Changing Faces
With nothing but imagination (and a little foam latex), makeup artist Rosemary Lau from Touchup Productions has been giving life to a variety of beasts, monsters, zombies and the walking dead for films and parties.
HK Magazine: As a professional, what do you think about the makeup of women in town?
RL: Well, most women can make up quite well here. They learn it from TV, the magazines, billboards, advertisements... Unless you are blind, it’s basically impossible to escape those images. I think we have more beauty ads than anywhere else to be honest. However, like everything else, I do see some living, walking failures from time to time.
HK: So what’s hot in the coming Halloween?
RL: People are adding a bit of a Chinese element to their ghostly looks. Chinese paper dolls and Chinese vampires are gaining popularity. Also, pixie ears and wax noses. They are usually below $200. They’re pretty easy to put on.
HK: What if I want something more complicated?
RL: We can apply a form-fitting latex cap on your head but the technique is a bit complicated. We have to tie up your hair, tuck it into the cap, apply foundation and glue the whole thing on. It takes about an hour and costs about $500 depending on the length of your hair and head shape.
HK: Could molding replace plastic surgery?
RL: Yes, you can… but if you want it to look real, you have to tailor-make your mold and some measurements have to made before hand in order to do that. It may take a week or several months to have the mold done… it really depends. The mold may look seamless under the camera with the lighting and everything, but you can still tell it’s fake in person. If things could be that easy, why would people spend their fortunes to have their noses and eyes done?
HK: Which celebrity do you think wears makeup best?
RL: Joey Yung. She really looks much more beautiful these days… compared to, you know, what she used to look like. Though I am not sure about whether she has had plastic surgery, but judging form a professional perspective, the makeup artist is still doing a very good job. The curve of her eyelids actually changes slowly over time…
HK: Can you tell if a girl with beautiful makeup is actually ugly?
RL: Not really if she is skillful. Unless I can take a look at her closely then I may be able to tell… but it would be weird to check a woman out like that. Women, especially those with good makeup skills, can be very deceptive.
