Welcome to Olympia Beauty 2019!

Olympia Beauty presents... Brush Wars 2019

Brush Wars welcomes make-up artists from across the world to the competition floor. Judged by our very own panel of industry experts renowned worldwide, Brush Wars hosts a fashion makeup and bodypaint competition, renowned as the most visually compelling competition held at Olympia Beauty. Brush Wars 2019 welcomes both Professional and Student make up artists to the competition arena and is doubling the number of competition seats available, due to increased demand in 2018! Register today to secure your place!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
SAVE 20% WHEN YOU REGISTER BEFORE 22.04.19!

Announcing the theme for Brush Wars 2019...

The Genius of Alexander McQueen

The competition this year will offer separate sections for Fashion Makeup and Body Painting.
Our theme for the Brush Wars Competition 2019 will focus on the work of Alexander McQueen. We visited the exhibition “Savage Beauty” at the V&A & were inspired by his iconic designs mixing the worlds of history, Film, the beautiful, the grotesque and nature. He was named the Edward Scissorhands of fashion, the East End bad boy. He was an enigma in the fashion world but in death he has become an icon with an archive of work that mirrors fantasy and reality. His body of work encaptures undertones of romantic themed mixes laced with melancholy. McQueen’s designs were brave, courageous offering a balance of dystopia versus regency.
Using reference from the archive of Alexander McQueen design a creation inspired by the essence of his work. Mix darkness with diamonds, floral with moths, nostalgia with fantasy. Nicci and I invite you to create a vision inspired by Alexander McQueen, the ultimate and visionary storyteller.

Head Judges Julia & Nicci

Testimonials for Brush Wars

June Waller
"Olympia Beauty is such a prestigious event on the calendar of fashion, beauty and body art, it was something I really wanted to be part of. So as a body paint artist I entered the Body Art competition, which was sponsored by NYX.
It’s an amazing event all round, the trade stands packed with beauty goodies, offering new products and doing amazing demos, creating a buzz amongst everyone attending. It’s quite electric at this event and that electricity and buzz is infectious amongst those competing too.
Although a distance for me to travel to get there, was absolutely worth it. It was a valuable experience that I’m so glad I took the plunge to attend, as I learned so much and gathered so much more inspiration than I expected.
The competitions were fantastic, all levels competing, and creating some incredible looks that you would only really get the opportunity to see in a magazine. The inspiration at this event is mind blowing for any creative in any genre, a treasure trove of products, style and creation all in one place. 
I was so very proud to have won the Body Art competition, as the talent here was incredible. I felt extremely humbled and also totally excited, winning some fantastic prizes and a stunning huge glass trophy. 
Meeting the judges was one of the highlights of the day for me also, leaders in the beauty and body art field, distinguished and successful, some of which I follow on social media #girlfan
From this experience and exposure at the event, I have gained further work and several invitations for other events, also some work for the film industry in the USA. It has been an extremely valuable experience for me, for becoming more established and recognised within the industry. If anyone were to ask me... do you think I should go... I’d say ‘what are you waiting for!’."

June Waller, Professional Winner, Brush Wars 2018

Silvia
"I must say being a competitor in Brush Wars put me in an extreme challenge, creatively talking. I put a lot pressure on myself as all the competitors were very talented but it really helped me to show what I can do and what I am able to create in a short time.
As a 1st place winner in the student category I had a huge push into the industry. I have got a lot of projects and jobs since that and not mentioning all the professional people I've met from the industry. It really has changed my career and I know it is just the beginning!!!"

Silvia Fernandez Lopez, Student Winner, Brush Wars 2018

Stefanija Vektere
"My experience at the Brush Wars competition was fantastic. I competed in the Professional Makeup category in 2014. The theme was Futurism. We had to create a look using keywords: dystopia,  regeneration, gravity, industrial and metal. 
When I arrived to the competition the tables were all set up and the instructions were clear and easy to understand. The competition was organised well and there was a lot of exposure. I was very happy that I won, the prizes were wonderful, especially I loved the course in airbrush with Mistair and the airbrush compressor with colours. I’m truly thankful to the judges and organisers for this competition. Because of the competition I had a chance to work with one of the fellow judges Nicci Jackson at London Fashion week and got recognition for my creative work and accessories. It also pushed me in my makeup work to set new goals. I would encourage all aspiring makeup artists and enthusiasts to enter this competition and to challenge yourself! Whether you are a student or a professional makeup artist - it’s worth it!"

Stefanija Vektere, Previous winner at Brush Wars

Chloe Thomas

"During my time at College in 2013, my tutor entered the Brush Wars makeup competition at Olympia Beauty and we all went along to support her. 
After seeing all of the wonderful creations and experiencing the exciting atmosphere, I told myself that I would enter in the Student category in 2014. As soon as the theme was announced the following year, I got my application form in and set to work on gathering ideas, practicing make-up styles and designing a costume on the months running up. I followed Nicci Jackson’s work and excitement started to set in. 
I was fresh out of college having graduated in the summer, so the whole experience was very new to me. The theme was ‘Anglo Eccentrism’ so I opted for a very British Punk and Sex Pistols design with a royal twist! 
Seeing the other entrants on the day made me extremely nervous, especially as they seemed so much more ‘professional’ than myself with their posh make-up cases and extensive kits. I just had an old bag full of my college gear, but I was confident with my design so tried not to let it faze me. Once set-up, the makeup count down began and we had 2 hours in which to create our designs.
Being judged by the likes of Nicci Jackson, the Pixiwoo sisters and Mandy Gold was nerve-wracking but extremely exciting, as they came around analysing our work and asking questions throughout the competition.
I was thrilled with my final make-up design but looking around at the other creations I didn’t feel quite as confident! We then had a couple of hours to wait as the judges went away to decide our places. 
The entrants gathered around a stage full of judges with a seated-audience and photographers and the nerves kicked in! 
I will always remember what happened next, and it has honestly been the single best thing that has happened during my career; I was announced winner in the student category! 
I burst into tears with shock!! 
To this day I still get goose-bumps thinking about it as it was completely unexpected, and I only really entered for the experience. The prizes were phenomenal, a kit-bag full of high-end make-up, a complete airbrush make-up kit plus training, one-to-one training day with Nicci and Julia Townend and the best prize; a ticket to the Beauty Düsseldorf show in Germany for a chance to compete Internationally in their annual makeup competition. Just WOW!
I honestly think that entering the Brush Wars competition has shaped my entire career, opening up fantastic opportunities for me and meeting some wonderful creatives along the way. 
I also want to personally thank Nicci for being such a wonderful mentor and for giving me these opportunities. I just wish I could re-live the entire experience again! 
I went on to enter Brush Wars in the Professional category the following two years, being placed 3rd and 2nd place. 
If you’re thinking about entering Brush Wars then I whole-heartedly recommend it!"

Chloe Louise Thomas, Previous winner at Brush Wars

REGISTRATION FOR 2019 IS OPEN NOW!
SAVE 30% WHEN YOU REGISTER BEFORE 24.12.18!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR BRUSH WARS 2019!

2019's Theme: THE GENIUS OF ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Date: Monday 30th September 2019

Venue: Olympia Beauty, Gallery Level, The Grand Hall, Olympia London, W14 8UX

At Brush Wars you get the opportunity to showcase your skills in front of leading professionals in the industry. Make sure you sign up today for your place in the most exciting competition in town!

PRIZES: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive a certificate and trophy, accompanied by a wealth of exclusive gifts from our sponsors. As a competitor you’ll receive a certificate of participation. Every participant in the Brush Wars competition will be required to take part in a cat walk presentation after your look has been judged.

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR BRUSH WARS 2019!

The categories explained...

Professional Fashion Makeup

£69 per competition
  • You must have a minimum of 2 years experience working as a makeup artist to compete as a professional
COMPETE

Professional Bodypainting

£69 per competition
  • You must have a minimum of 2 years experience working as a bodypaint artist to compete as a professional
COMPETE

Student Fashion Makeup

£35 per competition
  • You must be the student of a professional make up artistry school, college or programme to compete and specify which course on application.
COMPETE

Student Bodypainting

£35 per competition
  • You must be the student of a professional make up artistry school, college or programme to compete and specify which course on application.
COMPETE

Click here to read the Rules and Regulations for the Body Painting Professional category 2019

Click here to read the Rules and Regulations for the Body Painting Student category 2019

PLEASE NOTE: Once you have completed registration and payment for Brush Wars 2019, your entry is non-refundable and non-transferable.

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CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR BRUSH WARS 2019!

Competition times for Brush Wars 2019 - Monday 30th September

All categories (timings are all subject to change):

09.00 - 09.30: Registration for all categories
09.30 - 10.00: Prep time for all categories
10.00 - 13.00: All competitions take place
13.00 - 14.30: Judging commences on all categories
15.00 - 15.30: Brush Wars awards ceremony takes place on the Brush Wars stage
15.30 - 15.45: Cat walk on the red carpet

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR BRUSH WARS 2019!

A moodboard for the Genius of Alexander McQueen

Opportunities to get involved in Brush Wars 2019!

If you're a brand interested in targeting make up artists in both a professional and student capacity, Brush Wars 2019 has sponsorship opportunities available. Please click on the links below or contact Laura Tarling at Laura.tarling@olympiabeauty.co.uk for further information.

Brush Wars Goody Bag Sponsorship

Brush Wars is the competition for make up artistry and welcomes artists from across the world to the competition floor. Judged by a panel of industry experts, 2019 will see three…

Brush Wars Sponsorship

Brush Wars is the competition for make up artistry and welcomes artists from across the world to the competition floor. Judged by a panel of industry experts, 2019 will see three…

THE WINNERS OF BRUSH WARS 2018 ARE...

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PROFESSIONAL

  1. June Waller
  2. Karen Hewen
  3. Elouisa Baskerville
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STUDENT

  1. Sylvia Fernandez Lopes
  2. Chloe Hydon
  3. Lucy Williams
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TEEN GLAM

  1. Courtney McCarthy
  2. Bethany Lyons
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INSTAGRAM

  1. Luca de Michele
  2. Megan Reid
  3. Laura Canavan

With thanks to our esteemed Head Judges for Brush Wars!

Julia Townend

Julia Townend is a Makeup & Body Artist, guest speaker at UMAE, Olympia Beauty & War Paint (Professional Beauty), educator/mentor and product creator. Julia began working in the fashion industry as a makeup and body artist in the 1990’s initially working in the fashion industry. This led into working in television and theatre…

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Nicci Jackson

Working as an international Hair & Makeup artist Nicci’s career has spanned over 25 years. Her passion for the art of makeup has led her to collaborate with some of the industry’s leading celebrities, brands,  publications, production companies and pop stars. She has worked in all sectors of the industry including…

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