She’s the woman who makes famous faces look perfect, but makeup artist Hannah Martin admits she finds it weird to be on the other side of the camera lens. “I do a lot of makeup tutorials, but posing in big ball gowns is something new,” she laughs.
Despite being out of her comfort zone, something tells us that today’s glamor shoot will be the first of many for the 40-year-old beauty star. Over her hard-fought 20-year career, she has gone from being the hottest bean at the Bobbi Brown counter to someone who paints the faces of A-listers, supermodels and royalty. Her signature radiant aesthetic was most notably with Princesses Beatrice and seeing Eugenie walking down the altar in admiration.
Today, Hannah steps into the spotlight herself as the face of a new limited collection she’s creating for OK! has curated. beauty box. It’s the perfect way to recreate her effortless style for less, with 11 covetable products worth over £255 available here for the very affordable £60. “There’s nothing complicated, just beautiful, natural makeup,” she says. “It’s about looking like an improved version of yourself.”
1 out of 6
Hannah, you’re famous for working with members of the royal family – how did that come about?
It’s all word of mouth. It was all very organic, building those relationships. And actually, it’s nice now that we’re dealing with such long-term, pleasant relationships.
Were you stunned when you were first approached?
Yes, of course. It was like, “Gosh, that’s amazing.” And then, like any customer, you just want to make sure they’re okay. As with all relationships, it is about earning trust. With these [royal] Relationships have had the occasional occasion when there has been a green light to share [pictures online], but I will never assume I can share behind-the-scenes photos of any of my clients. Every now and then there’s a green light, but it’s always at their peak.
You’ve done quite a few royal weddings now. How was it?
It’s a great compliment when you ask someone to collaborate on their wedding day because it’s a very special moment in their life. To be trusted to be the person who is there in the intimate moments before. And it’s a huge compliment for me because it’s my favorite aesthetic. It’s like “naturally with a trowel” — you want to set the right makeup tone that’s light and fresh — but enough to hold up next to those big, gorgeous dresses.
(Image: Catherine Hack)
2 out of 6
Tell us about your first celebrity client. Who was it?
It was 2007 and it was Minnie Driver for The Graham Norton Show. I remember being really hot because I was trying to look really fancy, so I was completely overdressed. She asked for eyelashes and I didn’t have any, so I had to run through the corridors until I found some to borrow. And then she said, “I think the makeup is too heavy, it’s too much bronze, you have to take it all the way off.”
Oh, how awkward!
Yes, so I took it off, but all the time I’m like, “She must be warm because of the golden tones of her skin.” Then she wanted a second opinion, so I got the lady who gave me the lashes, And she said, “You look beautiful Minnie, but I think you need that.” a little more warmth.” I said to myself, “Yes!” as I returned all of the bronzer. It was probably one of my most difficult experiences, but I learned from it. Now I have the confidence and skills to handle something like that, but then I was a sweating wreck.
(Image: Catherine Hack)
3 out of 6
You have your own OK! created. Edit beauty box. How would you sum it up?
It’s everyday essentials to jump in and out of, but it’s also a look rolled into one. It is My favorite summer look, with glowing sunscreen, soft bronze eyes, gorgeous lashes and glossy lips. It’s easy to use and suits everyone Skin types and tones. That’s what I’m most proud of. I don’t think anyone could look at the content and think, “I’m not sure if this is for me.”
When do you think your passion for beauty began?
When I was little I thought my mother was the most glamorous person in the world. She sat at her dressing table every day and inevitably put on make-up. And I sat completely fascinated by the transformation. I watched in awe and thought, “I can’t wait to do this to myself.”
(Image: Denis Pedersen)
4 out of 6
When did you discover that you are good at makeup?
One of the most important memories was getting to play with my girlfriend’s mom’s red lipstick. And I applied it absolutely perfectly. I remember all the adults in the house asking, “Who did this?” They couldn’t believe it was me. Then, when I was a teenager, I started experimenting with makeup and I was like, “Ooh…”
How did make-up become a profession?
It was actually my Plan C. Plan A was a theater school, but I just couldn’t make it and I was devastated. Then I had a really rushed plan B, which was to do nursing. I just found some aspects of it very stressful and knew I wouldn’t be able to do it for the rest of my life. I remember sobbing to the guidance counselor, “I just want to study theater makeup,” and she was like, “Well, why not?” At that moment, she gave me permission to pursue my dream. Saying makeup is my Plan C sounds like I fell for it, but that couldn’t be more wrong. I’ve always loved makeup. I just didn’t know I could make a career out of it.
(Image: Catherine Hack)
5 out of 6
How did you start your career as a makeup artist?
I never went to makeup school. The ‘aha’ moment was talking to the therapist at the Benefits desk in Debenhams in Oxford and she said, ‘Wow, I would just love to be a make-up artist.’ And this woman said, ‘Well, here’s my number Managers.” The next Saturday I was standing at the counter.
How did you go from beautician to celebrity make-up artist?
My husband and I moved to London so I could get serious about makeup, but we were so broke I couldn’t even buy a train ticket to get to London and socialize. So I got a job at the Fenwick beauty salon, right across from the Bobbi Brown counter, where people did makeup all day. I started calling their area manager every day and saying, “I really want to work for you,” until boom, I was in. To every additional makeup job that came up, I said yes. Word got around that I was a yes girl and within a few years I was part of Bobbi Brown’s global artistic team, attending runway shows, magazine shoots and celebrities.
How do you strike the right balance between work and family?
It’s really tricky and I’m learning to be better with boundaries. A job came along and it was a client I love, but it was also my 40th birthday and I knew my husband and kids wanted to celebrate with me. So I said no – but it was really hard for me.
(Image: Catherine Hack)
6 out of 6
Your new book Makeup: A Masterclass In Beauty is already a bestseller, tell us about it…
My Instagram platform is very educational and people come to me with many questions and problems. I thought why not just try to put everything on paper so that you have it My advice on this all in one place?
Your DIY Instagram makeovers always show both your “before” and “after” – was that important to you?
Massive because I couldn’t take all the fakery and CGI. None of this is real makeup. I never want to be the reason for someone looking at Instagram and saying, “Oh, I feel bad.” So if it means I’m sitting there with pimples, flaky skin, redness, whatever, then do it I do it and then show in real time what it takes to create beautiful makeup.
Finally, what is your advice to anyone who wants to become a makeup artist?
If there is a word, it would be perseverance. First of all, no job is beneath your dignity. Take advantage of all the experience and character building opportunities you can. A few young makeup artists have reached astronomical heights thanks to social media, but that’s rare. I think there is so much to say in makeup artistry by taking the stairs. Because if you take the elevator, you will miss so much along the way.
That’s OK! Beauty Box x Hannah Martin costs £60 here for content over £255, only available while supplies last.
(Image: Catherine Hack)
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