“I love super natural dewy skin with a touch of drama.”
Kylie O’Toole
What country are you from and where do you reside?
I was born and live in Melbourne Australia.
Title of what you do and/or what company you work with.
I’m a hair and makeup artist represented by Hart and Co.
Education background.
I studied hairdressing and makeup in college.
What is your signature style/artistic expression to your work?
I love super natural dewy skin with a touch of drama.
What is the first creative project that you remember?
Straight out of college I would do shoots with my husband (who was my boyfriend in those days) on the weekends, often the models would wear my clothes.
What is the most fulfilling job you’ve worked on or a person you have worked with?
All shoots with my husband Andrew O’Toole are fulfilling and creative. We really understand each other.
Do you have a career turning point, big break or person that has helped your career?
My career turning point was moving to London with one phone number of a makeup artist pre internet. Her name is Jane Walker. She let me work with her for free and then took me under her wing after that. She was an amazing mentor and teacher. She went on to design the makeup for Game of Thrones. I was so fortunate to work with her.
What was your scariest and proudest moment in your career?
Directing fashion week was a scary moment. It is a big responsibility and your work can make or break a show. We had to be super organized as there were fifteen shows in one week. I was proud of our execution but even more proud of the culture we created within our department. It was a super supportive love festival!
What is next for your career goals?
My goal is always to be open to anything that comes along and learn from it. You never stop learning.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in your business?
My advice would be to slow down, assist and watch what those you admire do. Having lots of followers on tick tock doesn’t mean you have industry experience. If you can’t get a work offer, assist free of charge and think of what you can do to help the artist rather than what you can get from them. If your intentions are genuine and you watch quietly you will do well in this industry.
Instagram: @kylie_otoole_make_up
https://www.instagram.com/kylie_otoole_make_up/
Website: Agency: Hart & Co.
BIO:
Kylie O’Toole’s work has always had a sense of drama about it. She began as a hair and makeup artist in Sydney and London, breaking into the film industry early in her career on the sets of Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge, a Chanel Number 5 ad starring Nicole Kidman and on Spike Lee’s Where the Wild Things Are. Now based in Melbourne, and having built up an enviable portfolio of fashion and beauty clients, she works predominantly on advertising campaigns and editorials, and continues to travel overseas regularly. Kylie has designed key looks for Trenery, Bonds, Maticevski, Cotton On, ELEVEN Australia, and Country Road. She has also worked with celebrities such as Celine Dion, Gemma Ward, Isabella Rossellini and Helena Bonham Carter, creating flawless, luminous skin with dramatic accents.
