BLUSH HOUR

Catching up with Kay Montano, a London-based celebrity makeup artist and Chanel beauty ambassador

- STORY BY HANNAH BRANDLER

What attracted you to the cosmetic industry?

I knew that I didn't want to do a 9-5 office-based job, and I've always been very creative. I wanted to do something artistic in the entertainment world. That was unusual when I was at school—makeup wasn't a profession that anybody knew about. I got a lucky break at 16 when I met pop star Kate Garner. Within a month, I did her makeup for the cover of The Face—London's style bible at the time. The cover is now on display in the V&A in London.

How have you built strong connections?

Stylists often recommend hair and makeup artists to actors. I've worked in fashion for so long and spent decades with stylists and their assistants, so I've built up wonderfully permanent relationships. Stylist Leslie Fremar, for instance, suggested me to Jennifer Connelly because she was an assistant on all the shoots I did for American Vogue.

What inspires your makeup designs?

The makeup is absolutely inspired by the outfit. You find out what the actor's wearing, then make your suggestions and try to sell the idea. I worked in fashion for years and my job was to decide what a woman's face would look like based on the outfit. It's instinct.

What are some of your most memorable looks?

The Face cover was a huge deal, as was my first Vogue cover with Christy Turlington when I was 21. I've also worked with Kate Moss a lot—I did her makeup for the famous Calvin Klein Obsession fragrance campaign in 1993, which was displayed around the world.

How do you deal with working under pressure?