Celebrity makeup artist Julie Hewett

I talked with makeup artist Julie Hewett recently while she was at home preparing for the Oscars. As head makeup artist for two nominated films, “The Descendants” and “The Artist,” she was doubly excited. She is George Clooney’s favorite, so he requests her for all his films, including the 2008 release “Leatherheads,” which was filmed in Charlotte. Hewett will be back here March 16-17 for appearances at Jeffre Scott Apothecary at 607 Providence Road (www.jeffrescott.com). On March 16, she’ll do a presentation from 5 to 6:30 p.m. using a model to show off makeup trends and her own line, Noir. It’s free and open to the public. The next day, she’ll be doing private one-on-one consultations.

Q. How did you end up being such a successful makeup artist? I fell into it. I grew up in L.A. surrounded by the movie culture. I thought I wanted to be a designer. I went to fashion school at Parsons in New York, but I couldn’t sew. When I would get frustrated with the technical aspect of fashion – the cutting and the sewing – I would sit around and draw faces, which led me to makeup.

Q. There are so many makeup lines, why did you create your own? It was out of necessity. On the set of “Pearl Harbor” I wanted each of the beautiful ladies (including star Kate Beckinsale) to have their own distinctive red lip color, but I couldn’t find it. When you’re a makeup artist, you’re a mixologist, so I starting mixing and dabbling, and that’s how my line started, with lipsticks.

Q. What is it like to work with George Clooney? He is so much fun. He just called and asked me to work on a movie with him that will film for four months in Europe. All my friends are so jealous.

Q. What is the biggest mistake women make with their makeup? Picking the wrong foundation. That drives me crazy. The best way to make sure you have it right is to take a mirror and go out into the sunlight. If you don’t see it, then it’s perfect. If you have to blend around your chin, it’s not right. It should look just like your skin, but better.

Q. Since you’ve been here before, what is your impression of Charlotte women? I’m a huge fan. I think Southern women are the most pulled together and feminine women. You girls don’t leave the house without looking fabulous. You are so open to wearing makeup and experimenting with new things. You just seem to have more fun with being a girl.