CRAVEN College students were given some top tips by award-winning international make-up artist Kate Benton.

The BBC media and prosthetics expert shared her extensive television and film knowledge, ranging from her work on Clash Of The Titans, Dead Ringers, Love Actually and Waking The Dead.

After training and working for the BBC, Kate told the students how she went freelance and opened a professional make-up supply shop in West London, which is now the country's market leader.

Her credits in a long list of film, commercials and documentaries also include Johnny English, Ad Fab, The Last Kingdom and The Royals.

She demonstrated some make-up and wig techniques and helped students understand the challenges and pressures of working in the fast-moving industry.

Afterwards, she praised the facilities at the college, saying: “The resources are fantastic and the students are blessed to have such great studios and industry specialist tutors, who are right up to date with the latest techniques and developments in media make-up and prosthetics.

"They also know how to teach them – it gives the student a great kick-start to their careers. Craven stands out even above some London colleges – I know, I have visited them all.”

Natasha Jordan, programme leader for media make-up and prosthetic, said it was a privilege to have a visit from such a "dynamic, exciting and talented make-up artist".

She added: “It’s important for the students to know more about their career choices in media make-up and to hear first-hand from someone who has been nominated for so many awards across such a wide range of genre.

"Kate is always in demand and is known to work fast to produce major transformations in the business.”

Kate's top three tips she shared with students were always to have on them a rain hood to protect hair pieces in case of bad weather, a headscarf to cover hair rollers and a fan to cool overheated actors!

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