Cheryl became a make-up artist by accident, she was working in a salon (not doing hair - just running it!). She had booked a make-up artist to do the Salons promotional pictures with John Swannell, the makeup artist let them down, they were without a make-up artist for the shoot, so Cheryl ended up doing it.

The photographer used to be David Bailey's assistant, when David rang and asked him to recommend a make-up artist (there weren't very many in the 80's), he recommended Cheryl who trotted off to Bailey with her make-up in a Chinese take-away bag! One foundation, one lipstick, no powder. i.e., her own make-up.

After the job, Bailey asked if she would stay behind and do another job in the evening – she did, and it became the cover of Italian Vogue - not a bad way to start!

It was actually the models who have taught Cheryl her craft and she has picked tips up as she went along. Her career has spanned over 30 years and she’s worked all around the world. It’s a great job and Cheryl couldn’t imagine working in any other part of the industry.

Cheryl has made up Queens, singers, dancers, actresses, top models and Joe Public - with no preferences. 

A Royal Wedding was interesting for Cheryl, making up the Countess of Wessex's for her big day, and seeing inside Buckingham Palace (private quarters) was fascinating. She even got caught up in the royal cavalcade on her way out and had thousands of people waving flags at her which was hilarious!

This job has made her laugh and cry. It is not unusual to find a director behaving very badly, shouting and yelling at the people he can shout at (!) and those people are usually hair and make-up!

Over the years, Cheryl has learnt that 20% is what you do and 80% is who you are. She feels it is important to remain calm and pleasant no matter what is thrown at her. Being this way gets you booked again as well as just doing a good job with the make-up.

Cheryl’s Highlights: Travelling to Jordan to do the new King and Queen's make-up was important to her as she was raised in Jordan (Cheryl’s father was in the Army.) Working with David Bowie was also very cool; also doing the make-up for the royal stamp of Prince Edward and Sophie; working with Horst P Horst, what a fabulous raconteur he is, great stories.