The Importance of Hair and Makeup Artists on Corporate Production and Commercial Shoots

Often times for corporate and commercial shoots, having professional hair and makeup is overlooked. We are the last to get booked for a shoot and the first to get cut depending on the client's budget. However, let's talk about why having a hair and makeup artist on your projects is essential and should not be overlooked.

Camera Ready/High-Definition Results

Not only do we make sure the talent is camera ready by enhancing their natural features, but as professional makeup artists, we know how to account for how the makeup will translate on camera and film. How somebody does their makeup day to day vs how makeup is done for film is completely different. The products used and the techniques used to apply are completely different. Experienced, professional hair and makeup artists understand the following:

• How makeup reads under 4K/8K cameras

• How different lighting setups affect skin tone and texture

• How to prevent shine, flashback, or uneven tones

We ensure talent looks polished and natural on screen, without being overdone or washed out.

Continuity From Take to Take

Not only do we make sure the talent is camera ready, but I like to think of hair and makeup artists as continuity directors! We ensure that everything is consistent from take to take. We are an extra set of eyes focused solely on the talent to make sure that hair placement is consistent, lip color is fresh, wardrobe looks polished, and the talent is not shiny. Our job is to make sure that the talent looks their best and everything is in place so that it prevents noticeable differences between shots which could create more work in the editing process or even cost more money because of needing to reshoot.

Personal Note: I recently worked on a feature film where two of the extras had to turn their black shirts inside out due to brand logos. Right before they called "Action!" I noticed on the monitor that their tags were visibly showing. So, I grabbed some black gaffers tape and asked to fly in so I could cover their tags and make sure they were no longer visible in the shot!

Time Efficiency on Set

Commercial shoots run on tight (and often changing) shot schedules. Experienced, professional artists know how to work quickly and adjust to changes, without sacrificing quality or getting flustered. We know how to step in and manage touch ups in between takes and anticipate issues such as humidity, sweat, and fly aways. All of this helps reduce delays and helps keep the production running smoothly and on schedule (ultimately saving money).

On Set Problem Solvers

Sometimes on set unexpected challenges arise such as wind, red/watery eyes due to allergies, scenes where you need to produce sweat or bruising, etc. A professional hair and makeup artist on set can adjust hair and makeup for weather conditions, can fix hair quickly after movement, and can modify looks depending on the camera angle. Our ability to adapt to the situation quickly keeps production moving smoothly.

Boost Talent's Confidence on Set

Providing hair and makeup for the talent allows them to look and feel like the best version of themselves. When talent don't have to worry about how to do their own hair and makeup, it's one less thing for them to have to think about. They can come to set feeling confident and focused on their role for the project. Knowing that there is someone designated to making sure they look and feel their best on camera helps boost their confidence so that they show up as the best version of themselves on camera. When talent looks and feels confident, it shows through their performance on camera, ultimately resulting in a better final product.

Personal Note: I recently worked with an actress who told me that she did a commercial shoot where everyone was told to come camera ready. The shoot did not have professional hair and makeup on set, and she said it really affected her confidence. There was nobody there to do last looks and make sure she looked her best when the cameras were rolling. She said that when she saw the finished product she was disappointed because her hair looked frizzy and had a lot of fly aways due to the wind that day. Had there been a professional HMU (hair and makeup artist) on set, they could have fixed the problem when it came up.

Hygiene and Safety Standards

It’s common to see a producer, photographer, or DP carrying around a single compact powder and sponge for quick touch-ups. While it may seem efficient, using the same product and applicator on multiple people is not sanitary and can seriously impact both health standards and talent experience. High profile talent and their reps notice these things immediately!

As professional makeup artists, we have designated products and brushes for every single person, that way things stay clean and hygienic. Not only that, but we know how to factor in client sensitivities and allergies to products. Having a professional protects client and production liability.

Elevated Production Value

Ultimately, professional hair and makeup elevate the entire production shoot/commercial. Viewers may not consciously notice flawless styling, but they definitely notice when it’s NOT done well.

High production value reflects directly on the brand’s credibility.

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So, whether you're doing headshots, a corporate shoot, or filming a commercial, please don't forget the crucial role that hair and makeup play in the overall production quality. Having professional hair and makeup on a shoot should not be something that is skipped because of client budget. From enhancing talent's appearance to maintaining continuity across takes and boosting confidence, an experienced/skilled HMU is a valuable asset to have on set. I would emphasize that we are such an important part of the production and storytelling process, which ultimately affects the finished product.

If you're looking to have an experienced hair and makeup artist for your next project, I'd love to get creative with you!

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