Chris Milone recently returned from Madonna’s record-breaking Sticky and Sweet tour where he had the pleasure of doing makeup for the singer’s dancers. This was Madonna’s eighth worldwide concert tour, in support of her eleventh studio album Hard Candy. The four-act show was heavily costumed, boasting designs by Tom Ford, Givenchy, Moschino, Miu Miu, Cavalli, and primarily costume designer Arianne Phillips. With all that to brag about, it’s no surprise that Madge spared no expense in the makeup department, either.
Chris Milone is a seasoned makeup artist whose work can be seen in films, music videos, and fashion magazines with credits to some of the biggest names in photography (and Hollywood) today.
Jordan Liberty, GGF: So I saw that the Sticky and Sweet Tour will be released on DVD, any chance we’ll see you there?
Chris Milone: I did saw of the behind-the-scenes footage, and there were a few shots where you could see me. Especially this scene when the president was elected and you can see me there with my Obama t-shirt on. That was in…San Diego I think.
GGF: What was your favorite part of the tour experience?
Chris: Definitely traveling the world, you know, seeing places I never would have thought of going.
GGF: I heard there was some unpleasantness in Romania when Madonna spoke out against gypsy discrimination.
Chris: [The media] blew that out of proportion, it was like 3 people booing in the crowd [laughs], it was nothing.
GGF: What was it like touring after the tragedy in Marsielle (On July 16, 2009, the stage collapsed killing two and injuring eight)?
Chris: They made an announcement, we were still in [pauses] Milan I think…we stayed an extra couple days there because that show was cancelled — obviously. Everyone kinda just walked around the next two weeks and it was really sad…even for Madonna.
GGF: What was your role on tour?
Chris: I was the makeup artist for the dancers and sometimes for the band and backup singers. Do you want me to run through a typical day?
Chris Milone in action!
GGF: Definitely.
Chris: Our day would usually start at ten or eleven [a.m.] and we’d go to the venue — wherever that may be. And then we’d setup our makeup room — wherever that may be. You know, mirrors, chairs and our products and stuff.
After lunch my job would be to set up the quick change under the stage so we could change the dancers during the show. While this is all happening the hair people are styling and washing the wigs and stuff.
Then we’d do dinner and afterwards the dancers would come in so we could start makeup for the show.
GGF: What were the makeup looks?
Chris: Um, they were pretty simple — thick black liner with brown shadow in the crease, lashes, and shimmer on the cheeks. No one was a carbon copy, each dancer’s makeup was unique to them, so they all looked their own way. Then during the show there were like seven or eight makeup changes that had to be done in like three minutes. Three of the changes were drastic. There would be like sometimes six people working on a single dancer at once. In the beginning it was scary, really scary, and we’d just make it on time. By the end we’d be finished with time to spare, twiddling our thumbs.
GGF: How big was the beauty team?
Chris: There were two makeup artists and three hair stylists. And there were separate wardrobe people for the girls and guys. So there were a lot of hands in the way.
GGF: How’d you score the job?
Chris: The head of my [previous] department called and asked if I wanted to work with Madonna. I was like ‘are you really asking me this [laughs]? Umm, yeah.’
GGF: Did you meet and canoodle with Madonna? Do tell.
Chris: Yes I did, she had invited the hair and makeup team and dancers to movie night at her hotel and a boat ride with her in Norway. It was fun. Music and drinks and what not — it was a good time. I liked her.
GGF: What are some of the less-glamorous things about touring as a makeup artist?
Chris: Oy! There’s a lot of less glamour things. Well, lugging your luggage around all over the world sucks. Being up at the crack of dawn to catch a van to an airport to catch a flight…the traveling part is really what sucks. Oh — and finding a place to do your laundry!
GGF: Did you have any cool backstage run-ins?
Chris: Umm… In Milan miss Gaga was there along with Valentino. They were down in front row. And I saw her quickly backstage and I was leaving and she said ‘hello.’
GGF: Who do you think would win in a fight – Madonna or Gaga and why?
Chris: [Laughs aloud] Hmm… I don’t know, that’s a tough one! I’m not sure who would win, but that would be some fight. It would be legendary.
GGF: What was your must-have on set?
Chris: Nars velvet matte lip pencils in ‘cruella’ and ‘dragon girl.’
GGF: Oh I love those!
Chris: Mm-hmm, and the Shu Uemura liquid liner pen.
GGF: What is your advice to young artists who wish to follow in your footsteps?
Chris: Network! You never know who you’re going to meet. Always have your cards and info on you — and don’t take every single job because you just wanna work. Make sure it will benefit you. You know, the finished product.
GGF: Your favorite designer?
Chris: Hmmm um, right now I’m liking Marc Jacobs a lot.
GGF: Boxers or briefs?
Chris: Boxer briefs.
GGF: I’m gonna count that as briefs.
Chris: Fine.
GGF: What, in your opinion, is the most notoriously bad makeup trend?
Chris: I think those teenage girls that wear too much black liner. You can’t even see their eyes they have so much liner on.
GGF: What’s your current favorite look?
Chris: I definitely like dewy skin. I just like that dewy, glowy, shimmery look. It’s so modern. I should probably change that soon, but I just love it. Love it, love it, love it.
GGF: The best part of your job?
Chris: It’s really about creativity and expression. I can express myself by making someone beautiful. It’s just a good feeling…
http://www.chrismilonemakeup.com/
we love you chris!!!!
So proud of you, Chris, and how far you’ve come in your career. Thank you for making the world a prettier place to be!!!
Cool…great to find out more about my absolute favorite superstar. Thanks for the great update. Excellent!
Jonathan Sorber ist es doch schön, so rumzustöbern und irgendwo zu landen, wo man eigentlich nichts zu suchen hat.
im with you on the dewy look Chris! i cant get away from it either!
nice article! i wanted to hear so much more about this at the meet up and im glad we got to hear Chris dish a bit more!
Way to go Chris MADNESS!!!!!!!! keep inspiring us