Karin Westerlund
Karin is a make-up artist living in Paris. When I interviewed her, and by the pictures of her Instagram, I felt the urge to dive into that pool of cosmetics, beauty and creams and come out all fresh shimmering and metallic colour kissed just the way Karin manage to create it. She does it sustainable and vegan too!
Where are you from and where do you live today?
I come from Stockholm, Sweden but I live in Paris since over 10 years.
Favourite spot in Paris?
Rue de la Folie Mericourt, and the streets around, which is were I live.
You’re a make-up artist working with the top fashion magazines and models. How did you get into this profession? When did you first discover makeup?
I always loved make-up since I was little, and when I as a teenager realised you could do that for a living I knew what I wanted to do.
Are you practising any other aesthetic mediums more than the human body?
Source of inspiration?
I used to draw, paint and I studied photography in school and loved spending time developing in the darkroom, but that is long ago and these days it is mainly make-up. Inspiration comes from exhibitions, films and daily life!
Do you personally have any routine for beauty and make-up?
I try to take good care of my skin and I use well selected skincare products. My key beauty product is a scientific natural serum from Swedish brand Transderma, M for the day and R for the night. I used it since years and I never used anything else with such visual result. Other favourite brands for skincare are Dermalogica and Omorovicza. For make-up I use a little bit of concealer from the vegan brand Kett, and I use colored mascara such as electric green or red, and sometimes cream make-up on cheeks or lips. I try to use as much sustainable make-up as I can for both myself and work, and another brand that I just found my way to is Manasi 7, from who I especially like the All Over Cream formulas, which have great pigment and is comfortable on the skin.
What is your creative trade mark as a make up artist? Is there any feature that you unintentionally use to create?
I think a lot of clients appreciate my way to work with skin, and to come with creative ideas but still keeping it some kind of minimalist.
If you were a cocktail which would you be?
Spicy Margarita.
Do you have any job for a shooting that you are specially pleased with? Which one?
Plenty of course! Also it was just fashion week here which was very fun. I did a variety of shows and presentations and looks. For make-up the show for Ximon Lee was especially interesting as we made them look like synthetic beings, plastic and metallic. Allowing to experiment with glitters, colors and textures. They also had a great casting!
Any exciting project coming up that you could to share with us?
I have some editorials coming up soon and a trip to London, a city that always excites me. I’m also very happy to catch my breath a bit at home this week after the past weeks of running around!
courtesy KARIN WESTERLUND
interview REBECCA LOVGREN
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