Former BBC make-up artist Cheryl Mercer has made up the faces of the rich and famous - and now she is sharing her secrets.
But the secrets are about make-up only - her professionalism and discretion was one of the reasons why she has enjoyed success in the industry.
Now she is sharing her experience with Northland Polytechnic hairdressing and makeup artistry students.
Yes, she has met pop star Robbie Williams and actor Emma Thompson - but she would much rather talk about her work with her students.
"You have to be very tough as you sometimes have to deal with difficult people - it's not for the faint-hearted.
"You're not just applying lipstick ... there's a lot of money in film so you've got to be reliable," Ms Mercer said.
Scotland-raised Ms Mercer travelled around the United Kingdom beautifying English stars for English television giant BBC and then later on her own.
Now she's living her rural dream in Maungakaramea, a rural settlement just south of Whangarei.
Four years ago she and her partner Robert and two children, Poppy, 7 and Harvey, 5, came to visit New Zealand and liked it so much they never left.
Eight-month-old son Fletcher was born here.
Ms Mercer's Northland lifestyle is a far cry from working 16-hour days and dealing with stars' egos in the film, television, commercial and music video industry she worked in.
Stars she enjoyed working with include Tilda Swinton, who is famous for playing Sal in the film, The Beach, as she was "lovely".
Swinton has a starring role in the movie based on the C. S. Lewis classic, The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe.
The upside of the job was seeing people be transformed, and actors she had applied make-up to on the big screen.
Over the last five years, Ms Mercer replaced the world of make-up for raising children and since February has been teaching eight Northland Polytechnic hairdressing and make-up artistry students.
And to help the public with successful make-up application, she has this advice:
"Don't use more than you need."
Make-up maestro shares magic touch
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