Sharon Tabb stands at the helm of the hair and makeup department for the Apple TV+ film “Fancy Dance,” featuring Lily Gladstone. A veteran makeup artist with over 33 years in the industry, Sharon’s expertise spans film, TV, and print, where she consistently enhances storytelling through her craft. In “Fancy Dance,” her work is integral to the story of Jax (played by Gladstone), who, in the wake of her sister’s disappearance, shoulders the dual responsibilities of raising her niece, Roki, and searching for her missing sister. As they prepare for an upcoming powwow and strive to keep their family unit intact, Sharon’s strategic use of makeup sets the tone for each day, providing the actors with the visual and emotional support needed for their performances.
INTERVIEWS
In this exclusive interview by editor Anastasija Pavic for DSCENE Beauty, Sharon Tabb discusses transitioning from art student to film and TV makeup artist. She explores her approach to authentic character makeup, especially in culturally significant scenes, and shares insights into her favorite products.
What first inspired you to pursue a career in hair and makeup design?
I have always been an artist. During my college years as an art major, I worked at a local department store in Riverside, California. It was there, while employed at the cosmetics counter, that I discovered my passion for makeup. This experience led me to decide on pursuing a career in makeup for film and television.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received about working in the entertainment industry?
The best advice I have ever received was to find a mentor early on and to learn under someone who has years of experience. Never stop learning.
What is your all-time favorite beauty product, and why does it hold a special place in your routine or kit?
Beauty products are constantly evolving. My go-to item since season 1 of “Reservation Dogs” is the Hurraw! lip balm in black cherry. It’s perfect for natural and no-makeup looks because it moisturizes while providing a subtle, buildable tint. This balm not only adds a touch of color but also brings back fond memories of my time on “Reservation Dogs.” I also used it on Lily Gladstone in “Fancy Dance.”
In Fancy Dance, hair and makeup were used to reflect Jax and Roki’s cultural and economic realities. Can you share how you differentiated their looks from other characters?
Hair often carries cultural significance in native communities. How did you approach designing the hairstyles for Fancy Dance to honor these traditions?
It was essential to present the hair in a way that honors that significance. I start by discussing the project with the director to understand her vision for the native storytelling initiative and how she wants the hair to be styled. Next, I meet with Lily Gladstone to gain her perspective. After gathering these insights, I share my suggestions for achieving the desired looks, and we conduct hair and makeup tests to evaluate their effectiveness. At the time of filming, Lily’s hair was around shoulder length, so we chose clip-in extensions to showcase long, beautiful native hair in the style we aimed for.
The pow-wow scenes in Fancy Dance are visually striking. Could you share more about your collaboration with the dance instructors?
Our objective was to maintain a traditional approach for the pow-wow scenes, a decision rooted in respecting the cultural practices with which the instructors are familiar. We took great care to ensure that every aspect of the hair and makeup reflected the authentic styles typically seen at pow-wows, including intricate braiding techniques, vibrant colors, and culturally significant accessories. By doing so, we aimed to create a genuine representation of the pow-wow experience that resonates with participants and spectators alike.
The “no-makeup makeup” look you created for Lily Gladstone’s character seems so natural. Can you walk us through the techniques you used?
I would be happy to explain the “no makeup” makeup look on Lily Gladstone. It began with moisturizing and applying sunscreen to her skin. Next, I mixed a moisturizer with a cream foundation and buffed it into her skin to achieve a natural look. I applied concealer subtly, purposely skipping any application under the eyes to maintain a raw appearance. For her cheeks, I used a cream blush, tapping it onto her cheeks to give a healthy flush of color. To keep her brows soft and natural, I used a fine-brow pencil. I used a tinted lip balm for her lips.
Incorporating Lily Gladstone’s nail injury into the film was a unique challenge. How did you work with the injury to make it a part of Jax’s character?
It was Lily’s idea to incorporate the nail, which made perfect sense since her character Jax was a bit of a tomboy and would have had some normal human imperfections. I feel like this addition was a nice, realistic feature that we chose to keep rather than hide. However, we did have to adjust it with makeup as it started to heal during the shoot.
The strip club scenes stand out from the naturalistic looks. What influenced these choices, and how did you ensure they complemented the overall tone of the film?
I feel like we did well doing more glam-type styles that you would expect to see at a strip club, but we also wanted Crystle Lightning’s character to have a more playful look with the space buns and jewels we put on by her eyes to make it more interesting.
What was the most rewarding or memorable moment for you while working on Fancy Dance?
The camaraderie among our crew made our project truly unforgettable. Many of us had previously worked together on “Reservation Dogs,” which helped us collaborate effortlessly. A memorable moment was when several crew members, led by Costume Designer Amy Higdon, playfully wore stripper bikini tops over our clothes while working. The laughter we shared, especially during a photo op with Camera Operator Charles Elmore, created an unforgettable bonding experience.
Another significant highlight occurred when I adopted a dog that had been abandoned at one of our shoot locations. After contacting Res Dogs Rescue, they assessed her and fitted her with a lovely purple collar. Inspired by the character Roki in the film, Lily decided to name her Cinnamon but nicknamed her Roki. She kept her purple collar and quickly became a cherished part of our set family, adding joy and warmth to our days. The entire crew came together to care for Roki, exemplifying the spirit of teamwork and compassion that characterized our time together.
