People behind red carpet looks

How make-up artists work to transform stars.

You do not become a star with the wave of a magic wand.

Before Hollywood's awards shows, climaxing with next week's Oscars, an army of make-up artists and coiffeurs work for weeks to perfect what you see on the red carpet.

Ms Sabrina Bedrani is one of these magic fairies.

The Frenchwoman first made her name in the fashion industry, working with top photographers such as Mr Peter Lindbergh, before moving to Los Angeles, where she rapidly became one of the most sought-after make-up artists in Hollywood.

Her clients include actresses Julianne Moore and Felicity Jones, and model Heidi Klum.

Ms Bedrani is the one who has looked after Jones' face since the British actress was nominated for an Oscar for playing astrophysicist Stephen Hawking's wife Jane in The Theory Of Everything.

"An Oscars campaign is a long haul, like for a presidential election," said

Ms Bedrani, who follows Jones everywhere she goes once she arrives in Los Angeles.

The promotion of The Theory Of Everything began with its Toronto Film Festival premiere last September, followed by its United States release the following month, and the ongoing awards season, including the Golden Globes last month, right up to the Oscars on Feb 22.

"Because Felicity doesn't live in Los Angeles, each time she comes, her diary is jam-packed. She goes from public meetings and magazine photo-shoots, to interviews and gala soirees," Ms Bedrani said.

Between each event, the make-up artist performs her magic to keep Jones looking like a princess.

"If it's a morning television show, she needs a more relaxed look and more natural make-up. If it's the Oscars' Governors Ball, then it's the Hollywood glamour look - lots of rouge," she added.

"You build up a relationship of trust. You have to have the same point of view," said Ms Bedrani, who prefers light make-up in general. Mr Arnaud Ozharun, who does the hair of celebrities such as Michelle Monaghan, is against extensions.

"I can't stand that," he said.

Before a huge event such as the Oscars, the team gets together with the star involved.

"Everything starts with what she's wearing. If it's a fancy dress, we don't want to make her look too much like a lady. You can do the make-up light or you could opt for a standout lipstick," Ms Bedrani explained.

Sometimes, when the celebrity is travelling or in a hurry, the team meeting can involve simply "an exchange of photos or sketches by e-mail".

Mr Ozharun recalled being hired to help the True Detective team do Monaghan's hair by Skype, on set in Louisiana. On the day itself, final preparations are usually made in the star's hotel, two or three hours before the event.

"For the red carpet, I usually use more powder because the make-up has to last.

"In Los Angeles, it can get very hot, and with traffic jams, you can take two hours to arrive," said Ms Bedrani.

Before sending off her client, she gives her special "papers" to absorb any shine, as well as "a powder compact and a lipstick, so that she can do her own touch-up".

The celebrities themselves are usually feeling a mix of excitement and a little stress because they know they are going to have their photo taken and then have it dissected.

Not all of them are relaxed in front of photographers, said Ms Bedrani.

Mr Ozharun, with 50 years of experience, said he sometimes does not sleep the night before a big event.

For the Golden Globes, where Monaghan was nominated, the actress was nervous.

"She felt I had cut her hair too short. The next day, she sent me a message saying she was happy," he said.

This article was first published on Feb 13, 2015.
Get a copy of Urban, The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.