Charlie’s Angels: Interview with make-up designer Melanie Hughes-Weaver

Charlie’s Angels is a fantastic new action film starring women. We chatted with make-up designer Melanie Hughes-Weaver about her work on the movie.

This past weekend the latest iteration of Charlie’s Angels released in theaters. Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska star in the Elizabeth Banks-directed the movie.

Many fans loved the film and have discussed how entertaining they found it on social media. Most critics agree that it’s an enjoyable, action-packed, blockbuster film that’s well worth checking out. It has a similar tone and spirit to the early 2000s Charlie’s Angels films that starred Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu.

Creating a movie like this one takes a lot of passion and hard work from the production team. We got the chance to chat with Melanie Hughes-Weaver who did the make-up design for the film. She tells us some of the products she used on set, talks about creating the look of each angel, and much more!

Hidden Remote: What attracted you to working on a project like Charlie’s Angels?

Melanie Hughes-Weaver: I was attracted to working on Charlie’s Angels for a multitude of reasons. Getting to work with Elizabeth Banks again (this is our seventh project together!) was a huge draw. She is super collaborative, smart and open to the creative process. She trusts my gut instincts and always allows me to share and design looks that embellish her vision. On this iconic addition to the 70s franchise, it was no different!

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Another reason why I wanted to work on this film was the opportunity to create artistic choices with an array of designs, from bare-faced natural looks to women warriors, that could translate into high-end glamour.

In the end, I love being a part of a project that inspires “the hero” in all of us. Unification of people, if you will. If I can contribute to that, I’m in! We all need that right now.

HR: Can you tell us a brief overlook of each girl’s unique makeup style?

MHW: Sabina (Kristen Stewart) was the edgy, understated beauty with wicked humor! Her makeup could range from “au naturel” to a bold and wicked, patent leather liner. Kristen’s personal makeup artist, Stacey Panepinto, would create looks that would range between bold red lips to disco glam for choreographed dancing to fight sequences.

For Jane (Ella Balinska), key makeup artist Maha created 12 different looks that varied from vulnerable soft tones to her signature smokey brown eye, defined liner and brows, and soft beige lips for “warrior mode.” Her peacock inspired high shine shadows are one of my favorite designs.

Elena (Naomi Scott) was the brainiac with quirky, tender, and comedic tones. A lot to play with! We decidedly kept her with an organic business look that we could embellish as she transforms throughout the film. We enhanced her beautiful skin and facial structure, concentrating on her eyes with a smokey look and accents of popping color to draw you in, intensifying as her character progressed in the story.

Bosley (Elizabeth Banks) was producing, writing, acting, and directing! Obviously, this created quite the dynamic! I had to be prepared with organized quick changes, as well as smart and durable looks that could be long-wear and interchangeable. I created designs that could also be layered with creme to powder shadows, buildable foundations, and an arsenal of lipsticks.

HR: What were some of the most-used products for Charlie’s Angels? Which ones did the cast like best?

MHW:

• FACE Atelier Foundations
• Charlotte Tilbury Powders – LOOSE and COMPACT
• Anastasia Palettes – MODERN RENAISSANCE, NORVINA, and her CONTOUR palette
• Julie Hewett Lipsticks – BELLE NOIR, JACQUELINE
• Viseart Eyeshadow Palettes
• Pat McGrath MOTHERSHIP
• Too Faced Peachy Palette
• Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick
• Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Gel Eyeliner – PITCH BLACK, CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE
• YSL “The Shock” Mascara
• Lashes – Ardell Demi Wispies and Kiss Ever EZ Trios
• Essie nail polish
• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder is always in my kit!
• Diorskin Pink Glow Nude Luminizer
• Ko Gen Do Spa Cleansing Water
• La Prairie Skin Caviar Essence Foundation

I can’t say which cast likes best, but these are all fabulous products!

HR: What was it like working with the cast? Do you have any interesting or funny anecdotes from their time in the make-up chair?

MHW: Working with this cast was so much fun! It was such a demanding schedule with constant location changes and travel. Because weather conditions can take its toll, hot water bottles were the cast’s best friends! They all took turns at being the DJ when in the trailer and when some of our cast came in a bit later in the morning, we would make them dance to the music in their chairs! Too many great memories to count.

HR: If you could describe the look and tone you were hoping to achieve with the make-up design in this film what would it be?

MHW: I think the overall goal of the film’s look for me was to create an aesthetic and beauty intel that was based on the authenticity of each character. The goal was to develop their own strengths — visually, smartly, and in a contemporary way — and build from that base. The disguises were simply the icing on the cake!

HR: It seems like you have worked on a lot of different genres, is there one in particular you prefer?

MHW: I have worked on a wide range of films in my career and I truly enjoy each and every one of them. As you can see, the musicals in my background are dominant (Pitch Perfect 2 and 3, Hairspray, Isn’t It Romantic) and I certainly enjoy those, but I have also done many period pieces including several Westerns. I love the creative aspect of all genres.

HR: What do you hope the audience takes away from watching Charlie’s Angels?

MHW: I hope when people see Charlie’s Angels they take away that there is a hero in all of us, and that we can still have a unification of hearts and souls. I think we all need to feel that and have a few laughs along the way!

HR: What are some of your favorite go-to makeup items for yourself?

MHW: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder, Viseart Shadow Palettes, Bobbi Brown Lipsticks, Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Gel Eyeliner, and L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara.

Thanks so much to Melanie Hughes-Weaver for talking to us about the film!

Charlie’s Angels is now playing in theaters.