Tahira is a makeup and hair artist, and the founder of Beauty by Tahira, a Beauty Blog full of Makeup/Hair/ Skincare Tips and Inspiration, with a particular focus on Green Beauty.Born and raised in Montreal Canada, Tahira moved to London in 2006 and has since then worked with celebrities and some of the best people in film, fashion and advertising.
Tahira was Makeup + Hair Designer for our latest MERCER7 campaign – a lookbook as well as MERCER7 fashion film. She also worked on inspiring projects like the Warrior Woman Project by Style Me Sunday founder Nathalie.
We had the opportunity to meet with Tahira and ask a few questions about her work and lifestyle.
Read our interview and follow Tahira’s journey on her website and Instagram for daily inspiration.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND BEAUTYBYTAHIRA.COM
I have been a makeup Artist for over 20 years working in Film, Fashion and advertising. I am originally from Canada but have lived in London since 2006. I have always been an environmentalist in my life, but a few years ago decided to clean up my professional makeup kit. I have always had a bit of a blog with beauty tips etc but decided to create BEAUTY BY TAHIRA as a platform to share my Green Beauty finds and discoveries and encourage a healthier and cleaner beauty regime for people and the planet.
WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY AND AESTHETIC WHEN IT COMES TO MAKEUP?
I believe that beauty comes from inner goodness and kindness, and your makeup should be an enhancement of you, not a mask to hide behind. Everyone looks good with good skin and good eyebrows, everyone has beauty.
I would like to bring ageless beauty and youthful ageing into my work, working with 30 and 40 plus diverse models with exciting ethical brands redefining our ideals of fashion and beauty.
Tahira Herold
YOU HAVE WORKED WITH SO MANY AMAZING PEOPLE, FROM FASHION EDITORIALS TO ACTORS AND BRAND CAMPAIGNS. WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE?
One of my career Highlights is still a secret project I participated in last year-Working with an A Lister and a Tank of water, That is all I can say. However, other great moments include Peter O’Toole teaching me how to do a ‘shuffle’. Peter and Omar Sharifhad heard of a dance called ‘The Twist’ while they were stuck in the Desert (On Laurence of Arabia) but could not fathom what it could be without seeing it. Peter taught it to me in a castle in The Czech Republic in 2002. Another great moment was creating amazing looks for Olga Kurylenko for a film I designed called Centurion… Oh yeah, and then there was that time I did Kylie Minogue‘s makeup!
WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING ON LATELY?
I have moved away from Filming full time to working on photoshoots with brands to create their looks and campaigns, focusing on Non-Toxic Green Beauty, to help bring Cleaner beauty practices to the mainstream for both personal and professional use. I work regularly with Trilogy Stores and have worked with new Brands Amaella Lingerie and FAO Millinery, as well as commercials for Gatorade and eBay.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM SHOOT OR COLLABORATION?
Oooh that is a tough one:
I dream to work with Gavin O’Neill ( photographer) and would love to do the main campaigns for organic beauty Brands like Vapour or Ilia.
I also would like to bring Ageless Beauty and Youthful Ageing into my work, working with 30 and 40 plus diverse models with exciting Ethical brands redefining our ideals of Fashion and Beauty.
WHAT’S YOUR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION?
Everything! But Flowers mainly. I have an obsession with closeups of flowers. It’s the details of the colour and patterns that get me.
YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY VERY BUSY JUGGLING MOTHERHOOD, FAMILY LIFE, YOUR BLOG, AND COLLABORATIONS. WHAT DO YOU DO TO UNWIND?
I think I don’t unwind enough as I have been feeling envious (and slightly irked if I am totally honest) at everyone who has enjoyed time off recently. But reading some pieces by Lucy Sheridan, The comparison Coach, I realised that has more to do with me, So I have started reading books before bed. I just finished Disobedience by Naomi Alderman and before that White Teeth by Zadie Smith.
IF MONEY WAS NO OBJECT, WHAT WOULD YOU BUY?
A very Long holiday in Sardinia
ANY ADVICE FOR THE UP-AND-COMING MAKEUP ARTISTS OUT
It’s harder than you think, so you have to persevere and not be discouraged if it does not happen quickly, that is only for the lucky ones. And then Practice Practice Practice on anyone who will sit with you for more than 3 minutes… and Blend!
HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
Ah, still looking for my success unicorn (Step Up Club Quote) if I am honest. I am always chasing something else and forget my own achievements. I define success for me as: being requested regularly by clients seeking my aesthetic and skill and knowledge for their brand/ project. Being respected for my eye and opinion, but working with Creatives of high Caliber that push me to be better … And getting Paid well for all that!
BEST ADVICE TOU HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Stay calm when things are stressful, panicking will make you make more mistakes. And steal with your eyes not with your hands ( that one is from my dad from his chef training)
AND LAST QUESTION WE ALWAYS ASK: WHAT ITEMS ARE ON YOUR WISHLIST FOR THIS SEASON?
I am terrible with Fashion. My Husband shops better for me than I do.
What I need is a beautiful but comfortable cool black high heel shoe, preferably Ethical … I want Gold Churches Brogues. The Carina dress from The Reformation. A long dress from Beautiful Soul London, Isabelle Fox Rita Linen trousers ( I have the wool ones.. love) and the Audrey skirt, and new sandals, and some tips, and… and…
Website: BEAUTYBYTAHIRA.COM
Instagram: @BEAUTYBYTAHIRAUK
