Christina Toimela learns that shyness is not a barrier to success

In issue 614 I told you about Xobo Soirée that combines design and performance. What I did not tell you was that we ran out of time for me to pick up my make-up bag and change of clothing to ease my transformation from a roadie/reporter into a guest. This is when I met make-up artist Jeanette who touched up my face in the middle of working on the artists. I’ve never met anyone so shy, modest and into what I was doing: online TV production. I encouraged Jeanette to work as a second make-up artist for the Brighton Lights studio shoot. She did so well that I hired her for the next shoot to do the make-up for stars Guy Lloyd and Zoe Lyons.

“Doing someone’s make-up is very intimate and people need to trust you to do it right”

Shy, modest and Toimela have never been put into one sentence and I have assumed that’s partly why the doors have kept opening for me. I was fascinated that Jeanette, the total opposite, was also able to open the doors for herself. I was inspired and had to find out what else Jeanette does but does not tell before asked…

Jeanette studied Film, TV and Special Effects make-up in 1997. Her first break was working on The Da Vinci Code. Since moving to Brighton, she has worked on numerous short films, TV, commercials and fashion projects. Jeanette does make-up because she enjoys being creative and making people happy with the way she makes them up.

“Doing someone’s make-up is very intimate and people need to trust you to do it right,” she says. “By gaining peoples trust I gain confidence.”

In TV, she likes most helping people to feel happy with the way they look. She always tries to ask lots of questions about possible allergies, preferred looks etc. in order to help people relax. In films Jeanette enjoys being able to transform an actor into a totally different person.

The reason Jeanette can relate with the people she does the make-up for is because she has been in front of the camera herself. (I knew it!) She played the lead part in Janet Devis, a sci-fi/horror short by Gregory Films production.

And what else has Jeanette not told us yet? “I will be taking over Moviebar, the monthly running film screening and networking night for filmmakers and film lovers at the Caroline Of Brunswick,” she says. “For more information about Jeanette and her brother’s production company Gregory Films visit www.gregoryfilms.co.uk and www.Moviebar.co.uk
WatchBrighton Lights 49 at www.thelatest.tv
Zoe Lyon’s verdict: “Jeanette did a great job on my make-up for Brighton Lights. A good make-up artist listens to the person they are making up and delivers what they want. Jeanette gave me a really good natural look. I have done telly jobs before where I have been so overly made up I look like I have bolted from the circus!:

Do you know any people who have really inspired you in Brighton?
We’re not looking for celebrities. Not ordinary, but extraordinary.
Contact Christina: christina.toimela@gmail.com

A correction: In issue 624, we spelt inspirational singing teacher Miriam Kisters incorrectly. Contact her: miriam.kisters@googlemail.com