TASTER DAY
On the 14th February, the Make-up and Hair Design course held a taster day for future students.
Taster days are designed to provide you with a better idea of what university is really like, the different types of subjects you can study, the buildings, the atmosphere and information about the opportunities available to you in the future. They take place on campus, so you can come in and see what Southampton Solent University is like for yourself. If you would like to find out whether you may be eligible to participate we suggest that you either ask a member of staff at your college or email us at
with the name of your college and we will let you know.
Here is how the Make-up and Hair Design taster day went.
Naturally because it was Valentines Day, the theme for the shoot was Old Hollywood Glamour, allowing Solent students to fully use their visual research skills as well as historical and film knowledge to create different looks to fit the concept. The final interpretations ranged from Audrey Hepburn to Elizabeth Taylor and Rita Hayworth.
The day started with an introduction from Kieran Kenzi, Make-up and Hair Design student in his final year. Kieran introduced Course Leader, Sharon Lloyd and Senior Lecturer, Emma Calder and talked the prospective students through what was going to happen that day while providing an overview and some general details about the course.
Meanwhile, the models were getting their hair and make-up done by our third year students, Irisha Art, Adam Lee Swain, Emma Moon, Daisy Davies and Kristie Raymond.
The future students not only had the opportunity to ask Solent Make-up artists a lot of questions and get a feel of what it’s like to go here, for themselves, they were also able to observe a Saturday Masterclass in Avant-Garde Hair taught by Technical Instructor Lottie Davies.
Saturday Masterclasses are an opportunity for students from all levels of study to engage in extra learning and specialise in novel techniques, that might not be included in the weekly timetable. Seeing current students working in a Masterclass provided a glimpse into what might be in store in the future for our excited visitors. Each student was then provided with the new Solent Face Chart, created specifically for students studying at Solent by Lecturer Kat Vogart, and asked to design a Hollywood Glamour look based on the ideas observed on set.
Our lovely visitors were not only interested in studying Make-up and Hair Design but also Fashion Styling, so the prospective students also had the opportunity to participate in the next stage of the creative process by working with Stylist and Photographer Gregorio Michael, who is also in his final year of study. The students who wished to do Fashion Styling were then asked to put together outfits for each model, based on the images of the Hollywood Icon they were shown. This could have been a nerve wracking experience but with the expert guidance of Gregorio and academic Emma Calder on hand, the students began to work quickly as a team. And they loved it!
Final image from the shoot!
Make-up and Hair - Daisy Davies
Photographer- Gregorio Michael
Retoucher- Kieran Kenzi
The day ended with a Q&A with Kieran Kenzi, who was there to answer any questions future students might have had. Each visitor left with a smile on their face and a Solent goodie bag, which included Anon Magazine, our yearly publication. Final year make-up artist Daisy Davies said that the time in the studio with the future students was very valuable. She also enjoyed the opportunity to work with other creatives as a team on the day. This was a great event for everyone involved, and we can’t wait to do it again next month.
- Words by Brindi Cristiana
- Photographs courtesy of Jeanine Romao