Make-Up Maestro: Paula Dorf

Created on 22nd May 2009

The make-up artist for all celebrity rock chicks, Paula Dorf has also developed a make-up range that provides you with all the necessary tools of the trade for achieving a professional result

What is your background in the beauty industry?

I've been in the industry for over 25 years now! It began in the 1980s when I was a make-up artist for a lot of the big rock stars in the US and did the make-up for their tours and concerts. As the years have gone by, I've been lucky enough to work with a long list of celebrities and on some really great TV shows and also find the time to create my own make-up range.

What prompted you to develop the Paula Dorf make-up range?

It all started on the rock tours. I was finding it really difficult to find the perfect foundation brush for my job. I wanted a brush that, when used with any foundation, would provide a long-lasting finish on the skin and withstand the harsh stage lighting and heat. However, I didn't want the application to look too mask-like and cakey. Because of this (and because I'm a perfectionist) I decided to try and create my own. I went to a nearby art shop, bought some artist's brushes and just started cutting them up to create the perfect shape I needed and that was how my range started.

How closely involved are you in the production of the different cosmetics?

Very much - it's my name on the brand so I need to be involved in all aspects of the business. Obviously I now have a great team and we work together on coming up with new ideas and I really enjoy getting their thoughts and feedback.

What makes your make-up range stand out from the competition?

I think that my products are of a professional quality, are super easy to use and give great results. The beauty industry is such a saturated market and I think that you have to create products that consumers want to continue to use again and again.

I've created make-up brushes that can help you easily achieve the look you want along with some really great hero products and, what I like to call, 'tricks of the trade tools' such as my fabulous Transformer product which is a liquid that transforms any eye shadow into a long-wearing, smudgeproof liquid liner in seconds.

The Paula Dorf range also includes your award-winning range of brushes. Do you think that having the best tools are as important as what cosmetics you use?

Hugely important - you can have the best product in the world, but if you aren't using the correct tool to apply it, you generally aren't going to be happy with the overall results. For example, it's important to use the right type of material on a brush for the right area of the face - when looking for a brush to use on the brows, you'd need to pick something like badger hair which has firmer bristles and places colour in a controlled and defined application. When applying a powder blusher, you need to use a brush made from something like blue squirrel as this holds and distributes the colour evenly. Also, look out for a taped and contoured angle on a cheek blush as this makes it easier to follow the natural shape of the cheek area.

You are famous for your unique 'trick' products that offer solutions to every woman's make-up concerns. Can you explain what these are?

Yes, every lady out there should have a few 'trick' products in her make-up case! As mentioned, there's my Transformer which I like to use a lot on shoots. For those who aren't blessed with natural long and luscious lashes, you can now cheat by applying a coat of my Perfect Lash. A lash conditioner containing panthenol, you just apply prior to your mascara and it gives the effect of longer, fuller lashes without the clumps.

My Perfect Illusion for Lips acts in a similar way - it plumps up the pout! The silicone formula helps lock in moisture, smooth out fine lines, keep the product in place and also banishes the dreaded lipstick feathering.

What do you predict will be the next hot trend in makeup?

I think we'll see a trend for consumers wanting to use multi-purpose products which is why I've created an exciting new range of products called Perfect Color. It's a collection of three gorgeously textured makeup sticks in sheer and natural shades. It's still all very top secret for now - you'll just have to watch this space!

What is your make-up essential?

Obviously some good quality make-up brushes - just pick a few key ones such as a good blender brush for the eyes, a cheek brush and a good all round face brush. I'm a big fan of primers for the face - they act like your skin's basecoat and give you more of a professional, polished finish. You should always find time for a quick dab of blush. I like to use a creamy formula such as my Cheek Color Cream in Peek A Boo as it gives a nice dewy effect. A beautiful peachy shade, it adds a fabulous flush to the cheeks but also works wonderfully on the lips if you have forgotten your lip gloss! And mascara - just one coat will instantly open the eyes and lift the face.