Mel Kinsman
Areas: London, Hertfordshire, Essex, Surrey, Kent, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hampshire.
Telephone: 0207 221 7021
Mobile: 07785 990 178
Email: mel.kinsman@btinternet.com
Website: www.melkinsman.com
Services Offered:
Makeup Application
Resumé
I have had a successful career in the film, TV and photographic industry for over 20 years. Jobs have included music videos, TV commercials, and the odd stint on some of the soaps! Photographic assignments have ranged from fashion shoots to celebrity profiles for Tatler, Vanity fair, Hello!, Empire film magazine and "YOU" Mail on Sunday magazine.
A few years ago I noticed a change in the industry with tighter budget restraints, longer hours and expectations from production companies for artists to work for very little financial reward as it was easy for them to hire artists just starting out who would work for free and for the sheer glory of being in the business. So I decided to concentrate more fully on Bridal make-up. After doing a few per year to supplement my other work, I gradually got more and more bookings and now concentrate pretty much exclusively in this field. I still do the odd shoot here and there, but my love for Bridal make-up has made me relish working - to the extent of itching to get going to every job. Having being a bride relatively late into my relationship, myself, I absolutely love weddings and still get excited by them!
I work as a team with a hairdressing colleague, Eric, who left his salon to go mobile. We have been friends for 14 years and have worked as a Bridal hair and make-up team for the last 8 years. His profile can be seen on my personal site www.melkinsman.com and he is mentioned on many of my testimonials. If a client would prefer to use her own stylist, or another hairstylist from the Facetime network, then I am happy to just provide make-up services.
I take pride in the fact that many clients have returned to have their make-up done for special occasions, taken private tutorials with me, have seen Eric on a regular basis for cutting and colouring prior to and after their Big Day and have recommended us to their friends and families for their own forthcoming events. We have actually remained friends with some of them and have been able to congratulate them on a new addition to their family!
All products used are quality brands and my kit predominantly consists of MAC, Bobbi Brown, Dior, D&G, YSL, Illamasqua, Estee Lauder and Clinique.
Testimonials
"I'm writing to say an absolutely huge thank you for helping to make 8th March 2008 the best day of my life. I had literally hundreds of comments about how great my make-up looked! You managed to deliver just the perfect style to compliment my dress and the venue and with such a professional service. The bridesmaids' mother was so moved to see her daughters looking so elegant – it brought tears to her eyes.
"
Jessica March 08
"Thank you so much for the fantastic job you did for my wedding. We both had a fantastic day and you helped me feel like a million dollars - I received so many great comments about the make-up. You really made me feel pampered and helped put me at ease in the lead up to the ceremony.
"
Nicole April 08
"Mel & Eric,
I just wanted to say a very big thank you to you both for making me look so wonderful on my wedding day and also on my hen night. On both occasions I felt like a princess and film star. Thank you for making my bridesmaid Vicky realise how pretty she is and giving her a huge confidence boost! Also mum felt wonderful and loved her hair.
"
Martine May 08
"I just had to send you a quick email to thank you for doing such a fantastic job on my make-up on my wedding day. I didn’t realise I could ever look so glamorous! I had an unbelievable amount of compliments and I felt so confident because I know that I had had the best person for making me look beautiful that morning. My bridesmaids also felt and looked fantastic. They really appreciated how much time you took to listen to what they really wanted and how you fitted their make-up to their personalities. Mary is much more interested in make-up than ever before and Sarah actually likes the photos of herself – a minor miracle!!
"
Michelle June 08
"I wanted to say a really big thank you for everything you did for me, not just on the wedding day itself, but from the first time that I enquired about your services.
I was actually quite nervous the first time we met. I am not an overly confident person and I instantly trusted you and could see that you knew exactly what I needed. I may have been a little quiet that afternoon when I came to see you, but it was only because I was totally overwhelmed by how you transformed me and that was just for the trial!
You were always really quick to respond to my email queries and I knew that you would be there for me on my special morning. I was so pleased to have found someone that was going to take the time not only to do a brilliant job, but to make me feel comfortable as well.
"
Sara Aug 08
"I just wanted to email you to say thank you so much for all your time and help, and of course for the most fantastic make-up ever! The day was absolutely perfect and I enjoyed every minute and your make-up gave me real confidence in front of the camera. Everyone commented on my hair and make-up so a big thank you for helping me out when I’d been previously let down by someone else.
"
Helen Aug 08
"Thank you for everything you did on Sunday. It was fantastic having you there. Both my mum and Nan looked gorgeous and my make-up was just beautiful. I was really very, very happy with the way that I looked and it was all down to you and your magic touch!
"
Claire Oct 08
"A huge thank you. Both you and Eric were wonderful at putting us at ease, and it made the morning as fun and stress free as one could have imagined. All four of us were just thrilled with the results you conjured up! I had so many compliments that I felt giddy! Mel, I loved the look that you created for me and felt glam and ‘bride-like’ all at the same time. Alistaire loved my make-up which also made it extra special and gratifying to me. The false eyelashes worked very well in the photos and my make-up stayed in place brilliantly (despite many tears and dancing). Mum loved her look, and she was the most dubious about being made up, plus Jo and Mareike’s boyfriends were in awe of them all day!
Eric, you were so fantastic and made me look as If I had a tonne of hair. I had so many compliments and Jon, the photographer, pronounced it the best wedding hair he’d ever seen! It perfectly suited my dress and veil, plus it stayed in place wonderfully, so I never had to touch it all day.
"
Molly Nov 08
"“Just wanted to say how fantastic I though both you and Eric were on our wedding day at Penshurst Place. So many people commented on the make-up and hair, it lasted all day with no problems. I couldn’t have wished for more perfect hair and make-up artists who kept me very calm.
I would have no problem ever recommending you both”.
"
Katherine January 09
"Mel and Eric. What can I say except WOW! Thank you so much for doing such an excellent job on the hair and make-up. I felt absolutely fantastic all day and still looked great (even if I do say so myself!) at 7am the next morning (yes, I really was up that late!!). Everyone commented on how great the hair and make-up was and all the girls you did looked fantastic too! You were both a complete joy to be around and kept everyone’s feet on the ground with your friendly manner.
"
Ciara March 09 (St Patrick’s Day)
"I just wanted to say a massive thank you to you and Eric for all of your hard work. The hair and make-up were complimented about a million times – you are both geniuses. Thanks so much to you in particular for looking after me so well in that final hour, I really benefitted from your support.
"
Eryn April 09
Portfolio Images
