Every month we're highlighting a local, independent business in the town.

This month it is Kirsten Sare Makeup Artist.

Kirsten is a qualified makeup artist with more than 15 years of experience.

"I started my makeup training in 2004," Kirsten said, "I went to various colleges in the South West and then in 2009 I went to Delamar Academy, which is based at Ealing Film Studios because I realised that if I was going to do it, I wanted to do it properly and get as much training as I can, training that's recognised in the industry and the Delamar Academy was always on my radar.

"They train you in TV and film but all different kinds of makeup, including beauty, wigs and hair, special effects, so I covered a whole spectrum by going there."

Since then, Kirsten has done various short films, including Lawrence After Arabia.

She added: "You always build up that confidence and experience over time. Some people think you just rock up and do a bit of makeup, but it's a lot of hard work and it's gaining that confidence and skills. It's been over 10 years and I'm still learning - it's not an overnight thing."

As well as makeup for films, she also offers bridal and commercial makeup.

"I've done over 300 weddings," Kirsten said. "I do a lot of commercial makeup, so I've done the Dorset Tea campaign for example.

"Because I've trained in all of it, luckily I can turn my hand to all of it."

Kirsten is also a qualified teacher, offering lessons and workshops, and a neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) practitioner, a psychological approach that involves analysing and individual's unconscious biases or limitations.

She also volunteers for the Look Good Feel Good charity, which provides makeup tutorials and tips to help those undergoing treatment for cancer. During the pandemic, they have been delivering workshops over Zoom.

She added: "We've reached nearly 7,000 people in the year by doing that. I feel absolutely blessed to be doing that."

To find out more, visit kirstensare.co.uk or follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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