Based in London, Roseanna Hackett‘s introduction to the world of makeup came with a dusting of blush and a swipe of lipstick at the tender age of two. It wasn’t the usual childhood play-pretend, although it was the start of a lifelong affair with beauty for Hackett, who mostly spent time as a dancer up until she was 18.
By the age of 17, Roseanna was determined to translate her love for makeup into a serious career path. This decision led her to commute from Oxford to London to gain specialized training. While her initial focus was on mastering skills for TV and film, the MUA soon found herself enchanted by the world of fashion. Balancing part-time work at a makeup counter and assisting seasoned artists, she began to refine her craft and deepen her industry knowledge.
Over her career, Roseanna has collaborated with a myriad of established artists, each offering unique techniques and perspectives. This exposure shaped the 24-year-old into a flexible makeup artist capable of adapting to a wide range of styles. Still, her passion for creating a natural, glowing base remains an unwavering cornerstone of her work. Having dealt with skin issues, the makeup artist appreciates the critical role of a well-prepared base and uses this understanding to excel in her field.
Roseanna’s creative process is as individual as her journey in the industry. She finds inspiration in the distinctive features of her clients, subtly enhancing their natural beauty with expert precision. The recurrent theme of spring-like pastel tones in her work reflects her own personal aesthetic. The MUA’s distinct approach to beauty, coupled with her enduring dedication and artistic vision, set her apart in the ever-evolving landscape of makeup artistry.
We had the opportunity to chat with Roseanna Hackett about her go-to beauty products, beauty tips, finding inspiration, and much more. Keep scrolling to read our full interview.
For those just getting to know you, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and how you got introduced to beauty?
I’m Roseanna Hackett, I’m 24, and I’m a professional makeup artist living and working in London. My introduction to the world of beauty started at a super young age, as looking back, I vividly remember being coated in a layer of fake tan and wearing false lashes before even starting secondary school! (For context, I danced from the age of 2 up until I was 18 – I didn’t just trot around like this).
You’ve been in the beauty industry for quite a bit, how did you start in makeup?
During the many years of dancing competitively, I remember always feeling excited to put on my makeup. It didn’t matter if I was wearing thick black eyeliner and hot pink lips for a disco freestyle competition (this is where the fake tan was introduced), or if I was on stage performing anything from ballet to jazz in my stage-ready makeup (always red lips), I always enjoyed the process of getting ready and playing with makeup.
When I turned 17, I realized makeup was something I wanted to take seriously and decided to commute from Oxford to London to train at a specialized school. I mostly learned skills for TV and Film, but I quickly realized I had a real interest in fashion. From then, I went on to work part-time on a makeup counter and assist artists in London whenever I could.
Can you tell us a bit about your personal style when it comes to makeup?
I have assisted so many incredible artists over the past 6 years who all have such unique takes and techniques, so I always feel like a sort of chameleon when it comes to styles of makeup.
However, one thing that never changes is my love for creating a natural glowing base. I know it’s cliché, but I always feel that if the skin looks good, everything else is the cherry on top! Having struggled with my skin over the years, I trust myself to always be able to create a lovely base, no matter the skin type!
I love creating looks that feel like a middle ground between stripped-back ‘fashion’ style makeup but with small added elements of ‘glam’. A gorgeous glass skin with a graphic eye is my go-to.
Where do you usually find inspiration for your makeup looks?
I would say that a lot of my inspiration comes simply from looking at the person in the chair and thinking of the colors, shapes, and textures that immediately come to mind. For example, sometimes I will see an interesting eye shape or color and feel drawn to a look that I wouldn’t have thought of before. I’ve noticed that my interior style matches my makeup style, as I always tend to lead towards spring vibe pastel tones whenever I’m playing with color, whether that is on somebody’s lips or a cushion on my sofa!
What are some of your go-to beauty products, whether it’s makeup or skincare?
A product that I’ve used for years (which is also always in my personal makeup bag) is the Clinique Chubby Stick in “Curvy Contour.” It’s a lovely cream bronzer in stick form that’s so quick and easy to use when you’re feeling a little dull and lacking color. I also can’t live without the classic Weleda Skin Food in my kit as it’s a one-stop shop for glass skin.
You’ve worked with all kinds of skin types and tones. Do you have a universal beauty tip you’d like to share?
My number one beauty tip for anyone that suffers from acne, dark spots, pigmentation, etc., is to cut back on the amount of product you’re using to cover these problem areas. For example, when covering a blemish, apply a super small amount of concealer on top of the problem area and take a small dense brush (the size of an eyeshadow brush) to pat the product in.
Don’t swipe or swirl around the area, as essentially, you will end up spreading the concealer around the area leading to zero coverage on the spot itself! Also, avoid patting in the product with your fingers.
Fingers work great for applying concealer under the eyes, but the natural warmth from your skin sheers out the product and you’ll struggle to achieve the coverage that you want in specific areas.
Is there a makeup trend you’re really into at the moment?
I just can’t stop doing ombre lips!! It’s so fun because you can try hundreds of color combos, and it pretty much always looks cool.
Fashion and beauty often go hand-in-hand. Any brands you’re particularly loving right now?
I’m such a Vinted lover these days. If I’m not buying second hand, then I’m quite honestly just a simple high-street kinda girl.
