Make-up tips from celebrity artist Martin Aitken

May 16 2009 By Francesca Craggs, The Journal

Martin Aitken, regional make-up artist for Dior, has glammed up many a red carpet starlet. He dropped into Fenwick Newcastle to give Francesca Craggs some star treatment of her very own.

HAVING worked as a make-up artist for BAFTA and the BBC, Martin Aitken has had a wealth of celebrity clients to his name.

He beautified the likes of actress Thandi Newton and Girls Aloud’s Sarah Harding, before landing the job of regional make-up artist for Dior. The 26-year-old from Edinburgh is proud to be a member of Dior’s professional make-up team, helping women from all over the UK to achieve their optimum beauty.

I caught up with Martin doing just that on a three-day visit to the Dior counter in Fenwick, Newcastle. He is no stranger to the city, having previously studied a degree in drama at Newcastle University.

"I fell into it make-up artistry. Learning to apply stage make-up was part of my degree. As soon as I picked up the brush I thought this is what I want to do with my life. It was one of those moments," he said.

After graduating, Martin worked as a freelance make-up artist in theatre and TV, before being appointed official BAFTA make-up artist both on the red carpet and back stage in London.

"I absolutely loved working with celebrities. Sarah Harding is a particular favourite of mine. I also did Thandi Newton’s make-up one year for the red carpet. They are both so naturally beautiful. For this reason I didn’t want to overdo their look and opted for something that was classic and timeless."

Martin was recommended to apply for the role at Dior and has never looked back.