Michelle Regazzoli Stone- Interview

Michelle Regazzoli Stone is as stunning inside as she is out .

Taking the time out to do this interview with me truly meant a lot as she is a full time business owner, a wife, a mother and with a celebrity clientele you can imagine the crazy stress she is under!

So how did she get here? What did she do? How did she go from being a MAC girl to running her own successful business with celebrity clients ? Read onto find out....

You studied theatrical media make up in 2004 in dun laoghaire. Do you think in studying that, this is where you developed your creative way of doing makeup?

I don't necessarily think that college gave me the creativity aspect of my job..I definitely developed that later when I came out and joined MAC.

College for me was getting all of my basics, developing my confidence, learning from others and picking up lots of tips and tricks.

I certainly think creativity comes with experience and MAC did that for me.

What benefits do you think you gained by studying this?

There was massive benefits from studying theatrical and media make up because you do all aspects of it, literally starting from the basics whether it's a day look or working up to bridal, Then getting a bit more advanced using latex and special effects products.

My only disappointment was not going further with the special effects aspect because it is so interesting.

Having said that the benefits were massive, it was the best year of my life and I would highly recommend it.

You worked for MAC then on Grafton street for another 10 years. How did you go

about getting that job freshly out of college?

Yes some might say I was fortunate to get my job in MAC straight out of college but the day I walked out of college with my portfolio I went into MAC every Saturday because I knew they would have a full team of trainers, managers and other artists.

I literally hounded them ha..

Even if I had 1 new photo a week I would go in and show them that is how much I wanted the job.

That August I got a call to attend for an interview.

I remember walking in terrified, they asked me lots of questions but I was totally prepared.

I knew MAC was a trend based company and that's what it was all about so when they asked me who my favourite photographer was, who my favourite make up artist was, fashion designer, publication...I knew I got it it was amazing!

How did working with MAC help you as a makeup artist?

Working for MAC immensely helped me as a Make up artist it completely expanded my horizons in every sense.

Not only are you trained by some of the best make up artists in Ireland and the UK to be fair as these people are covering events like London Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week.

They are learning from every single artist that's out there and bringing back even more tips/ tricks to MAC.

What skills do you think you developed by working for them?

So the skills I developed from them again would be advanced blending, eyeliner, eyebrows and all aspects of make up from skin care to lipsticks!

MAC are constantly on trend hence my skills were always watched and developed.

From them, how did you build yourself to have such a well-known clientele eg. So Sue me Jackson, Pippa O connor and Rosanna Davidson

I am the type of person who really puts myself out there for example, with Caris Closet I just went in and spoke to the owner, I gave her my card and told her if she ever needed anything to give me a shout and it worked from there.

Likewise with Rosanna Davison, I get my hair done in Ceira Lamberts salon where she is a regular client and I got speaking to Ceira who said that if I was ever interested I could do make up in her

salon.

And I DID...I decided to make the move and slowly but surely work my way over there and clients began to come to me.

It's like anything once you listen to your client : what they want, what there needs are, what they prefer etc.

I just make sure I remember it and store it in the long term memory sections and more importantly ALWAYS DELIVER!

You have also been featured in many magazines including RSVP and OK! And have been very successful, any advice for girls who want to be just like you?

The advise I would have for girls would always to be professional!

Know your place and don't be too outspoken,

Don't have too much to say as there are photographers, stylists, hairdressers that are all there to do their job.

I have seen on some shoots people who have too much to say and its incredibly awkward !

What I would say to someone who wants to be like me is that I always respect what everyone is doing, be as professional as I can while at the same time having a little giggle and of course making people comfortable around me so that they would like to work with me again.

I suppose a lot of it is down to personality and of course the quality of the service provided.

How do girls and budding makeup artist even begin to build themselves and become successful?

For anyone to build / develop themselves in any industry I would recommend doing literally whatever you can -

If its someone like me or someone in the industry making a good name for themselves.

You do whatever you can and go on whatever gig is offered obviously within reason to build up experience and confidence -

Don't worry too much about getting paid it will take time, it will come and it will be worth it!

What are you’re five GO TO products right now?

My 5 go to products would be:

1. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream - Every make up artist needs a good moisturiser it's not just about foundation. If you put foundation straight on the skin without prep beforehand it can be a disaster!

2. Nars Multisticks - I love using them for contouring and highlighting because you can get them in Matte and also with a shimmer or sheen.

3. YSL Mascara - I adore..even the smell!

4. Chanel universal bronzer.

5. Any form of MAC lipstick and Lip Liner....I am the Lip Liner queen!!

You’re a MAC girl for life, tell us about your favourite products by MAC.

My favourite MAC products are Strobe Cream for Moisturising especially in the morning.

Any MAC brushes - nearly all of my brushes are MAC and I could not be without them in my kit they are without a doubt the best on the market.

The Mineralise range - If I had the money I would literally buy every single product from this range from foundations to bronzers to blushers they are incredible! Even the lip colours are amazing!