A multi-faceted professional with talents ranging from hairdresser, educator, and makeup artist, Dale Dorning is one of Australia’s best-known celebrity hair and makeup artists.

Dale began his career as a hairdresser in Melbourne, and after working in Brisbane he moved to Sydney and took up full time studies in makeup.  His determination, along with his creative and technical skills, has seen him contribute widely to the industry over the past 20 years.

Dale currently divides his time between his role as CEO of PROOF Cosmetics, and freelance hair and makeup bookings.

Whether he’s making up celebrities, engaged in an editorial layout, advertising campaigns or music video, Dale is in constant demand across the media and entertainment industry. The reason for his steady employment is his versatility, which has seen him travel the world to work on fashion shoots, and work with renowned photographers including Peter Brew Bevan, Fabrizio Lipari, Carlotta Moye, Harold David, Adam Bruzzone, Justin Aveling, as well as Nick Leary, Chris Colls, Ian Golding, Robin Sellick, Lois Greenfield, and Kwaku Alston.

“I’m frequently asked by publicists and agencies to create ‘my signature look’. I don’t believe I have a signature look as much as a signature approach based on building a rapport with the person. The hair & makeup creates itself from that point,” says Dale.

“It’s a collaborative process that involves time to communicate with people, look after them, as well as a sense of equality amongst all those working together. This suits perfectly my personality and work ethic - my talents and input are as important to the final result as anyone else’s and I’m valued as such.”

Dale is a ‘must have’ for his celebrity clients. Singer and actress Sophie Monk agrees. “We’re mates. I don’t even check in the mirror after he’s done because I know it’ll be exactly what I want.”

Dale's work and signature style also has the ability to transcend the international markets, demonstrated by his being commissioned to work on the new international campaign for the Conrad Group, shot in the hotel group's various exotic locations around the globe.

Dale is also the man Delta Goodrem turns to for her makeovers. “He is my make-up and hair man. He is my guru. We work very closely at working different ideas for different events and he’s a beautiful friend.”
Dale has been commissioned to work with numerous celebrity clients including supermodel Megan Gale, Delta Goodrem, Jennifer Hawkins, US actress Rosario Dawson, Backstreet Boys, Sophie Monk, Natalie Bassingthwaite, The Sugar Babes, James Blunt, Jared Leto, the cast of The Bold & the Beautiful, Jesse McCartney, Teresa Palmer, Ricki-Lee Coulter, the cast of McLeod’s Daughters, and The Scissor Sisters being a few in his long list.  His signature style has been called ‘effortless glamour’ as his celebrity clients will attest.
Dale’s work has appeared in the pages of glossy magazines worldwide, on CD covers, music videos, concert tours, catalogue & advertising campaigns and along the red carpets of the Logies, the ARIAS, the MTV & the AFI Awards.
Dale believes much of his success is due to his philosophy of never approaching his work from a negative perspective.

”Hair and makeup is not just artifice. Great makeup and hair is dimension, harmony and balance brought about by communication and understanding,” says Dale.
“I’m in this business to make people feel good about themselves. Nothing is more satisfying than helping a person be happy and confident either as a working professional or as an individual.”