See video of Sunderland make-up artist as she transforms into Boris Johnson

As part of a Halloween series of looks, Philippa Gibbons, 21, has made herself up as the Prime Minister saying “I’m being Boris Johnson for Halloween 2020 because every speech this year has been terrifying.”

The look has been attracting plenty of attention on Philippa’s Instagram account, where it’s been liked thousands of times.

“I often do looks based on what’s topical and relatable and trending, so I think a lot of people have been expecting me to do a Boris look,” explained the make-up artist who works at Amy Bam Studio in Mary Street, Sunderland city centre.

She added: “It’s just meant to bring a bit of laughter amidst everything that’s going on and it’s been really well received by people.”

It can take Philippa, from East Boldon, a day to create each of her looks, from purchasing the products, sketching the look, applying the make-up – which can take up to five hours alone – taking the photos, editing and cleaning up afterwards.

It's the latest in a series of striking transformations created by the make-up artist who’s also used her talents to pay tribute to NHS workers, honour Remembrance Day and shine a light on mental health issues, as well as more light-hearted transformations where she becomes animals and even a Cadburys cream egg.

She’ll be doing 10 looks in total for this year’s Halloween series, which she reveals on her @philippaggg Instagram page, with some more topical looks, as well as scary ones.

As a make-up artist who specialises in dramatic, theatrical make-up, Halloween is usually Philippa’s busiest time of year, with her diary booked weeks in advance for transformations. But, like all creative industries, her usual flow of bookings has been affected by the local lockdown restrictions.

"Halloween is so popular in Sunderland and people usually go to lots of effort to go out with their friends and for house parties,” explained Philippa, who studied Media Make-Up and Hair at Northumbria University. She added: “I’m definitely a lot quieter this year as people don’t want to get their make-up done just to sit in a pub with their family, but hopefully life will be more normal next Halloween.”

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