During the Berlinale 2015 L’Oreal Paris was generous enough to allow us to go behind the scenes to interview Andrej Baranow. Mr. Baranow has been the key make-up artist of the festival for 17 years.
What is your favorite product?
The Eyebrow Plumber! It looks like looks like a mascara brush but it is used to fill and cover up. It can also be used for men cause it’s clear, no color. It is a nice grooming product because it straightens the brows.
Should every celebrity wear red lipstick?
No! Only when the celebrity wants to say, “Hello I am here!”
Is there a Berlinale Look?
I would say defined by L’Oreal Paris with red lips or a clear face. Dark painted smoky eyes are typical or nude mixtures. But as far as style goes, Berlin is understated, no as glamorous as Cannes so less can be more here. First time actors here are a little nervous about to what but we tell them the carpet is not so rigid. I can coordinate their make-up look with their fashion choice.
Are there different smoky looks for day and night?
Yes, of course. Darker colors are used for the night, browns and blacks. I bleed the eye shadows. For the day versions I use rosy or nude colors.
Describe your day during the Berlinale
I am on daily standby for around 10 hours. It also depends on the performer, an actress may need more time than an actor. Sometimes I have appointments with actors to go to hotels or I have to spend a whole day with them.
How did you start as a make-up artist?
I studied to become a tailor but went to theater doing make up, heavy masks for theater acting, then moved into cinema before getting contacted by the beauty business and I have been doing ever since. I want to be a make-up artist forever.
After a night of partying at the Berlinale, How do you hide the circles under the eyes?
I recommend using L’Oreal Lumi Magique Light Concealer. It is a light, fluid concealer. At the end of the festival, attendees may need something a bit stronger or heavier because this is Berlin, a city known for its nightlife.
Do you have a celebrity wish list?
Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep. They travel with their teams. I love working on veteran actresses. I am fast but I like the challenge of making a face with character beautiful. It is not so hard making a young actress look great. Isabella Rosselini told me she wished she had met me a look time ago because she wasted a lot of time getting ready in the make-up room. I worked with Bruce Willis, Anthony Hopkins, and Ben Kinglsey. For 2015 I was with Christian Bale for the whole day.
What would you like to do in the future?
I would like to teach make up. I would like to show women at home to do make up properly. How to create an eye looks, show them what they can do themselves.
Do you have a philosophy?
Yes! I have a few when it comes to my profession. I like to influence the look of the face not change it. I believe in finding the nice features of the face and bringing it out. And,,,The client is King not a Dictator!
Is there a story behind the last one? A crazy Berlinale incident?
One time I had a celebrity who insisted on me following her around while brushing her hair. She even wanted me to go to the bathroom with her. She yelled I hurt her with the brush. After one day of this I told her I was quitting. Funny enough, she would not accept me leaving and asked me to stay.
L’Oreal Paris has been a sponsor of the Berlinale for 17 years.
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