Speaking with his hands

He is the man with the golden touch. A creative heart who has been stroking to perfection the facial bones of leading female actors, busy zipping from one glossy cover shoot to another, prepping haute faces for red carpet appearances and yet staying grounded and accessible to all at the same time.

Adrian Jacobs is a force to reckon with in the make-up industry: his is an inspiring story of making a career switch (when the chips were down) and carving mega success for himself in the field of glamour.

From working as a cabin attendant to being a make-up artiste, how has the journey been? “It has been a fabulous journey,” he enthuses. “After working as a cabin attendant for nine years, I got an opportunity to work with MAC for close to two months. I never really planned to be a make-up artiste. You can call it serendipity.”

He goes on, “About eight years ago, Virgin Atlantic shut its base in Mumbai and I was out of work. I had to figure out my plan of action next. I was toying with the idea of leaving for the US or doing something on my own in travel, but then my interest in the make-up business took shape.”

The ditty started with Adrian working as a make-up artiste in one season of Lakme Fashion Week. “I have learnt on the job and have never had the opportunity of being an assistant. It took me two years to understand the process, but being on my own, I have learnt from my mistakes. I was never inspired to be a make-up artiste because at that point in time, I did not know where I was headed. I was actually shooting arrows in the dark, then and now. Today, it is immensely gratifying when you see a large audience appreciating your work. You grow with the actor. It is a beautiful journey, and I am constantly investing a lot of hard work,” he says.

Jacobs got a chance to work with actor Mahie Gill during her Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster days, hot on the heels of the success of Dev D. He did her make-up subsequently for several events. Soon enough, he found himself working with Rajshri Productions, and in the very first year, he got a chance to work with Aishwarya Rai.

Two diverse, exciting professions in his repertoire, and both of them involving travel. “ I love my work,” says Adrian, currently basking in the praise that is flowing his way for crafting actor Kriti Sanon’s look in the song ‘Main Tera Boyfriend’ from the film Raabta.

His mother was a very popular hairstylist and worked with Mamta Kulkarni, Hema Malini and Dimple Kapadia, giving Adrian an insight into the working of the Indian film industry. So, what is the best part about working with film stars? “Your work is recognised the moment it appears. Also, over the past five years, social media has emerged as a big platform and everybody appreciates your work instantly.

Bollywood is so big across the world that every star that I have worked with has showcased my craft and it has won immediate acclaim. It is wonderful to get hundreds of messages from all over the world, with loads of love and appreciation pouring in.”

He goes on, “I have been very blessed to work with Aishwarya Rai, Alia Bhatt, Parineeti Chopra, Amy Jackson, Kriti Sanon...I want to work next with Sonam Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra at some point. Actor Rakshanda Khan gave me a lot of opportunities at the inception of my career and has been my lucky charm along with Mahie Gill.”

Prod him to share gems in vanity caddy inclusions for us non-celebs, and Adrian reveals, “Invest in a derma concealer and primer. Apply the concealer sparingly, it smooths out the skin. Hot orange and dusty pink are in vogue in lip colours. A smart trick is to use a little Vaseline on your cheeks for a natural shine. Make sure you use very less (liquid) base mixed with a dot of moisturiser during the monsoon for a dewy glow,” he says, turning around to commence the next make-up session.