From supermodels Iman, Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell to stars like Jennifer Hudson, Brandy, Beyoncé and Patti LaBelle, celebrity make-up artist Sam Fine’s profile reads much like an Oscars guest list.

These women (and indeed a host of others) have all sat in his high chair, relying on his steady hand, expert eye and affinity for contour to make them look their stylish best… little wonder the Chicago native is the go-to guy when it comes to beautifying women of colour. After all, he’s been at it for two decades and is set to bring his magic to Jamaica when he, in association with Racquel Jenkins Moss-Solomon of Permanent Cosmetic Studio & Boutique, will host a seminar on September 10 as part of the Vogue Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) offering.

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Style Observer (SO): Sam, first of all, thanks very much for agreeing to come to Kingston, Jamaica and share your amazing skills with us for FNO.

Sam Fine (SF): No problem, I’m actually looking forward to it.

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SO: We’ve read your books, but tell us a couple of things about Sam Fine that we might not know.

SF: I never planned to become a make-up artist; I’m actually a fashion illustrator. It all started when I moved to New York to attend college and took a job at the make-up counter at a retail store…my friends would say, ‘Man, you’re really good at this’ and would encourage me… and the rest, as they say, is history.

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SO: How do you feel about FNO in Jamaica?

SF: I think it’s wonderful, great for the economy…getting people excited about fashion and having them spend to put that back into the system, especially during a recession, is praiseworthy.

SO: Did you participate in FNO last year in New York? If so, what did you do?

SF: Yes, I went shopping with Iman. We didn’t get much shopping done because we were having too much fun bumping into people and just enjoying the city.

SO: Share the names of some of the celebs who have you on speed dial.

SF: Monique, Vanessa Williams, Tyra, Iman, Naomi… and the list goes on; I have a September Essence cover with Iman, Naomi and Liya this month…Queen Latifah, I work with her on a lot of her Covergirl ads.

SO: So, who has you on speed dial?

SF: No one has me on speed dial, that’s why I have an agent. It’s very important that people understand that this is a business first and that bookings are my time…there are clients who call that I will make myself available to and those are the people I have worked with for over a decade.

SO: How has Sam Fine managed to remain at the top of his game in an environment that is so competitive?

SF: I don’t see it as a competitive industry, I compete with myself… from that standpoint if I were to look at the competition that’s out there then I’d see lack…I would see, for example, Halle Berry on a Vogue cover that I didn’t do; work that I wasn’t a part of and that really isn’t part of my reality. My reality is what I bring to the game, how special and unique I am.

SO: You have long understood the dynamics of women of colour and as such were able to cross over. Long before it became the norm. Tell us about this.

SF: Having been in this industry for almost 20 years, I go almost anywhere my clients take me; there’s no formula…when Queen Latifah did Covergirl, when Brandy did Covergirl, when Beyoncé did L’Oreal…I was lucky enough to be requested for those jobs, and few of us (make-up artists) have had the opportunity to work with such stellar celebs who will bring us along on their journey to even greater success. That’s the reason I can do a DVD and make appearances in Jamaica… they have set the stage.

SO: How has the game changed Sam?

SF: More people see that we exist today; things like Fashion’s Night Out and Fashion Week in Jamaica, the red carpet watches and reality shows have given us a certain visibility…now, networks call us to find out how we achieved a certain look. I came into the industry 20 years ago, when there was a handful of us…now everyone knows who does Rihanna’s hair. When I was 18 years old my parents didn’t understand my wanting to be a make-up artist, they didn’t understand how much money one stands to gain because of the multibillion-dollar industry it supports. And how that support could bring someone like me to the White House, having worked with Michelle Obama. The perception of stylists has changed tremendously.

SO: What does today’s celeb want from a make-up artist?

SF: Gosh, aside from the obvious it’s very important to be on time, being versed in having the cosmetics that speak to your clients. In many ways I’m a highly paid servant and it’s always good to bear that in mind. I just came back from working with Jennifer Hudson and we had a conversation wherein she told me she wanted a nude look; I had to translate what that means to me, but still ensure that’s what it also meant to her.

SO: You are known as the king of brows; share with us the secrets of that perfect arch.

SF: It comes, I think, from my background as an illustrator. It’s all about using those one-dimensional sketches and bringing them to a three-dimensional form, and so to me, it’s drawing. It has become a signature mark…I’m always proud when another artiste says ‘Oh, that’s a Sam Fine brow’.

SO: What can we expect from Sam Fine’s make-up seminar?

SF:I always come with a fresh mind, I allow the attendees to really lead me as to their understanding of make-up, their needs. Being on an island that is warm I’m sure is gonna be a hot topic. As a professional I can demonstrate it all and speak to it all. I allow them to show me what they know. I aim to please, my classes offer tons of information and we talk about everything… from drugstore brands to tips and tricks. I come to have a great time, so be prepared to laugh and learn and also walk away with a DVD that reinforces all that will be taught.

SO: What should some of our local make-up pros know about the biz and the key to longevity?

SF:Like every industry, you have to pace yourself. Mentally, you have to realise that everything has its time and place. There are a lot of highs and lows; there are some clients that I no longer work with, and I have no reason for that, it’s just time. You have to prepare yourself for whatever comes. If you’re only defining yourself by the latest magazine cover, then what do you do when the next one comes out and it’s not you? You have to constantly raise the bar.

SO: Share with us ladies a few style tips for Fashion’s Night Out. The look that’s hot. What to wear, how to wear it.

SF: I find that women of colour are so shy to wear foundation, powder, blush and bronzer. I feel that these things are still very new to us as a people. Long before you put on that black dress or that catsuit you have to think about what goes underneath. So, for me, you always have to go back to the basics, how to apply foundation and make the most of your features. I don’t really speak to trends, because when I look around a room there are always gonna be women in six-inch stilettos and others in flats, because it’s all about comfort and personality. I allow that personality to come across in make-up as well. There’s also going to be someone who prefers a nude lip and someone who prefers bright red lipstick and they’re equally beautiful, it’s just what makes that woman feel like she stands out.

Share in the Sam Fine celebrity make-up experience at Fashion’s Night Out. Register for his celebrity make-up workshop which takes place Friday, September 10, 2010 at the Courtleigh Auditorium, New Kingston, 4:00pm-6:00pm

Cost US$120.00 Call (876) 946 2507