Makeup Artist
Pamela Cochrane
Pamela Cochrane is an internationally renowned make-up artist. I had the amazing opportunity to attend an industry guest call where Pamela spoke about her career from the beginning to now. She has been creating make-up looks for Lana Del Rey since 2011 and her beautiful work has been featured on the cover of Elle, Vogue, Dazed and many more. I personally wouldn't pursue a career in makeup, but listening to Pamela's experience in the makeup and fashion industry gave me an insight to the opportunities and effort needed to be a known name in the industry and her talk was very insightful. Her journey inspired me to be patient, take every opportunity I get and has reassured me that you can stay in one career and be content and successful long-term.
Education
15 Years Old
-At 15, Pamela was asked to model for her friends aunt who was a makeup artist at the time.
-Sitting in the makeup chair, she felt excited and inclined to research into studying makeup.
First Job
Bobby Brown
-After college, Pamela landed her first job at Bobby Brown on the makeup counters in Selfridges and John Lewis.
-Developed her people skills.
-Helped her fund living in London.
-She stayed full time for a few years.
Second Job
Early 20s
-Still with Bobby Brown, Pamela moved to an associate team.
-More freelance and flexible, she did more test shoots and assisting work.
-She didn't really know where she was going at this point.
-A friend recommended a stylist, so Pamela assisted in music styling for a while.
Lana Del Rey Team
-Lana kept the same makeup, hair and stylist team with her for many years.
-Pamela travelled with Lana doing videos, photoshoots, touring and red carpet event for the first 3 years.
-This travelling led her to want to live in New York.
-She built a portfolio and decided to look for an agent to help grow her career.
TIMELINE
Education
16 Years Old
-At 16, Pamela left school.
-She went to Edinburgh to study Art and Design.
Education
19 Years Old
-At 19, Pamela started her second and last year of college.
-The second year, she had freedom to choose which specialist subject she enjoyed.
-Pamela chose to go down the fashion editorial route.
Makeup Boutique
-Pamela left Bobby Brown after working at a little vintage boutique in Primrose Hill.
-She taught people how to do makeup under the store.
-Music stylist let her go and directed her to focus on makeup.
House of Blue Eyes
-Pamela had met Johnny Blue Eyes at the makeup boutique.
-She did makeup on his shows and events for his House of Blue Eyes collection for a few years.
-In 2011, Johnny mentioned a shoot with a new artist, which Pamela nearly denied due to it being and unpaid Saturday.
-The musician was Lana Del Rey, a week before she was signed.
Agency
Move to New York
-Pamela connected with an agent called Bridget at Bridge Artists, who sponsored her move to New York.
-She found New York more commercial and London more creative.
-Bridget stayed her agent for 9 years.
-Pamela moved back to London after 3 years but still travelled back and forth to America for Lana and other jobs with clients.
Vogue Australia October 2012
Makeup credit: Pamela Cochrane
Education
17 Years Old
-At 17, Pamela did her art foundation.
-This allowed her to go to London College of Fashion where she chose to study a 2 year HND specialist makeup course.
Education
18 Years Old
-At 18, Pamela moved to London for college.
-Her first year consisted of studying areas like film, TV and fashion editorials.
Jemma Kidds Makeup School
-Pamela began working at Jemma Kidds makeup school teaching beginners to professionals how to do their own makeup.
-From the boutique to Jemma's, she made connections that opened doors into the fashion industry.
-She met people who helped her get into assisting.
Fashion Shows
-With her interest in assisting, Pamela started assisting shows at London fashion week.
-She started with Charlotte Tilbery and Alex Boye.
-Over the next few years, this took her to New York, Paris and Milan.
Pandemic
2020
-At the start of the pandemic, Pamela set her roots down in London.
-After spending her 30s travelling, she felt like settling down.
-She took work to get back out their and connect with new clients.
-Felt like she was starting over. Had to shift her style from New York to London.
-Pamela left her agent after 9 years with her and learnt the business side of work.
Makeup credit: Pamela Cochrane