The job of a make-up artist is 50 per cent knowledge, 25 per cent planning and 25 per cent application, Malta College of Make-up founder Miriam Ciantar tells Martina Portelli.
Miriam Ciantar has always known herself to be putting eyeliner on dolls and jokes that her interest in make-up might have stemmed from there.
I wish there was more interaction and sharing of ideas among make-up artists in Malta
Ciantar, the founder of the recently inaugurated Malta College of Make-Up in Valletta, pinpoints her initial interest in make-up to the time when she started applying make-up on her mother, grandmother and cousins, aged eight.
This interest continued throughout her teenage years, when she worked as a make-up artist for models and news productions in the UK where her family was then based.
It is surprising to learn that she initially wanted to become an anthropologist.
“I always found anthropology very interesting; I was even considering going to Cambridge to study it,” she says, with a hint of regret.
“Unfortunately we had to move back to Malta, and it wasn’t an option here.”
Once back in Malta, Ciantar explains it was initially quite difficult to be a make-up artist, as it had not really caught on. However, an offer to apply a friend’s make-up for her wedding was enough to spread the word about Ciantar’s abilities.
“One friend came, and then another friend, and then another – that’s the way it started here, and I’ve been involved ever since.”
Ciantar points out that thanks to word of mouth, her career in make-up – both as an artist and a teacher – has spanned over 30 years and brought with it numerous experiences and opportunities, including the chance to work as a make-up artist with the BBC.
Curious about Ciantar’s move into teaching the art, I inquire about her decision to branch out.
“Quite by accident,” she replies, going on to explain that it was quite similar to the way she made a name for herself as a make-up artist in Malta.
“My friend asked me to teach her how to apply make-up, and I was more than willing to oblige,” she says, adding that her own knowledge of make-up artistryis derived from a mixture of professional qualifications and experience.
After having taught at other make-up schools in Malta, Ciantar took the initiative to open up her own school, setting up the Malta College of Make-Up in 2011.
The college offers both short and tailor-made courses, which cover a vast array of areas.
“We offer instruction in various areas of make-up artistry, media, periodicals, stage make-up, make-up for dancers, glamour, ageing, prosthetics and a number of others,” she notes, commenting that she wanted to translate the variety within the world of make-up artistry into the courses at the Malta College of Make-Up.
Ciantar’s teaching methods also reflect this variety, and rest on the combination of the technique of applying make-up with an understanding of the particular area being tackled, integrating her love for anthropology into her teaching.
“For instance,” she points out, “if we are doing 1930s make-up, I show my students clips from the time, the type of lighting used, even interior design – for them to get a real feel for the period.”
Ciantar stresses the pertinence of ‘understanding’ a make-up artist’s work, highlighting the importance of research and preparation for any job at hand.
“I always say that the job of a make-up artist is 50 per cent knowledge, 25 per cent planning and 25 per cent application – even if that means reading the script of the film or play you are working on. It’s this dedication to professionalism that I try to instil in my students.”
Although her love for make-up artistry never waned, Ciantar’s fondness for teaching stems from the fact that her work gives her the opportunity to challenge certain misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding make-up and make-up artists.
“Many people think make-up is just a bit of powder and that’s it – that’s a complete misconception. It’s far more than that.”
Through teaching, Ciantar hopes to generate awareness about the role of the make-up artist, and the importanceof make-up within variousindustries.
“If we take film as an example, people seldom comment if they see make-up applied properly, but if it’s atrocious then it’s noticed straight away,” she discloses, noting that poorly applied make-up reflects badly on the whole production, and not only on the make-up artist.
“That’s why any job for a make-up artist should be seen as a collective effort – if you’re working within a team, then you should try to work in sync with that team.”
Pleased with the feedback she has received from her students, Ciantar explains she is extremely happy with the progress the Malta College of Make-Up has made in the few months since it opened.
“I really enjoy the interaction with my students and the sharing of ideas. I wish there was more of it among make-up artists in Malta.”
Ciantar imparts some words of wisdom tinged with her own anthropological twist:
“Image has always been important for expression – and we need to understand that and develop it to raise the standard of make-up artistry. After all, if you’re learning, you’re not losing out on anything. It’s that creativity that creates opportunity.”
For more information about the Malta College of Make-Up visit: http://www.maltacollegeofmakeup.com/