Meet Paula Jane Hamilton | Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paula Jane Hamilton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paula Jane, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think Risk taking is something that many people in a Creative Industry have done to pursue their goals. It’s also what we do when we are young with no fear.
I took an early risk moving to London from Australia when I was 21, with only one local contact.
I had various jobs but the one that changed my life’s direction was being a Hair Model for the Vidal Sassoon Academy in Mayfair. They introduced me to the possibility of Makeup Art as a career.
After studying & working as a Makeup Artist in Australia, I later moved to Los Angeles to further my Makeup Career. I had no contacts in fashion or film that could help me in L.A.
I made minimum wage working at a small boutique apothecary and that is where I began to meet Makeup Artists & Beauty Industry people.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I studied Makeup in Melbourne, Australia…worked on a few Student films before returning to Perth, Australia … I struggled in a small industry and started as a Bridal Makeup Artist before breaking into commercials & advertising.
My first film gig was ‘Under the Lighthouse Dancing’ with several well known Australian Actors. After continuing my Commercial work I took the big leap to Los Angeles and began the struggle all over again.
I worked my minimum wage Apothecary Retail gig while making leads, followed by an Assistant Creative gig with a Singapore Makeup company launching in the U.S. it was here that I met several Celebrity Artists & before long I was assisting them on photo shoots, commercial & music videos.
My first real music video was John Legend ‘Used to Love You’. Then after years of Fashion, Indie films (Waitress, the Nines) commercials & music videos, my first Union TV show job was the reboot of 90210. All these Makeup Department Heads saw something, trusted me and took a risk. I thank them all.
I’m a strong believer in ethics in the workplace, punctuality and being kind, that is not always easy in a competitive industry but it will continue to get you hired.
Just try to be nice
My first passion & strength is Beauty & Editorial Makeup and I believe that is what gets me hired in all media.
The last few years have been challenging after the pandemic and strikes…I have been fortunate to continue working but that could change at any time.
I

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Always start with a good coffee at Highlight in Pasadena or Unincorporated in Altadena.
A great brunch or lunch, somewhere like Gloria’s in Highland Park or Little Ripper Glendale & Little Flower Pasadena.
I never tire of Descanso Gardens or the Huntington Museum & Gardens.
The Norton Simon Gallery Museum has an incredible collection of Art.
There is so much great architecture in L.A that a slow drive through many areas can be rewarding too and you might discover a new coffee spot or vintage thrift store.
DTLA fascinates me and so many people miss all the details and architecture by not looking up.
The L.A Conservancy has amazing events & tours.
Bottega Louie on Grand is a longtime favourite for sweet treats, pizza and their portobello fries.
The Academy Museum or a Studio tour is a must for all the Movie history.
Long Beach and PCC Sunday flea markets.
I might end the night with dinner at Bacetti Trattoria in Echo Park or Cocktails & Pizza at The Good Neighbor Bar in Altadena.
I had so many favourite spots in Altadena and Pasadena that were lost in the Eaton fire. Supporting those remaining, some new and those planning to reopen is important to me, so I will take friends for a coffee, cocktail or taco.
Other noteworthy places Amara, Perry’s Joint, Amara Kitchen, tnthamburgers @ ClubTeeGee, Crossroads, Superba, Vidiots, the Arboretum, LACMA, Old Town Pasadena, Frog Town, the Getty Villa, Hiking Trails around L.A County, the Egyptian Theatre. Shopping in Silverlake
A train ride to Old San Diego, stopping at San Juan Capistrano & San Clemente Pier.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The Shoutout goes to many people.

It might be cliche but my parents allowed me to determine my direction in life, they gave me space to be myself and if I failed that was part of the journey.

Artists that inspired me were Kevyn Aucoin, his Art showed what was capable with Beauty Makeup as did the Art & Photography of Serge Lutens…. His large format book ‘Serge Lutens by Serge Lutens’ was one of my first books featuring Makeup as Art.

There were a couple of people that gave me opportunities in Perth, Australia when I was VERY green and then when I moved to Los Angeles. Producers, Production Supervisors and Makeup Artists.
One of the early believers & supporters was a seasoned Film Makeup Artist with an amazing list of credits & nominations. We are friends to this day.

Museums, Fashion, Flora & Forna continue to inspire me.
Art is everywhere, if we are paying attention.

Website: https://www.paulajanehamilton.com

Instagram: @makeupbypaulajane

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1350551/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Image Credits
Editorial images by MichaelDirlam.com
Image of Rochelle Aytes by me