“There Has To Be Magic In Life”: Her.ie Talks To World-Renowned Makeup Artist Kay Montano

She has worked with some of the world's most influential photographers such as Bruce Weber, Mario Testino and Helmut Newton. She has been involved in shoots for Ralph Lauren, Versace and Dolce and Gabbana for magazines like Harpers Bazaar and Vogue and models such as Kate Moss.

Just one more thing, this lady had her first magazine cover at just 16 years of age. 

The makeup artist in question is London-born Kay Montano, a name anyone who has even had just a brief interest in fashion and image will know.

Kay's interest in vintage style and beauty is the basis of her work inspiration, so it makes sense that we meet in a plush suite of the Shelbourne Hotel, a hotel that has welcomed timeless beauties such as Princess Grace and Julia Roberts among its guests.

"All fashion people regurgitate the classic vintage look, that's where our inspiration comes from," Kay said, as she represents M&S Your Beauty makeup range.

"The idea that people had that much style and were that brilliant before gimmicks and technology is just amazing. That's the real deal and that's where today's beauty inspiration comes from."

 

Kay can't remember a time she wasn't obsessed with image. She bought her first Vogue at the age of 14 and had the photographers, models and makeup artists memorised by the final page.

"If there's no magic in life I don't really see the point," Kay smiles.

"There has to be magic in life and that's liking something when you're younger and living it when you're older. It was magic to be working with all those people less than a decade after I bought my first Vogue.

"But you do need to adapt. I've grown up with the industry. When I was 16 I was doing the whole green lips with Mario Testino, I've been in it so long now, it's been so long since I started."

In recent years Kay has begun to move away from the editorial side of being a makeup artist and towards that of red carpet glam, working with the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Gywneth Paltrow and Nicole Kidman (and that's just to name a few).

"It's very different, but a bit more interesting. Working with celebrities is hard and you're rushing around but I love listening to their very interesting conversations with directors, it's all very creative.

"Celebrities have a big input in their red carpet looks. It's not up to me, it has to be about them. The funny thing about being a makeup artist is that you have to make yourself submissive, but at the same time have a manner about you like mummy knows best.

"If you're too submissive, they're not going to think you're confident in your choices."

Kay is visiting Dublin as the M&S Your Beauty Makeup Ambassador, a high-quality makeup range without the jaw-dropping price tag.

"People ask me what's the best cheap foundation you can get and, I mean, I can't think of one," Kay whispers.

"But this range is high-quality without the price point," she says, "Take the bronzer, it's not orange and it has light-reflecting properties in it and no glitter. It makes it special.

"My favourite product is the mascara, I absolutely love it. The bent wand is quite clever, it means you can put on your mascara without turning the brush to get the sides and then wiping your lids with a cotton bud afterwards."

All M&S Your Beauty products are available at Marks and Spencer stores and online at www.marksandspencer.ie/beauty. 

Our picks from the M&S Your Beauty Collection:

Diego Dalla Palma Sunrise Bronzer, €32

A high-quality bronzer with light-reflecting properties, perfect for a gradual build-up of colour. 

Autograph Eye Shadow Brush, €8

A necessity for every makeup bag... and at this price it's a bargain. 

Autograph Eye Shadow, available in 18 shades, €8

Bulk up your eyeshadow collection with this easy-to-apply, crease-resistant shadow.