Q&A with Bernice Mansfield

Harper’s Bazaar and Cosmopolitan – these are just some of the big names Bernice Mansfield has worked with. Bernice (MUA) talks to Professional Beauty about starting out late, humbling experiences and challenges along the way.

Image: Bernice Mansfield

What is your story Bernice?

Creativity and colour has always been a part of my life. As a child I was never happier than when I would have all my Derwent’s out with a blank canvas. It still excites me to this day! I was the only creative one in my family but that never stopped me! I started stitching when I was 5, drawing from 9, and painting and creating from around 13. I’ve never been away from it!

Funnily enough, makeup never came early. I was 26 when I first showed interest in makeup so it's never too late to start your passion! I loved the bridal industry and had begun making beautiful hand crafted bridal jewellery and had a strong list of clients who bought from me. Make up came from there and now I not only look after the bridal industry, I also do a lot of editorial work.

What does the beauty industry mean to you?

I love being able to transform a face – whether it’s for a beauty editorial, or a bride who just wants to look glamorous on her wedding day. Seeing your client’s face light up when they see your finished product would have to be the biggest and most beautiful feeling I can have. I’m passionate about helping others too, I have assistants that I train and nurture.

What inspires you?

My inspiration can come from anything! Every now and then I will visit the art gallery which has a plethora of beautiful pictures. I love International magazines such as Vogue Nippon and Harper’s Bazaar. There are so many wonderfully talented people in this world. I see inspiration in even the most simple of things, like my colour palette of shadows! It only takes one little colour or picture to get the juices flowing on the next concept! I do love admiring people like Lottie who is a US makeup artist, Pat McGrath, also photographers such as Michael David Adams and Jamie Nelson. I am lucky enough to be working with an amazing fashion photographer here called Alex Pott. My style is clean, beautiful, dewy, and vert high fashion.

What are your future goals and what to do hope to achieve by being a part of this industry?

My goal is to train and educate. I love makeup with all my heart and just love when I am able to help someone learn more about their own passions and goals. I also am very passionate about products, where they come from and how they are tested. I also facilitate other creatives who hold classes in their field at my studio in Kensington. There is nothing more exciting than to see other talented people teach what they are amazing at. Anything from body painting, to avant-garde hairstyling to photographic fashion workshops!

Predictions of makeup trends for the coming months?

We are just going into autumn and I love this time of year. For eye shadows, I am in love with gold, bronze and grape. Anything to give that glow to the eyes in this beautiful but cold light we get. With lips, a touch of berry or grape. Winged liner never hurt anybody either, especially if it is done to perfection! I really love it when people choose to have a smoky eye that isn’t black! So whether it is purple, a shimmery mushroom brown, olive green…anything for colour! The cheeks I like to keep flushed. Keeping it simple without too much contouring but lighting up the apples of the cheeks and staining the highs of your cheekbones with a little shimmer to make them stand out.

What products are you loving/using right now on clients?

I would have to say, and anyone who knows me will know how passionate I am about a foundation brand called Cinema Secrets. I love how dewy and fresh it makes my clients look and photographically it is beyond amazing. I also indulge my clients with some new Tom Ford products I've been using. They are divine! His foundations are dewy and creamy. My clients know that I am known for dewy beautiful skin. Definitely not too powdered as I always feel that ages a person! I also love Beautyblender for their wonderful little pink balls of goodness! They make my foundation look like it’s been airbrushed on without all the hard work of an airbrush!

Favourite brands?

I cannot go past Ben Nye, NARS, Tom Ford and Burberry. They are my go-to staples on all levels. My makeup kit is like a candy store of names. No makeup artist would just stock one brand of product as there are so many wonderful brands out there that can work well together.

Image: Bernice's work on the cover of Peppermint

What is the highlight of your career?

I feel like I have a few highlights. My first one was being contacted by one of the top photographers in Indonesia to be a part of their campaign in Australia when they travelled over. I had the wonderful opportunity of being featured in Harper’s Bazaar Indonesia, Cosmopolitan Indonesia and AMICA Magazine. To think they loved my work enough to contact me is very humbling.

My second highlight was working with an amazing creative team called Rising 5. We all collectively collaborated on a high fashion shoot using 3D photography. We used our work to raise funds for a charity against depression called Beyond Blue. The creative juices and amazing work that came out of this was a very proud moment for me. I am also a mentor with a program called The Green Brush Project which was founded by the wonderful Becca Gilmartin. It is a chance to teach new artists how to steer their career and take full control of their passion.

Any challenges or obstacles?

I've definitely had my personal challenges along the way that slowed me down from reaching my goal. From a professional point of view, not knowing hair originally when starting out meant that I lost a few jobs that would have been amazing. But I built that up and now confidently can do both as well as nails. I'm a one woman shop! But I am constantly learning and self-improving to make me a better artist and mentor.

Any last words?

Never stop believing because one day you can honestly breathe and live your passion! I may have started out late, but I feel that right now I am exactly where I am meant to be with my career. Be passionate and committed. Always be humble. You never know where it will take you!

For more information visit www.bernicemakeupartist.com.