Ellie recreates iconic British engineer as an octopus to win at National Make-up Awards

Ellie Burton is feeling shipshape after winning at the National Make-up Awards with her interpretation of iconic engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel as a sea creature, inspired by three ground-breaking ships he designed in the early 19^th century. 

The third year BA (Hons) Specialist Hair and Media Make-up student scooped Best Fantasy Make-up at the awards, which took place at the Beauty UK show at the NEC. 

The 21-year-old’s recreation of the man behind some of the world’s greatest innovations, including the Great Western Railway and ships such as the SS Great Britain that revolutionised naval engineering, was also her final year project at UCB. Ellie created the look using silicon tentacles which were inspired by the ‘Davy Jones’ character from Pirates of the Caribbean, finished off with shells and seaweed she resourcefully gathered while on holiday in Cornwall! 

“The idea behind the project was to pick inspirational people who have helped change the world we live in today and, with prosthetics make-up, transform them into the ‘animal instinct’ that I believe suited their character and what they stood for. 

“For the competition, I chose the character inspired by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, an ingenious figure within engineering history who is seen as one of the greatest British engineers of the 19th century.” 

The National Make-up Awards, supported by the National Association of Screen Make-up Artists and Hairdressers (NASMAH), is an opportunity for professionals and students to demonstrate their creativity to an industry-leading judging panel. 

Entrants are encouraged to think outside the box and produce truly unique and interesting creations. 

“I had a lot of fun doing the competition and creating the character”, Ellie said.

“My dad was my model for the day. We were both super pleased we won!” 

Find out more about UCB’s Specialist Hair and Media Make-up course.