French hair and makeup artist Florian Hurel has worked with all the big Bollywood names, adding his quintessential touch to making them look the part they need to play, no matter where.
The multitalented artist, who has worked with names such as Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anushka Sharma, Sara Ali Khan and Yami Gautam, has often had to work under strict deadlines and high pressure. Yet, he always manages to turn around a fine output, and unsurprisingly, he feels discipline is the key.
“It’s always very nice to work at that level of the industry,” says Florian. “The biggest means one needs to be very sharp and to the point. Sometimes, it is not only about your skill set but also an attitude — it is a way of being,” shares Florian.
Exciting styles
Among all his clients, Florian believes one actor has everything that it takes to carry any kind of look.
“Deepika Padukone, whom I had worked with during the promotions of her 2020-film Chhapaak, is one of them,” he states matter-of-factly. “Deepika can definitely wear and style herself very differently from time to time. I am going to work with her for the promo of her film and it’s already very exciting as I know we will do a very different look every day.”
While getting the right look could be subjective and different between an artist and an actor, Florian pays attention to every detail so he can avoid any miscommunication. “I always listen to them very attentively and make sure I am in sync with what they imagine in the look and what the team wants to do, too,” he says. “Communication on the look is important because it’s never about me wanting to execute a particular look — it’s more about what will be the best for that particular moment or event, according to the entire look.”
Out there and beautiful
The super talented artist, who recently worked with actor Anushka Sharma and believes that each artist has their ways of working, acknowledges it’s always teamwork at that level. “Some pre-determine the look before we reach it. Some actors like to discuss with us,” says Florian.
For someone who confesses he is personally fond of the “out of the bed” look, what challenge does he come across while getting the perfect look needed, we ask him.
“The main challenge is mostly you as an artist. What is important is to sometimes forget what you really would like to do and focus more on what would work the best. So we don’t always do what we wish to do; we do more for the look to be out-there-beautiful. No hair or makeup should be overpowering — it has to all find the right balance,” says Florian in conclusion.
