Alexandra Castro

Was there a moment from your childhood or youth that first sparked your passion for makeup?

Yes. Since very early in life my mother’s makeup drawer was a portal of pure happiness. The forbidden feel of going through mum’s things was really tempting. The colours, components, the Chanel lipsticks, Guerlain bronzer, the pencils and powders were little forbidden wonders. And also watching mum having her makeup done by the beautician lying down on a special chair always fascinated me. The hands working her face, the brushes and products around and the transformation in the end.

With over a decade of experience in the makeup industry, how would you describe the evolution of your style and approach?

My style has been defined throughout these almost 15 years. First very influenced by art, History, fashion (one of my studies), and by the transformation of a face into a living painting. From maximalist to something undetectable. Today I still have a very artistic perspective of makeup. But in bridal it translates in respecting what we see in the mirror and just enhancing what is already there. Without feeling overdone, just timeless and soft.

In addition to bridal makeup, you’ve worked in fashion shows, editorials, and television. How have these different areas contributed to your professional growth?

It’s always good to go through different niches of makeup expertise when we start. All of these different techniques and knowledge can bring us something helpful at any moment. This diversity also brings us confidence about which kind of makeup we want to follow career wise.

What are the biggest challenges you face when it comes to bridal makeup?

Dealing with emotions and expectations.  People. The ability to read a room, a family, group, and specially the bride/groom on that day is maybe more useful than your makeup technique. We have to be emotionally mature and become a haven of peace and calm, or switch to a « bitchy » mamma bear for our bride if we have to. A chaotic environment usually freezes and drains me terribly for example. It’s mostly a very bad idea to go through these moments in a noisy crowded space. We’re the first vendors to greet the bride, wake them up, to set the tone for the rest of the day. It has an intense level of intimacy, not only for the physicality but for the way they carry themselves with confidence when they see the results.

How do you balance current trends with each bride’s personal taste?

I try to communicate my style to the best of my ability. To be as transparent as possible. This is something very important for the couples to really know what they’re in for and who they’re hiring. It’s a subject I keep focusing on over and over. 

My goal is to make you smile and radiate happiness because I did what you dreamed of or even surpassed expectations. On my side of things, I don’t want to do something I’m not comfortable doing, that doesn’t reflect me and my work. It’s always a balance between the two.

Have you ever had a client whose reaction to seeing the final result left a deep impact on you?

Yes. Many. It’s pure happiness and adrenaline. Specially after managing expectations at the trials and doing small changes on the day. The tears of happiness and shaky voice because I went THERE is everything. It’s better fuel than a 5AM coffee.

Your academic background is in fashion — how does that influence your vision and approach to makeup?

Fashion and makeup are still very connected for me. When I create a look I visualize the entire styling from head to toe. The clothes, time of day/night, accessories, hair, shoes… This is something people have a hard time figuring out: Makeup is only a component of a whole. It HAS to work with everything else. To really work, sometimes it’s the spotlight, other times is has to give way to backstage and be a team player. A piece of a puzzle. Knowing how to edit its really important. Don’t make it compete with all it’s friends.

What are the main differences between doing makeup for brides and doing makeup for television, for example?

Doing makeup for television requires a very different approach for me. Tv asks for different saturation, face sculpting, to really bring out the shape of your eyes, face, lips and easy to read textures on camera and harsh lights. It’s helping to forward facial expression and communication for the audience. Bridal makeup has a softer approach, versatility under different lighting and durability. It´s also very personal.

Is there an editorial or campaign that was particularly special to you? What made it so memorable?

Yes, but not professionally. When I worked as a publicity Junior Executive at the J. Walter Thomson Lisbon branch, the NY head office asked for photos and hobbies of everyone outside of the workplace. My CEO asked me to send photos of a College project I did about Carnaval - artistic makeup - without knowing for what. A few hundreds were selected around the world and I found my makeup decorating a wall next to the elevators in NY through a video explaining this initiative. All of this was to inspire the global annual meeting in New York. I knew then this wasn’t just a hobby.

More recently, the editorial I produced, designed, wrote, did styling, hair and makeup « Our Love Kills Shadows ». Wonderful colleagues and a speechless outcome.

What is the biggest myth about makeup that you’d like to debunk?

Makeup isn’t a mask. It’s an expression of you. It’s an extension of your mood that day, or your personality. It can be used as a protest weapon or simply a ritual that helps us get out the door that day. 

It’s not inanimate. It’s made to move, touch, embed and go with your smile and eye  movements, and if you have to, to retouch repeating the ritual in those seconds in your car or restroom.

If you could speak to the Alexandra who was just starting her career, what advice would you give her?

Don’t lose the joy you had the first time you picked up a brush. Feel grateful for all the tiny steps you climb one at a time. I wouldn’t do anything different, I’m grateful for what I have today and want to do a lot more. I feel I have 500 years of this and at the same time I’m just starting. I don’t like to do the same forever and makeup isn’t the only thing that fulfills me. Writing, creating, producing… I always want to start something new.

What are your biggest professional dreams that you’ve yet to accomplish?

My dream is to be able to include all my professional skills in editorial production and content curation in the wedding industry.Which is really hard in Portugal. Communication, fashion, makeup and being a wedding vendor for almost 15 years in one. I never saw myself Alexandra as a product, or image brand. I’m very private and ironically hate social media. But I love to communicate in every way - art, makeup, writing, curation and tell stories.