RCMA Makeup Redefines Beauty: 2025 Vanguard Award Winners Revealed!

Here’s a captivating introduction for the article: “In the world of beauty and entertainment, there are few awards more coveted than the Vanguard Award. Given annually by the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild, this prestigious honor recognizes the outstanding contributions of individuals and companies that have revolutionized the industry through their innovative products, services, and artistry. And this year, the guild has chosen a trailblazing brand to receive this esteemed recognition: RCMA Makeup. With a legacy spanning over 80 years, RCMA has been a trusted staple in the makeup arsenal of many a professional artist. From the silver screen to the fashion catwalk, their products have been used to create some of the most iconic looks in entertainment history. But what makes RCMA’s commitment to excellence so truly noteworthy? Let’s dive into the story behind their Vanguard Award and explore how this beloved brand has continued to push the boundaries of beauty and creativity.”

Practical Magic

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Making a monster is no walk in the park. In fact, making an army of monsters that brutally kill a town of people in a no-budget creature feature is just downright nutso. But if you’re of my school of thought, sometimes nutso is the only way to fly. I like to do things practically, without dependence on CGI. Practical effects are tangible, and therefore more real to me. The actors can feel the creature’s breath on their faces. They’re running from something that’s actually chasing them. But making a real-life monster takes a lot more time and skill than most people realize.

From concept, to lifecasting your actors, to sculpture, to molding the sculpture, then casting the prosthetics from those molds, and then painting those prosthetics, to finally applying the final makeup to the actors… well, it’s an overwhelming process for a person to take on. But if you lay it out and focus in on one thing at a time, it’s all very possible.

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Cram it in your skull

It helps immensely to have a working knowledge of sculpture and painting, which I’ve exercised all my life. But I had very little experience actually working in makeup effects before “The Demon’s Rook.” When first starting out, we didn’t have the budget to hire a professional to come in full time and create our monsters for us, so I had to step up and figure it out. I started by reading instructional books, watching DVD tutorials, and talking with any effects artist gracious enough to tip me in the right direction. Cram it in, and write it down.

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Drive through the brick wall

Trust me, you will hit plenty of them. Howl at the damn thing and drive through it. Determination is key. There was so much trial and error within those first several months of the Rook’s genesis, but I didn’t give up. Day after day, I kept at it. If I made a mask that sucked, I started over and made it again until it was worthy. Becoming fluent with an artistic process that utilizes both creative magic and technical science is an endeavor that takes much persistence.

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Magic is real, but so is science

Construction makeups with latex, mud, and household supplies are great, and they’ll work amazingly for your background zombies, but sooner or later you’ll need to learn the science of moldmaking and casting. Whether you decide to learn plaster, silicone, or fiberglass molding techniques, it all depends on what exactly you’re making and how you’ll be casting it. If you’re casting a full-head silicone mask that has to be reused shoot after shoot, you might choose to mold it in fiberglass like I did. For “The Demon’s Rook,” my fx team and I made over 90 molds. Most of them in fiberglass. Fiberglass is used with polyester or epoxy resins, and like most things in the fx industry, they’re toxic as hell. It helps to use a vapor respirator when working with these materials, but the toxins are hard to avoid completely, and they can be very dangerous.

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Half man, half machine, become it

On a creature feature, no one works harder than the special makeup effects creator except for the director. And when you’re the special makeup effects creator AND the director, shit gets real intense. It’s not uncommon to pull 16 hour days. Hell, you might even have to pull a 24 hour day from time to time. My filmmaking partner, Tim Reis, is currently directing his first creature feature that I’m producing and making the monster for. Just to stay on schedule for this thing, my wife and I had to pull a 90 hour work period in the fx studio with only a 5 hour nap worked in. If you can’t tap into the inner machine, your mind will become unstable, your body will follow, and you will simply die. Shit, even if you do find the inner machine, you might still die. That’s just something you have to be okay with. Death isn’t really a big deal. Once you’ve fully accepted that, you can do anything.

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Awards and Recognition

The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild has applied the nominations for its 12th annual MUAHS Guild Awards, which will be handed out in February. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is tied for the film lead with three noms alongside The Substance and The Deliverance. The long-awaited Tim Burton sequel actually scored five noms if you count the two for a related deodorant commercial. Also vying for MUAHS are such top-grossing and/or awards-season hopefuls as Wicked, Deadpool & Wolverine, Gladiator II, Emilia Pérez, The Last Showgirl and Megalopolis.

On the TV side, Dancing with the Stars — which waltzed off with three MUAHS in 2024 — leads everyone with five nominations, followed by Saturday Night Live and the MTV Video Music Awards with four each. The Penguin waddled away with three.

The MUAHS Awards

The MUAHS Awards in October revealed a new Broadway and International Live Theater Award, which will be handed out during the 12th annual ceremony on Saturday, February 15, at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. Two-time Emmy-winning make-up artist Todd McIntosh (Pushing Daisies, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Terminator hair stylist Peter Tothpal, who scored a pair of Emmy noms for Deadwood, will be honored with lifetime achievement awards that night.

Maestro, Saltburn and Barbie were the big film winners at the 11th annual MUAHS in February. Since the modern MUAHS Awards began in 2014, one of its marquee film winners for makeup or hair — contemporary or period — has gone on to claim the Best Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar every year except once. The 2022 Academy Award went to The Eyes of Tammy Faye, which was up for three of the guild’s awards that year but went home empty-handed.

Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild

The Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild, IATSE Local 706, was chartered in November 1937 and today includes includes more than 2,300 professionals in the fields. Here are the nominees for the 12th annual Make-Up and Hair Stylists Guild Awards — note that there are two ties among the 24 categories, meaning there are six nominees in each of those races:

    • FEATURE-LENGTH MOTION PICTURE Best Contemporary Make-Up
      • The Deliverance (Netflix) Beverly Jo Pryor, Eric Pagdin, Chloe Sens, Doug Fairall Emilia Pérez (Netflix) Julia Floch Carbonel, Simon Livet It Ends With Us (Sony Pictures and Wayfarer Studios) Sarah Graalman, Vivian Baker, Melanie Licata Smile 2 (Paramount) Sasha Grossman, Valerie Carney The Substance (MUBI) Stéphanie Guillon
        • Best Period and/or Character Make-Up Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Warner Bros. Pictures) Christine Blundell, Lesa Warrener, Charmaine Fuller, Mona Turnbull, Chloe Meddings Deadpool & Wolverine (Marvel Studios) Bill Corso, Whitney James, Paula Price, Monica Huppert, Cyndi Reece-Thorne Gladiator II (Paramount Pictures) Jana Carboni, Charlie Hounslow, Maria Solberg Lepre, Lauren Baldwin, Chantal Busuttil MaXXXine (A24) Sarah Rubano, Mandy Artusato, Akiko Matsumoto Wicked (Universal Pictures) Frances Hannon, Alice Jones, Nuria Mbornio, Johanna Nielsen, Branka Vorkapic
          • Best Special Make-Up Effects A Different Man (A24) Mike Marino, David Presto, Crystal Junado Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Warner Bros. Pictures) Jennifer Kewley, Megan Thomas, Martin Rezard Deadpool & Wolverine (Marvel Studios) Bill Corso, Andrew Clement, Monica Huppert, Geoff Redknap, Robb Crafer The Deliverance (Netflix) Jason Collins, Chloe Sens, Michael McCarty The Substance (MUBI) Pierre-Olivier Persin
            • Best Contemporary Hair Styling The Deliverance (Netflix) Melissa Forney, Linda Flowers, Tommie Ammons, Jackie Noel, Eric Matthews It Ends with Us (Sony) Robert Lugo, Vita Viscuso, Anne Carroll The Last Showgirl (Roadside Attractions) Katy McClintock, Marc Boyle, Stephanie Hobgood Megalopolis (Lionsgate/Zoetrope) Terrie Velazquez Owen, April

Conclusion

As we conclude our article on the esteemed Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild’s decision to present the 2025 Vanguard Award to RCMA Makeup, it’s clear that this prestigious recognition marks a significant milestone in the world of beauty and entertainment. Throughout our discussion, we explored the key aspects of RCMA’s revolutionary approach to makeup, from their commitment to product innovation and sustainability to their dedication to empowering artists and creatives. We also examined the guild’s thoughtful selection process, which highlights RCMA’s unparalleled impact on the industry and their unwavering passion for excellence.

The significance of this award cannot be overstated. It serves as a testament to RCMA’s tireless efforts to push boundaries, challenge conventional norms, and drive progress in the world of makeup artistry. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve and adapt to changing trends and consumer expectations, it’s clear that innovative minds like RCMA’s will shape the future of beauty and beyond. By embracing sustainability, inclusivity, and artistic expression, RCMA is paving the way for a more vibrant, diverse, and environmentally conscious industry.

As we look to the future, it’s exciting to consider the potential implications of RCMA’s Vanguard Award. Will this recognition inspire a new wave of creative entrepreneurs and innovators to follow in RCMA’s footsteps? How will the industry continue to evolve in response to the changing needs and values of consumers and artists alike? One thing is certain: the impact of RCMA Makeup’s Vanguard Award will be felt for years to come, serving as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of innovation, creativity, and passion.