When I met Katerina Brans, we started chit- chatting straight on our favourite make up products, especially on organic beauty. Thanks to her 13 years work in a chemical technology lab as a research developer, she knows the “insides” of the products and the newest technologies. She is still looking for the ultimate product: highly pigmented/ hi-tech texture/ healthy combination. Katerina consults international magazines on beauty. Her hart lies by high-end fashion editorial shootings and the fashion shows. She travels world also as an make up assistant of Pat McGrath for five years. Time for the world to get to know the lady behind the one of a kind artistry handwriting.
AR: How long have you been a make-up artist?
KB: Since 2001, accidentally actually. Personally, I never had really something with make-up but I was drawing all the time as a kid. And I love colour, texture and mixing, incl. cooking in my kitchen ;). I see the face like a projection of a 3D-raster on a canvas. Make-up products are my paints. Since than I never got make up out my head….
AR: How long have you been working as an artist internationally?
KB: It was January 2006, I assisted for the first time Peter Philips on Giorgio Armani Prive and Givenchy couture shows in Paris. One day became four years, as his assistant. Soon after I started to travel for work. I love to travel.
AR: You mentioned that you’ve worked with several fashion designers, and that you’ve assisted the top international make-up artists. Any favourites you would like to mention?
KB: There are many precious memories, after 10 years doing shows, about 30 shows a season. I’m grateful for all them. The make up fittings for Alexander McQueen shows, with maestro himself or as well as at the most spectacular Christian Dior shows with Mr. Galliano.Also assisting to Lloyd Simmond, Tom Pecheux, Diane Kendal, Aaron de Mey, Mark Carrasquillo, Lucia Pieroni, Charlotte Tilbury, Rudi Cremers, Sil Bruinsma and many others was a great and lovely experience.
My the most favourite mua is, the one and only, Path McGrath. Being on her team my dream came through which I didn’t even dare to dream. I happened to work with Stella McCartney for the Interview magazine and Viktor&Rolf designer duo for Mykromag magazine. Lately I work closely with talented designer Peet Dullaert. Designing make-up for his two Paris RTW shows was another of my dreams come true….
AR: I know you love organic make-up products and skincare? What are you favourites and why?
KB: All these organic products have mua PRO quality. Mascara’s, cream eyeshadows, Unpowder (by RMS),Powder eyeshadows, blush (Kjaer Weis),Liquid foundation, concealers and lipstick (Ilia),Liquid black liner, eye and lip pencils and Moisturising beauty pearls serum and LL-regeneration line creams (Annemarie Borlind), Good Genes and Juno (by Sunday Riley), Skinfood (Weleda).
The secret camouflage (by Laura Mercier), Liquid summer and Maestro foundation (Giorgio Armani), Multiple’s (by NARS), Brow Wiz (Anastasia) , Sculpting powder & Creamy glow (Kevin Aucoin), Illusion D’ombre eyeshadows (by Chanel), eyeliner & mascara (by RMK), Lipsticks (by Tom Ford), Face&Body and pigments (M.A.C Cosmetics).
AR: What are your favourite products to achieve radiant skin?
KB: First I remove the make up residual with Crealine T.S. (Bioderma) then Spray Avene water to clean skin afterwards. Then I massage in the Good Genes (Sunday Riley) treatment that exfoliates and brightens up the complexion and rinse it off. After that I massage in LL Regenerating day cream (Annemarie Borlind) onto face and neck.
If there is even more glow needed, I add a few drops of hydro-active cellular oil Juno (Sunday Riley).Then a bit the Tinted Moisturiser (by Laura Mercier) with Fluid Sheer (by Giorgio Armani) to create sheer healthy glow. Secret camouflage if needed and a light touch of cream blush in a peachy or coral colour onto apple cheeks (by NARS) and a subtle highlighter on the cheek bones (by Kjaer Weis). Sweep of translucent powder (by RMS). Hint of colour on lips Liptint (by Kjaer Weis).
AR: Which make-up products would you recommend that are easy to apply for someone with little make-up experience?
KB: Absolutely multi-use products in creamy textures, they are easy to blend with finger tips, but blend it well! Tinted moisturiser (cream+foundation in one) or make your own one by mixing your moisturiser with bit of foundation. The multiples from NARS are great as a blush, bronzer, you can shape you face with or use it as eyeshadow or lipstick. TThe creamy long lasting shimmery eyeshadows Illusion D’Ombre (by Chanel), more mate colours (by M.A.C Cosmetics) or organic cream eyeshadow (by RMS) work wonders for the eyes. It easy to apply with your finger tips or with a synthetic brush. MAC has a PRO lip palettes with six different shades and texture lipstick to play with. Rule no. 1: work with clean hands. 😉
AR: Are you working on any exciting new projects you want to share with the world?
KB: Now I’m working on one international secret project, so I can’t share anything unfortunately, only that I’m excited to be part of it…. an ELLE editorial shooting in UK, a beach shooting, some studio editorial shootings and maybe one more work trip and finally a vacation. 🙂
AR: As summer 2015 is just around the corner, what are the couture beauty trends for SS15?
KB: This season’s runways reflected the 60’s and 70’s. The graphic eyeliners, especially in black, in many graphic shapes, my favourite was at the LV shows, the spiky one.
The absolute must have is “come as you are skin”. Minimalistic, super natural, sporty make up. Hydrated and moisturised.Bright-color-saturated matte lips. There were also some colour elements on the eyes, ranged from subtle color eyeshadow to acid color liner.Rock star looks, with glitters, piercing rings or smudged black smokey eyes.
Find Katerina Brans here , Instagram: katerinabrans
Katerina is represented by Eric Elenbaas Agency