We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christine Lloyd a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Christine, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share a customer success story with us?

I recently worked with an aspiring filmmaker who needed special FX makeup for her short film, which she planned to submit to a prestigious festival. The makeup was crucial, depicting a keloid scar around the eye of the main character, symbolizing an accident in childhood that left her blind. This visual element was key to a plot twist, revealing that the vibrant life sequences shown were mere daydreams. The challenge was to create a realistic scar that was safe for the sensitive eye area, noticeable on camera, and deliverable within a limited timeframe. After experimenting with different materials, I chose a two-part silicone polymer for its ease of sculpting and painless removal, achieving a smooth, organic look.

The sculpting process took about an hour, followed by detailed contouring to blend the scar seamlessly with the actress’s skin. The final result was highly realistic and met the client’s vision perfectly. The film’s compelling narrative and authentic makeup contributed to its success, winning several categories at the film festival. While the importance of make up and character design is often overlooked, this project perfectly showcased the impact of innovative and meticulous makeup artistry in storytelling, highlighting the importance of my skills in creative problem-solving in delivering exceptional results.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For those who may not have read about me before, I’m Christine, a makeup artist and creative consultant. My journey into the world of makeup began with personal transformation and storytelling through visual elements. Originally, I started my career in Economics and have worked as a risk underwriter in construction insurance. However, my passion for creativity and storytelling eventually led me to pursue a career that combined my artistic skills and love for innovation and strategy.

I specialize in a range of makeup services, including special effects makeup, character makeup, and everyday beauty transformations. My work spans across various industries, including narrative, commercial, and editorial. Recently, I’ve been delving into more complex special effects projects. I’m also beginning to do custom character designs including wardrobe and accessory styling.

One of the primary problems I solve for my clients is bringing their visions to life with meticulous attention to detail and innovative techniques. I ensure that every aspect of my work enhances the narrative and communicates with the audience. I’m very much about the “why” and always love to know everything about the inspiration for the project or story which guides every detail of my designs and strategy. My holistic approach to character and aesthetic design sets me apart from others in the industry. I am committed to continuous learning and improving my craft to provide the best possible results for my clients.

I am most proud of the impact my work has on the projects I contribute to. Seeing my artistry play a pivotal role in a film’s success or a character’s believability is incredibly rewarding. What I want potential clients and followers to know about my brand is that I am not just about applying makeup; I am about creating an experience and telling a story. My work is rooted in understanding the unique needs of each project and delivering results that exceed expectations. Whether you need a transformative look for a character, an everyday beauty enhancement, or innovative makeup solutions for a creative project, I am here to bring your vision to life with professionalism and creativity.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the profound therapeutic impact it has, both for myself and my clients. Art is not just a form of expression; it is a journey into the depths of identity, emotions, and desires. Every time I work with a client, I have the privilege of diving deep into their unique vision and personal story. This process is incredibly therapeutic as it allows us to explore and articulate aspects of their identity, fantasies, or life experiences that may have been hidden, unprocessed, or unexpressed. Whether it’s working with a director or writer to craft a character for a film or commercial, working with a fashion stylist and photographer to create a cohesive look for an editorial, or designing branded details for a e-commerce shoot, my goal is to make my clients feel truly understood and celebrated.

Aside from bringing visions to life, as a makeup and hair artist on set I am often consulting with clients about their physical issues, and they open up to me about their personal insecurities and quite often their personal lives. After working with both beginners and seasoned celebrities, you realize that everyone is pretty much going through a similar human experience and I always try to make my clients feel better by letting them know that they are not alone in their current situations. I usually end up being “mom” on set, taking care of the crew and cast well outside of my hired role, and I enjoy supporting the entire production in any way that I can to make it the best it can be. This ability to connect with people on such a personal and impactful level is what makes being an artist so fulfilling and meaningful to me.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

I have been very privileged to have clients who are so aligned with me that they often become my friends, which makes it very easy to keep in touch. We are constantly cheering each other on and continuing to support each other in whatever capacity we can. This genuine connection not only helps maintain communication but also strengthens the bond and trust between us. Commenting on client’s social media posts, project launches, assisting them with community requests, accompanying them to networking events, or sending check in emails and texts are great ways to keep in touch.

I foster brand loyalty by taking my job very seriously and going above and beyond to support the client and the talent in as many ways as possible and I am often doing more than just makeup on set. I spend a lot of time consulting with my clients and listening to their inspirations and desires prior to ever showing up on set. This includes being very clear on expectations and needs to ensure I deliver outstanding results. When I am working with celebrities I will often research how they like to be handled, their pet peeves, their favorite products, and what they’re currently working on. When I was working with Ian Somerhalder I gave him my own snacks I brought from home as he had some dietary restrictions. Hannibal Burress needed a manicure on the set of his music video and I ended up giving Ilana Glazier some skin care to take home as I knew she was tired from traveling and being on tour with a toddler. Danny Trejo had a bad knee on a film set and I helped him wrap it in ice and bandages at the end of the day. By consistently exceeding expectations and providing exceptional service, I build lasting relationships based on mutual respect and trust. My commitment to excellence and personal investment in my clients’ success and experiences on set are key factors in fostering brand loyalty and maintaining strong, enduring connections.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.christinevictoria.art/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christine.victoria/

Image Credits

Anthony Wilson, Sameer Copper, John Shafto, Leyla Stefani, Lorenzo Martin, Daniel Woiwode, Jahmel Reynolds, Luka Bazeli