LONG hours, hard graft and seeing stars having diva tantrums is all in a 14-hour day’s work for a make-up artist.

Michelle Court, 27, from Rayleigh, trained at Somerset College of Arts and Technology.

The make-up artist set up her own business Court On Camera last year and has worked with stars including Aggro Santos, Kimberley Walsh and Jacqui Ainsley. Here she gives us a glimpse into her fascinating working life:

"I think make-up artists are an important, but often neglected part of show business. Without us, the show can’t go on.

I can be backstage, or behind the scenes, for up to 14 hours a day, working my magic making sure the models, artists, performers and actors are ready for their close-up.

Last month, I was called in as a make-up artist for Kimberly Walsh’s first solo single Like U Like which was filmed at Talk Nightclub, in Southend.

I was introduced to Kimberly and she was lovely.

She has such beautiful skin and looked stunning during the filming.

Not all artists are quite so nice. I have been on different sets when some artists throw a tantrum and demand to be fed or be given a drink. I just keep my head down and get on with the job.

The video for Like U Like was directed by the Lennox Brothers, who are based in Essex.

I have worked with them on jobs before and they had me in mind for that job.

I was there specifically to work on the rapper Aggro Santos who features in the song. Even men wear a little make-up in filming and I used my special air brush on him to make sure he wasn’t shiny for filming.

Filming can be hectic with anything up to 100 extras coming through for make-up at any one time and it’s my job to stay calm and be professional.

When I turn up early at a shoot, the most I can muster for my own face is a bit of bronzer and mascara.

If it is a toss-up between make-up and more time in bed then sleeping wins every time.

Once we’re told filming is wrapped, we sometimes go out, even though we’re exhausted.

You’re tired, but still buzzing from the intense rush of working in that environment. Either that or you get everyone’s number and arrange to go out another time.

My mantra is ‘you are only as good as your last shoot’. This keeps me on my toes.

You have to be creative in his business and always prepared to think outside the box on every shoot.

I previously worked with Jacqui Ainsley before she was dating Guy Richie for a shoot at Alexander Hair in Southend.

She was lovely, but a complete exercise fanatic, she did about 100 sit-ups on the day and was telling us to join in. She has a wicked body and that’s probably why.

I was also part of the ITV2 programme Must be the Music where I did the make-up for the singer BEBE Billericay-Boy.

Later, it was quite surreal when I was interviewed by Fearne Cotton, who was presenting the show. It was nice to be in the spotlight and not behind the scenes for once.

You have to be reliable in this business and cannot just cancel, or not turn up to shoots.

One bad word about you in this industry and it will spread like wild-fire and you will not get booked for jobs again.

Having set up my business in April 2009, I have had to learn to start saying no to working for free.

It’s hard, because it is a difficult industry and you want to help people out.

I spent five years struggling as a freelance and now the work is finally coming in and I am making great contacts in the industry.

It’s a hard business to crack, but once you’ve built up contacts and got yourself a good name, the jobs start rolling in on a weekly basis."