Mary Greenwell - 2011 Mentor

She has worked with everyone from Princess Diana to Kate Moss and is one of the world’s most sought-after make-up artists. She’s also launched her own fragrance, Plum by Mary Greenwell

Mary Greenwell
Mary Greenwell

She has worked with everyone from Princess Diana to Kate Moss and is one of the world’s most sought-after make-up artists. She’s also launched her own fragrance, Plum by Mary Greenwell

Mary Greenwell has worked with everyone from Princess Diana to Kate Moss. One of the world’s most sought-after make-up artists, she’s also launched her own fragrance, Plum by Mary Greenwell.

We caught up to talk inspiration and her own experiences of mentoring.

What’s been a career high? It was definitely the summer of 1984 in Paris. I was working with Grace Coddington who was the editor of British Vogue at the time. All the supermodels had arrived in Paris and I was surrounded by the most amazing creative team. Obviously working with Princess Diana was a huge honour.

MEET THE REST OF THE 2011 MENTORS HERE

What’s the best careers advice that you’ve been given? You have to have the right personality to do this job – it can be a turbulent lifestyle! If you go into this type of work, be prepared to do the work. As Woody Allen said, 80 per cent of success is just turning up.

What makes a good mentor? I entered the industry at a young age when there weren’t many makeup artists so I never had much of a mentor. But I think they can be hugely valuable - it's about sharing knowledge and experience.

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