The Changing Face of The Lost Business

While we are restricting our movements and only going out when we absolutely need to, we decided to look at the future and what will become of business as time goes on. It is fairly positive and we can see already changes to the market that will be making massive waves to how we view the media world.

There will key aspects of the current climate we will be maintaining such as having smaller shoots and focusing on story rather than just an image which we have talked about before but never seemed to find the time, from a photographic stance it really is interesting working out how we can do this and still have a cohesive narrative.

On a film and TV side, our favorite writers are working from home happily and have taken it under advisement that we want thrillers and horror that can and should be creatable on a smaller budget to fit with the requirements of the current market, will offer us quick turn around for shoots and of course minimal cast and crew requirements which will be a challenge in and of itself that we as a team we look forward to. The Lost Concept is something we are immensely proud of and can see the potential to take our initial idea of moving The Lost Boys and The Lost Girls as a story for stills and to turn this into a storied TV series with a dark edge built around individual stories and characters.

In the interim, we are working on designs, talking to our remote teams as best we can, naturally, we are very worried about our Indian and Nepal contacts and wish them the best at this time of full lockdown in their countries. However, everyone is in good spirits and has been positive so far.

The future is something we cannot solidly control or predict but we do know that we will continue our work for as long as we can. We will finish this by asking that our readers stay safe and well, keep positive and we will all be back to work soon and entertaining the world.

Delilah Cosmetics a Professional Overview

We will be keeping this particular blog shorter than normal but we do want to talk about the Delilah range from a professional stance. Looking at the brand’s heritage and of course the overall professional aspect of the line as a pro makeup artist with ties to the bridal/salon industry in our past and potentially our future. Founded and defining themselves as a much needed British brand in the beauty market it is really easy to see the direction that the brand is taking, the founders all have the kind of credentials that would with just a cursory glance let you see that they are serious about the business and passionate about the cosmetics (quote from The Lost Stories):

“With the passion of a makeup artist (Rupert Kingston), the savvy of a beauty buyer (Hannah Nicholson) and the artistic eye of a photographer (Juliet White), the Delilah brand has some the best and brightest across the industry coming together to create a line that optimizes British Beauty and it is easily seen when you look to the details and consistency of the imaging that is both classic and simple showcasing the beauty and the products without drama.”

In the world of spa’s, salons and bridal artists, retail can be a major plus to your work and income and the Delilah team have taken that into account and offer a retail option (click here for details). A sensible approach to the retail side and allowing artists and salons to offer a range that is designed by some of the top creators in the business, which is immediately visible in the imaging, creative direction and above all the beauty of the makeup itself.

The cosmetics themselves are of high quality and speak to luxury, which when you are working from a salon perspective is a major plus and allows you to incentivize your staff, create a new customer base and if you are a bridal salon give your customers a cohesive experience and heritage brand from the UK that is designed and built to suit a more sedate beauty for the busy woman. *An interesting subpoint is they do have a youtube channel that offers up tricks and techniques based around the line.

A definite range on our watch list for potential future business endeavors, Delilah Cosmetics is a UK brand worthy of note from both a pro and a consumer stance. To learn more about the company and their range see:

Delilah Cosmetics Website.

Delilah Cosmetics Instagram.

Delilah Cosmetics Facebook.

Delilah Cosmetics Twitter.

Delilah Cosmetics Youtube.

*Images courtesy of Delilah Cosmetics website and Facebook.

JamesC Makeup artist and Creative Director

It has been just over a year since JamesC took down his website and took a break from the world of media and fashion, focusing his energies on the blogs and building up The Lost Concept (for which the team is extremely grateful) but we all decided that it was long overdue that he came back. With new commercial projects and plans in motion, we needed our creative director standing tall and being showcased.

We have been planning this for several months and carefully selected from his previous work for the new site, showcasing only the pieces we felt were the best illustration of his work creatively and offering a starting point to what will be a resurgence in the commercial aspect of his and our business.

The team is really excited about the prospects of this and with our Lost Photo and Video project being planned strategically (for further details or collaborations please email the team) with a series of editorial shoots, cover images and of course short films to start the ball rolling, it is gratifying to see his work back online and moving toward a goal again.

JamesC has been instrumental in all aspects of the Lost Project and Lost Creatives, making the calls and arranging the meetings so it’s truly a pleasure for us to be able to showcase the work.

Naturally, we will be taking steps toward an increased marketing strategy that will fit all aspects of the work of the Lost Concept and the Lost Team with JamesC leading the charge toward new and exciting areas.

To learn more about JamesC and his work see:

JamesC Website.

JamesC Instagram.

JamesC Facebook.

JamesC Linkedin.

Grand Finale Powders by Lord and Berry

Fresh from fashion week the team at Lord and Berry have been testing the Gran Finale loose powders are designed to be a multipurpose powder that will complete your look and offer a professional finish with minimal fuss.

A savvy powder, Gran Finale comes in three shades and makes a great minimalist addition to a working kit for people who want to keep the weight of a working kit down and for shows where there will be multiple skin tones and a restricted amount of space to lay out your makeup kit.

• TRANSLUCENT: it is a white-toned powder meant for just about every skin tone because it turns invisible when applied to the skin.

• BANANA: it is a yellow-toned powder which works its magic to offset any redness, illuminate the skin, neutralizes dark under-eye circles and set makeup – and the best part is that it works on any skin tone.

• JUST PEACH: it is a peach-toned powder designed to give brightness to a dull complexion, to neutralize blue tones and set makeup. It works on any skin tone.

A skin blurring powder which minimizes pores is a soft-focus finish and is universally suitable to work across mediums: film/TV, print, live event and special occasion thanks to the professionally driven team who test the products and produce makeup that suits not just the consumer but the professional needs of artists. *A pro discount is available click here for details.

To learn more about Lord and Berry and their range see:

Lord and Berry UK Website.

Lord and Berry UK Instagram.

Lord and Berry UK Twitter.

Lord and Berry UK Facebook.

Product Placement and Behind The Scenes

While we have been slow in going public with much of what we are doing, we are always working. Not just on the blog aspect but other elements and it has really started paying off for us in terms of a photo project and 2 short films with other aspects still in negotiation or set to be discussed soon.

In terms of the photo project, it has been split into different elements and lengthy calls and meetings have been held over the actual content in terms of how it will be shot, managed and promoted across the varying networks we have open to us and this took us down the path of product placement (which we are working through already and have a provisional interest for the editorial side from a designer in London).

Our creative director JamesC, has found a series of deals and offers with his preferred format of online magazines that will give us tear sheets and covers that will be promoted across the board, with a view to utilizing our resources in the designer realm and with our other contacts across South Asia at a later date, allow us to shoot editorials and submit with a higher percentage chance of publication with some careful structuring and planning at the creative director level.

Brushwork cosmetics code JamesC 10% discount

Something we are going to push is the “behind the scenes” element, capturing the team at work, focusing on the creative aspect because our talks are taking us down the line of makeup with options and avenues that we are keen to pursue heavily.

In the coming months, we will open this to allow for smaller packages and individual project support giving placement in the behind the scenes, in the projects themselves (for film and TV) and looking closely at building our own magazine.

The Lost Concept has been building slowly and we are really proud of what we have achieved and will be showcasing this in more detail soon with a series of new sites and public projects.

*featured image example of product placement is for Brushwork Cosmetics (promo code JamesC 10% off).

MonsterFX Supplies

Founded in 2014, MonsterFX has become a staple of artists kits worldwide.  From its humble roots in a spare room to a respected and loved brand of character appliance suited to the film, TV and print market.  

Created inhouse and developed by UK artists, the brand has gone from being an intellectual exercise and Halloween sideline to a cottage industry with global reach that has seen the product range increase to the now 40+ prosthetics including classics such as “the mummy” to the more contemporary “zombie” with the most commonly required casualty sim pieces.  

A horror artist dream when working to a tight budget the team is happy to talk terms and will even create custom pieces and orders when required.  The inhouse sculptors all bring something unique to the table and have built a stellar reputation both for their work with MonsterFX and within the industry. 

From a professional artist whose work goes across various budgets and constraints, the scope and potential of the MonsterFX range is epic and offers a creative playground that will not only add dimension to film and TV projects but save cost without compromising on quality.  

With the constant changes and innovations in the market, the company is excelling in the character field and giving artists of all stripes access to the best possible products and materials making the work of a makeup artist a little simpler and creating happy productions with the depth of horror required to offer thrills, chills and on Halloween a dimension of fear that will be unrivaled at parties.

To learn more about the Monster FX range or to purchase see:

MonsterFX Website.

MonsterFX Facebook.

MonsterFX Instagram.

MonsterFX Youtube.

MonsterFX Twitter.

Professional Supplies With The Makeup Armoury

Founded in 2016 The Makeup Armoury has become a go-to for industry suppliers. From beauty to FX they are a community-style shop designed to support the professional working artists of the industry. Started by a veteran of the industry Jan Sewell, this has become a go-to supply station and all-round makeup hub.

With a wide range of products from across the beauty and FX spectrum, The Makeup Armoury is setting a new benchmark in professionalism with their dedicated team of working artists making the biggest difference to how the shop works, the team are able to answer questions and offer support which can easily be seen from the blog and the general tenor of the reviews and people being interviewed.

A savvy array of products such as the world-renowned Makeup forever and artist dream Viseart palettes, it is the set bags that have become their biggest sellers. As any artist will tell you, carting your kit onset is just not practical. A good set bag, which the working artists behind the brand have found, can make your job so much easier.

Standing out (for our creative director in particular) is the Marlene, with a detachable tissue pocket and dividers internally it is the perfect accompaniment to working on set for film, TV, editorial and more.

 “The makeup industry with all its effervescence and ingenuity can be relentless and ruthless – this is where we come in. We are your comrades. We are your tools. We are your Armoury.”

To learn more or to purchase from the Makeup Armoury store see:

The Makeup Armoury Website.

The Makeup Armoury Instagram.

The Makeup Armoury Twitter.

The Makeup Armoury Facebook.

Lola Makeup The New TV Makeup Staple

An industry insider and consumer adored brand, Lola makeup has been savvy in its approach to the cosmetics market and what it means to be a pro makeup line with a wider audience appeal and from a purely business perspective sits high on the list of film, TV, and fashion forward-thinking brands for the European artists working kit.

Starting with their incredibly smart and strategic work with the UK’s own Next Top Model (season 12), one of two sponsors for the show, to the current support of the Voice in Spain, they have proven themselves to be a cosmetics line that is suited to the rigors of fashion and TV with an eye for detail they are standing tall in the market.

“Lola makeup is fast becoming the new TV makeup brand of choice with more and more professionals seeking them out for their cohesive and camera ready cosmetics.”

With plans to make the entire range vegan by the end of 2020, the team is working with a leading cosmetics developer on the creation of additional shades to the foundation amongst other elements in play it is really exciting from a creative stance to see the brand develop even further.

They are taking steps toward new and exciting areas and with their fashion/TV-oriented (but still a consumer-friendly) for example, the cream shadow pencils available in 4 colors can be played to suit your needs and is a classic example of what makes them a brand that is taking a pro stance for TV, fashion and more giving us the kind of products that have longevity and hitting the markers not just for the consumer but for the working artist who needs cosmetics that perform.

Working forward Lola is and continues to be a range that is pro driven, HD ready, vegan-friendly and suited to all aspects of the professional makeup artists’ needs.

To learn more about the brand see:

Lola Makeup website.

Lola Makeup Instagram.

Lola Makeup Twitter.

Lola Makeup Facebook.

Marketing using Magazines and Behind the Scenes

With the creative development work being done and a much more solid sense of the future of the Lost Concept, we are shooting content and work that is specifically tailored to marketing and will be slow-released as we set out our editorials and other magazine elements in the coming months.

Our goals have become really clear and we are determined to push forward with an agenda of creative commerciality that was our goal from the start of our journey.

All the strategies we are using require a certain amount of investment both financially and in terms of time but will ultimately bring into place what we want and can be used by a wide range of people to accommodate their own business model from makeup staff to the filmmakers themselves.

For us, we are focused on film and TV with a minor but none the less important aspect in fashion and print for the marketing value. *There are sites that are dedicated to magazines that offer different packages that with careful checks and a little effort will make good marketing tools for business.

The logic we are using to work this is we are a business, we want to create content that sells and promote ourselves in the best light with key members of the senior team organizing and looking at the different aspects structuring the photoshoots around the magazines to maximize the potential of the work across the board; this does mean we have had to calculate a budget to cover the costs and will be talking to a Google rep this week about SEO.

Our preference overall is for digital magazines and online content sites as the overall potential reach is higher when you combine the magazines reach and our own social networks (this can be a smart method of driving home your brand and giving validity to your skills).

From cover images to interviews, the options are endless and we are going to be adding behind the scenes stills and video to our arsenal with our script work in motion and a solid sense of the future of our company it is going to be a fun few months as we finish our additional sites and creative director JamesC reopening his portfolio site with fresh content, after 20 years in the job and his various travels the time feels right to relaunch his site, he will still be a heavy influence on our blogs but will also be influencing the direction of the business more strongly in terms of the look which we are all very excited about.

George Westmore Establishing an Industry the Legacy of Makeup Artistry

George Westmore an on Set Moment

In the early days of cinema, it was common for actors to do their own makeup and wigs, a craft that found its roots in theatre and vaudeville and carried over to the beginnings of the film industry and changed dramatically thanks to the savvy and artistic vision of George Westmore.

George Westmore, whose vision brought him from the Isle of Wight in the UK where he had established himself as a hairdresser and wigmaker, going onto become a leading light in the film industry working his way from Canada to the USA as a wigmaker with his family and taking risks along the way that led to a career and legacy that is still talked about today. 

With an inauspicious entry into cinema: offering his services for hair and makeup to the Selig Polyscope Company at a starting rate of $25 per week to later and by chance, it was Perc Westmore (son) offering support to Adolphe Menjou who had accidentally shaved off part of his mustache, which so impressed the legendary Douglas Fairbanks (senior) that the Westmore’s were hired to create all the wigs and take care of the hairdressing needs thanks to the professionalism of Perc Westmore and his father George Westmore (father of the clan and founder of the makeup artist industry we all know). 

With a client list that reads like the who's who of cinema throughout the years, from the Talmage family, Theda Barr, Douglas Fairbanks to name but a few, it is no surprise that the ethics and work started in early cinema with the Westmore clan have carried on throughout the cinema age into TV and beyond keeping alive a family legacy of excellence and defining a now multi-million-dollar industry.

To learn more about the Westmore family and its legacy see:

The Westmore’s of Hollywood Website

*With Special thanks to the Westmore family for supporting this blog series.