With the new series of BBC’s Glow Up underway, stars Val Garland and Sarah Agbiji share exclusive insight into the make-up world. Yorkshire Bylines spoke to judge Val Garland – known for her ground-breaking make-up looks and campaigns for Alexander McQueen – and series five contestant Sarah Agbiji, on their time in the show and top tips for aspiring make-up artists.
This exclusive article comes while the BBC Glow Up team attended a Q&A showcasing the first episode of the show for aspiring make-up, media, and fashion students at Bradford and Keighley Colleges. Series six contains industry assignments, from working with Lady Gaga’s make-up brand Haus Labs to body painting for the global gaming platform Roblox.
A jaw breaking Glow Up season ahead
Star judge, Val Garland, spoke to the Yorkshire Bylines on what is to be expected for the brand-new series:
“There’s going to be highs and lows, there’s going to be drama. There’s going to be a lot of slickness this season. When you see the first episode, some of the talent is jaw breaking and that is the very first episode, so I think there is a lot to look forward to.”
Upon being asked who she believes to have the most potential in the competition Val said:
“I think that in week one it is hard to tell who is going to be the favourite because sometimes in the first episode people bring their best look. When you get to episode two and three, sometimes they fall down. It really is minute by minute, no one knows what’s going to happen because with one rogue look that’s it.”
The judge is well known for her infamous “ding dong” granted to the most spectacular make-up looks. With a ding dong in the first episode to Rossi for his foetal alcohol spectrum disorder inspired creative brief, Val teased that there were almost two and that there are still more to come.
Getting creative under pressure
While seemingly calm to the viewer, the Glow Up stars revealed the tremendous pressure – from finessing mood boards the night before, to being interviewed by presenter Leomie Anderson and having their looks scrutinised by the judges during the briefs.
Speaking on her experience on the show, Sarah Agbiji explained that nothing could have prepared her for it. Sarah said:
“My favourite look I did was episode two which was a combination of the two places I call home – Manchester and Nigeria. I actually changed my look the night before. Everyone plans theirs in advance but that night everyone was looking at each other’s mood boards and I saw I needed to fix up. That, on top of my feedback from the first episode, I thought let’s get creative: you see is what you do. I feel like I lost some of my creativity along the way.”
Favourite looks from past series of Glow Up
Judge for all five series so far, Val recounted the many great looks from working on the show:
“I think the looks are all memorable in different ways, I like technical detail and the ‘go big or go home’. So if you’re going to show me something that I haven’t seen before I find it really exciting. I remember when Berny Ferr did his Berlin club look and it was beautiful. This didn’t make it into the edit but we were discussing the look with guest judge Michelle Visage and she said the only thing missing is there is no lash. I disagreed, I said not everything needs to have a lash, this is great as it is.”
Val explained that as the series approaches finding a winner, it is joyous to watch the make-up artists take on board all the feedback and bring it for the finale.
Getting that big break
All aspiring make-up artists dream of getting that big break, but Sarah explained that the key is to keep sharpening your craft.
Sarah said: “After the show everyone expects to all of a sudden blow up and have all these opportunities dashed at them, but I personally think that you have to keep working. One of the things I hate about today’s culture, social-media wise, is gatekeeping. What are you trying to hide? If we can share knowledge, we are all helping each other. You don’t know where the next person is going to get to in the future.”
Speaking on the importance of collaboration, Val recalled her big break into the make-up industry working for a small magazine in Australia. She said:
“I was an assistant hairdresser on a show and I remember working for the lead key artist who was quite famous in her own right. She was up for this shoot, but she couldn’t do it and she said that she’d get the new kid on the block, Val Garland. So I got this break to do this hair and make-up shoot. Shortly after this one editorial, I came to London and I went to find an agent: they took me on instantly. So do the little jobs and they will help open the doors.”
The reality TV judge ended her story with key advice to any aspiring make-up artist: say yes to everything.
Val’s make-up top tip
Closing the interview, Yorkshire Bylines asked Val for her one pivotal make-up top tip and without hesitation the make-up guru said:
“Smile. Just smile. Do you know who told me that? Helen Mirren.”
Val explained that a smile can be the finishing touch to any make-up look.
Episode one of BBC Three’s Glow Up: Britain’s next Make-Up star is ready to stream on BBC Iplayer.
