Hairdressing On Television
Influential Make Up Artists by Andrew Marshall
Professional make up is a big industry these days. It has come a long way in the last hundred years or so. This article looks at five of the most influential professional make up artists.
GEORGE WESTMORE
George Westmore was one of the early make up artists in film, but his influence is still felt to this day. He was born in the UK and started his working life as a hairdresser. In the early 20th century he moved with his family to the United States, and worked as a wig maker. This eventually led to his move into make up.
Westmore later started the first ever movie make up department and taught his four eldest sons the techniques of the profession. Later on his two younger sons also worked as make up artist. Westmore committed suicide in 1931, but his legacy did not go with him. His sons continued to be hugely successful in the make up industry, in roles such as make up chief at Paramount, head of make up at Warner Bros, and head of Universal. His grandchildren also worked in the industry. Every major film studio was touched by the Westmore family, and their role in film make up cannot be underestimated.
JACK PIERCE
Jack Pierce was another early influence in cinema. He first worked in the movie industry in the 1920