Tuesday 9 April 2013

I feel quite emotional actually....


“I had my make-up professionally done by Bethan whilst having a photo shoot by Denise Debrah. Bethan made me feel very much at ease and did a superb job, the no make-up make up look. Very subtle and classy to go with the outfits I had too. She makes you feel very comortable and does an amazing job. I would recommend her to everyone I know!!”


“In my line of business, when you can find that talented makeup artist that can put clients at ease and have them laughing while looking ten years younger. You don't think twice they are a gold mine. However to have that rare talented makeup artist that knocks your post production editing by 70%! You hit a gold mine and you need to have her working exclusively with you. Betty Red is that gold mine and a must have in ANY business that involves people. “

“Bethan has rescued my brows from Dennis Healey-esque awfulness and transformed them into groomed perfection. She is professional, calm and always enthusiastic about what you want to achieve.”


“Since being introduced to Bethan in September as her tutor it is apparent that she has become a driven individual with a high work ethic.
She is a more than capable makeup artist competent in stage, beauty, bridal, fashion, special effects and face and body art makeup and has completed each of her assessments to a high standard often giving more than what is expected.
Bethan is always pro-active, organising photo shoots and fashion shows outside of her college hours.
She has a pleasant and cheerful demeanour and is always very helpful both as an assistant makeup artist and a student. I feel confident that with her passion for makeup Bethan will go far in her career. “


“Bethan is a consummate professional and a very talented make-up artist. She imaginatively interpreted what I asked for and carried out extensive research to bring her own special brand of creativity to my request.
Bethan is a lot of fun and put me at ease immediately, understanding my concerns and allaying my fears. She understands that every client is an individual and ensures that the end product reflects your individuality. I have recommended Bethan to several friends and they have all had similar wonderful experiences.”


“As a photographer, working with a team of people, especially make-up artists and hairstylists, who are positive, reliable, and imaginative are hard to come by. Luckily for me Bethan Brunell is all these things and more. I have been working with her on the most important projects of my degree for the past seven months and feel extremely lucky to have done so. When we discuss upcoming shoots and ideas she is full of enthusiasm and strives to get the job done to the highest standard. While on set she is calm, charismatic and a pleasure to work with. With University coming to an end in a few weeks, I will still look forward to working with her on many more projects. All the best Bett!  Xxx

“Bethan helped me drag my makeup style from the 80's and into the present day for a special concert. She was so helpful from the outset and gave me lots of advice about skincare and also gave me great ideas for different styles of make-up which would complement my skin tone. The makeup was flawless throughout the evening, I was very happy and received many compliments. Bethan is definitely not lacking in imagination or creativity and delivers both with a fun and relaxing manner. I have on occasion been lucky enough to accompany Bethan as a model as part of her college course and have enjoyed every last minute of it.”


“(With regard to Bethan Brunell) She is a talented and experienced make up artist, who I have personally worked with on a number of shoots. She is an organised an determined woman who has an excellent work ethic and is particularly reliable.
She has experience, in beauty, High fashion and editorial, she has also done theatrical and body make up.
It has been a pleasure to not only have assisted her in shoots but also in my experiences of being her client, having had done my make up for a personal shoot and also for a variety of occasions from weddings to Halloween, covering everything from making me look amazing with her beauty expertise and also ageing me by about 40 years for an exercise in looking elderly.
I would have no hesitation in recommending her for any kind of work, and I strongly believe that she can get the very best look for any of her clients.”


“I asked Bethan Brunell to help me with my makeup prior to a photo shoot for my new brand. I was quite nervous and want sure what to expect. She instantly put me at ease, asked me some questions about my normal use of make-up and the proceeded to completely transform me- for the better I must say! Many people have commented on how much better I look in my photos- I think I need Bethan to call in every morning- thank you very much!”


“Bethan Brunell has worked for us in both a voluntary and professional capacity and has exceeded our expectations on every project. Bethan’s work is outstanding and working with her has been motivating, exciting, fun and inspiring at times. I very much look forward to a long and prosperous working partnership with her and have no hesitation in recommending her services to other organisations.”

Monday 1 April 2013

Purple Power











Lessons for All

My tutor/mentor says that "A smile is your best accessory". It's so true.

Having a bit more of a holistic approach to beauty and in fact make up artistry I'm really glad to see that there's an influx of "inner beauty" stuff going on at the moment. It really is the most important thing.

It fascinates me that through the media paradigm,  people that wouldn't be described as classically beautiful become incredibly beautiful when they're full of confidence, self worth and  passion. Male or female, doesn't matter. Nothing is more attractive than confidence.

I've been really interested to see the rapid growth of a Facebook event called Robyn Stitt's Self Love Month and another page (can't work out if they're related) Self Love Month. So why is it that we need an event to make us treat ourselves right? Given the appalling state of humanity, or so we're constantly being told, you'd think we'd all be going around indulging in self love months all the time. Maybe we are. But not the right sort.



This quarter's FACEON magazine has a great article by Harriadnie Beau Phipps is a great combination of beauty tips such as that you only need exfoliate once a week, contrary to popular belief, and "Tip 6 - Beauty  has little to do with looks. It's all about morals and having a strong head on your shoulders. Intelligence, brains and wit are far more important. Being well cultured, knowledgeble, about the world and forward thinking is the key." Well said, that woman. I think it is prudent at the very least to have this kind of attitude to beauty.

I also think it's great that it's now deemeed to be much more socially acceptable to accept help. In a great article in the Sunday Times* Kirsty Alsopp in profile explains that in order to present the influential, manicured, fulfilled and empowered persona she's known for, Kirsty has a crack team of helpers that allow her to achieve this.  Now I know I'm biased (I'm banned from watching anything with Her Majesty on due to excessive activity immediately afterwards - I am the ultimate Kirsty fan) but I am even more empowered by the fact that all this loveliness is not generated by just one person. Of course, her holiness is the integral factor, but not the sum total.



On my business start up courses a few weeks ago we were discussing business growth and saturation point. I was discussing this further with lifestyle/mentoring guru Dr Bridget the other day too. It makes sense to outsource things that can be done by other people as it allows you to be more productive and true to yourself. In a business environment if you are turning down bread and butter work because you have to go out and buy staples then it makes sense to outsource the day to day stuff that could be done by another, to allow you to be more "you". Granted, we're not all in a position to pay for a private chef, but there's an ethic there that can be applied to ourselves and our concept of self. Especially as ladies, we feel under pressure to do it all and have it all when actually, you don't get any prizes for slogging your guts out to achieve the same goal. Is there anything you could outsource? At home maybe?

Maybe you could spend the time you saved engaging with Self Love Month? Go on, I dare you.

* Sunday Times main body 24/03/2013