Now Ciona, who was raised in Sowerby Bridge and whose parents still live in the town, tours the globe working on film sets, making-up celebrities before premieres and appearing on television shows.

She counts Gwyneth Paltrow, Keira Knightley, Renee Zellweger, and Cameron Diaz among her clients.

And that's just the women.

Ciona, who married Radio One film buff James King this summer, also grooms male stars and has worked with big names such as Daniel Craig, Russell Crowe, David Bowie, Ewan McGregor and David Beckham.

After leaving Sowerby Bridge Grammar School Ciona took a course in hairdressing and wig making at Percival Whiteley College, Halifax.

"It's all I wanted to do. When I was about 13 I was always cutting photo-graphs out of magazines and used to write letters to the BBC make-up artists.

"I had no idea what a difficult industry it was to break into so I just kept trying and trying. I am so lucky I succeeded because it is a lovely job."

"A lot of my make-up skills are self-taught and you have to learn how to be sensitive with people, whether to chat or whether to be subdued. Someone might have to go out to do a live performance or to face screaming, grabbing fans so if you are on edge you will make them nervous.

"You also want them to feel special and, obviously, look great."

She worked with make-up artist Bert Broe on theatre productions including Shakespeare plays and operas, a wig stall in Kensington and then 80s style-bible The Face magazine.

"My passion was for portraits. I love working with interesting people, maybe people who have written a book or starred in a film or won a medal so this world was kind of magnetic for me."

It was here Ciona encountered major celebrities.

"Some of the first people I remember are Erasure and Sinead O'Connor.

"Weirdly I wasn't nervous. I think because I am at my most comfortable when I am making someone up."

After around four years in London she began to pick up enough paid work to concentrate solely on her passion.

Since then Ciona's list of star clients has multiplied as she worked around the world preparing celebrities and models for press junkets and premieres, photo shoots and performances.

Ever the professional, Ciona refuses to name her favourite client but does admit: "It is great when you get to work with the same people. I have worked with Gwyneth Paltrow for around 10 years and she is great." In fact, Ciona has just returned from a tour of Spain with her.

Her male client list is equally impressive.

"Like the women, the men often have quite gruelling schedules, they might have been working long hours on a film or just flown in and be jet-lagged, so you can help them to look fresh.

"There are a lot of tricks for men too and you can make them look better in ways that aren't registered."

In the 1990s Ciona stepped in the front of the camera reporting weekly on beauty news and trends on the Big Breakfast. Her success led to regular appearances on LK Today, GMTV, This Morning, and many other shows. She also writes and features in articles in national magazines and newspapers and is writing her first beauty book.

Ciona's new husband James is no stranger to the world of movies and celebrities either as Radio One's resident film critic.

The pair met when they were both working with director Sam Mendes around two and a half years ago and married in August in Suffolk.

Ciona says the big make-up look this season is gothic glamour, with dark eyes – as dark as you dare.

And she advised: "If you are going for a look think about the complete look including make-up.

"That's why stars look like stars, they go that extra mile."

Ciona's top tips

• Be healthy – eat well, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep and exercise.


• Use tinted moisturiser – people don't usually need heavy foundation. Tinted moisturiser is very simple to use and makes people of all ages look a lot healthier.


• Do not use too much make-up – good make up should enhance what's there. People should be looking at your face not the make-up on your face.

Essentials
1) Concealer
2) Lip moisturiser or lip balm
3) Eyeliner