If you have followed us for a while you might see a familiar face in this feature. You could have seen Kelly Forster already in the article about Simon Jameson in our first print edition. Now - as part of our Advent Calendar - you have the chance not only to see pictures of her, but to learn about this incredible model and makeup artist by reading the interview with her.
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Kelly, please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with. How old are you? Where were you born and where do you live now? What is your profession and do you have other besides modelling?
My name is Kelly Forster, I am 27 born on June the 5th in Consett and currently living in County Durham, but my dream is to one day move to the Lake District. My main profession is modelling; however, I am also a makeup artist, tattoo artist, Carer for my amazing Nan Mary and a mother of two beautiful girls Kaydence and Kiana. Besides my very hectic lifestyle I am currently studying my bachelors degree in criminology and psychology, and my hobbies including gaming and cars, I love pretty much anything with an engine! How long have you been a model and why do you want to work as a model? I have been modelling for almost two years now, I had wanted to do modelling from a very young age, after spending a lot of my time strutting around my parents living room watching America's next top model, my family always encouraged me to go for it but I never had the confidence, after years of pretty rough times I finally pushed myself into it, and I’ve never looked back since. |
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How did you get your start in the industry and did you educate yourself in the field by e.g. a course?
I actually started modelling after chaperoning my sister on one of her photoshoots, the photographer asked me to jump in and made me feel so comfortable, I just rolled with it and I absolutely loved it, I found myself booking more and more shoots and meeting some lovely people along the way. 
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During shoots, what is often the most fun part, and what is the most challenging part?
The most fun part of a shoot for me is getting to collaborate with such fantastic people and designers. My go to designer and good friend Suzy from House of Avalonia makes every shoot incredible with her beautiful gothic designs. The most challenging part of a shoot for me is probably finding locations that are welcoming, I prefer location rather than studio. |
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Have you travelled and lived in different parts of the world? How is modelling different in e.g. London or your area? I have never actually travelled for modelling yet due to other commitments, although I am currently in the process of booking a trip to London for shoots with my modelling agency Charliez Angelz, and I’m extremely excited! What is your go-to outfit for daytime? My go to outfits vary for me, I am so colour coordinated, I am dressed up pretty much every day and I love to make everything perfect, my shoes and bags and jewellery always match, my makeup and nails always compliment my outfits and I have that much clothing I generally have to pick a colour focus for the week ahead. How do you master the art of posing? I absolutely love to get into character when shooting and I think that helps make poses flow, whether you're being creepy, scary, acting out like a doll or just being seductive, you need to feel the outfit you're wearing. |
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What do you do to stay in shape?
I stay in shape by doing morning and night yoga, and a weightlifting routine with my personal trainer three times a week. I wouldn’t necessarily say I eat anything special, I'll pretty much eat anything someone puts in front of me.
I stay in shape by doing morning and night yoga, and a weightlifting routine with my personal trainer three times a week. I wouldn’t necessarily say I eat anything special, I'll pretty much eat anything someone puts in front of me.
What is your favourite food?
My favourite food is probably cake, I am obsessed, I definitely have more of a sweet tooth than I should!
What do you love most about modelling?
Although I love everything about the makeup and outfits that come with modelling, I would say the thing I love most is my main photographer Simon Jameson, who just so happens to be my fiancé and the reason I carry on with modelling even when I feel low.
Do you have any advice for aspiring models?
My advice to aspiring models would probably be to go for it, be yourself and love yourself and your confidence will finally grow, show everyone how beautiful you are inside and out.
My favourite food is probably cake, I am obsessed, I definitely have more of a sweet tooth than I should!
What do you love most about modelling?
Although I love everything about the makeup and outfits that come with modelling, I would say the thing I love most is my main photographer Simon Jameson, who just so happens to be my fiancé and the reason I carry on with modelling even when I feel low.
Do you have any advice for aspiring models?
My advice to aspiring models would probably be to go for it, be yourself and love yourself and your confidence will finally grow, show everyone how beautiful you are inside and out.
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What is your beauty routine?
Most mornings I’m up by 6.30, I like to start my day with a relaxing yoga session followed by my beauty routine, after a good exfoliation in the bath, I start by using a gentle cleanser, then I use a toner to refresh my skin, next I use an advanced serum and hydrating gel followed by a revitalising eye roll on, and I finish by moisturising my face, hands and body, then applying my makeup. At night I like to cleanse my face once again, apply moisturising boosters followed by a leave on vitamin e oil. Once a week, normally on a weekend I enjoy using charcoal face masks, vitamin e face masks, pore strips and coconut oil in my hair, followed by my weekly change of acrylic nails and tan application.
Most mornings I’m up by 6.30, I like to start my day with a relaxing yoga session followed by my beauty routine, after a good exfoliation in the bath, I start by using a gentle cleanser, then I use a toner to refresh my skin, next I use an advanced serum and hydrating gel followed by a revitalising eye roll on, and I finish by moisturising my face, hands and body, then applying my makeup. At night I like to cleanse my face once again, apply moisturising boosters followed by a leave on vitamin e oil. Once a week, normally on a weekend I enjoy using charcoal face masks, vitamin e face masks, pore strips and coconut oil in my hair, followed by my weekly change of acrylic nails and tan application.
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How long have you been a makeup artist and how did you get your start in the industry?
I have being doing makeup for as long as I can remember, I think I was only 8 years old when I first began using makeup, my fascination grew and still grows to this day, I began my career in makeup when I was only 18 and have now became fully qualified in all aspects of makeup including special effects. What do you love most about makeup? The thing I love most about makeup is probably the face painting and prosthetic side, I love to challenge myself with creative and intricate designs and the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment you get from creating beautiful designs, either for yourself or a client is second to none. 
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Where do you get your inspiration from?
My inspiration doesn’t really come from a particular individual so to speak, my imagination runs wild when creating makeup, looks and face painting and I love to catch people’s eyes, there’s nothing better than nailing your eyeshadow look and having people pull you to one side when your shopping or something to tell you how great it looks. How do you prepare for a shoot? I am so organised when it comes to photoshoots, I need to make sure the location and aesthetic is perfect, the outfits have to be breath-taking and my makeup, nails and accessories always have to match perfectly and I have a large selection of hair pieces to compliment any theme, my preparation for a shoot takes hours!! |
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How do you decide which looks work best and why?
The key to finding the best look for me is always in the preparation, finding the theme, trying on your outfit and accessorising everything perfectly, my makeup needs to fit with my hair, I find darker makeup fits better with dark hair and so on. What items and products do you use for both hair and makeup? I have too many makeup and hair items to list if I’m completely honest but my go to makeup items are probably Jeffree star cosmetics, Hudda beauty, Urban decay and some of the Kylie Jenner brands, for hair I swear by Treseme and 100% human hair extensions or pieces. |
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Credits
Photographers
Simon Jameson
Russel Baston
Designer
House of Avalonia
Representation
Charliez Angelz
Photographers
Simon Jameson
Russel Baston
Designer
House of Avalonia
Representation
Charliez Angelz