Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546047
Getting to department head Hacks Season 5 will forever be a highlight of my career. Coming onto a show that's already established can be intimidating, but from day one, it just felt like everyone wanted each other to succeed, work together, and create a great show. I was lucky enough to lead and be a part of an incredibly talented team. This season would not have been what it was without them. One of the focuses for this final season was elevating the characters' looks without changing who they were. Everyone already looked great, so we just needed to evolve their characters. We took each character and added nuance to the make-up so that it was more about the audience feeling the change without noticing why. For instance, Ava was getting her glow up. She needed to feel like she'd grown into herself a little more this season while maintaining her youthful, effortless and unmistakably Ava-vibe. To achieve this, I did a lot of light layer buildup: using airbrush foundations and creams to keep the skin looking moisturized without the feel of anything too heavily applied. This meant powdering, blotting or anti-shine had to be strategically placed and timed. I kept her eye make-up incredibly minimal and a natural lip. As many know, sometimes doing a "no make-up" make-up can be harder than anticipated. It all comes down to finding the proper balance. To me, that's the art of make-up and the types of challenges I enjoy most. If the audience never thinks about the ON THE BRINK HACKS B Y B R I T T A N Y W H I T E D E P A R T M E N T H E A D M A K E - U P Paul W. Downs asJimmy