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STRANIERIINITALIA.IT| Exclusive interview with international make-up artist Eryca Freemantle |
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Don't let obstacles break your career
 4th January 2010: A life-threatening car accident nearly claimed her life 25 years ago, altered her life and career, scarred her face, took away her hair and almost resulted in a leg amputation, but Ms. Eryca Freemantle didn’t allow that accident to ruin her life.She overcame her shattered dreams of a modelling career to build herself as one of UK’s most accomplished and respected make-up artists. That accident motivated her to learn about corrective make-up techniques and application to camouflage her facial scars and blemishes. Today, Eryca is an industry intelligent consultant for renowned cosmetics and make-up brands worldwide. She has worked with Whitney Houston, Yasmin Le Bon, Seal, Vogue, Elle and I-D. Eryca is in demand all over the world. She in fact has clients who fly her all over the world for her services. Apart from being an ambassador of Make Your Mark, Eryca sits on the panel of ‘Industry Advisory Experts’ at London College of Fashion. She is currently working on launching her make-up range, “The Global Collection” whose motto is: “Make-up for everyone, everywhere.” In this exclusive interview with The AfroNews, she shares her inspirational life story, her make-up expertise and how she has made it happen, against all the odds. Eryca, after the accident which destroyed your dream of becoming a model, where did you get the inspiration to pursue make-up artistry? I was involved in a car accident that left me bald, scarred and walking with a limp. My modelling career was over before it started. My inspiration to become a make-up artist was by accident. I went to a photo shoot with a friend of mine who was still modelling. When I saw the make that the make-up artist applied, I knew I could do a better job myself. My accident left me with all sorts of insecurities, but I knew then and there that I had to be the one that makes a difference within the modelling industry and education system. Black women had to be represented and heard. Not just seen. Please explain to our readers what exactly a make-up artist does? Make-up artists traditionally are booked for a photo shoot or television products, etc. They come to the job at the booked time. They apply the make-up to the brief supplied, stay on the shoot until it is finished, then depart. Not me. I do that and a lot more. I need to be heard. I write make-up courses for different colleges around the world that are accredited and certified, teaching women of colour how to apply their make-up, enabling them to become make-up artists.  More importantly I write courses for my white counterparts, teaching them the psychology of make-up, especially for black women. I teach them about our different skin types and requirement, etc. I do radio shows around the world talking about make-up. I co-host a television show with my own make-up segment. I am in talks with a major TV channel in South Africa about partnering with them to do a similar thing. I write for various beauty magazines and online publications, all about make-up. I just recently got accepted by glam.com, one of the world’s largest online magazines to be a beauty and make-up contributor. I do the make-up for high profile celebrities, including first ladies, and ambassadors’ wives. I have my own personalised and bespoke range of make-up currently only available for the very well to do. That line is bespoke and customized for the individual’s needs. I have clients that fly me all over the world for this service. I think outside the box. I like to believe that I am different from the majority. I give motivation speeches all over the UK, currently working on the rest of the world. I am a renowned keynote speaker on the beauty circuit, educating and speaking about women of colour, teaching that we are here to stay. Eighty five percent of the world is made up of women of colour. I don’t think there is much about conventional make-up that I don’t know about. I sometimes go on tours with the artists that I am working on. My love is everything to do with make-up, but more so empowerment. Whether it be teaching or doing the make-up for the biggest stars in the world. My ambition is to do the make-up for Oprah Winfrey within the next six months. I am not just a make-up artist, but a business woman. I partner with establishments all over the world, if the price is right. I have found a niche in the market, especially in Europe.  If one would like to become a make-up artist, what’s the process to be followed?The process to follow is to do a course, a worthwhile course that is accredited. We all can teach ourselves, but there are some fundamental rules that need to be known and followed. To be a make-up artist, you must be personable and reliable, more important, believable. Listen to your clients’ needs. The rewards are out of this world. Some of my established colleagues are on 5k a day. What were the main challenges you met initially? The main challenge I met initially was being stereotyped. When I turned up to do a make-up job, I was immediately told to do the make-up for the dark skins. I always stressed that I am a cosmopolitan make-up artist, give me a face and I can do the job. This went on for years, I used to get so mad. Remember back in those days, there were not many black celebrities, or models, etc. I was able to break the barrier which is great. I then realised that I was sitting on a goldmine. All of a sudden I was the make-up artist that everyone wanted to do the make-up for the up and coming black celebrities. Boy we were making a name for ourselves, whether it be in music, sports, film, banking, business, etc. Now the circle has changed. I am very happy being in my skin. I have matured with the industry and the industry globally accepts me. What are the main challenges you meet now? Not many, other than the fact that there is only one of me. I train others, but most of the time people want me to do the job myself. I think all the make-up brands should do ranges that cater for everyone, or add to the existing ranges. It has been suggested that they all take me on to be a consultant for their brands. That would be remarkable. I know that I can add and turn around anyone’s sales. I can make millions for companies if the price is right for me.  How does it feel to be a celebrity make-up artist?Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Who are some of your celebrity clients? Are they demanding when it comes to make-up? All clients are demanding. People always want the best, whether they say it with words or body language. I have signed a confidentiality agreement with most of my clients. I have worked with Seal, Yasmin Le Bon, I would also love to do Michelle Obama. Using a wrong make-up can be harmful to a woman’s image. Please share with us how to choose the right make-up. You are absolutely write, the wrong make-up can break your career. The right make-up to use is one that suits your skin type, colour hue, and sensitivity. I suggest you sit and study your face and personality. Ask yourself, what do I want? What look am I trying to portray. Find a look in a magazine, adapt that look to suit you. Never copy exactly. No two faces are the same. Book me! You hold that “every woman has the right to a simple make-up that enhances her natural beauty. All women are beautiful.” There are women who either fear or have simply never used a make-up. Are they missing something? Those that have never worn make-up are not missing out, really. It just depends on you as a person. Me, I would never be seen dead without my make-up in public. I was involved in a major accident, leaving me with over 200 scars on my face. I have learnt to master those scars. You can’t see them. I actually can’t wait for the morning to put my make-up on. I love it. I am a great believer in less is more. Please share with us something about “Eryca’s Global Collection range” The Global Collection is my baby. There is always room for growth. Currently the couture service, which is the service I described earlier is only available for the wealthy woman. I also do the professional palette. I did various palettes for the masses, however, I am holding back on pushing that at the moment due to manufacturing complications. My brand is top end and premium. When you say that you are a “natural make-up artist”, what exactly do you mean? I mean when I apply the make-up to the individual and you see her, you may notice that she looks slightly different and enhanced. Subtle. Natural make-up means enhancing your best bits and subduing the bits you are not too crazy about. Why do you think there are few make-up brands catering for the women of colour? I once went to a very high profile event in London, just for make-up artists and top brands. I was the only black woman and expert in attendance. I stood up and asked the question: “Why do you large brands not cater for us black women?” I was told that there is not enough shelf space. I have noticed that they are starting to do it, but let me give you an example. I do lots of market research. I went into Selfridges last year. At that time out of 26 make-up counters, there were three that catered for black women. What does that say? It may have changed now, but I think that says a lot. What are your secrets of success? What is success? My motivation is, I always want more. I want to leave a legacy. I want to be a role model for all women, Black, White, Asian. My secret really is to believe in myself. When others come to knock you, and they do, believe that you will rise another day. Stephen, I have peace in my heart, all I want to do is share it with others. I am 46 soon and I feel like 16. I want to go down in history as the woman that kept trying regardless of the things thrown at her. And boy I have had them thrown.  Make-up transforms a person’s physical, external appearance. Does this have any effect on the person’s inner self?I believe make-up can have an effect on a person’s inner self. It depends on the person and their journey, but transformation starts from within. I have seen the difference when make-up is applied to a woman. The difference when she walks and talks. However, we must remember make-up is only temporary. Eryca, you are both a mother and a successful business woman. Do you find it difficult to combine the two? No. My daughter is 19, she is studying BA (Hons) Business Studies. She thinks her mother is mad. I am a mother first. A business woman second, a make-up artist third. Combined I am Eryca. What are your future plans? To continue to enjoy what I am doing. Work smart not hard. I want to live in Africa, that is paramount. I want health and strength. I want to continue to look after my parents. I want to continue to work on partnerships with establishments worldwide. I want to publish my book. I want to have my own skincare line. I want my own perfume line. I want, I want, I want, most importantly, I want peace. What’s your advice to our readers who for one reason or another, see their original dreams vanish into thin air? Dream the dream again. This time wake up and live the dream. Surround yourself with people that are doing it. Find a mentor. You can and you will do it. Any other comment? Life is for living. It is very short. I believe that we will get knocked, if not early in life, it is coming, but what matters is how you deal with it. In this life we have to be head sound and head strong. The rest will follow. Do not settle for less than what you want. You may think you only deserve x amount. Always aim for more. ERYCA FREEMANTLE’S CONTACTS This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
By Stephen Ogongo
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