The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2022 - Issue 31

Jada Brookes explores hair and make-up artist Jonas Oliver’s visionary work in the coffee-table book OMG! bitebookreview Book Review B razilian hair and make-up artist Jonas Oliver pre- sents a retrospective of his iconic photoshoots in the coffee-table book OMG! The creative has worked with every significant cosmetic label and fashion photographer featured across multiple media titles globally. He left Brazil at 15 without knowing a word of Eng- lish and travelled firstly to Paris, then London; and became who he is by learning a lot and working with the 'best people’. His artistry is a collage of rich colours and looks that cross the threshold of composition into contemporary art. In his introduction, we discover a perfectionist who values his work and endeavours to produce his utmost best. “Perfection inspires me and is my enemy,” he noted. “I have a hundred foundations in my make-up box because I always have to do this skin the way I want it. I keep buying because I think I’ll get the best. And I keep buying and always looking for something better." The first image is reminiscent of the Joker character Heath Ledger played in Batman: The Dark Knight but with a shorter green and blue hairstyle. The model smiles slyly as if con- templating his next move. Further images show the make- up contours used as though creating a masterpiece painting. Jonas blends different shades to emphasise the context of the story he is conveying. I love the paint coordination of green, yellow and blue with pops of white and red on the female model with green eyes. Book Cover Model: Angelina Yianni Photography: Oliver Papp