Francesco, can you please briefly introduce yourself. How your interest in beauty industry has sparked?
My name is Francesco Filomena, I am 27 years old and I have been doing make-up for more than 10 years now.
I have always had a great interest in everything that is beauty, especially make-up, because of the many ways it is the only one that has an immediate visual impact.
How would you describe your signature look and what is it about your style that sets you apart from other makeup artists?
I believe that every make-up artist is different, what characterises us is our hand, the style, the trend can be unique, depending on what the trend of the moment dictates, but basically our hands make us all unique.
Why is having an MUA essential to a photographer? What can you provide to help a photographer's images stand out?
Like all good things, there is always teamwork behind it. It is important to have a good working relationship between all the members of the team because only in this way is it possible to achieve the objective, photography is a game of lights and shadows and what can be done with make-up is to emphasise all this, making the image more effective.
What advice can you give to prospective students thinking about an education and career in make up artists?
The advice I would give to all people who want to do this job is to never give up, it's not easy working in the fashion industry, but with passion and determination you can do anything. I have always believed that if the climb is steep, when you reach your destination, the satisfaction is greater.
How do you keep up with all the new trends and styles?
I personally don't like to follow trends, I like to create, understand what is needed at that moment and do it.
It's not always the case that what's trendy goes with what you have to create, it often happens that in order to express a concept you need to go outside the box...
In your opinion, what are common mistakes you see women make on their makeup?
The most common mistake is surely that of wanting to "imitate" what surrounds us... actresses, models, influencers... when in reality make-up cannot be done with a mould, because each person, character, face, needs something different, each of us is unique, and each of us needs something unique...
What do you think are some of the keys to being a successful makeup artist?
What can make us successful make-up artists is certainly the desire to never stop.
Keep breaking through walls with your head held high, and never lose your humility.
Looking back, how has make-up artistry changed or influenced you as a person?
It certainly made me a more confident person.
On a personal level as well as on a work level, every time I pick up a brush it's like the first time, even after more than 10 years and every time I gain more confidence.
What do you hope to explore as a makeup artist in the future? Someone you'd like to work with or something you would like to accomplish?
I hope to be able to travel again, combining work and travel is for me, one of the best things about this job, meeting people, professionals, colleagues and being able to enrich myself even more.
Where can our readers keep up with your work and get connected with you?
They can find me on Instagram @fra.fillo or contact me by email rancescofilomena.mua@gmail.com
