SWEET! I just found out from my friends at MAC that they did the makeup for the upcoming Twilight film. Here’s an interview with Jeanne Van Phue, Makeup Department Head for Twilight, featuring some insight into the makeup direction of the movie.
Q: What was the process for creating the various characters’ looks?
A: Katherine Hardwicke, the director, and I have previously worked together on a movie called Lords of Dogtown, so we know each other very well. I began by preparing sketches of my vision, keeping in mind the descriptions Stephanie Myers (Twilight‘s Author) set forth in the books.Â
Bella’s (Kristen Stewart’s character) description in the novel is very pale and extremely beautiful with large chocolate brown eyes, so she wore colored lenses every day. I also pictured her as a natural beauty, which is exactly what Kristen is. I used a light hand while applying all neutral colors to make her look as though she had no makeup on.
Edward’s (Robert Pattinson’s character) description in the novel is impossibly handsome almost god-like. His skin is marble-pale, hard as stone and ice cold, but perfect and flawless. Edwards’ eyes are described as topaz colored when he is normal and black like onyx, when hungry.
Q: Were there any changes to the looks of the characters that weren’t planned?
A: At the beginning, Katherine Hardwicke visualized Edward with long hair, yet after studying his face and jaw line in the makeup test, the decision was made to go with short hair to accentuate his amazing jaw line.
Q: What was the overall look of the makeup in this movie?
A: All the vampires had to be pale, but I didn’t want them to look to ghoulish, somewhere between Sweeney Todd and Interview with the Vampire. The choice was made for a denser, more opaque look for the supporting vampires and a lighter look for the leading man.
The challenge was they still had to look beautiful and handsome. The key was striking the delicate shading balance. We had two weeks of makeup test. This is the time for a makeup artist to unleash their imagination.
During the testing Katherine let me know when I was on the mark. Katherine has a fabulous eye for detail and everything I did had to be approved by her.
Q: Were there any other challenges you encountered while working on location in Portland, Oregon?
A: The rain was a huge challenge. We were outside, and it rained the entire time we were there. Most of the shots were exterior; trying to fix makeup in the rain with wet faces and wet brushes was difficult. In the end, I must say I loved working on this movie, it challenge my creativity as never before. The cast was such a great group of talented young actors.
Q: What were your non-makeup related responsibilities in terms of creating this look?
A: Another one of my jobs was too find a contact lens specialist. So I called upon the expertise of Cristina Patterson Ceret FX lens/painter from Professional VisionCare.
Q: What M·A·C products did you use on the film Twilight?
A: The M.A.C products I used on this film were eye shadows and powder for our principles. We had several other characters and day players I used M.A.C. foundations, lipsticks and blushes.
Q: How long have you used M·A·C products?
A: In 30 years as a makeup artist in my career and over 50 movies, M·A·C products have played an integral part in my work. I have probably used all of them at one time or another. I choose the cosmetics based on their skin tone and whether they are oily or dry. It also depends on how the product reacts to their particular skin type.
M·A·C Makeup used on Bella played by Kristen Stewart
- Blot Powder/Pressed in Light
- Eye Shadow on Blanc Type, Flute and Wedge
M·A·C Makeup used on Edward played by Robert Pattinson
- Blot Powder/Pressed in Light
You know I’ll always be TEAM JACOB 4-EVA!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
*squeals* =P
Hi Sammie,
RIGHT!!!!
I can’t WAIT for this movie!
EEEEEEEEEK!
Yaaay 😀 I am team Jacob as well, lol 😀
i was wondering what products they used to get all the cullens so pale. i heart twilight *sigh* just over 2 weeks till the movie!!!!
although i am more of a team edward girl myself…
:p
Hi Nosh,
Hee! I gotta say that I do appreciate how well groomed Edward is, as well as his taste in fashion/cars!
But the werewolves are just so much cooler… and they have better hair. 🙂
awesome interview! But I need vampire lippie tips, so I wear them to the show.
yeah, I was all team jacob from book #2 on (especially book #3)….I was pretty mad about what happened in the first quarter to third of the final book–hopefully you’ll get what I’m saying. I don’t want to put spoilers out there.
Hi Shea,
LOL, okay, I totally get why some folks are TEAM EDWARD. He’s fashionable, gentlemanly and would be handy should you ever need to climb on somebody’s back to escape the forest in a hurry. 🙂 Plus he’s got that nice handwriting…
Thanks so much for posting this, Karen! Now I’m even MORE excited about the Twilight movie (if that’s possible)! I’m purchasing my movie ticket online today. 😉
Hi Amanda,
I totally know what you’re saying.
Did you have that “OH NO HE DIDN’T” moment during Breaking Dawn?
Hi Janelle,
NICE! Are you going to a midnight showing? I so want to go to one, but I have to be a matron of honor at my bff’s wedding the next day, AHHHHHH!
Yes, midnight showing! I am willing to be tired & groggy the next day at work. 😛
I even had a baseball jersey made which I’m going to wear to the premiere: http://lebellecose.blogspot.com/2008/09/unhealthy-obsession.html. It was supposed to be for Halloween too, but it didn’t work out because it was too big! I’m getting it altered so it will be perfect for the movie. HAHA. I’m a big dork.
Janelle´s last blog post..I’m Tired
Hi Janelle,
Cute! I just saw a TEAM JACOB t-shirt online that I thought about buying today…
Twilight dorks, unite!
Great interview! Can’t wait to watch the movie!
gio´s last blog post..Snake massage: would you try it?
Sweetie…TEAM EDWARD for the win!
Hahaha no dissing on Jacob though. He’s a sweetie.
I have to admit that as an early reader of the Twilight series (courtesy of my librarian mother I received a pre-release copy of Twilight 6 months before it published…and fell in love), I still have not read Breaking Dawn. However, someone has unintentionally spoiled it for me…sigh.
Whatevs, I shall reread when I have time and then work slowly through my luverly copy.
Going to see the midnight showing! Am so EXCITED. I’m a little apprehensive because the movie looks rather sketch, but I’m willing to make allowances. Hahaha I have a social thing the next night so you know I’m going to be plugging at the coffee to stay awake…sigh.
Christina´s last blog post..being adventurous
Thank you for these and now I am DYING to watch the movie although I have no idea when it is coming in my country 🙁
BTW. Edward can not be compared with Jacob. Although I like Jacob more after Breaking Dawn (I hated him after Eclipse), I am TEAM EDWARD 4 ETERNITY!!!
You know the actor who plays Edward will be making an appearance in SF to promote the movie? He’ll be at Stonestown Galleria’s Hot Topic on November 10. Feel free to pass that on to fellow (Bay Area) fans. 🙂
Wow, another MAC-sponsored movie! I don’t know what’s going on now but MAC used to have this big dispute with the makeup artist union in NY and CA about a year or two ago. The makeup for the two main characters look really stunning. Now I need to get the books first!
Dao´s last blog post..Archetype Cosmetics Pigments: Part 1
yeah, I did have an “OH NO HE DIDN’T” moment in Breaking Dawn….if the “he” refers to Jacob, and one of his wolfy things…..it actually really distrubed me, made me a little angry and made me not enjoy the rest of the book as much. I had another thing (with Bella) that irked me a bit too….
Did you decide what palette to use for the wedding yet?
Hi Gio,
Me too! The countdown is on. 🙂
Hi Christina,
I am so jealous! I want to go to a midnight showing with all the rabid pre-teen fans!
Hi Antonija,
LOL… I guess it all boils down to personal preference. I can’t deal with cold weather and thus can’t deal with cold vampires. I would rather date a mortal wolf/dude that’s warm to the touch.
Although, I dunno if Tabs would be okay with being the family pet if El Hub ever became a La Push werewolf. Hmm.
Hi Lehea,
I haven’t stepped foot inside a Hot Topic since 1997, but for this I would totally do it.
I can’t go, though! *tears*
Hi Dao,
Interesting. Dunno if that was the case here… the movie was filmed in Oregon and other parts of the Pacific Northwest.
You should totally read the books. The series is pretty good, but my fave out of all of them is the first book.
Hi Amanda,
Yup, I was thinking of Jacob.
Lots of things about Bella irk me, especially in the second book.
Nope, still haven’t decided! I did get my dress so I can finally see if the looks actually match the dress. It’s getting down to the wire…
I don’t get how people can read all four books and be Team Jacob. >.< =p
Team Edward forever!
I’ve been playing with JJacks’ looks for the Cullens and debating getting a Twilight tee for the premiere…I generally don’t buy tees with logos and sayings.
Hi Gabrielle,
LOL, I guess I was always one to go against the grain!
Loves me some werewolves!
Oh, what fun! I can’t wait for this movie! I’m waiting for Eclipse and Breaking Dawn from the library now….
Hi Karen,
This has nothing to do with Twilight (sorry) but I just came back from a Costco run and thought of you when I saw the new Stila makeup sets. There are 6 (!!) eyeshadow duos for ~$16 and 2 lipglosses and one lip pencil for ~$9. Had to snatch up both of them even though I was just there to get cat food.
Anyway, just thought I’d pass that along 🙂
Omg. I’m such a Twilight groupie. This is amaaaazing. (I love Jacob Black too!
Hi Glosslizard,
Oh cool! DId you read New Moon?
Hi Nadinee,
Holy crap! That’s a really good deal! I gotta go and pick up some cat food, too… I’ll have to pop on over to their beauty section. Thanks for this!
Hi Ashley Samantha,
Yay, finally another TEAM JACOB member! 🙂 Are you going to see the movie?
I’m still team Edward though. (haven’t read the 4th book yet) Somehow I didn’t click with Jacob. But that’s probably just me.
Also grooming and fast cars: hell yes!
Karen B´s last blog post..Top 200 my ass
Hi Karen B.,
LOL, those are very good things for a undead vampire boyfriend to have. 🙂
Oh, don’t forget that he’s also a doctor, so he can give you stitches or set a bone if you break it! That’s handy too.
Still TEAM JACOB, though!
Oh yeah, I’m way obsessive about reading series in order!