CLARENCE LEE, 34, MAKE-UP ARTIST

You've heard his name mentioned in the same breath as Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi as he walked the red carpet with her at the Cannes Film Festival in 2003.

This make-up artist to the stars also appeared in the recent print and TV commercial endorsing an anti-ageing drink for Japanese brand Fancl.

He's even helped Japanese make-up brand Shu Uemura design some special-edition faux lashes for the brand's Lash Atelier.

Lee won the Make-up Artist of the Year at the inaugural Singapore Fashion Awards in 2001, and the same award at Her World's Beauty Awards in 2003.

Lee, who is mostly self-taught, has certainly come a long way from doing make-up for school performances at Chai Chee Secondary School.

His greatest inspiration? How a person can have several looks and personas just by changing her style of make-up.

How have you contributed to the Singapore fashion scene?
I'd like to think that I, alongside other industry insiders - whether it's hairstylists, fashion stylists or photographers - have gradually made Singapore a fashion centre.

Just look at the many models who come from all over the world to Singapore just to get good quality tear sheets for their portfolio. They use these to gain footing in Paris, New York and Milan. Also, many foreign celebs come here and request for a local crew to style them for events and shoots because they believe in our expertise.

What struggles did you face along the way?
Honestly, I've been very lucky. I've met several nice people along the way and they've helped me one way or another. And there aren't many foreign make-up artists here to begin with, so I haven't felt any bias.

What is the Singapore look?
A girl with refined Asian features does it for me - healthy, glowing skin and warm, smiling face.

Which aspect of the Singapore style would you change?
I wish Singaporeans would put more effort into their overall grooming. Many girls think make-up will clog their pores and cause break-outs, when it's actually slipshod removal of make-up that's the problem.

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