Bradford College

Leading Edge Beauty

Celebrity Makeup Artist, Daniel Sandler and Leading Hairdresser, Andrew Barton have joined forces to create inspiring new looks and cutting edge beauty during a demonstration held at the Midland Hotel for Bradford College students and salon owners across the region.

Andrew Barton is London’s shining star; over the years he has established a reputation of international repute and his impressive list of clients include, Jennifer Aniston,  Robbie Williams and Jenifer Lopez, to name but a few. He loves colour and his cutting edge skills and intellectual curiosity ensure his cuts fall on the right side of sexy.

Award winning Makeup Artist, Daniel Sandler is a master of makeup, working with celebrities such as David Bailey, Geri Halliwell and Mena Suvari to create stunning looks.  With over 20 years industry experience, Daniels has spent years perfecting his art and has developed a self-titled range of makeup to make any women feel beautiful. For more information on Daniel’s award winning products and services visit www.danielsandler.com. 

When asked who Andrew and Daniel would transform for the world of celebrity, Daniel replied: “Jodie Marsh.” Andrew remarked: “Princess Anne.  I’ve recently had a letter from the palace asking what I would do with her hair.” Andrew smiled and added: “Watch this space…”

Andrew has over 25 years experience within the industry as both Creative Director for Saks and Toni & Guy, before launching his own company ‘Andrew Barton Covent Garden Salon’. As the resident hairdresser ‘Makeover Expert’ - he makes regular appearance on the hit TV makeover show '10 Years Younger'. He has won a string of industry awards including Hairdresser of the Year in 2006 and Ultimate Hair Icon in 2008.  He was recently named ‘Best Hairdresser’ by Cosmopolitan and Best Stylist’ by Tatler Magazine.

Offering inspirational advice to students embarking on a career in Hairdressing, Andrew said: “I don’t stand here and say I charge £300 for a haircut to show off.  I’ve come from a mining village in Yorkshire and I did a traditional apprenticeship.  Back in the 80s when I started hairdressing, it wasn’t the norm for a boy to go into hairdressing.  I was expected to go down the pit. What I tried to do with my career is aim high. That’s been my only secret really.  I’ve just worked really hard, got in touch with the right people, at the right time and aimed high.  If your ambition is to do hairdressing for £10, then that’s probably what will happen for you and you probably won’t make a great living out of it. But if you decide you want to be a true professional, then set your standards high, be proud of what you learn here at the College and your qualifications - then everything else will be achievable!”

Andrew continued: “Once people recognise you as a professional then they trust you. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been on the telly or not. You will have clients that come into the salon that will absolutely trust your judgment.”

Andrew reflected: “I had really good, strong training.  My training wasn’t just about skill, it was about confidence. I think I’ve always kind of projected myself to clients in a very confident manner.  How you present yourself is absolutely critical. From the way that you look, to the way you stand - and your body language. If you’re nervous or unsure, your clients will pick up on it.  Make eye contact with the person you are communicating with.  It’s all part of creating a really successful journey for you and your client.”

Students watched with delight as one of the most experienced and highly regarded figures in the Hairdressing industry – Andrew Barton demonstrated cutting edge technique on four models with different hair types and lengths, to complete restyles as he gave useful tips and advice to students throughout the day. Andrew said: “Hair without colour is like a face without makeup.  You can completely transform someone’s look by applying colour. For those of you that have watched me on 10 Years Younger, we use colour every time.”

Speaking about what influences him to keep coming up with new concepts, Andrew said: “If you see something in a magazine that you like, it could be a texture, a fringe – it could be a colour, then tear it out and start building your own scrapbook of material and ideas that then inspires you.”

Andrew added: “One of the things clients visit you for is advice.  They need you to tell them how their hair should be cut, what length would suit their face shape, what length would suit their body shape. Think about it as a total package.”

Drawing from his experience as a professional makeup artist, Daniel added: “The people who go far in this industry, are the ones that are totally switched on and know about the makeup artists, designers and photographers. It’s crucial that you have some idea of where you want to go within the industry and make a plan of how to get there.” Daniel has recently been ‘Highly Commended’ at the Marie Claire Prix D’Excellence International Beauty Awards and his Smart Base & Blush was recently voted ‘Best New MakeUp Product’ at the Cosmetic Executive Women Awards.  

Daniel was also approached to be Jade Goody's make-up artist for her wedding day shortly before she sadly lost her battle with cancer. Daniel explained: “I did Jade Goody’s wedding makeup. She lost her lashes through the chemo.  On her wedding day (and you can’t tell), I actually used two sets of false eyelashes.  Bless her she’d been so ill and the chemo had made her skin really dry.  I used a compact foundation all over her skin to make it look really gorgeous.  I have to say I was really pleased to have been there to help her.”

Student looked on as lids were slicked with metallic grey eye shadow to create a smudgy sexy look - a modern twist on a 60s look. Daniel said as he continued to work: “One person who was really great to me was Boy George. I learnt a lot of theatrical makeup, which is why I started working with him. He said to me: ‘Daniel, just do whatever you want’, as I sat in his kitchen with him.  I created this devil look with a bright red face and black eyebrows and we stuck some red horns on him. He totally loved it and thought it was amazing.”

In 2007 Daniel collaborated with Urban Retreat to create a capsule collection of affordable must-have beauty products available at his Makeup Studio in Harrods. During the presentation, Daniel applied a strong flash of colour under eyes for a modern take on a 80s David Bowie inspired look, to create a look that was defiantly upbeat.  Speaking to the audience, Daniel said: “Remember if you do turn up on a shoot, it’s not all about you.  You have to remember you are part of a team. The hair, makeup and styling goes into making that model look good. Listen and learn to how experienced people work.”

Daniel has crafted his art to become the great British talent we know today, willing to take onboard old fashioned beauty tips and techniques from the likes of Twiggy and Lou Lou.   Daniel said: “You can also learn from people who’ve had other makeup artists’ work with them, or have been working in the industry for a long time.  Don’t ever feel when you go to a job that you have to know it all. Some clients like to do their own finishing touches, like Ivana Trump and Nancy Dell'olio.  They both do their own lips and lashes.”

Students and salon owners were also inspired as they watched Andrew Barton, tease, tousle and curl models hair into a myriad of looks. Andrew explained as her worked: “When I first started working with celebrities I was really nervous, then I spoke to my mum about it and she said: ‘What have you got to be nervous about? They go to the toilet – the same as you and me. Then I understood it.   Andrew smiled and joked: “Although I have worked with some pretty scary ones in my time… I think Jay Lo was probably the scariest women I’ve ever met.”

“What inspired the boy from a Yorkshire mining town to become a hairdresser? Andrew smiled broadly and replied: “I originally wanted to become a fashion designer, then I realised the creative potential of hairdressing.  I liked the atmosphere of the salon and the buzz.”

When asked if Andrew ever envisaged becoming the talented artist we know today, Andrew modestly reflected: “I don’t think you ever do, because there are always different goals and challenges.  Recently we’ve opened one salon and we want to open more.”  As the driving force behind ‘Andrew Barton - Covent Garden Salon’ and the author of Shiny Happy Hair, Andrew went on to explain: “I’ve just written a book and I’m now focusing on the next as well.  The ambition never really changes – you’re always looking for new challenges and new learning opportunities.” 

With bags of focus and drive, coupled with their self confessed love of beauty, fashion and fierce urban glamour - it is clear how Andrew and Daniel made the transition from industry, to become the leading edge stars we know today.

• Take a look at the award winning duo in action…