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Name: Nagisa Shiba

Occupation: Make-up artist

Country and Place of Birth: Ehime, Japan

Date of Birth: 4, 2, 1983

 

After spending a year and a half in the inner streets of London, developing make-up artist Nagisa Shiba, has now returned to her homeland, Japan. Born in Ehime, West Japan, Nagisa currently resides in Tokyo, which in comparison is the total opposite to Ehime's peaceful countryside location by the sea. Tokyo is a wonderful and buzzing city, and an excellent place to make a creative living.

The twenty-three year old whose hobbies include social drinking, yoga, relaxing with friends, watching movies, and shopping is as pretty as she is talented. Meeting up with her during my visit in Tokyo, I interviewed her on her experience and work in London.

 

 

UK-JAPAN: What are your thoughts on Tokyo and London?

Nagisa Shiba: Tokyo is very similar to London; Tokyo is highly influenced by America, and is the most influenced city in Japan (opens eyes wide and smiles). There are many creative people in Tokyo. It is a very good place to work, and is the futuristic heart of Japan for many reasons. Shibuya and the Omotesando area are the main places for young people to hang out. I like London as it is a multicultural city, not as busy as Tokyo, more relaxed, and is good for working.

UK-JAPAN: What/who influenced you to become a make-up artist?

Nagisa Shiba: I began to do make-up like most girls do at an early age, and then around my teenage years I really began to have a passion for doing make-up and hairstyling for myself and my friends. I always felt happy knowing I made friends feel happy and more attractive. I used to street dance and go to clubs with my friends, and so I was always hair styling and doing make-up.

I then began to consider this hobby as my future career route (pulls a strand of hair). To begin with I wanted to be hairstylist and a make-up artist (moves hand, looks at me directly), but since working as an assistant for a make-up artist, my direction became clear (hand on cheek - talks with confidence). I became excited and decided around the age of seventeen to become a make-up artist. I then enrolled for a 3-day summer make-up course in Tokyo. (This was a very important deciding factor in Nagisa's career route and was boldly taken in her last year of secondary school).

UK-JAPAN: Describe briefly, what the role of the make-up artist is, and whom a make-up artist works with.

Nagisa Shiba: A make-up artist creates a new look in response to the request of a client. The stylists, photographer, and hairdresser develop the original idea and concept, and the make up artist applies the finishing and perhaps the most important touches. One has to find suitable make-up to blend with the concept. How much input a make-up artist has depends on the photographer and stylist. Sometimes I might not want to use natural make-up but the photographer may want it that way. The client and art director is very important in the input of any job.

UK-JAPAN: What type of training, and where did you train to become a make-up artist?

Nagisa Shiba: I attended a hair and make-up school in Tokyo from the age of eighteen. I studied about skin care, foundation, the correct order to do a make-up piece, and eye make-up. (Looks up when thinking, closes one eye when looking towards me) The students often held competing hair and make-up shows. A typical day would consist of a lot of work, for example, to do eyebrows, different types of face complexion. Setagayaku Vantan School near Shibuya has many courses for creative work and is very popular.

UK-JAPAN: What was your first job in Japan?

Nagisa Shiba: At the age of twenty-one I did hair and make-up for Yu Aoi (Actress; All about Lily Chou Chou, and Hana & Alice) and Rie Tomosaka for Qruank magazine who were promoting for a film. It was a great experience!

UK-JAPAN: What are your key moments working as a make-up artist when in Tokyo?

Nagisa Shiba: I have done many fashion shoots with good models and photographers, as well as fashion stylists and hair stylists. After make-up school I began building my portfolio from eighteen years old and I started working as an assistant from the age of nineteen. It is very important to be talented and unique with regards to be being a make-up artist. It is important to have good communication skills and do my best for all jobs. I try to create a good atmosphere and to be precise.

UK-JAPAN: Why did you choose to go to London?

Nagisa Shiba: I like London's individual fashion. London's fashion is very original and not conservative. I had never been to a foreign country and it was my first choice to come to see London's fashion and life. I like the ID magazine. Young people in London have great creation (she says with a smile).

UK-JAPAN: What was your first job in London?

Nagisa Shiba: As an assistant make-up artist for ID magazine, September 2005 issue. I did make up for 6 models.

UK-JAPAN: What were your key moments working as a make-up artist in London?

Nagisa Shiba: I did some fashion shoots with photographers, and helped a Japanese designer create a portfolio. It is always great to work with other artists.

UK-JAPAN: How did you develop as a person and artist when living in London?

Nagisa Shiba: I learnt not to be shy, and always have a positive attitude while at the same time trying to learn and expressive myself clearly in English. I pushed my work, and myself and promoted my portfolio to many artists.

UK-JAPAN: Describe your style of work, and why you like it.

Nagisa Shiba: It really depends on the shoot (image request). After seeing the model's features I decide the most suitable make-up application. Style is very flexible depending on shoot.

UK-JAPAN: What/who influences your work now?

Nagisa Shiba: Make-up artists who have done a lot of fresh and creative work. My friends and those close to me are always supporting my work and this motivates me. I like being creative, so I can sometimes influence myself. My inspiration comes from various mediums such as; graphic art, art, designer clothes, architecture, cinema.

UK-JAPAN: What skills do you feel you need to improve on and why? And how will you try to improve them?

Nagisa Shiba: I have to try to meet more artists, try to improve my skills by doing a lot of session work. I want to be able to see a different way for each shoot. Sometimes I can be too shy. I want to widen my experience within the make-up industry, do more training and have a fresh idea every time.

UK-JAPAN: What are your future aims within the make-up industry?

Nagisa Shiba: I would like to do advertisement work for designer brands, do collection work, and work with high quality fashion magazines.

UK-JAPAN: If you could work for a particular artist or company, who would it be and why?

Nagisa Shiba: I would like to work with Steven Mizel (photographer for Italian Vogue). His photography is amazing, very sharp and brilliant (In awe).

UK-JAPAN: What is your philosophy in life? 

Nagisa Shiba: Always try to do everything and anything, challenge myself and never give up and to think positively always.

UK-JAPAN: Do you have tips for aspiring artists?

Nagisa Shiba: (Thinks for a short while, smiling) Try to view and take from various mediums of creativity, and don't limit yourself to one style. Train a lot and have good communication with many people. Have precise knowledge for your industry, products, artists and so on. Try to use any product, which is good. There is no set rule within the make-up industry. Just have your own original style.

UK-JAPAN: Thank you very much for your time!

Nagisa Shiba: Thank you too!