Dani Guinsberg founded The Session School, a highly respected school of makeup in the heart of central London in 2008. Dani has been working as a freelance make up artist in the fashion, beauty and advertising industry for over 17 years.
Well respected, well known and highly successful, Dani is a popular figure in the industry. Her work features regularly in British Vogue, Teen Vogue, GQ, Esquire, Stella Magazine, ES Magazine, British Cosmopolitan and British Marie Claire (among others). Dani’s Advertising clients include Marks and Spencer, New Look, John Lewis, Barry M Cosmetics, BHS, Evans, Debenhams and Faith Shoes.
Dani travels all over the world for her career and is an expert in both beauty and location shoots. She also works on many other exciting projects, including Fashion Shows, Portraits & Pop Promos. By running The Session School Dani brings her wealth of talent and experience to the next generation of make up artists. She loves helping others realise their potential – whether it is by wielding her make up brush, or teaching with it! We couldn’t wait to chat to her about how she’s got to where she is now….
“Dani, it’s lovely to talk to you, thank you for taking time out to chat to us. Can you tell us about how you started your career in makeup?”
I began a career in make up around 17 years ago having finished art school. Wondering what to do next, I stumbled upon a short course much like the one we now offer at the Session School. I knew from day one of my course that makeup was for me, and half way through the course one of the teachers recommended I assist her and others at her top London makeup agency. I was very lucky and things just flowed to where I am now.
“So what made you want to set up the Session School?”
A few years back I was thinking about what to do with the wealth of knowledge I had in professional makeup, and I decided to give something back to help others achieve the amazing things I’ve been lucky enough to do career wise. I wanted to create the next generation of top hair and makeup artists, knowing that they have been trained to a very high standard and helping get them all where they deserve to be. That’s why I have set up an extremely good after care system at the Session School.
“You’ve clearly got a real passion to help others make it in the industry. Has it been difficult at any point?”
The hardest obstacle is finding the right people to test with – It is all about hard ground work and finding the right photographers and stylist. These days it is so much easier with the amazing social media we have available. Back in the day it was all about research and networking with the right people!
“So is there anything like a typical day for you?”
I get up around 6am every day to walk my one-year old puppy, Walter the Whippet. If I am working on a photoshoot, I usually jump straight into a taxi, as my makeup kit almost weighs as much as my own body weight! At work I spend around an hour creating a makeup look suited to the client’s brief, and then spend the day keeping the look fresh and immaculate. In between shots I answer all kinds of email related to The Session School and liaising with my team back at the office.
Once back at home I take Walter for another quick walk, usually cook something healthy and have a relaxing bath.
“Sounds like you’re always busy! What do you love most about your career at the moment?”
I love the people involved in the fashion industry. I cannot emphasise enough how many wonderful people there are. Everyone is super creative and amazing ideas are bounced around between us. I also adore the amazing locations that I get to travel to – places that I never dreamed existed!
“We won’t lie, we are a bit jealous! If others want to follow in your footsteps, what would you advise them to do?”
Make sure to find a makeup course that has good reviews or comes highly recommended. It does not have to be a long course, but one that offers all the basics, high teaching standards and has a good aftercare service in place. Make sure you research some of the teachers and that they are still working in the industry. It is really all about building a good portfolio and assisting as many different types of makeup artists as you can to get inspired by different styles. At the end of the day all clients want to see is evidence of beautiful makeup looks you have created.
“Great advice! So tell us, what’s your must have makeup product?”
RMK’S Colourless 0 Face Powder. It is essential for helping set makeup to last all day – especially on photo shoots.
“What’s the best makeup tip you can share with us? We won’t tell!”
Always start with professionally prepped skin. It is so important to understand the skin type you are working with before you apply any cosmetics to the skin. The skin needs to look and feel its best and then your makeup application will be flawless.
“Dani, thank you so much for talking to us, it’s really inspiring to see how you’ve progressed to where you are today, and we’re sure there are lots of future makeup artists who will love hearing how you got there!”
To find out more about Dani, The Session School, the courses they offer and more, visit their website. You can also Tweet them @sessionschool or call on 020 7224 3127.
.
thebeautyobsession.wordpress.com 