Fashion Make-Up Research

Despite working on fashion based editorial photoshoots before, and having a basic knowledge of fashion make-up, I felt it would be beneficial to research into some well known fashion based make-up artists. As outlined in my brief I have looked at Alex Box and Pat McGrath - the leaders people may argue, in fashion make-ups, but with very different styling.

Alex Box


















Images taken from:http://xojennifermarie.com/2011/06/28/pro-makeup-artist-alex-box/

Alex Box is a British make-up artist. After growing up in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, Box moved to London to study BA Fine Art at Chelsea College of Art. For her degree show she exhibited an installation exploring the relationship between the body, environment and desire. In addition to site specific installations, Box has also exhibited in galleries across the world.

Renowned for her experimental and often surreal beauty looks, Box's work continues to chart the correlation between art, science, nature and the magical. Her editorial work has featured in a variety of publications, such as Vogue, Stylist, Numéro, W, Another Magazine,Dazed & Confused and i-D. Box's celebrity clients have included Lady Gaga, Azealia Banks, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and Courtney Love.

Working as a make-up director for international fashion shows, Box has created the looks for catwalk collections by Gareth Pugh, Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Chanel. As the creative director of Illamasqua, she is instrumental in shaping the brand's product development, imagery and creative vision.

Her work I believe appeals to that of fashion based world as she is from a fine art background which allows her to literally think outside the box and think of her work as an 'installation' almost which will allow many designers work to stand out. I do believe the images above are actually quite theatrical, and very alternative and I am looking to draw influence from something a little more naturalistic and 'polished'.

Pat McGrath
















Images taken from wallstreetjournal.com and originally from vogue magazine.

Pat McGrath although she has no formal make-up training/qualifications, is one of the if not the fashion industries most famed artist. She was self taught by her mother who was very fashion aware and wanted to push Pat into that field. She told her to look at materials to choose eye and lip colours, how to apply make-up at shows etc. Pat chose to take an art foundation and almost chose to do a fashion degree, until she was requested to fly to japan and work on i-D magazine. Meeting the director he set the ball rolling, and 2 years after this she was designing make-up collections for Giorgio Armani, and was soon to be named the Creative Director of proctor and Gamble, who are known for names such as Max Factor and Dolce and Gabbana. Despite this she continues to work alongside vogue, and it is often said the only thing that will make a high end, designer fashion shoot fail is if Pat McGrath is unavailable, as she is irreplaceable to many designers.
The images above are obviously completely different in context, however the clash of red and pink on the left hand image really inspires me. Against all odds the placing of the pink airbrush colour really makes the red lips pop, something that is difficult to achieve with such conflicting colours. It is a beautiful feminine image and that is why I chose it in relation to my project. The right hand image, is the clean, editorial fashion make-up that I am looking to create. The skin is beautifully matte, with selected carefully contoured and highlighted sections. The gloss on the lips and light catching the eyes is polished. This is the kind of beautiful make-up that will work within my final outcome.