Married At First Sight makeup artist breaks down on set after seeing footage of Mel Schilling following her death

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The loss of Mel Schilling earlier this year brought a somber and unexpected tone to this season of Married At First Sight.

A close colleague of Mel, the relationship expert who sadly passed away in March at age 54 after fighting cancer, has shared a heartfelt remembrance of him.

Marney Hands, Mel’s makeup and hair stylist (who affectionately called her Moo), recently posted videos and photos showing the last time she styled Mel for a TV appearance.

The photo shows Mel with a beautiful curly side ponytail that, according to Hands, took a long time to style.

The make-up artist, who also mentioned she accidentally broke her curling iron, shared that she was thrilled they were able to create a look the client loved for their final performance.

Honestly, that look was probably my absolute favorite on her – and we’ve created so many over the years! There’s just something really special and beautiful about it, I think, and it really stood out to me.

In her heartfelt reflection on her relationship with Mel, Hands shared that she became overwhelmed with emotion at work after seeing a compilation of footage featuring him.

She continued, explaining that she was still having trouble accepting that they were gone, and her mind refused to fully grasp it.

Each day, I find myself wanting to share something with you – a funny meme or a quick screenshot – and it reminds me, all over again, that you’re gone.

Hands shared, ‘I’ve made a list of how I’ll show my respect for you: stay optimistic, believe in myself, and stand tall.’

It’s unbelievably comfortable – the kind of comfort that lets you lounge on a sofa for almost two full days without even needing to adjust your posture.

‘Look after my health, and laugh often.’

She also mentioned Mel had playfully encouraged Hands to try dating apps, teasingly saying he didn’t stand much of a chance.

I love you so much. You’re an amazing person, and I feel incredibly lucky to have found you.

Hands posted a time-lapse video of Mel getting her makeup done, along with a picture of the Married at First Sight star looking stunning in an off-the-shoulder dress and earrings.

The post received a lot of positive feedback, including praise from Married at First Sight expert Alessandra Rampolla.

She told me the final outfit was absolutely stunning and incredibly special for Mel. She described Mel as magical and said everyone would miss her terribly, sending me lots of love and support.

Lucinda Light, from Married at First Sight, and Brittany Hockley, a former star of The Bachelor Australia, both praised Mel’s outfit, calling it ‘stunning’.

‘I felt so sad watching the last ep of her last night!!,’ messaged another fan.

‘She was so strong!!! So strong!! You created such a beautiful look.’

In 2023, the Australian dating and relationship expert received a diagnosis of colon cancer. She and her family were living in London at the time so she could receive treatment.

She shared that doctors had successfully removed a lemon-sized tumor and confirmed she was cancer-free.

In a recent Instagram post, she shared that her cancer had spread to her lungs in February 2024. Later, over the Christmas holiday in 2025, doctors found it had also spread to her brain.

Mel’s Northern Irish husband, Gareth Brisbane, confirmed the news of her death.

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2026-04-15 07:49