Internationally recognized, award-winning makeup artist Isabelle De Vries is an innovator whose work has challenged traditional beauty trends and gained recognition from the industry’s elite. Isabelle specializes in editorial makeup, as well as makeup for bridal, advertising, television and fashion, and she is a highly sought after educator. Her mastery of her technique, passion for her art, and individual style have made her a leader in the Australian makeup industry.
So when planning the launch of TEMPTU’s new Perfect Canvas Foundation, we knew exactly who to go to in commissioning new imagery. We partnered with Isabelle and Master Photographer Derec Ethan Lee to deliver a new beauty campaign that reflects the versatility of the product in getting the most flawless results – by hand or by air - and the expansiveness of the shade range to address the diversity of our customer base. The images – stunning, radiant, and real – are the greatest reflection of the results our products are known for. Here’s more on the artist who created the looks:
How did you begin your career as a makeup artist? I started off with a background in art and when I left high school I had the intention of studying art at university. I was a self-taught makeup artist for several years before I studied make up. Several years after completing my course I became a makeup lecturer at the same college I’ve studied myself. I have always really pushed myself to think outside the box and I often used techniques from art in my makeup-- I think it is helped make my makeup style unique and individual. Tell us when you started your love affair with TEMPTU? I always loved the idea of airbrush but all the products I have tried just looked terrible. Temptu was recommended to me several years ago by another senior artist and I have never looked back. It is by far my favorite product in my makeup kit. How would you describe the creative style that separates you from other artists? I always try creating looks based on art or nature. I always think about the combination of textures I will use and colors. I don’t like doing what’s on trend I try to always create my own. Sometimes the looks I create others don’t think they are beautiful but at the end of the day not everyone has to agree with your perspective. For me make up is art and I love when my work makes other artists question that idea of beauty. We all see beauty differently and I don’t let people’s opinion influence my work and I just do what feels right and makes me happy. What inspires you daily? NATURE! I Always find the most bizarre color combinations in nature that you naturally wouldn’t put together when you think about color theory! But they work, and they are truly amazing. I love using plants and animals for my inspiration for colors and for my use of texture. What are some of your kit essentials and what are your favorite TEMPTU Products? I love my TEMPTU highlighters especially white shimmer, pink pearl, and champagne. I love using these mixed in with my SB foundations to give a beautiful glow. I also really love the TEMPTU mixing medium, I spray this directly over the top of my make up to create a wet dewy look when shooting editorial. Another one of my essentials is facelift tape I love using this to change the models face and help Intensify my look. TEMPTU’s new campaign is By Hand or By Air – what do you like about applying TEMPTU’s Perfect Canvas foundation by hand? What do you love about airbrushing with it? It’s both! I love the fact that I can apply TEMPTU products by both hand and air. For the shoot I airbrushed 3 of the models and I hand applied the 4th. I love when applying it by hand how beautifully buffs it into the skin, I mix colors together on my palate and then use either a brush or sponge to apply it to the skin. The product itself is so light it doesn’t cake on the skin it doesn’t crease it just creates a perfect canvas! Airbrushing it though is so quick and easy there is no mess there is no cleaning brushes, you just click on your pod in to use it and click it out to change colors. I really love the Airpods because it is so easy there is no more cleaning out your airbrush well or needle like a generic airbrush or anything like that. It’s so great for on-location too because it’s so portable the convenience is my favorite feature. I also prefer airbrushing the clients that have more pigmented skin. I find that a lot of the time when applying makeup foundation by hand it doesn’t stick to some blemishes, airbrushing completely defeats this problem because it sprayed on over the top is no touching skin, so it just sets and covers everything!
What was the inspiration for the looks you created in these images? My inspiration was natural beauty and that each of us, with our own unique features are beautiful. I emphasized the natural features of each model and designed each of their looks to highlight these. Beauty doesn’t just fit into one box, it’s all about enhancing what makes you unique. Can you tell us a little about the process for putting together this campaign for TEMPTU? It was a big production and took a lot of team effort. I think it’s important when you’re shooting for a brand and their campaign that you understand what the brands look is and what they embody. The models we used were all so different but beautiful each in their own way. We shot both still and video imagery over two days as it was a tight schedule with models back to back shooting. I had my amazing assistant Amelia Hart, and we were shooting with my favorite photographer, Derec Ethan Lee! We had a team meeting in the morning before the shoot to make sure the whole team understood the brief and that we were working towards the same goal. We had such a great team and it made for amazing shoot! How did you come to work with Derec Ethan Lee and can you talk to us about his style and what you love about his work? Derec and I only met a few years ago but I feel like I’ve known for a lifetime. I came across his work through another makeup artist, after working together for the first time Derec and I became great friends. Derec and I work so well together because we are so similar in the way we interpret things and we listen to each other and take each other’s advice. We always push each other to try new things and challenge each other. Sometimes I think Derek looks at the things I create and wonders what the heck I’m doing but he always trusts me, and the shots turn out amazing. I love Derec’s photography style because it so diverse. He also does all his own editing in house which is a huge benefit as we can talk through the editing process. Derec’s work is never over edited and I love that when we shoot macro beauty you can still see pores and the skin looks real! What tips would you give a makeup artist who is just starting their career and why would you recommend airbrushing skills for them? It sounds easy, but my tip is: practice is key. There is always something you know that you struggle with or you’re not confident in, so practice it every single day whether it be on yourself or practicing brushstrokes on paper- you will get better and never say you can’t. Never think you know everything, we never stop learning and there is always something to learn from others. I have learned some amazing tips and tricks from my students some of which are only just starting out in the industry. To be an artist means to evolve constantly and learning to adapt.