Supplier Spotlight Interview with Melanie D’Souza – India’s Top Celebrity Makeup Artist

Melanie D'Souza top Mumbai Wedding Makeup Artist

Today, we spoke with top celebrity makeup artist, Melanie D’Souza who has over 10 years of experience in the Bollywood and Fashion industry

Melanie has been part of many Bollywood movies including Dil Dhadakne Do, Rock On 2 & Brahmastra to name a few. She has also been a make-up artist to celebrities like Kajol, Lisa Hayden, Yami Gautam, Shraddha Kapoor, etc.

Melanie’s USP lies in attention to details and the experience of getting to know a bride’s personal style and understand the kind of look best suited for her. The idea is to make every bride feel luxurious and beautiful on her big day so she does not have to worry about her makeup and hair through the ceremonies.

Find out all about Melanie’s journey in the makeup industry as well as her tips for brides getting married in the coming months.

Tell us a bit about your business. When did you start?

My journey and induction into the world of make-up started back in 2009. Soon after my graduation, I completed a Pro Make-up course under international facilitators. Now I am a Pro celebrity Artist and I’ve been blessed to have worked with domestic and international personalities across platforms like TV Commercials, Movies, Web series, Fashion Shows, and Bridal Make-up for over a decade now.

Having said that, speaking about My Business: It’s a High-end Pro Bridal Service. It is not just about makeup it is about an overall experience. That single most beautiful moment a girl dreams about all her life growing up. Bringing that fairy tale and glamour quotient and merging it with weddings. When a to-be bride signs up with me; it’s about taking care of them, grooming them, helping them and understanding their skin and their personality, and designing their look.

What are brides asking for in the post-covid era?

This entire pandemic has made everyone so cautious. It doesn’t change much for brides. When the bride/family decides to go through with the wedding, nothing changes for the bride. She still wants to look the best, she wants her makeup to last through all her functions, she still wants to be treated like the bride and not have any stress. So, when it comes to what they’re asking, they aren’t asking for much or anything different “what are your safety measures?”

At the end of the day, it’s about who you book as your artist and how much you trust them to know they have your safety in mind.

Do you offer trial makeup?

YES – I not only offer trial makeup, but I also emphasize it. Irrespective of whether they are busy or travelling or whatever may the reason be, it is important. For the simplest reason that if anything needs to be changed or needs to be figured out, it can be done in due time and not the day of the wedding. The best part about having a trial is you can experiment not only with one but with as many styles as you like and finalize what you like best so you know exactly what is happening and you are stress-free on the day of your wedding. It also gives you the opportunity to bond with your bride so she can trust you to deliver your best work on one of her most important day.

How have things changed for you in these times?

2020 has actually been quite a game-changer because it’s something that nobody had imagined could happen; for the whole world to come to a standstill. Like everyone was living through a fast-paced life and someone just hit the pause button. It has affected a lot of businesses because nobody wants to step out and take a chance or risk their health or that of their loved ones – which is the right thing to do right now as well. I think that is the major change this year.

What advice would you give brides that are planning to get married in 2020-21?

They should match their face mask with their bridal trousseau… ha-ha just kidding but on a serious note, the advice for brides planning to get married this year or in the coming year is that NOT let the pandemic dampen their spirits. It is still their day; they still deserve to look the best and feel the best on their wedding day. So, engage an artist they like but also someone who is high on safety standards.

What are the trends in bridal makeup/hairstyles are in right now?

Fashion, Styles, and Trends are indispensable. They don’t go away. What has been trending is the concept of natural beauty and people understand the meaning of natural beauty and they want to see themselves as more than just makeup and that is also the beauty of it. When you do Airbrush makeup or HD makeup, it’s about accentuating your natural beauty. That is what today’s trends are about. If you see Sabyasachi or Tarun Tahiliani, it’s basically only playing with natural beauty and highlights and contours. Makeup has never been something that you just go in and do. It is about seeing the face and understanding the structure and then creating a look. You have to understand where exactly a contour stops and how much depth you need to give a face and what parts of the face need highlighting. That, I think is something artists know and a professional will understand and is what is trending right now.

Book Melanie for your wedding makeup today! Click here!