Mark Payne (makeup artist)

Early life

Mark Payne started his career as a performer. At the age of twelve, Payne began making home movies of himself performing as his favorite singers. He involved his mother, grandmother and neighbors in the creative process. Acting as his own agent, he used these home movies as demo tapes which led to headlining dates in Europe and Australia. By the age of sixteen, he had performed as the opening act for Bob Hope and Milton Berle.

Payne morphed his talent into several incarnations. He was a successful performer, singer and recording artist. He also designed clothing for a well-known brand and under his own name. Many celebrities including Madonna and Cher have purchased his clothing.

Makeup artist

In 1996, while in Texas taking care of his dying grandmother, Payne followed in his mother's footsteps and began working as a makeup artist. In 1997, he met makeup artist Laura Mercier who encouraged him to move to New York. In 1997, Payne collaborated on a Harper Collins book called Double Take: The Art Of The Celebrity MakeOver.

In 1997, Payne transformed Sally Jessy Raphael into Liza Minnelli launching his career in television makeup. He then began working on One Life to Live, gaining him his first Emmy nomination in 2001. In 2004, Payne won his first Emmy for his work on Regis & Kelly, winning a second Emmy the following year. In 2008, 2009 and 2011, he was nominated for six Emmy's for his work on the Food Network series Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade, 2012 brought his third Emmy win for that show.

Payne has appeared as a makeover expert on television shows including The Rosie O'Donnell Show; The View; Fashion Emergency and Live With Regis & Kelly. Considered "a renowned leader in the field of beauty", he is a regular contributor to Elle; In Style and Allure fashion magazines. In November 2006, he received The Best Of Beauty award by Allure magazine.

He has worked with numerous celebrities including Beyoncé, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Jane Seymour, Paris Hilton, Sting and Kelly Ripa.

McCartney divorce

His friendship with Paul McCartney and Heather Mills put him in the middle of the media frenzy surrounding their divorce. Payne was often at Mills side during public appearances and the very public divorce trial in February 2008.

Currently

Heather Mills first made Payne aware of the importance of “Green” products and the Vegan lifestyle. He has become very conscious of the environment and believes "you are what you eat."

While working on a tribute video about Payne, a friend asked Payne for his assistance in compiling film footage from his childhood performances. Because of Payne's intimate knowledge of the hundreds of hours of footage, it was a natural decision for him to direct. In 2008, he directed his first film Get Happy (2008 Film) which has won fourteen awards.