Michel Dumas is one of the best known French makeup artists in the world, having worked in over 30 countries. He has revealed his talents in numerous fields such as fashion, photography, film, theater, television, and advertising and has participated in over 70 makeup shows and events around the globe. This work has inspired him to write several articles on makeup, some having been translated into 15 different languages and published in 53 countries.

HOW DID YOU BECOME A MAKEUP ARTIST?
Generally, it is a vocation. For me, it was pure chance, as at the time, I was an actor performing in the theater. At first, I thought that being a makeup artist would be nothing but an intermission during my time as an actor. Nevertheless, I quickly got caught up in the game, especially as I was given more and more opportunities to travel abroad to practice makeup. This allowed me to further enjoy my new career direction. One thing led to another and, eventually, the trial career became my new passion.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR SPECIALTY IN MAKEUP ART?
My speciality is making individuals feel beautiful and happy in a very personalized manner, without anyone thinking that makeup is involved. There are several domains for makeup artists. I have tried and tested them all. I have worked for the theater, fashion, photography, advertisement, and entertainment. I have been, and still am today, an artistic consultant for makeup brands in France and abroad. This diverse artistic journey has required an extremely solid foundation, so as not to get lost on the way. That being said, I reinforced and developed my more classical knowledge, always keeping in mind the fact that I wanted to make my models feel beautiful and happy. I wanted to reveal their personality (the true meaning of makeup art). Thus, I developed my own style. Some may call it classical, as opposed to the upheaval of modern makeup, which can often be excessive. Many makeup artists have paid the cost of modernizing their work, having forgotten that makeup is the art of making people feel beautiful and minimizing their flaws.
From the ‘80s and ‘90s onwards, when the modern movement really became established, I regularly received calls from Asia and America. As a true defender of long-lasting values, I had to put things back into order. I carried out these missions with diligence. Since then, requests have flooded in and I have worked in around a dozen countries each year.

SO, WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY TEACH?
I analyze and I dissect fashion and trends. I explain and demonstrate how to adapt them into one’s work. I have also taught my method and my techniques in 29 countries.

HOW DID YOU BEGIN TEACHING?
Again, this also happened by chance. Because I have worked in all lines of makeup art, I was able to teach. I started teaching in 1975 in the Netherlands, then, in 1976, I started in Quebec and Toronto, and, in 1977, I moved onto the United States. In 1984, I opened my first makeup school in Paris, the first of its kind in Europe.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MAKEUP TODAY?
The cosmetics industry has been booming since the ‘50s. The number of makeup artists increases every year. Television, film, fashion, theater, advertisement, and entertainment use more and more of it.
There is another sector needing an increase of makeup professionals – major brands. These companies are constantly creating high technology products and it is useful to teach the client how to best use these products. The direct consequence of this is an ever-increasing need for professional makeup.