to be constructive and something they can use to develop their skills. I wanted to make sure that these artists left stronger and more capable than when they first walked through the doors.
What are the beauty trends that we should be looking out for this season?
The trend I love most at the moment is a look that we call ‘Vibrant’. It’s super clean skin, created with just a little light base like MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation, with one bold, bright flash of colour. The new MAC Art Library Eyeshadow Palette in It’s Designer is great for this; you get twelve incredibly fun shades to achieve a single bold pop, or you can blend two or three shades together to add a flash of that extra something to your everyday look. A trend doesn’t have to be troublesome, it can be a simple way to try something new.