The Mistress of Metamorphosis...

May 10, 2017
3 min read

Just when you thought you had finally sorted out contouring, Lucia Pittalis changed the game by turning her own face into a canvas for celebrity portraits. She blends her makeup skills with a gift of an artistic vision that has made her known around the globe for her spot on makeovers and skill at encompassing the spirit of each character. The Italian artist has turned makeup into an art form that has not been seen before, and her skill in completely transforming into each character is mind bending. She keeps her makeup brand favourites a secret but found some time to give The Colony a little insight into her world:

Your transformations are mind boggling in the detail and how you completely become the stars visually. I've heard that your very first creation was turning yourself into Lemmy from Motorhead as Halloween costume! What inspired you to attempt that?

I am inspired by music because I am a rock and metal fan and Lemmy is one of my rock icons.

On average, how long does each character take to create?

Every character for the very first time takes around three hours and more, if I replay the same makeover it's quicker.

Each makeover seems to be much more than just transforming your face, you embody the spirit of the character. How much research and planning do you do?

That's the point, it is not only makeup, I try to get close to the character as much as possible, even with my soul, my expression, that's why I do these makeovers, I like to interpret a role and catch more than a makeup likeness.

Your love of art is well known to your fans. Do you have a favourite medium?

I'm a painter and I draw. I mostly paint with oils and acrylics.

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Working as a makeup artist for films has you creating looks for others. Have you had the opportunity to transform others in the way you do your own makeovers?

They ask me more and more to create looks on the others, but for me it is a different process and different fun, because I love to act with my faces, that's why they are born. But I am working on it, I have some project for other people too.

I don't think I could pick an absolute favourite of your metamorphoses, but Bela Lugosi, Queen Elizabeth, and Keith Richards are a few of them. Do you have a favourite?

You are right, I love most of them because every one reminds me something funny, and some of them I will surely reply as a "second edition" to see the improvements in the years. Bela Lugosi was surprisingly very appreciate by a lot of people, maybe because he is a loved horror icon.

Are there any characters that you haven't been able to perfect yet?

Of course, there are some character I've tried without success and I never released, and some that I think I wont be able to do..but I keep trying and experimenting always new challenges.

You use only makeup, no prosthetics, to completely change your appearance. Are there any tools or types of makeup that you swear by?

Yes the expression is very important and I also use some little make up tricks, but I don't wear prosthetics. The makeup used is only professional makeup, several brands.

Over 60 thousand people follow you on Instagram and thousands of followers subscribe to your YouTube page and love your tutorials. Are there any plans to teach a class or take on apprentices?

I am not a YouTube tutorial lover, on my page there are only some videos, I prefer the artistic part of a makeover..less the videos and the photos that often take more time than the makeup itself! I prefer to teach some courses than give online tutorials. I've been already in several places and meet fantastic students.

We are all consistently surprised and delighted by what you bring to the table.

What can we expect from you in the future?

Thank you so much! I come back very soon with new projects, some musicians and movie stars! A hobby became a work, so I am always looking for new projects with my makeovers, for commercials, theaters and web funny videos!