An introduction
Hi,
I'm Elka, the makeup artist behind Belle Blue.
My career spans over twenty years and encompasses many media types, including film, television, theatre, and events. I have worked on incredible productions, including The Matrix, Moulin Rouge, The Narnia Chronicles, Star Wars, The Hobbit, The Great Gatsby, and Aquaman.
Film work has taken me around the globe, and in 2012, I spent eight months working in the deserts of Namibia, helping to create the looks for Mad Max - Fury Road. All that hard work keeping makeup on in a 40-degree sandblaster led to a surprise Oscar win and a trip to LA for the ceremony! Yet my most satisfying achievement was still to come.
In 2019, I gave birth to my daughter and also a dream of working close to home. Belle Blue allows me to be here with my family in the stunning landscape of the Blue Mountains.
My inspiration is the natural world, and this reflects in my approach to wedding makeup. People should see you first, not your makeup. It's natural glamour; radiant skin, harmoniously blended colours, stained lips, and a great set of lashes. Of course, if you want something more stylised, I can do that too.
There's nothing like the excitement and joy of a wedding morning. It's intimate, emotional, and a privilege to play a small role in such a special day. My goal is to use my skills to help you feel beautiful, confident, and most importantly, like yourself on your wedding day.
"I want to use my skills to help women feel beautiful, confident and most importantly, like themselves."
Elka took the time to understand what I wanted in terms of make up for my wedding. In a trial session she listened to my ideas, but also extended them and created an amazing look. I wanted to look gorgeous but still feel like myself and Elka definitely made me shine. Having Elka do my make up made me feel confident and polished. Elka emphasised my natural beauty rather than transforming me - I looked radiant and I still remember my husband's face as I walked down the aisle. It was important to me that amongst all the ceremony and fanciness he could recognise the woman he fell in love with. Elka's skills and attentiveness enhanced a most special moment in my life.
Jenna Verhoeven
Elka, thank you so much for sharing in our wedding day…
The make-up looks you created for me, my mother, and my sisters, were just what we wanted. Being someone who rarely wears make-up, I didn’t want to look to “overdone”. The look you created was natural and soft, with a hint of glam and whimsy. From our first contact I felt listened to, and I loved the energy you brought to the trial and the big day. Not only did you nail the brief, but you truly helped to make me feel calm, confident, and absolutely beautiful. I am so glad we had you on our team.
Julia Murphy
I had the pleasure of meeting Elka when she did my makeup when I was bridesmaid for a friend and I was thrilled with the result. As soon as I began planning my own wedding I knew I wanted to Elka to do my makeup again. Not only does she put you at ease with her lovely, happy personality she is truly an amazing makeup artist. I was unsure of exactly what I was after and Elka spent a lot of time questioning me and coming up with a look that was perfect for me.
On the day I felt that Elka created a beautiful, natural and long lasting look that made me look like the best possible version of myself. She also did a great job for all of my bridesmaids and was very efficient. We were all ready on time!
I would recommend Elka to anyone who wants to look and feel amazing on their big day.
Bronwyn Mather
Fun Fact - The dress I wore to the Oscars was my wedding dress!
Oscar - a short story
Maybe it's the fear of 'tall poppy syndrome,' but usually, I don't like to tell people I have an Oscar.
I'm telling you because, in the short time I have your attention, it's the best way to let you know you'll be in good hands. After that, my hope is that you will forget about it!
I don't like to talk about myself or be the centre of attention. I prefer simplicity over superfluity and experiences over extravagance. Yet in 2016, I found myself in the middle of Hollywood's 'night of nights,' a true spectacle of glitz and glamour. I was equally excited and terrified! It still doesn't feel real. Probably because I floated through the whole event in a cloud of anxiety and adrenaline. Actually, it was a similar feeling to my wedding day!
It was worth pushing through the fear because, at the end of the day, I shared an incredible time with my husband; I have a great story about getting caught up on Chrissy Teigen's dress and a trophy to remind me that it all actually happened.
Winning an Oscar changed my life, but not in the ways you might imagine. I didn't move to Hollywood, start earning more money, or be offered more jobs; that all stayed the same. Oscar gave me the courage to step away from the drawbacks of film life; the insecure work, 14 hr days, and haggling over pay and conditions. To have the family I'd been longing for and create a business of my own, and for that, I am beyond grateful.
But enough about me; I want to tell you how I can best serve you.