Lizzie Keate: make-up artist
Can you tell us about what you do now?
I am a junior hair and makeup artist now, working in film and TV.
What do you enjoy about it?
I love the creativity and being surrounded by such artistic people. I don’t think I could ever cope in an office job after working in this industry. Every day is different, I can go from 1970s to a snowy New York Street within an afternoon.
How did you get there?
I went to a Makeup school called The Iver Academy at Pinewood Studios which specialised in makeup for film and TV.
What was your next step after Heathfield?
After Heathfield I took a year to work out what path I wanted to take, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do leaving school so I was reluctant to go to university if I didn’t have any idea where I would be going with it. I stayed at home and worked for a small business that made bespoke furniture for a London store, I was given briefs of designs which I would paint onto the furniture. I was always very creative and knew I wanted to find a career that would allow me to embrace that, I just needed the space to work out what that would be.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t worry so much; trust that you’ll find where you’re supposed to be.
What is something that one of your teachers did that you remember to this day?
Ms Lattimer was one of my first teachers when I came to Heathfield in Year 9 and I remember her being wonderfully kind, but also her amazing 40s/50s style outfits. Long before I knew I wanted to be a hair and makeup artist, I remember being totally in awe of her look and individuality.
What are your strongest memories of school?
My strongest memories would have to be meeting my friends, one of which I’m very fortunate to live with now.
What was your favourite subject?
My favourite subject was English Literature.
If you could go back, what is something that you would do differently?
I don’t think I would do anything differently - everything I’ve done has led me to where I am now, so I’m very grateful for that.
What is your proudest moment from any point in your life?
My proudest moment would have to be taking my mum to see a cast and crew screening of Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, this was my first credited job as a trainee makeup artist and so the first time I saw my name in the credits of a film I’d worked on.
Have you got any regrets about your journey so far?
In all honesty, no. Some decisions, like choosing not to go to university, were hard, but ultimately I made the right choices for myself.
What advice would you give to students about their next steps and ambitions?
Don’t panic if you feel as though you aren’t following the same path as those around you, do what feels right for you and as long as you do that you’ll find where you’re meant to be.
I am a junior hair and makeup artist now, working in film and TV.
What do you enjoy about it?
I love the creativity and being surrounded by such artistic people. I don’t think I could ever cope in an office job after working in this industry. Every day is different, I can go from 1970s to a snowy New York Street within an afternoon.
How did you get there?
I went to a Makeup school called The Iver Academy at Pinewood Studios which specialised in makeup for film and TV.
What was your next step after Heathfield?
After Heathfield I took a year to work out what path I wanted to take, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do leaving school so I was reluctant to go to university if I didn’t have any idea where I would be going with it. I stayed at home and worked for a small business that made bespoke furniture for a London store, I was given briefs of designs which I would paint onto the furniture. I was always very creative and knew I wanted to find a career that would allow me to embrace that, I just needed the space to work out what that would be.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t worry so much; trust that you’ll find where you’re supposed to be.
What is something that one of your teachers did that you remember to this day?
Ms Lattimer was one of my first teachers when I came to Heathfield in Year 9 and I remember her being wonderfully kind, but also her amazing 40s/50s style outfits. Long before I knew I wanted to be a hair and makeup artist, I remember being totally in awe of her look and individuality.
What are your strongest memories of school?
My strongest memories would have to be meeting my friends, one of which I’m very fortunate to live with now.
What was your favourite subject?
My favourite subject was English Literature.
If you could go back, what is something that you would do differently?
I don’t think I would do anything differently - everything I’ve done has led me to where I am now, so I’m very grateful for that.
What is your proudest moment from any point in your life?
My proudest moment would have to be taking my mum to see a cast and crew screening of Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, this was my first credited job as a trainee makeup artist and so the first time I saw my name in the credits of a film I’d worked on.
Have you got any regrets about your journey so far?
In all honesty, no. Some decisions, like choosing not to go to university, were hard, but ultimately I made the right choices for myself.
What advice would you give to students about their next steps and ambitions?
Don’t panic if you feel as though you aren’t following the same path as those around you, do what feels right for you and as long as you do that you’ll find where you’re meant to be.
