Led by industry professionals, our team and board members bring real-world experience, creative passion, and dedication to developing the next generation of artists.
Our Staff & Educators
BOARD MEMBERS
This is a biography for the board memberBerivan Er is a professional hair and makeup artist with experience across fashion, television, film, commercial, bridal, celebrity, and red carpet work. Her career spans a variety of creative and on-set environments, giving her a strong understanding of both the artistic and technical demands of the industry. Passionate about education and skill development, Berivan brings real-world industry knowledge, practical techniques, and a modern approach to beauty to her role as an educator at Final checks academy.
This is a biography for the board member
This is a biography for the board member
SENIOR TEAM
Working in the industry for over 13 years, Danielle has worked with some of the biggest celebrities and brands out there! Including David Beckham, Katherine Jenkins and Craig David.
Danielle is trained in all areas of Red Carpet to SPX Makeup. Her passion for makeup shines through her work.
Now Danielle is excited to be running a leading Makeup and Hair Academy offering learners incredible job opportunities within the industry.
Astrid is an international Makeup Designer, Creative Director and Educator. She specialises in project led briefs. She works in Fashion, Beauty, Catwalk, Celebrity, Commercials and Education. She has done editorials for many publications including Vogue, Tatler, Harpers & Queen, ID, Grazia, Elle, Conde Nast Traveller Magazine and works as a creative consultant creating events for makeup brands. Celebrities include Steven Spielberg, Lenny Kravitz, Sienna Miller, Damon Lewis, Martin Freeman, Daryl Hannah to name a few. She is an educator at many renowned academies internationally where she rewrites and improves course outlines to give a winning formula to inspire and excited students. She assembles the best dynamic teams to work alongside students and fuel their energy and oversees the development. She is a team builder who also gathers teams for catwalk shows and shoots. She is highly sought after for her vivacious sparkling personality and her ability to direct projects with outstanding inspirational results.
Our Well-being Coach Ben and owner of @the_activ8tor
His journey, passion and mindset skills support our students and give them the motivation they all need.
His journey, passion and mindset skills support our students and give them the motivation they all need.
British Nigerian HMUA. With over 15 years of experience, I view the face as a canvas and hair as a sculpture. My journey has been varied after completing A’levels then a HND in Law, I returned to Uni as a mature student at the University of Hertfordshire (Applied Arts). I graduated with a 2:1 and was appointed at Tesco HQ and what evolved from a high-level corporate fashion career at Tesco HQ into the founding of Pretty Dolls Bespoke. Built on the "superpower" of genuine care, my business was a pioneer in luxury mobile beauty, serving everyone from busy mothers to cancer patients with empathy and excellence.
As a former Course Team Leader at North Hertfordshire College running three of the courses in the hair and beauty department, studying while I was there to be a qualified educator up to level 5. After years of shaping the next generation of artists, I traded being in the teaching environment full time for the freelance world to reclaim my creative spark. I am humbled to be a multi-award-nominated artist and a fierce advocate for inclusivity. I balance my passion or differing areas of hair, beauty and make-up with deep-rooted charity commitments for Brain Research UK, Chickenshed, and Look Good Feel Better. For me, the industry isn't about competition—it’s about connection, kindness, and making every client feel seen. My mission remains the same: to lead with kindness and create art that empowers.
PATRONS
Specialising in textured hair, Shamara finds inspiration from her Jamaican roots to explore the medium. Defying gravity with her hair sculptures, using her craft to be rebellious and make a statement, her ethos being that hair shouldn't be tamed just nurtured.
Using cultural hair references and traditional hairstyling techniques with a modern twist, Shamara's work is pushing the boundaries with what can be achieved within her field. This courage with her craft has lead her to work with like-minded artists, publications and brands.
Celebrity makeup artist Buster Knight has been submerged in art ever since he can remember, and is the master of his craft. He has worked with the likes of Millie Bobby Brown, Kris Jenner, Vogue Williams, Naomie Harris, Niamh Walsh, Arlo Parks, and Patricia Allison. Editorially, his work has been featured in Vogue Scandinavia, Glamour, Attitude, and Petrie.
Trained in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Amy has 7 years professional experience doing hair and makeup. Despite having worked in a variety of hair and makeup mediums including corporate, commercial and editorial, she predominantly works in the film and TV industry. Amy’s credits, contracted and dailies, include; Netflix, Marvel, Disney, Amazon, Apple TV, HBO, BBC, ITV and Channel 4.
In the 20 years that Louise Constad has been a makeup artist she has worked with top photographers and directors of note including David Bailey, Herb Ritts, Nick Knight and Mario Testino. Louise is also the makeup artist choice for many of the worlds most beautiful women and high profile celebrities such as Michelle Pfeiffer, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Helen Bon Carter, Julie Andrews, Gabrielle, Willy Young and Oasis. She has won awards for her work Best Makeup Artist by Campaign Magazine, and Best International Makeup Artist from makeup artist to Kristin Scott Thomas and Juliette Bonoche on the Oscar - winning film The English Patient.
South African raised Desmond is a seasoned traveller, having lived and worked in countless different countries. He has over 25 years of experience in Hair and Makeup. Fun loving and free spirited he has worked with some of the worlds top photographers , models and clients.
James Mac
Patron and Educator
James Mac is a London-Irish & internationally acclaimed makeup artist.
Netflix - BBC’s Glow up Season 2 runner up and professional makeup artist associated with global brands including MAC Cosmetics, L’Oréal Groupe, YSL, Rabanne Beauty, SEPHORA and Danessa Myricks.
James specialises in creative makeups artistry for celebrity clientele, international live demonstrations, Editorial and Fashion runways, TV & Film productions and educational masterclasses worldwide.
He is the current senior head of SFX Faculty at the Aliya Baig Academy of Makeup (ABAM) in Hyderabad, India - by association of the International Makeup Association.
James’s desire with his teaching is to highlight the art and creative thinking within beauty that’s not necessarily obvious to the untrained eye.
Rossi Griffen
Patron
EDUCATORS
Axel already made a strong impression as a runner-up on BBC’s Glow Up. With a deep passion for SFX and prosthetics, his work stands out for its creativity and technical skill. His designs and face charts are exceptional, showcasing a high level of artistry and attention to detail.”
Charli is a British born make up artist with over a decade of experience in the industry. Charli started her career with a degree in fine art, majoring in colour theory. It was this use of colour in which Charli has brought from her art work into her make-up work.
Charli has experience in many fields of the industry, specializing in fashion editorial and beauty make up, having graced covers and spreads in Hunger, I-D, Zeum, Ballad of and Schon magazine, and has worked for clients such as Net a porter, Bulgari and Nike.
Berivan Er is a professional hair and makeup artist with experience across fashion, television, film, commercial, bridal, celebrity, and red carpet work. Her career spans a variety of creative and on-set environments, giving her a strong understanding of both the artistic and technical demands of the industry.
With expertise in special occasion and fashion makeup Emily knows how to create the perfect look for both in person viewing and on camera.
Emily’s main specialism is bridal makeup working with high-profile clientele and leading wedding industry professionals, both here in the UK and internationally. Emily brings real-world insight into the classroom, combining industry expertise with practical knowledge and current professional techniques that support student success.
PHOTOGRAPHERS / VIDEOGRAPHERS
A young, well rounded freelance videographer specialising in filming and editing various types of video content; Music videos, events, adverts and social media promotional content. Michal is an easy going, trustworthy member of the group which captures the best moment of any scenario.
I am a young, tenacious creative art director, who focuses on cultural and political projects framed around the world of fashion. Working on conceptual advertisement through photography and videography. Currently freelanced, previously based in Manchester, now Based in London.
An East London-based freelance photographer with years of experience working across portraits, studio shoots, location projects,events and some behind-the-scenes productions.
Known for his calm, unobtrusive, professional approach, he focuses on capturing natural, timeless images that tell real stories and preserve genuine moments
Known for his calm, unobtrusive, professional approach, he focuses on capturing natural, timeless images that tell real stories and preserve genuine moments
GUEST EDUCATORS
Adeola is a Beauty content creator, bringing her skills and passion with makeup and social media to the academy. Working with M.A.C Cosmectics for many years her knowledge of new brands and products is inspiring. Adeola is now on every brands PR list including Anastasia and Morphe.
I am experienced in many areas of the hair and makeup industry but particularly editorial and theatre. I am good at finding common ground with most personality types, which I feel, makes working in a team enjoyable.
Work has been seen on west end Tina Turner, Royal opera house and 9 to 5 musical
Harps is actively working in the world of fashion and beauty as a professional make up artist and hair stylist. She is extremely passionate about the tasks at hand and ensures her clients are entirely satisfied with their overall looks. Her attention to detail and care are next to none. She takes extreme pride in her work as well as her kit.
As a freelance make up artist, Harps has previously worked in a number of makeover studios in London on an ongoing basis. Alongside studio work she has also worked for Sleek Make Up and was a part of their major events such as ‘Clothes Show Live’, ‘Salon International’ 'Lovebox Festival' and ‘London Mela’. Further work with Sleek includes writing beauty tips which go onto featuring in SKY online magazine. Her previous work consists of working in retail with luxury brands such as Chanel, Dior and MAC Cosmetics. She has also worked alongside celebrity stylist Gok Wan.
Having always had a huge passion for art and creativity I discovered my love for makeup! I was also trained in Production Arts Makeup and Hair for stage TV and film. This 2 year course trained me in everything from Special effects and prosthetics to bridal and body painting.
I have worked on London Fashion week for Henry Holland, alongside Hairdresser Nicky Clarke and had editorial work for advertisements in places like Dorothy Perkins and boots.
British makeup artist who is best known for being the 2019 NYX Face Awards UK Winner. She has also appeared as a contestant on BBC's Glow Up.
I love making unique content with a particular passion for creative looks. Originally a fine artist I decided to switch my canvas for my face and never looked back! I completely fell in love with makeup, and in 2016 @illumin_arty was born! It first started as a hobby and became my passion and career.
I love making unique content with a particular passion for creative looks. Originally a fine artist I decided to switch my canvas for my face and never looked back! I completely fell in love with makeup, and in 2016 @illumin_arty was born! It first started as a hobby and became my passion and career.
Dan is creative, reliable, friendly and keen to share his passion with others. Since early 2013 when he first started to pursue a career in special fx makeup, Dan has worked on several films and been involved with large public events. Although Dan primarily focuses on Fx makeup, he often designs and builds props, costume and has an extensive technical background in audio.
YOUNG COMMITEE
Some of my favourite jobs that I have been on include the Josh Birch Jones London Fashion Week showcase where I assisted Sherrie Warick, I also loved working on a feature length film with Danielle and Axel and multiple other Final Checks Students, which gave me an amazing insight for On Set days. These are only 2 out of many opportunities that I have been lucky enough to gain from being a trainee at Final Checks Academy.
I wanted to be a part of the committee as I believe that it is important to show that the trainees have a voice within the industry.
I wanted to be a part of the committee as I believe that it is important to show that the trainees have a voice within the industry.
