About

About Victoria Poland – Makeup Artist & SFX Designer

Using makeup to tell a story has been at the heart of Victoria’s career since her early work on films such as Edge of Tomorrow and Anna Karenina. Now a London-based makeup artist with over 15 years of industry experience, she works across film, commercial and advertising, bringing a thoughtful, design-led approach to every project.

Known for her calm, adaptable approach on set and her ability to meet complex briefs, no challenge is too technical, unusual or ambitious.

When not on set, Victoria can usually be found throwing shapes on the potter’s wheel, exploring galleries, travelling to far-flung places, cooking, or listening to live music.

Portrait of London makeup artist Victoria Poland

Clients

As a makeup designer and SFX artist, Victoria has built a diverse skill set spanning beauty, character, and prosthetic work. She has collaborated with award-winning photographers and created makeup for global brands such as Virgin Atlantic, easyJet, British Airways, Amazon, Puma, Nike, and New Balance.

From crafting realistic SFX shingles on location in Ecuador and China to developing waterproof makeup for major international campaigns, Victoria thrives on creative problem solving.

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Photographers

Andy Glass, Andy Lo Po, Adam Hinton, Dylan Collard, Em Cole, Erik Almas, Felicity Crawshaw, George Logan, James Loveday, James Williamson, Julian Ward, Kate Peters, Kell Mitchell, Lewis Khan, Mads Perch, Nick Dolding, Paul Calver, Sebastian Nevols, Simon Webb, Spencer Murphy, Todd Anthony, Tom Van Shelven, Wade Brothers

victoriapolandmakeup
@victoriapolandmakeup(opens in a new tab)
9,985 followers5,306 following

SFX & Creative Makeup Artist 🎨 | Bringing characters to life with special effects & natural looks ✨ | Stills 📸 | Commercials 🎥

http://www.victoriapolandmakeup.com/
My monster and ghost hands seen on Lidl TVC.
With many thanks to @sharrondaly who recommended me to the lovely @gillturnerphoto and @colin_campbell_photo. I had less than two day to prep for this and ended up making probondos for the green monster hand because I couldn’t find anything off the shelf that was suitable. Found a lovely prosthetic from @jessfxstore for the ghost hand. Thanks also to @christiehuseyin who very kindly taught me the coin method of making an educated guess about nail sizes and saving me a load of time painting nails I didn’t need.  Great team on the day:
Client @lidigb
Agency @d5london
Lidl Creative Director @vickifoster
Droga 5 Creative Director @joeholt
Droga 5 Producer: Carol Oakley
Director @colin_campbell_photo
Agent / Producer @gillturnerphoto
Directors Assistant @emily_edwards_photography
DOP @lloydcook
1st AC @jacobhasacamera
Playback Operator: Liam Coles
Digi Op @retouching_shed
Studio @twoten_east
Model Maker @mandythemaker
Food Stylist @dagmarfood
Food Stylist Assistant @sophiegoslingfood
Prop Stylist @sharrondaly
SFX/Make In Artist @@victoriapolandmakeup  Talent / Monster Hands: Shane @sandrareynoldsmodels
Talent / Ghost Hand: Joelle @handsbyjoelle @hiredhandsmodels
Hidl #nortu #fand #fandatulin
Final design! Swipe to see a bit more about the process.

The start of the sculpture. I drew out a rough hand shape and then started laying down some scales. The reference was an image created in AI so I wanted to create something similar but put my own take on it. The client didn’t want anything too scary or gory. It had to feel like something you might be able to make at home.

Lots of little texture pieces to be moulded.

After I’ve created a silicone mould from the sculptures, I fill with probondo. Here is a test of the probondo on my hand before colouring.

Trying out green paints with the scales

Need the green to be more neon.

Found a “Green Screen” paint set meant for literally painting people to match a green screen by Reel Colour. First you use the white paint and then the neon green over the top. I airbrushed.
It’s not all SFX, sometimes I get to go to lovely places and do lovely makeup on lovely people. Me and @asha.modha manifested a trip to the Amalfi coast together and what a treat it was. Shot for EasyJet by the incredible travel and lifestyle photographer @leonfoggitt and filmed by action man @_charliekey we had an absolute blast staying in fancy hotels and eating beautiful food. Art Direction by the inimitable @emilyfrancisflanagan who has such an incredible eye. Digi and lighting by the wonderful @harrylawlor. And super stylish producer @lucy.butta kept us all fed, watered and happy in blazing heat. Swipe to the end to see why you should never take selfies with models.
Gorgeous people @asha.modha @alberto_neri_model and @lucyasherratt
Happy Father’s Day to the best Dad and model I could ask for. Thanks for endlessly championing me and for all that you have done for us. Sending so much love to those who are missing their dads, those who never knew them, and anyone with a complicated relationship with fatherhood too.  Products used:  I used PAM’s “Really useful vinyl bald cap” from @pam_london.
Mel Pax paints by @melproductsusa. Skin illustrator for the colouring ALWAYS by @ppipremiereproducts. “Matt that” by @alliedfxco to remove shine. Thanks to @adrian_rigby for imparting his bald cap knowledge so generously and the recommendation of products. You are the bald cap 👑
Instagram post
Just back from a fantastic couple of days learning from the silicone painting master @djmalinowski. I can’t quite believe I achieved such a realistic result. David is so generous with his knowledge and I couldn’t recommend the course more. David provided the head and taught us over two days how to achieve a realistic skin tone. Scroll to see the before! 📸 by @djmalinowski.