The makeup artists who have made history

Makeup is so much more than a daily ritual in front of the mirror: it’s a form of personal expression, a visual language, and often a tool for transformation. Behind the images that have shaped fashion and pop culture over the decades are artists who have used brushes and color as true creative instruments. We've already talked about Kevyn Aucoin, Inge Grognard, and Serge Lutens, but in this article we’ll introduce you to six more names who left an indelible mark on the history of makeup.

The makeup artist to know in 2025

Way Bandy

In the ’70s and ’80s, when the idea of a "celebrity makeup artist" didn’t really exist yet, Way Bandy was already a living legend. He was the mastermind behind the ultra-glam looks of icons like Cher, Elizabeth Taylor, and Diana Ross. His makeup was the perfect blend of sensuality and sculptural perfection: smooth skin, magnetic eyes, and diva lips. But his real revolution? He took makeup out of backstage areas and made it accessible to everyone. His book Designing Your Face is still considered a bible for anyone wanting to learn the basics with style.

Pat McGrath

If there’s an undisputed queen of modern makeup, it’s Pat McGrath. Born and raised in England by a Jamaican mother, she began her journey into makeup backstage, armed with creativity and just a few essential tools. From there, her magic touch took over the most important runways in the world (Prada, Galliano, Dior) with looks so futuristic they seemed out of this world. Pat turned glitter into something sophisticated and transformed glowy skin into a statement of style. And if her name sounds familiar, it’s because she founded Pat McGrath Labs, one of the most influential and beloved beauty brands in recent years. Spoiler alert: she’s also the first makeup artist ever to be named a Dame in the UK.

François Nars

Before creating the NARS brand (yes, the one with the iconic “Orgasm” blush), François was a young French makeup artist who wanted to bring something new to fashion. François Nars redefined fashion aesthetics in the ‘90s. His style? Sexy, clean, yet incredibly powerful. He worked on legendary supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Kate Moss in shoots by top photographers such as Steven Meisel and Richard Avedon. When he launched NARS Cosmetics, he introduced a new language in beauty: ironic, bold, and minimal-chic. And today, more than 20 years later, he’s still one of the most relevant names in makeup.

Linda Cantello

Ever blended a black eyeshadow thinking you looked super edgy? You can thank Linda Cantello. She’s the one who created the modern smokey eye, that deep, mysterious eye look that instantly gives off rockstar vibes. But Linda isn’t just an innovator; she’s a refined aesthete who’s worked for some of the most elegant fashion houses, like Giorgio Armani, bringing a vision of sophisticated beauty to the backstage, almost cinematic in feel.

Val Garland

Val Garland is the makeup artist who takes the concept of beauty and explodes it in a thousand directions. Creative, eccentric, and totally out of the box, she’s behind some of the wildest and most fascinating looks seen on runways and in fashion magazines. She’s used real flowers in her work, applied glitter everywhere, and treated the face like a true canvas. She’s collaborated with Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, bringing her artistic vision to every face she’s touched.

Alex Box

Alex Box doesn’t just apply makeup: she paints, sculpts, transforms. With a style that merges gothic and futuristic aesthetics, she’s turned makeup into a true form of art. A former creative director at Illamasqua, she brought alternative aesthetics into the beauty mainstream, constantly pushing the boundaries between beauty, identity, and performance, often using 3D materials. Her looks are theatrical, poetic, sometimes unsettling, but always magnetic. For her, every face is a canvas, and every look a message.