At 50 years old, Liz Bomben made her lifelong dream of becoming a glamorous MUA come true.

“I was always interested in makeup. My mother was Australia’s number one psychic, and I grew up spending my weekends at Channel 9 in Sydney.

“I was fascinated by the makeup they did, how they could transform women to look so much younger,” said Liz.

“Sadly, there weren’t many makeup schools around in the late ‘70s. At 16, I left school and by 17, I was a camerawoman for Channel 9 in Tasmania.”

While Liz continued to dabble in makeup, professional opportunities were scarce. “I worked in marketing for many years. Then at the age of 50, I decided it was time.

“I flew to Hollywood. Paid a fortune to do a five-day concentrated course with a woman who was supposed to be this huge name in makeup… and it was awful!

“It was my cousin who ended up introducing me to the MUA on The View. Through her, I got to spend some time in the makeup room. I watched the cast of Glee, and Janet Jackson get their makeup done, and became privy to the world of it all.”

Upon returning to Canberra, Liz worked on local photoshoots, honing her skillset.

“Then, 18 months after I first came into makeup, my friend said she was going to New York Fashion Week.

“There was no way I wasn’t going, but I knew nobody, had no connections. I’ve always been determined,” said Liz.

“If you can’t get through the front door, or the backdoor, or a window, then you find a roof tile to pry up.”

“I dug through the bowels of the internet until I found a connection who would let me go. Paid for it all myself, cost an absolute arm and a leg.

“Before my first day backstage, I had been told to not take a makeup kit, that all the makeup would be supplied. Still, I took the bare minimum.”

When Liz arrived at Gotham Hall, 50 makeup artists were already there, all with full kits of makeup.

“So, I did the look with my bare minimum. The organisers of the fashion show walked by and saw my handiwork. ‘What’s your name?’ They asked. ‘Liz…’ I replied.

“They turned around and announced, ‘Alright, no one walks until Liz signs off on it!’”

New York was a turning point for me. I was invited to Paris Fashion Week on my very last day, so I threw my return airfare that cost a small fortune in the bin and jumped on a plane to Paris.”

On the flight back to Canberra, a thought occurred to her.

“I could create a team of nobodies who are more elegant, classy, and calm, and have them backstage with me.”

From that point forward, Global Hair and Makeup was born, specialising in red carpet events and VIP clientele.

“I’d been on my own since I was 16, without a leg-up or a handout. I knew how hard it was for a nobody to get invited to New York and Paris. 

“I thought of a company that can shortcut that process, somewhere where it’s not about who you know, and instead about being no one and having talent.”

Today, Global Hair and Makeup is the official beauty partner of Amber Lounge in Monaco, Singapore, and Mexico. Liz has brought on young talents from the US, UK, Mexico, as well as a hefty dose out of Canberra.

“I love working with Canberra locals, it’s been home since I was 20 years old.”

Her criteria in a protégé include a passion for makeup, love of travel, and camaraderie, “because you learn so much through watching others”.

Working backstage to Haute Couture Week in Paris, Cannes Film Festival, and Formula 1, Global Hair and Makeup has worked with stars like Kate Hudson and Pamela Anderson.

While Anderson’s humour and charm solidified her as a favourite client, Liz says she’s never had a bad one, which she attributes to her age.

“Being in my mid to late 50s, I’ve always been treated with respect… but I’m still a nobody, compared to everyone that’s out there. All I try to do is create beautiful makeup for women. Make them feel lovely.”

Her number one tip for the everyday makeup user is to go easy on the contour.

“A lot of young MUAs think contouring is cool because they see it on Instagram, but it’s actually a very traditional form of stage makeup. Not for the daytime.”

To aspiring MUAs, she urges to never take no for an answer.

“Don’t worry about who you annoy because nothing worth anything just falls in your lap.”

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