Meet the Edinburgh mum who ditched London to become makeup artist for Hollywood stars

An Edinburgh mum has shared the awkward moment she had with Johnny Cash's daughter when she was a makeup artist.

Christine Alison, 48, originally trained as a make-up artist for film, TV, fashion and theatre. She qualified at the Delamar Academy – affiliated with London’s world-famous Ealing Studios, which has graduates who have won Oscars, BAFTAs, Emmys and Vogue’s ‘Make-up Artist of the Year’ award.

Admitting she wasn't a fan of the big city, she moved to Edinburgh in 1999, just in time to bring in the Millennium. After working on low budget films, by the time she was in her 30s, she was working with the likes of Paolo Nutini and Rosanne Cash

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Speaking to Edinburgh Live she said: "I had worked on some small budget films and TV shows in the past and one day I got a call to work with Johnny Cash's eldest daughter. I think it was just down in Leith. It was really intimidating, especially because me and my family are huge fans of Johnny.

"My dad was always listening to his music so I grew up with him. It was a really special moment. Rossane was really nice too and I got to chat with her. Although I mentioned I was a fan and then mentioned the film [Walk the Line], which I don't actually think she was much a fan of.

"It felt a bit awkward!"

The mum-of-two also was the lead makeup artist on Paolo Nutini's New Shoes video. She continued: "The production team was looking for a makeup artist in Scotland. It was filmed in his home town in Cambuslang and I was the one chosen.

Sharing a fond memory, she laughed: "It was a great set and a fantastic day. It was all of Paolo's friends there, so it was a good laugh and Paolo was in a really good mood.

"I think some of his friends were waiting in a pub nearby so they were pretty merry by the time they came on set. I think I remember some of them bypassing makeup and wardrobe. I noticed a few blemishes on the video that definitely should not have been there. But it really great."

After her first son was born, Christine decided she wanted a change from the long days and travelling which often comes with makeup artistry. After retraining permanent makeup, she discovered a new passion while still honouring her love for cosmetics.

"I have always been into makeup. When I was in my early twenties I was the go-to for makeup. I would do my friend's makeup before going out.

"I studied makeup in London but I hated how big the city was. I'm only from a tiny town in Canada.

“I arrived in 1999 – just in time to celebrate the new Millennium on the streets of Edinburgh – and made the city my home after meeting my future husband here. My career as one of Edinburgh’s first ever permanent make-up artists took off around the time our youngest son, Hayden, was born. He is almost 10 and, it’s safe to say, my business has grown up alongside him.”

She is now best known for her eyebrow work in hair stroke, hybrid and shaded styles, as well as lip blush tattoos and eyeline enhancements. She moved her business from Newington to Liberton where she also offers skincare treatments with her expanding team.

“Ten years on, it’s still addictive – seeing the transformation that our clients experience,” said Christine. “It’s incredibly rewarding, for example, to be able to help with male pattern hair loss and alopecia, which can be very traumatic for both men and women. Through mimicking the appearance of hair follicles through tattooing, we can create a ‘buzz cut’ effect or, in the case of thinning, reduce the contrast between the hair and the scalp. I feel very lucky to have been called to a line of work that restores people’s confidence.”

Looking to the future, Christine aims to bring new skin and laser treatments into her practice, as well as continuing to train other permanent make-up artists, which she has done since 2017.

She added: “It’s been great – passing on my knowledge – but I am not looking to build a big team,” she concluded. “I came to this city on my own and have built a business and a reputation that I am proud of. Working with clients one to one is what makes me truly happy, and I am very grateful to the City of Edinburgh for supporting me to do what I love best these past 10 years.”