When I heard about Sarah Jessica Parker’s latest HBO show for the first time, I was pretty excited to watch. It took a few episodes for me to fall for Frances DuFresne, played by SJP, but now I can’t wait for another season to start. In the series, Frances goes through the worst time and yet still manages to look amazing in every scene. One of the people who helps breathe life into Frances’ character by making her more three dimensional, is makeup artist Elaine Offers.
Here she shares some insights into her work.
What made you want to become a make-up artist?
My intention as a young adult was to go to Art Center in Pasadena, California and become a graphic artist like my father. One day I was reading the La Times newspaper, and was looking at the classified ads, and saw an advertisement for Joe Blasco’s Makeup Academy…it immediately peaked my interest. After meeting the administrator, I decided to take the night courses, which were four hours a night during the week for ten weeks…that way I could wait tables during the day and then go to class. It was nice to have a full schedule during that summer…. that was 27 years ago!
How did you get your start in the beauty industry?
I did quite well at Joe Blasco and was fascinated by all of my instructor’s knowledge, and stories from their time on film sets. When I finished the course, I started calling photographers in LA to try and get my foot in the door. Some of my best early work happened when I collaborated with photography students from Art Center! I continued to wait tables for another 2 years before I could support myself on makeup jobs alone. Those were mainly music industry photo shoots, and independent films.
How did you get involved in Divorce?
I met Sarah Jessica Parker years ago on Glee. She had a two episode arc, and needed a Union makeup artist in LA to take care of her. I’m not sure how my name got to her, but I’m sure glad it did! I didn’t see her again until she called for me to do the pilot for Divorce two years ago. I also did the first and second season, and hopefully a third is on the horizon.
How is working on a set different from working on a look for a red carpet event?
Red carpet events require a makeup that will look glamorous, hold up all night, and pop in front of the hundreds of camera flashes. Makeup artists collaborate with stylists and hairdressers to achieve a beautiful look. Makeup for film depending on the story can be next to nothing, or a huge character transformation. A character’s look evolves between the makeup artist, actor, director and DP… as they say, it takes a village!
I only met Sarah Jessica Parker once but she seems like a fun person to work with. If you could describe her in three words, what would they be?
Three words to describe her would be kind, intelligent and professional.
xxx
Elaine Offers, represented by Exclusive Artists Management, has been perfecting the beauty of top actresses for over fifteen years. Some of her top clients include Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, Meg Ryan, Eva Mendes, Kirsten Dunst and Isla Fisher. She has also worked with renowned photographers such as Cliff Watts, David Bailey, Mark Liddell, and Robert Maxwell. You can follow her on Instagram.
