Look Behind The Look

Welcome back, Lookers! In this bite-sized edition of Look Behind The Look, we dive into the iconic 90s film, The Bodyguard, starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. From Whitney's unforgettable performance of "I Will Always Love You" to the behind-the-scenes magic, this episode is packed with nostalgia and fascinating insights.

I had the honor of speaking with Academy Award-winning makeup artist Valli O'Reilly, who shared her journey of becoming Whitney's makeup artist for the film. Valli reveals the products she used, the makeup tests they performed, and even shares some treasured items from the set that she's kept for over 30 years.Discover the story behind Whitney's "glamorously natural" look, the iconic red lipstick, and the makeup techniques that brought her character, Rachel Maron, to life. Valli's anecdotes and expert tips will transport you back to the film's production and highlight the artistry involved in creating such an enduring look.

Let's also delve into the creation of the film's costumes, particularly the stunning Queen of the Night outfit. We found Susan Niniger's inspiration, which drew from Fritz Lang's Metropolis and Thierry Mugler's designs, and reflects on her collaboration with Whitney and the film's director, Mick Jackson.Join us as we celebrate Whitney Houston's legacy, explore the creative forces behind The Bodyguard, and reminisce about the moments that made this film a timeless classic. Share your favorite Bodyguard and Whitney moments with us on our Substack, and let's keep the conversation going!00:00:00 Welcome00:01:14 Whitney Houston first time meeting with Valli O'Reilly00:02:24 The Queen of the Night

00:07:02 Whitney Houston's iconic cover of Dolly Parton's song.Get full access to Look Behind The Look's Substack from Tiffany Bartok at lookbehindthelook.substack.com/subscribe

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Written by Jayce Bartok

Edited by Kelli Reilly

Where is Ve Neill in this sequel and what do you think happened? Those of us who grew up with the original want answers, Mr. Burton.

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice comes out today and I'll of course be seeing it with the fam... let me know your thoughts in the comments!

This week, we have a very special guest, Tricia Sawyer, who holds a unique place in our podcast's history as my very first interviewee. Trisha is back to discuss her Emmy-nominated work on the visually stunning series Palm Royale on Apple TV. We dive into the intricate details of her craft, from the meticulous makeup designs to the collaborative process with costume and hair departments. Trisha shares her experiences working with the incredible cast, including Kristen Wiig, Carol Burnett, and Allison Janney, and gives us a sneak peek into the upcoming projects she's involved in, including an exciting new film about the early days of SNL.

**PLEASE NOTE! Mercury is Retro and so our zoom was glitching! Apologies but we tried several times to reconnect, then just embraced the glitch. My husband lovingly covered any awkward freezes with graphics- you know how bad an awkward freeze can be:) Enjoy this episode! 00:00:00 Welcome!

00:09:45 Discussing Palm Royale and its Emmy nomination

00:13:20 The creative process behind Palm Royale

00:18:40 Makeup secrets for Kristen Wiig and the cast

00:23:10 The unique looks for each character

00:27:50 Working with Carol Burnett and Kristen Wiig

00:34:00 Behind the scenes of the final ball scene

00:38:15 Teasing Season 2 of Palm Royale

00:41:30 Collaboration with the hair department

00:45:00 Inspirations and references for the show's looks

00:50:00 Upcoming SNL project and other endeavors Get full access to Look Behind

The Look's Substack from Tiffany Bartok at

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Show notes created by HEADLINER

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Welcome to Season 5, Episode 2 of Look Behind The Look! This week, we dive into the dazzling world of the cult classic film Xanadu with the legendary hair designer Martin Samuel. In this episode, Martin shares his journey from working on Coal Miner's Daughter to creating the unforgettable hair designs for Olivia Newton-John and the rest of the Xanadu cast. He recounts his experiences working with icons like Gene Kelly, his creative process, and the behind-the-scenes stories that made Xanadu a visual feast. From the punk looks to the 1940s-inspired styles, Martin's covers all of the looks in the film.

Martin's illustrious career includes three Oscar and BAFTA nominations for his work on the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Hitchcock, and numerous accolades from the Hollywood Beauty Awards and the Makeup Artists and Hairstylist Guild. His passion for Hollywood musicals and his close friendship with Olivia Newton-John bring Martin’s stories to life, and the infectious joy that Xanadu brings to all of us in the new clearly came from the productions’ inception.

Stay tuned for the upcoming bite-sized episode that delves deeper into the costumes and the film's reception. But for now, enjoy this full-length conversation with Martin Samuel, filled with laughter, nostalgia, and a deep appreciation for the artistry behind Xanadu.

00:00:00 Welcome

00:02:57 Hello to Martin Samuel let’s get into Xanadu!

00:07:39 Gene Kelly

00:09:14 Was the film production challenged with a low budget? Let’s talk about the production.

00:14:08 Did you have a favorite era that you enjoyed working on the most

00:15:43 Olivia’s secret to her pure joy in the last scene… and the haircut Martin gave her.

00:19:31 Were you surprised at how the film was received when it first came out?

00:20:43 Gene Kelly choreographed Olivia's 40’s number and directed it.

00:29:30 Martin on his friendship with Olivia.

Get full access to Look Behind The Look's Substack from Tiffany Bartok at lookbehindthelook.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to Season 5 of Look Behind The Look! We are thrilled to kick off this milestone season with the incredibly talented Moira Frazier, who’s back with us after another Emmy nomination for her brilliant work on Abbott Elementary. We will get into her creative process, and all the behind-the-scenes magic that brings the characters of Abbott Elementary to life. Moira shares her process for wig prep, the evolution of key characters like Janine and Ava, and the meticulous details that go into each look. From dealing with over 100 wigs to collaborating with drag queens for a special episode, Moira's energy is infectious as she takes us to set with her stories. Don't miss out on this insightful episode filled with laughter, inspiration, and a peek into the world of TV hair and makeup design.

Plus, learn about Moira's OWN must-have products that keep the cast looking flawless.

Here is a link to her products.

00:00:00 Welcome!

00:04:13 Moira's second Emmy nomination

00:04:41 100 wigs- yes you heard that right

00:07:49 Manny is my favorite character and Moira lets me in on his character's development.

00:09:19 Everyone on Abbott is glowing up

00:13:10 Ava's evolution

00:15:08 That time a wig shrunk- you heard it here first!

00:18:15 The Drag episode

00:21:20 Moira's products

00:23:46 Bye for now!

Get full access to Look Behind The Look's Substack from Tiffany Bartok

Show notes created by my favorite assistant Headliner

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Getting Ready for 2025 with more Bite-Sized Episodes and interviews with industry experts, celebrating the craft of hair and makeup artistry, and costume design. I wanted to let you in on how we got here and thank you for subscribing, spreading the word and for building a community that celebrates incredible work.

Join me to celebrate the Icon that is Faye Dunaway by taking a closer look into CHINATOWN's Evelyn Mulwray. Let's look at what the collaboration of artists like costume designer Anthea Sylbert, and makeup artist and hair designers Lee Harman and Hank Edds resulted in and hear about the detail that went into the unforgettable look of Evelyn.

*Don't forget to watch the documentary that is out right now on HBO about the incredible career of Faye Dunaway. There is also a LOT MORE BTS about Chinatown in the documentary including even MORE about the HMU team and Costume Design... but I won't give it away here because I highly recommend this doc and hopefully this will entice you view it yourselves:)

WATCH the Episode Here:

Video Edited by Kelli Reilly of Quartermaster Creative

Watch FAYE directed by Laurent Bouzereau

Watch Chinatown on Amazon or Paramount+

Chinatown for Collectors

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Being the level of Prince Fan that I am, this was one I was hesitant to put out, but it had to be done and I hope you like it!

More Prince https://amzn.to/3WtvAd2

Other People's Purple Rain Creations https://creatoriq.cc/4clsLQy More Storytelling https://lookbehindthelook.substack.com

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Taking a break from her time working on the set of The Bear, Ally Vickers joins me again on the pod to talk about her amazing work in Hit Man. The Rick Linklater film starring Glen Powell which came out on Netflix this week is a joy to watch, and despite the many different looks, the Louisiana Heat and a modest budget, Ally had a blast collaborating with the Makeup and Costume Department and even Glen Powell himself, on the many different personas of our favorite Hit Man. Listen as she shares stories from set and reveals some of her favorite products. And let me know what you thought of the movie!

Look Behind The Look's Substack from Tiffany Bartok is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Join us on a soul-nourishing journey with the illustrious Nicky Posley on this episode of Look Behind The Look. Nicky, a beacon of positivity and wisdom in the beauty industry, shares his experiences and philosophies on navigating the complex life of a creative. With years of expertise as both a makeup artist and an educator, Nicky's insights on self-care and emotional resilience are a masterclass in personal and professional growth. As we delve into the essence of Nicky's work, we discuss the importance of standing firm in your values, the transformative power of makeup, and the art of maintaining one's sanity while serving others. Nicky’s approach to beauty is not just about creating flawless complexions; it's about empowering individuals through the art of transformation. His advice on building a career in makeup artistry is grounded in intentionality, patience, and the power of kindness. This conversation is more than just an exploration of Nikki's career; it's an uplifting guide to living a creative life with purpose. Tune in for an episode that will leave you inspired and ready to paint your own canvas, both literally and metaphorically. For more of Nikki's work and educational offerings, visit his Instagram @nickyposley and his website www.nickyposley.com (currently under construction for exciting updates). Don't forget to share your thoughts with us after absorbing the wisdom from this enriching dialogue!

My favorite Assistant: https://make.headliner.app/referral/lookbehindthelookpod_M76kAn ---