Interview · Amanda Reardon (+ Mecca Cosmetica Giveaway!)
Fashion
7th September, 2012
Makeup by Amanda Reardon, photos by Nicole Bentley for Vogue.
Makeup by Amanda Reardon, photos by Nicole Bentley for Vogue.
Makeup by Amanda Reardon, photos by Nicole Bentley for Marie Claire.
Makeup by Amanda Reardon, photos by Nicole Bentley for Vogue Beauty.
Amanda at work featuring Abbey Lee for Portmans!
Don't freak out on me, but today we're getting just a little bit fashiony. In our own little nod to Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, (and Vogue Fashion's Night Out which went down a storm last night in Sydney), today we have an interview with one of Australia's most in-demand makeup artists!
I actually can't believe we've never interviewed a makeup person before. It seems most negligent. I'm always intrigued by the secret armies behind the scenes of any fashion campaign - the art directors, stylists, photographers and assistants whose names we rarely register when flicking through our favourite fashion titles. These are the people who make glossy magazine magic happen!
Amanda Reardon's adept brushwork has been published in some of Australia's most popular fashion and beauty magazines, including Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Rolling Stone, Madison, Marie Claire, Oyster, and Russh. She has also worked on advertising campaigns for Witchery, Portmans, Cue, Myer and Chanel, not to mention heading up Becca Cosmetics worldwide campaigns for a few years now. Though she's based in Sydney, Amanda travels incessantly, working with clients across the globe, and beautifying some of the world's most famous faces.
Aside from her meticulous makeup skills, Amanda also gets TOP MARKS from us for her use of social media! Some people just GET IT. We love snooping at all the little behind the scenes snippets Amanda posts on her Instagram, Twitter and Facebook – and she has a fabulous little blog too.
Amanda is one of Mecca Cosmetica's favourite makeup artists – and thanks to Mecca we have a fab little giveaway for one lucky reader! As you must ALWAYS do whenever you meet a makeup artist, we asked Amanda to list her top 5 favourite beauty products of the moment – and Mecca have generously offered each of Amanda's top picks for one very special giveaway!
MECCA COSMETICA PRIZE PACK
Ren Jojoba Microbead Purifying Facial Polish
Stila Illuminating Foundation
Ellis Faas Creamy Eyes
Nars Outlaw Blush
Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick
Total Value $238.00
Simply leave a comment on today’s post before 10.00pm Melbourne time to be in the running! One winner will be selected at random and contacted by email tomorrow.
Massive thanks to Amanda for her time, and such generous answers and links below! Thanks also to Amanda's agency, Viviens Creative, for kindly assisting with photo usage for this post, and to all the photographers who have generously allowed usage of their images.
Tell us a little about your career background – what were you doing before you were a makeup artist and what led you to become one, had you always planned to be in this industry or did you accidentally fall into it?!
I definitely fell into it as I never set out to be a makeup artist. I actually got into the industry by helping friends who were starting their careers in the fashion industry back in the late 90's. I seemed to have a natural knack for hair and makeup and I loved the creative process involved. I started to test with photographers on my weekends for free, doing small shoots and slowly melding into the industry.
I inherited from my mother a love of fashion, and I had been heavily into art and photography at high school, painting with acrylics and taking and printing my own photos in a darkroom etc. I think these passions combined with studying ballet for 10 years while growing up are what led me to becoming a makeup artist (as a natural progression). My hair and makeup brushes had been put to work quite early!
The decision to turn it into my day job was, of course an easy one, I was actually working for an airline at the time as I had left school with no grand idea of what I wanted to do. It was a big change but it felt really natural which meant it was perfect for me.
I moved to New York for a short while and came home determined and inspired to work hard here in Sydney and with people I admired. I learnt very early in my career that to be respected for my work rather than who I partied with was going to take me a lot further in this industry.
Makeup by Amanda Reardon, photos by Nicole Bentley for Vogue.
Makeup by Amanda Reardon, photos by Nicole Bentley for Vogue.
Can you give us a little insight into the inner workings of Amanda Reardon Inc.? From creative brief to first brush stroke, what processes are employed to achieve editorial gold?
My job as the makeup artist is to bring a vision, an idea to life and to give it my visual signature. I am all about the skin looking beautiful and I spend most of my makeup time on skin alone. Creating a natural flawless finish to the skin is the blank canvas for the rest of my work.
Most clients, designers or fashion editors who book me know what I do either from working with me, seeing my work in magazines, via the agency website or the various social media I upload to, so this is usually how I get booked. If this is the case they will usually brief me via email or on the day and then trust me to do my thing.
Generally if I haven’t worked with someone before I will have a meeting with them face-to-face to go over ideas and get in each others' head space so things will flow naturally on the day. Sometimes I will go into a job knowing the client, model, clothes, hair, location and have a very clear idea of what I am going to do but ‘on the day’ it just doesn’t work. Editorial GOLD usually happens in these very moments!
Makeup by Amanda Reardon, photos by Corrie Bond for Marie Claire.
You've had your work published in some of Australia's most popular and acclaimed fashion and beauty magazines including Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Rolling Stone, Madison, Marie Claire, Oyster, and Russh, have also worked on advertising campaigns for Witchery, Portmans, Cue and Myer, recreated international looks for Chanel. Not to mention doing the worldwide campaign for Becca Cosmetics for a few years now. That makes for an impressive CV! With this in mind do you have any advice for emerging makeup artists or creative-based contractors looking to get into the fashion industry?
It does take a lot of hard work and it takes time. It’s a very demanding job with a lot of pressure and long days and I think someone wanting to get into the industry may be surprised at how hard everyone works to make the magic happen.
I would say the best thing to do is try and get work experience assisting a makeup artist you admire, to see if it is what you really want to do. On-the-job experience is definitely the best way to gain knowledge of the industry.
Makeup by Amanda Reardon, photos by Nick Leary featuring Abbey Lee for Sunday Magazine.
What are your top 5 beauty products that you are loving right now?
Ren 'Jojoba Microbead Purifying Facial Polish' – I use this myself and it’s a really gentle grain with organic ingredients. Perfect to buff that dull winter skin to a summer glow.
Stila Illuminating Foundation – This product is nice and light for the warmer months.
Ellis Faas Creamy Eyes – This makes a smoky eye achievable for everyone.
Nars Outlaw Blush – Perfect for achieving the ultimate rosy cheek.
Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick – A great, long lasting lipstick available in so many amazing colours.
Which Australian designers, artists or creative people are you liking at the moment?
Bassike – These girls know what a girl like me wants to wear. Dress it down, dress it up, it's comfortable, and season to season they always come up with some exciting new pieces that slide right in with everything else you've already got.
Benah – Brenda makes things all the classics you want. Great bags, sandals and scarves. I need to make some summer purchases!
PinkLouLou – For keep sake fine jewellery. I'm a big fan of her rings. I collect them!
Those Askill brothers are always up to some fabulous magic – Lorin Askill and his stunningly beautiful jewellery, and brothers Dan and Jordy Askill and their short films.
Derek Henderson and Toby Burrows – I have large pieces of their photography work in my home.
Christopher Esber – Amazing, conceptual and fresh. His pieces are breathtaking.
Tim Moore – His humourous stitchworks that will always bring a smile to your face.
Makeup by Amanda Reardon, photos by Nicole Bentley for Portmans featuring Abbey Lee.
Can you list for us 5 resources across any media that you tune into regularly?
The Beauty Brains – For me where and what products are made from is really important. I try to be as organic as possible in my kit. This website run by a group of scientists, writes about how products are tested, what the chemicals do and what the advertising lingo means. They break it down, simplifying it and have many categories that the products fall under. You can find products that are good for you and at a price point you can afford.
Vogue Paris and Vogue Italia iTunes Apps – The fact you can download it to your iPhone / iPad makes it so accessible anywhere anytime. And a very easy referencing tool. Also fantastic for taking screenshots to build a reference archive that you will use many many times.
Instagram – You can follow most of the people who inspire you and get an insight into their lives and what inspires them! I love Pat McGrath’s (makeup artist) Instagram showing looks from backstage at the international shows.
Garance Dore – I am a big fan of fashion blogs such as Garance Dore, which chronicles life and fashion, places and faces from all over the world, and she dishes it all out with a lovely dose of humour. I would love to have her as a friend, her blog makes you feel like you want to be a part of her life.
Old international films screened on SBS – The hair and makeup is always inspiring from so many eras. I love the old French and Italian films of the 50s and 60s.
ABC's Rage – I LOVE it when Rage plays old video clips from the 60s and 70s.
Makeup by Amanda Reardon, photos by Nicole Bentley for Becca Cosmetics.
What does a typical day at work involve for you?
Generally an early start, as I am the first person required on set to get the day rolling! If a brief hasn’t been previously discussed with the client and photographer, I will do so and then get to it asap. Time is of the essence in my job. The more time I have to do my job the better, this can be anywhere from a half hour to 2 hours depending on the hair and makeup brief.
Jobs can vary from being in a studio or on location and I can be starting from as early as 3am if I'm on location (so the photographer can start shooting at sunrise) and not get to bed until quite late, so it can be very tiring.
I do of course get to travel to some beautiful locations that I may never get to go to otherwise. Some of my assignments have taken me to such places as South Africa on safari, the snowfields of Colorado and Aspen, sunny Hawaii and Mauritius to name just a few.
I can be working on Australian or international magazine editorials, advertising campaigns, fashion shows, TV commercials, as well as working with celebrities all in the one week. You have to be very adaptable as every day is completely different to the one before, which is to me the joy of what I do. Never a dull moment!
Amanda at work.
What would be your dream creative project?
Oh so many dream creative projects! I would love to work with Tilda Swinton and I would love to one day shoot at Versailles in Paris... with all of my creative friends and a favourite photographer.
What are you looking forward to?
Summer and just getting outside to enjoy it and its sweet smells, lovely weekends away with friends, planning some overseas trips… and getting married sometime soon (thus far totally unplanned and we’re thinking of eloping!).
SYDNEY QUESTIONS
Your favourite Sydney neighbourhood and why?
The Northern Beaches of Sydney. My partner Josh is from there and we go most weekends to hangout, eat at our fave café, browse the shops in Avalon and in summer we go stand-up paddleboarding on Pittwater (if Josh isn’t already surfing his favourite spots). I love the casual holiday-like vibe and would love to buy a house there in the not too distant future.
Where do you shop locally for tools of your trade?
There are some high end makeup brands that supply me with makeup for my kit, which is such a blessing as my time for makeup shopping can be very limited to random duty free moments at airports. Mecca Cosmetica and MAC are great one stop shops for last minute purchases and cover such a huge range of products.
For everything else anywhere and everywhere. From container stores to art shops, through to Spotlight, when it comes to where to shop for tools of my trade it is a never ending quest. As is finding the PERFECT suitcase to carry it all around.
What and where was the last great meal you ate in Sydney?
Nourishing Quarter in Redfern – it was so deliciously good. A good friend of mine took me, she couldn’t believe I hadn’t been already and after eating there neither can I! I’ll be heading back very soon.
Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?
If I’m not working (any day is a work day in this industry) I would hope to be getting up with the sun for a yoga class or early coastal walk, but otherwise you will generally find me at the Bondi Beach Organic Fruit and Vege Market (held at the Public school) quite early stocking up on goodness for the week.
Sydney's best kept secret?
Well it just wouldn’t be a secret anymore would it?!
This lady is so talented!! Such a beautiful giveaway.
Great interview! It was great to hear from a makeup artist! I like the natural look but still have to wear a bit of makeup to achieve it! Love Mecca – it was the first to bring the cool makeup into OZ!
What a dream job! Apart from the 3am starts…
Amazing images and great interview… those products look lovely too!
Mecca is such a great shop and the Friday interview is one of my favorite posts.
Fascinating job.
Thanks for the giveaway, brilliant.
Great interview, great job!
It was a tremendously interesting interview! It finished too quickly, if you ask me :)
Stunning and luminous! Thank you!
Such beautiful make up Amanda does. In some cases so natural yet still makes one feature stand out!! Beautiful, would have like her to do my wedding make up!! Great give away too!
What a great story :)
an update for spring…yes please!
Great interview, great prize!
I am freaking. Brilliant fashiony interview. Loved it!
great interview. Love hearing about these “hidden” jobs!
If it wasn’t for make up I wouldn’t be in love with my girlfriend.
Stunning photographs. WOuld love some new products to freshen up!
oh la la
I think its wonderful that you did a story related to makeup. It is an art and a huge contribution towards our fashion world, design, and creativity. It inspires us to dig deep and relate to all aspects in some way, shape and form.
All so beautiful and fresh looking. Wow!
Not freaking out at all! ;)
A make up artist who looks like a model herself, such a stunner! Great interview too, thanks for sharing.
Love, love, love. Just what I need. With three under four, and one constantly in and out of hospital – I need all the help I can get in the make department!
What a gorgeous woman she is! Wonderful story and great giveaway. Thanks for sharing this piece of editorial gold!
Great to see a fashion post, with so many creatives is does seem negligent to not include the occasional one! Lovely products and photographs too . Good change up Lucy!
LOVE this post today Lucy!!
I LOVE Amanda Reardon’s makeup! So excited for this AMAZING giveaway!!! Thank you :) xo
Great post as always, love the make up!
Complimenti!
Great post… Would love some Mecca!! Thanks for the chance
Sam x
Great post Lucy and love Mecca !!
If I wasn’t a jeweller, I would wish to be a makeup artist. Such incredible creativity and vision is required for every shoot, that it is really inspiring to see such fresh takes on some classic looks. I love the poppy red lips in the second to last shot.
So many tips and recommendations – I have spent hours looking them all up on the web and I should have been working!! – oh well lucky its Friday
Oh how my skin needs those products!
Great post… Would love some Mecca!! Have a great w.e xx
Stunning!
You have inspired me to put on some lipstick today.
Love hearing what products the top make up artists love to use, there are just so many to choose from! I’m dying to try the Stilla Illuminating Foundation.
Mecca is always my mecca for skin products!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!! Especially the Ellis Faas creamy eyes…
Stunning images and a great interview. Just love reading Design Files over breakfast.
Love Mecca! Always one step ahead of the rest!
gorgeous!
Fab interview.
I loooove Mecca….
Great interview!
What a glamour!
….perfect time of the year for some fabulous new MECCA product!
Great interview Lucy – love the pics
Love the beautiful images this morning and the generous prize ;)
Mecca! Would love some spring makeup
My face can always do with a little purifying polish, fingers crossed!
Amazing, loved a bit of glamourous fashion. Very talented Amanda. Mecca rules!
Loved seeing the more beauty/fashion focus of today’s post. Made my favourite blog even better!
Oh please, choose me!
Beautiful Vogue Shoot.. and great Friday giveaway!
What an inspiration. Such a talent!
those are all gorgeous pictures, and boy my face could sure do with a spring clean!
Lovely interview and images…so luminescent. Cosmetics on offer are gorgeous.
An inspiring article – with a little bit of effort to ourselves we can all look a little bit more glam. Thank you. PS love the REN products – they are all fabulous.
Absolutely beautiful
nice to see some beautiful fashion and make up!
ps. nars blush is the best!
Looks great _ i need all the help I can get
Gorgeous photos and great article
Great interview! These products look gorgeous. Hmmm, realising I haven’t looked in the mirror much since birth of my baby. Almost five months old! Maybe a good time to start again!
Great interview Lucy and I love the product tips
Would love to get my hands on these products
Love Mecca and great post Lucy. Always good to have some fresh tips for keeping oneself nice.
Amanda sounds lovley.
What a fascinating insight into the industry and Amanda’s career! So great to see Amanda achieve success in her field.
I love the word “artist”. With a little bit of tweeking we can all look like covergirl material.
Great post – thank you!
I loved this post; she sounds like a girl I can relate to. Amazing pics, beautiful products.
Beautiful story today!
Oh Yes! Yes! Yes!
Great interview, lovely products.
Mecca LOVE!
Great to see a variety of creatives featured on TDF. x
B E A U T I F U L !
I’ve all the prodz!
yes please!!
woo mecca! cruelty free FTW!
Great interview, thanks!
Pass me the red lipstick stat! – I’m inspired :)
Great article!
Adoring the sexy retro eyes in particular!!
Yes, please!
Great story and amazing Makeup! Would absoloutely love to win this makeup for my upcoming wedding! :)
Nice Giveaway !
i love mecca. gorgeous story! x
Oh to create such beauty !
pick me…!!!
Mecca I need a makeover!
Je t’aime Mecca. Gorgeous pictures and a fabulous article!
a little bit of Mecca is always a good thing!
Thanks for starting the morning with a great post. I’ve been impressed with the products I’ve bought from Mecca. Thanks for the lovely shots to start the day.
what a divine little treat of a giveaway! those wee goodies would create a mecca inside my makeup bag! loved the interview too. x.
Gorgeous!
I heart Mecca. I want it to design file my face.
design files pilgrims surely all love a bit of mecca!
What a fantastic article, always admire people who find their passion in life and get to live it.
Pick me, pick me! Cruelty free FTW.
Yes I was momentarily freaking out when I saw your very fashion fresh post but alas am actually delighted as I’m in desperate need of some new makeup to bring me back to life after three little people and this is JUST the thing!
Beautiful lady doing beautiful work. Great article and a great giveaway too!
Lovely to have a makeup artist profiled – thanks Lucy! I love her choice of Tilda Swinton as her ‘muse’ so to speak, as she has an amazing face. The products sound beautiful, thanks for the recommendations
What a lovely bounty of images, ideas and oh… those products! Count me in the draw, thanks Lucy!
A true artist and what amazing canvases she has to work with. I love Mecca too, literally changed the face of our city ladies.
Love, love, love this giveaway! Really enjoyed this post. I actually used one of the photos as inspiration for my wedding makeup! Love your work Amanda!
As usual gorgeous to wake up to!
Fabulous story, images and info. Cant wait to check out all the links :)
springs arrived and i need a fresh new mecca face!
I’ve passed this link onto my wife – she will love this gear, Thanks for the post!
I’d be incredibly happy to add that beautiful stash of make-up to my cosmetics purse. fingers crossed!
I am not the girliest girl out there, but I am pretty excited about this post. I would like to read it while enjoying an ice tea, and then daydream about all the makeup from Mecca.
Great interview and giveaway. I love REN products.
What amazing photos and an amazing give away!!
Wow, normally i do a quick scan of the email in the morning and go back at lunch to get a ‘proper’ read but wow, i couldn’t stop this morning. Great article, interesting, engaging and wonderful to read! Thanks!
N
Loved this! I’ve always thought the Becca models look amazing in their campaign images, ‘made up’ but still natural. Now I know the secret behind the look is Amanda :) Great post (and great give away)!
Great interview, Lucy! Thanks for taking us behind the scenes!
AMAZINGNESS! Mecca make me pretty!
Gorgeous! Oh yes please!! x
What a great interview, and stunning pictures! What a talented and utterly inspiring woman!
Beautiful images…applying makeup well is truly an art!
beautiful post – just in time for spring pretty-ness thank you
Just what I have been looking for – a fabulous summer lift. Great interview.
Wow…these ladies look gorgeous. I always look at makeup like this and think it looks so luxurious and would be such a treat. Does Amanda come with the give away to show me how to use it ;)
I love A little bit of make-up magic in the morning !
I only wish I knew the tricks to have beutiful make-up like this… perhaps those products would help!
pretty pictures. great giveaway.
Woah. All my favourites, fingers and toes crossed!
Gorgeous pics! Love make up, love Mecca!
love me some Mecca goodies!
I love people who follow their gut and end up with a career they are passionate about. Great interview and flawless photos!
Great interview – very inspirational!
Gorgeous products – would LOVE them!!
amazing mecca giveway! x
A great interview. Cheers, S x
Amazing! I love Mecca – how exciting!
Amazing! A very interesting read!
Beautiful products (and great photography and styling).
the behind the scene/process bits are always my favourite when it comes to fashion/beauty etc!
Down to earth and talented – Amanda’s amazing! Love her work and love her ethos on life. Hard work and passion will always get you further along than shmoozing and boozing.
What beautiful and inspiring photos, cant wait to do my makeup this morning! Mecca + design files = 2 of my loves
make me over !! lv yr wrk AR .
Fantastic interview. Love that I can pass this onto my teenage daughter who is trying to work out what she would like to do as a career after school. What amazing detail and all those web addresses to check out … And the makeup to win. I love it.
Amazing!! So good to see this different creative on the blog!
Oh my! love her.
Inspiring! Thank you
i need all the help i can get in this department!
Stunning! LOve it
It’s amazing and inspiring how much work goes on behind the scenes, thank you for giving us an insight Lucy. Amanda is so talented, everything looks perfect! Thank you for the giveaway too! xx
Loving the touch of fashion on here
Make my day! Pick me!
Need a bit of glamour in my life xx
It’s always great to get an insiders recommendations!
wonderful piccies – beautiful make-up.
would love to win this fabulous pack.
If these Mecca prize products could help me make myself look even one teeny tiny bit as good as the clients in Amanda’s photos, then HOOK ME UP PLEASE (with a cherry on top)??!! .
What a groovey girl – thanks for bringing Amanda into my life!
<3 pick me, pick me! <3 thanks lucy for a great story xx
Oh I love mecca – what a wonderful way to start Spring! xx
What an amazing giveaway! And I could use some sprucing so please pick me! :)
Great insight into a different world!
Great interview. Love the touch of fashion!
Great insight into the industry!
Oh how gorgeous!
Beautiful!
What beautiful faces. I especially like the red shadow for marie claire!
MECCA COSMETICA have amazing products! what a fantastic giveaway, and those photos are incredible!!
So many pictures on my inspiration board are looks Amanda has helped put together. Great interview.
great interview – lovely makeup!
What a lovely interview, and I LOVE MECCA! =)
I love the way she makes faces look so fresh and lit with light. Reminds me to go easy ..
Love it! Please pick me!! x
What an interesting industry!
Its when you see models without make-up that you realise how important the make-up artist is to creating a mood and a style and what incredibly creative and talented people they are.
wow, amazing…
Love Mecca!
super glam but still so natural looking.
totally inspiring aesthetic.
thanks for showcasing Amanda.
Hardly ever wear make up but want to after seeing this post. I never know what to buy so this is perfect – chosen by the expert!
oh yes please!!!!
I have been following Amanda Reardon’s work for years – and particularly love what she did for Becca Cosmetics. So natural and beautiful.
Great article to tie in with fashion week.
would love this for my special occasions – or to make every day special.
The Vogue Beauty make up with the blonde hair is amazing. love love love
At the end of a long week I definitely think a Mecca pack thrown my way would do wonders for the poor souls in the studio that have to deal with my ‘end of the week face’. Does the make-up artist come with the pack too?
great! ;-) have always admired the work of make up artists, stylists & photographers on fashion shoots…beautiful work!
What gorgeous post, images/clothing/hair/makeup, Amanda’s story, I was definitely the target audience for this one, felt like it was posted just for me.
Would love this!!!
Love the dark lips (hate those awful skin coloured lips; so dreary!)
Lovely shots, clothes and makeup
she is clearly a very talent artist….each makeup application perfectly suited the context. I love the illumination she achieves. I need a makeup revamp for summer!
Love these photos – great interview too!
The continual search for perfect products……. ends here.
Yes please!!!
Amazing photos! I would love the prize pack
Gorgeous…
What an inspiring and creative lady! I have one Adelaide’s Mecca make-up artists doing our make up for my wedding next month and I love that there’s a product with my name on it too!
Luminous photos! Delicious prize pack, yes please!
Beautifully smooth and fresh faces……wish someone could make me up like that!
perfect for the start of spring!
Amazing giveaway, amazing person and amazing interview!!! Fingers crossed xx
Love her work. Amanda’s style is effortlessly chic that presents flawless femininity. Great story team!
hmm.. I’ve been in a total make up rut! time for this one trick pony to try something new. thanks for the inspiration :)
Thanks for the great article. Love a the different looks too!
Would love this giveaway! Thanks for the interview!
WOW! How super creative is she! Thanks for the post. Fingers crossed I win :)
Inspiring lady and a great giveaway – good insight into the fashion world too! Thanks.
Such beautiful work!
Would love a Mecca makeover with these gorgeous products!
Beautiful!
Wow just love the images – and the inspirations list too! xx
great way to start a Friday – very inspiring
Love creative features on fashion and beauty!
I love the top 5 picks…will be looking for them on my next makeup buy. Funnily enough, its been at the top of my to do list for a week now…so great timing!…Great post, love the pic’s…thank you :)
Amanda does such beautiful work, amazing.
Thanks Lucy and Amanda, that link the The Beauty Brains is fabulous! I’ve been wanting to find a source of trusted information on the products I use for ages.
Always so great reading interviews with people who love their work so much!
Great interview, gorgeous work. Would love to win, my make up bag needs a spring clean.
thanks for rad giveaway mecca+TDF
great photos, lovely way to end the week
Lovely inspiring interview
Great story, just what I needed for a bit of inspiration on a Friday morning! And being new to Sydney it is so good to get insider tips on things to do, see & eat. I’ve now got a few more things to add to my list for Sydney weekends. Thanks Lucy & Amanda.
Beautiful photos, it makes me excited about Spring!
Amazingly honest
Makeup that looks natural
And not too fake
Never overdone
Definitely talented
And inspiring
=A M A N D A
Love knowing the sercret beauty weapons of make-up artists!
Love those Mecca products & gorgeous photos! Thanks TDF!
Mecca is one of my fave faves.
So talented. Loving her instagram. Would love to win the giveaway too… my makeup box is in need of a serious overhaul!!
Sigh, how i would love to know how to re-create the beautiful make-up on Abby Lee … !
Loving a bit of glamour! What a great post to start my Friday – thank you The Design Files.
Pretty!
If this is your first interview with a make-up artist then Bravo! great interview and great artist, love her style and the images are beautiful. And who doesn’t need more make-up products? especially from Mecca!
Gorgeous post! what a lovely way to start my friday.
(Fingers crossed I win)
Wow.
Amazing photos and story. Makeup astounding – great talent there.. Amanda is a gifted artist.
Great article, and very inspiring – makes you want to get out the ole’ makeup kit – and add to it!
PS. Love love love Mecca!
Amazing collection of photos. Great prize!
yes please!!
My make up bag does need a spring freshen up. This would be perfect!
Fantastic job! I’m very envious….and free make up! Can’t say no to that!
Thanks for providing such an interesting post today. Got my fingers crossed – could do with an update for my makeup kit.
You can tell Amanda Reardons life is full and her love of Yoga, the Northern Beaches ( a fave of mine too) and hangin out with her guy Josh must elegantly influence her make-up skills and intuitive style of pulling the best of make-up, landscape and colour on the faces of some beautiful woman. You can tell they are beautiful but something pops off the page with her selection of mecca to take these beauties to another level. Oh how I wish I had Amanda for an hour to choose a whole new make-up collection! Stepping into a Mecca store is like travelling forward in time and being happy about it!
amanda does SUCH stunning work!
Some great makeup inspiration for my upcoming wedding…I love Mecca!
So great to see you featuring a makeup artist – Amanda’s work is stunning!
Love the colours! <3
Very nice indeed.
Lovely!! xx
Wow, creating so many amazing looks…..
I love spring fashion week! It gets me out of my wintery mood! XO
Love LOVE!!
Nicole Bentley takes incredible pics
I love a little touch of fashion on the blog… once again great stuff.
Beautiful! I really enjoyed this less-than-TDF-standard-fare feature!
I love the big winging eyeliner she used in one of the Vogue features. And man would I love to win that Mecca pack!
Great post! So refreshing to read about such a talented make-up artist. Love Mecca too – my first stop for make-up and perfume. Fingers crossed.
Beautiful work!
Great piece, lovely pics. Love Mecca!
Will the products make me look as glamorous as the models? Dream on …………..
That Becca Cosmetics photo has been on my pin up board for inspiration since it was released – what an amazing job to create such beauty everyday!
Ahh to have a professional make-up artist living inside my bathroom cupboard (next to the professional hair stylist!)
Awesome article, everyone looks amazing. Stunning makeup.
love love LOVE. Also loving DF branching out into food and fashion.
Beautiful products! I’d love to try some!
Those photos are so glamorous! And a fantastic giveaway :)
Great interview :) Amanda is such an inspiration and incredibly talented!
The list of Australian designers & artists is fab – I *love* following home grown talent.
As always, the Friday profile is very inspiring……
I’m always proud to read about Aussies excelling in their field!
Congratulations to a great artist!…Love your work!
Loving the mix this last two weeks!
Mecca has an awesome range of products, and Amanda Reardon is a great, inspired “asmbassador” for them!
Loooooove Mecca Cosmetica.
And love the looks Amnada has created.
Winning would be the best way to end the week!
Wish I knew all of Amanda’s make-up tips and tricks. Would love some MECCA glam.
Not only is Amanda talented – she’s a great chick to boot! The diversity of your blog is such a pleasure to receive everyday and to have the chance to tell you and win some beauty loot – perfect.
Beautiful! I could do with a little help!
Am a total fan of Mecca! Love this article too – great to see how her career blossomed through alternative pathways!
Such talent. Really interesting interview, thank you Lucy!
LOVE the Stila lipsticks. Fingers crossed!
superb!
Great interview as always! And congrats on the Melbourne Life article in The Age, Lucy!
pretty please
These photos are delicious! Amazing read today, thanks :)
Fingers crossed for the giveaway!
A mecca pick me up to shed the winter blues and say hello to spring !
Loved hearing about creativity and fashion with all the subtle aspects that bring looks together in an understated way. Beautiful work, Amanda, and Lucy thanks for including this facet of art in TDF. The Mecca products look beautiful too.
Such a talented woman. She has my dream job.
Oh my, yes please!
Another inspirational interview thanks df x
I try and try to pretend to be Amanda but no matter what I do, after I apply
make – up, I either look like a clown or like a nude canvas! I’ll keep on chugging
along
So subtle, sleek and sensuous! Beautiful works of art on human canvases. I love the surprise orange zing of the Marie Claire make-up. Gorgeous!!
My makeup is about a hundred years old!! I would love some Mecca products just in time for spring.
So nice to read about someone with creativity, talent, thoughtfulness and care. Not only is her work stunning (oh so stunning) but its wonderful to hear she researches and cares about the impact of the products she uses. And as someone who uses animal friendly products too it’s great to see she advocates and works with animal friendly companies like Becca (shout out – best compact concealer ever) and the brands sold in Mecca. Mecca and its little sister Kit are like lolly shops to those of us who won’t use anything tested on animals, so yay Amanda for advocating them!
Love it! Love Fridays!
I love it when make-up artists give their top products! I always take their advice as after all they do it for a living! Love her work, so beautiful. X
I would absolutely love to win this…great article! And I LOVE that she’s wearing birkenstocks!!!!
MAGNIFICENT MECCA. XXX
I loved the article – always interesting to get a sneak peak into another vreative industy. Well done! I love make-up and think MECCA is amazing. But I tend to suffer from can’t-choose-itis when I’m in there and end up staying with my usual choices….would love to branch out!
Ooooh! Such Gorgeousness.
How beautiful! X
VERY talented lady!! These look like amazing products too… does this also mean I will look like the women in the photographs if I win? Haha
What a great read – thanks! Will be showing this to my teenage daughter who is new to make up – now she might believe me when I tell her it all starts with looking after your skin!!
Very cool fashion entry!! loving the styling and photography work!!
Loved reading about make-up artistry – it’s a creative outlet too, of course! Great Mecca give-away, they make it impossible to walk out of their stores with out purchasing/lusting after a little beauty treat.
Oh gosh! Fabulous post! Pick me! xx
Stunning! Perfect spring article.
such beauuuutifuulllll work!! that incredible and amazing shot for Becca Cosmetics!! wow Amanda, love your work so much :)
Beautiful work! I’d love to try her recommendations.
great insight thank you!
My favourite brands! Great interview.
Nice giveaway, and great piece is The Age Lucy.
Really enjoyed today’s interview!
wow!! beautiful…
What would we do without Mecca Cosmetica and The Design Files?
Seeing as the one item of make-up I own is Clinque’s naturally glossy mascara, that I’ve been buying for over ten years, I totally reckon it could be my time for a win!! Love Mecca but never know where to begin! Gorgeous images. x
I wish Amanda Reardon would do my make up every day!
Loving the new shades… I know what Ill be wearing come Spring Fashion Week 2012 in Melbourne! Thanks the Design Files and of course Amazing Mecca!
x
Thanks for this insight into the industry. MORE FASHION i say!
I have a girlfriend that would be very happy if i bought these goodies home for her!
Thanks TDF for another insightful interview with another talented creative type.
Great interview. My make-up kit could definitely do with a freshen up…
Pretty please :)
Beautiful pictures and words from a real talent! Love it, thanks TDF.
Stunning waty to start Friday. Gorgeous and useful!
I LOVE the barely there + glowing skin make up look! As a Mum of two young girls it’s an awesome look to have to live an active lifestyle and promote the less is more approach (or let the inner beauty shine).ps – I still love the smokey eyes or hot red lips for date night x
I would dearly love to go wild in Mecca, throw out all my (too) old makeup and spend up a storm on fabulous colours. Starting with the recommendations of an expert’s top 5 products would be a sensible place to start. So here’s hoping! x
If only…I am on the neverending hunt for the perfect foundation….can one girl have too many options? Love Mecca and love The Design Files….daily inspiration xx
Lovely giveaway!
Pretty me up please!
Pick me!! (please)
Perfect timing! I have just tossed out all my makeup and was looking for inspiration and products. Ta.
Wonderful interview, great woman,delightfully gorgeous products
great story, so nice to read about a different design based discipline – thanks
wonderful interview,great woman and gorgeous products
Oh what a lovely prize!
some super talented ladies out there !
such a fantastic interview!! really enjoyed that read!! the make up is amazing!!
What a gorgeous story beautiful fashion and makeup.
Dream job!! God love Mecca for this fabulous giveway!
What a talented and thoughtful woman. I enjoyed this post much more than I had initially expected to!
A very interesting interview. Thank you. And a fabulous giveaway … I’ve got my fingers crossed for this one. I need a good excuse to throw away my stinky old makeup :)
What a dream lifestyle!
Yes please! xx
Awesome Prize GIveaway….would love this!!!
Thank you Design Files for a great Daily Update. I’ve loved reading Amanda’s story and perusing the beautiful works she’s created, especially the vogue shoot. I love classic makeup like this where its all about luminous skin, especially as I need to find a new foundation. Not an easy for task. Next stop – Mecca!!
Oh yeh – another rad prize!! Hope I win!
Will definitely be checking out Amanda’s instagram…and fabulous giveaway!
Would love to try out that make up,
Great photos and faces!!
As usual, great article. Thanks for putting Amanda on my radar. Some lovely products in there too.
What fantastic (and beautiful) work! Thanks for trying something new with a make-up artist interview. Love it!
Great Post – love something a little bit different!
Beautiful photo’s
Oh I wish I had someone to come and make up my face! Lol.
Great article and some lovely looking products.
What gorgeous make-up!! It’s giving me great ideas for my wedding in November!
What a talent she is and a Mecca impressive giveaway!
Amanda you are an inspiration! So clever, talented and humble.
i need new products!
pretty please!
thanks for the giveaway, what a lovely start to Spring!
Coolies
a great Friday read.
Thank you for doing this article. I love reading about the different avenues and careers paths that eventuate for unconventional occupations,…& I just love makeup!!
Wow, what a prize! Would love to win :)
beautiful pix, beautiful makeup, beautiful products!
stunning simplicity and amazing looks, keep the good stories coming design files !!
Just stunning, what an Aussie gem!
what a fantastic job, one day I will love my job that much. I start a new job on monday, and this giveaway would give me the extra pizazz i need.
yay, mecca!
Mecca…. polished perfection!
Fantastic prize,gorgeous giveaway,beautiful way to start spring.!
Love your work, Amanda! And I love your work too, Lucy – really enjoyed this departure from the usual… I think this fits really well within the design files!
I love this little fashion hit! Beautiful makeup and naturally stunning models. I have often dreamed of becoming a makeup artist but have never quite found the time to pursue it so reading a post like this is a lovely way of filling that void – thank you!
Great to hear from the creatives that influence the trends we aspire to. As a struggling hair & makeup artist I take my hat off to anyone that makes it to the select few at the top. Inspiring.
These are beautiful, so fresh and flawless.
What a great article and interview. I love that it diverts to so many other sites as well as Amanda’s work. Great giveaway too. Love it when you can use someone else’s expertise. Purchasing makeup can be SO overwhelming.
love Mecca cosmetica I truly dislike department store experiences so many fab products, count me in!
Stilla, Stiiilllllaaaaaaa LOVe! Great article and interview, great giveaway xxx
Ooo I would love these lovely treats!
what a gorgeous women – making other women even more gorgeous –
love it!
Beautiful!
Those images are simply stunning – sometime I think we need to push ourselves rather then dream about a different life.
I wish she could do my make-up!
Great article and great give away too!
Great to see TDF showcase a Aussie make up artist such as Amanda! Would love to win Amanda’s top 5!!
Love love love, great to see the face behind the makeup done for so many of Nicole’s fantastic shoots.
Wow, always inspired by great talented people, what a dream job! Why don’t more of us follow what our heart needs?
The last item of makeup I bought was over 2 years ago, I could do with this!!!
So inspiring! It is really nice to get insight into another creative field. I would love to read more on fashion/make-up in the design files. Hope to see this topic again soon!!
amanda makes beauty even more subliminal… There is such talent in this application of ‘paint’. I would she could visit me one morning…. :)
Lovely! xx
I’m really liking her work! Fab giveaway, too.
Wonderful interview and beautiful photos, what a dream job!! Thank you for the opportunity to win these fabulous prize. Love love love it.
The Design Files just keeps getting better and better!!!!!!!! Awesome prize :-)
The prizes look so awesome!
Makeup artistry is just that, artistry. So inspired by todays post! And swear by Mecca… so, so lush. xxx
It’s always a great source of inspiration to discover resources used by people in industry.
The dark lips in the beach shot are all sorts of fabulous! I’m feeling a bit inspired to try it tonight…
Beautiful images and I agree – its all about the skin. Becca’s creamy blush is the best!
Perfect spring lift.
Getting your makeup done by someone else makes you feel so special!
Wow…simply beautiful! I would love a chance to win all this stuff…i need all the help i can get!
Stunning,beautiful. Art. I wonder if the artist perspective evolves as she looks onto her canvas?
Oh so inspiring!! Such beautiful work. Great to read about a make-up artist on TDF!!!
Love the photos! Can we have more like this in the future?? pretty please??
Perfect Timing for a make-up artist interview. I am 35 and completely over my make-up skills, well lack of really. I’m heading to Mecca and am going to find a make-up class – you have totally inspired me! Thank you
Amazing artist, very talented!!!
those shoots show just how creative advertising can be in the beauty industry.
Gorgeous! Such stunning photography!
I love recommendations from pro’s- although winning comps is probably the only chance I’d get to take their advice lol
Great article, this lady is seriously talented. I’m feeling inspired to be a bit more creative with my look! Thank you
How talented. I still can’t get makeup right!
Such beautiful photos. I love mecca can not stop myself from walking into the stores, then clearly with no self control I walk out with another new amazing product, usually skincare, dam you mecca this is why I can not save any money.
Wow! What a talented and inspiring lady. Getting up before the sparrows can’t be too much fun…
happy friday article. Wonderful.
Beautiful makeup artistry.. I love the mecca stores.
Wonderful interview with an inspiring lady. It’s great to hear about people at the top of the industry (who are there due to hard work!) who care about the sources of their products and are committed to organic and ethical products. Also lovely to find a fellow fan of Nourishing Quarter!
Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing :)
oh la la, love mecca and your work!
Thanks so much for sharing with us – what a superb prize. Love it.
!
Great photos and story
I love everything from MECCA and would love to win this giveaway! What a great interview. K x x x
What an amazing job and what talent! Thanks for sharing.
Great inspiration to dust of the winter cobwebs and start polishing up the face for spring!
I love NARS blush! What an inspiring lady, thanks for the story more fashion related posts please!
Woot!
Love the post. Enjoyed it alot!
I need this. bad.
Maybe these 5 little products are what I!ve been missing to make the difference! Haha.
Great interview. Love the dresses.
I remember that 50s style Vogue spread – so beautiful!
Super talented make up artist… super lovely giveaway!
Oooh my face is in need of a good polish.. Amanda you do beautiful work!
Fascinating article and fantastic giveaway!
Having literally just dragged my sorry self in after finishing working my first fashion photo shoot today – HATS off to you Amanda you guys work magic and make people feel wonderful N
Fingers crossed :)
gorgeous images! love the colours
Thanks for a great insight into an interesting creative process. The makeup looks are all different but beautiful. P.S. I love Mecca – go to place for all the most amazing beauty products and whatever the staff advise is spot on!
Simply Stunning……………..!!!
Beautiful fashion photography & what a wonderful prize giveaway xo
Gorgeous photos!
Absolutely sublime! I remember being mesmerised by the vogue shoot with Catherine McNeil, such a classic makeup look!
I just bought some AMAZING Shampoo from Mecca – love their store!
What a talented artist, photos are fantastic. Thanks for the giveaway.
That last shot is just stunning!
What flawless makeup, so inspiring!
To be able to heighten the beauty of already stunning models is such a skill – how I wish I could do the same.
I love how timeless Amanda’s make up artistry is! She really brightens the most interesting features of her models, enriching and complementing the styling of the fashion shoot. Her 5 favourite products look perfect. I very much trust her expertise on wonderful products!
That shot of the green-eyed gal for Becca is just amazing. It looks like a painting, I can’t stop staring at it. Beautiful work. x
What a talent! Lovely giveaway. Thank you.
I would love to win this for my girlfriend, I know she likes these colours.
I could certainly use the products to give my serious a make over. x
I’m rather enjoying the fashion stuff this week!
What a stunningly beautiful portfolio to have!
Just love the resourcefulness and finding things for her toolkit in places such as spotlight etc…Very cool!
Would love to have this talent everyday!! Amazing.
I am often reluctant to sign up to subscribe to newsletters but with this story I was truly convinced that The Design Files is well worth the sign-up. Great story today. Amanda Reardon’s skills are amazing and her finished pictures stunning. Thanks for sharing.
Great interview, love the look of the make up in the Vogue shoot!
yes please.
Awesome giveaway – hope I win :)
Yes please, please, please. Lovely interview.
lovely
Feel the need to immediately do my face and hair! Much enjoyed the interview.
Amzing work Amanda! So inspiring!
What a super talented gal! I’ve got my fingers (and eyelashes) crossed that I win these awesome products so I can work some magic on my winter weary face.
I do have Mecca love! ;)
ooh love love love, and Amanda’s work just gorgeous
Need all the help I can get and Mecca would be perfect !
Awesome post! Wonderful products!
Beautiful!
Amanda is indeed a make up ARTIST; these images have really hammered home that word to me, artist – and what stunning canvases she has to work with!
Thanks for the Glam, very inspiring..
Axxxxxx
ooooh lovely! yes please!
Lovely!
oh it’s obvious I need this!!
what a fabulous glam life
Excellent choice of artist for your first Makeup proffesional to interview. Amanda is grounded and gifted, such a wonderful combination. Her top 5 picks are excellent, as are her media favourites. The creatives behind fashion images are indeed facinating people.
Love me some fancy face paint! Love this interview. More beauty please Design Files!
Love the smokey eyes!! What beautiful products.
Thanks for opening my eyes to Amanda’s work, what a great read. Mecca has always been my fave and keeps getting better.
Beautiful!
i kept the images from that japanese inspired marie claire spread – they were stunning!
Great interview, beautiful images!
Yay for a makeup interview! I also love Rebecca Brown, perhaps you could do a Melbourne interview with her! She has a blog too!
Another great post – perfect Friday inspiration! I know what I’ll be window shopping for this weekend…
Oh gee!
What a gorgeous prize to kick start summer
Goodness!!
Ahh well that would be the height of divineness … I’d love to win those beautiful hues.
Great post. I love how you keep unearthing people who are not only talented but so generous and open with their tips and loves! Wish I could shadow Amanda for a day – what I would give to achieve that perfect base!
M-Magnificent
A-Adorable
K-Kaleidoscopic
E-Evangelical
U-Unique
P-Pretty
Beautiful women making others even more beautiful, too wonderful. Great interview.
So stunning and absolutely tone-perfect!
Lovely
Great interview …. Incredible make up! Love it :)
love.
Gorgeous!
Would love a makeover
I sooooo need a makeup makeover! Fingers crossed x
Fascinating informative interview with stunning photographs.
Amanda has such artistic creativity and is so inspiring.
Oh boy I need this giveaway!!!
Thanks for giving the opportunity to win such an amazing prize…I’ll keep everything closed ;D
Love friday interviews!
Wow … inspiring work !
Great article – nice change from your typical interviewees!
Just in time! My girlfriend mentioned how fantastic today’s post was so I’m leaving this comment for her! She would just love this!
A nice little deviation from your regular reviews. Love that you can still surprise me time after time. Even a little hopeful for a win!
I know just a bit late, but this is when my me time started! Loved the interview and would use every ounce of the beautiful cosmetics….thank you mecca and Design Files. x
What exactly is the best way to look for information sites you are looking for?
So nice to read about an down to earth Aussie girl doing it so fly!
a lovely insightful interview, and such wonderful goodies! Thanks for the chance!!
Thanks for a great article, I love how she sees makeup as telling a story
I love this creative blog!
I would love to win the makeup set giveaway!
Blessings and Namaste’
from Debra J Webb
I’m so excited to see a makeup related post from such an amazing artist. Thanks!
So so so pretty and amazing!!!
I would love to update my make up and skin care with new and exciting products! It would be such a fresh feeling coming into spring! Thanks for the great article!
Just beautiful work! So lovely to see the amazing talent from the beauty industry given the admiration and respect that is deserved :D
Lovely ! Thank you for this !
Love the surprise fashion post, and great to give some recognition to the amazing behind the scenes talent that create these beautiful shots!
I’m absolutely in love with this entire post! A little bit of fashion is always a good thing!
I’ve just been so very inspired to add some colour to my face other than my usual ‘nude’. Thanks!
I sure would love to hire Amanda for my next shoot ! As a drama producer I want the first person my actors meet on set to make them feel relaxed and confortable and not only is Amanda hugely talented -as evidenced by these images, she is confident and totally together. Perfect interview for the design files – informative and inspirational.
I love these products! The REN cleanser would be wonderful!
Love her 50s and 60s inspired faces!
What a great post! Love a bit of fashion!
Amanda seems like a lovely person doing very lovely things. Beautiful interview x
just beautiful….and great interview…love mixing it all up with fashion…
What a fabulous giveaway! Just in time for spring.
What a lovely interview, and some beatifully made up faces.
It’s amazing what professionals cane do with makeup. So many possibilities.
I’m loving Bobbi Brown’s foundations!!
The makeup is everything when it comes to a good photo, in my opinion – and photoshop magic, of course ;)
living every woman’s dream!
Simply stunning, especially the final “red” image. Flawless!
Very impressive and beautiful work!!
soo many comments already :).. great and enjoyable and informative interview. lovely work and style ..
Lovely article and fabulous giveaway thanks.
Such a great interview! But dying to know what she thinks Sydney’s best kept secret is!
It’s so motivating to see this sort of post! An inspiring makehp artist and fashion – how can you go wrong? Love it! x
Totally love hearing about Mecca! The products are divine. I’m so glad I was introduced to them. I will never look back!
I wish I was good as this girl! Love her work so much!
What a great interview. Mecca never fails to impress.
Wow Amanda’s work is beautiful. I am a Mecca maniac, loving the products Nars, bare minerals, Kevin Aucoin.
Great read! Beautiful makeup x
Lovely photography and a wonderful interview :)
Wow. I’m inspired, how beautiful. Thank you.
Love the vision and the colour schemes. Great products!
The Abby Lee shoot is beautiful – would love to know which products were used I would buy them all in a flash!
Absolutely stunning!
Great web site you’ve got here.. It’s difficult to find quality writing like yours these days.
I really appreciate individuals like you! Take care!
!