Model Herieth Paul and Makeup Artist Grace Lee Talk Beauty
The Canadian Maybelline girls show why the relationship between a model and her makeup artist is the most sacred.
The model-makeup artist connection could make a relationship with your most beloved hairdresser seem distant. Here, mega model Herieth Paul and veteran makeup artist Grace Lee discuss the sacred model-makeup artist relationship, go-to beauty products, and looking flawless in five minutes.
You take the cutest selfies together! Tell us about working together. How did you first meet? HP: Grace is super photogenic and fun to work with. We met years ago backstage at Toronto Fashion Week. Grace was the key Maybelline artist for the shows. GK: I was already quite familiar with her face and knew of her. And when I heard she signed as one of the new faces for Maybelline, I was super stoked!
You’re both Canadian, and Maybelline girls. What’s the relationship like between the makeup artist and the model? HP: It’s a lot like a mother-daughter relationship. There’s a lot of advice giving and learning from both sides. GL: You have to rely on making instant connections. You are in someone’s personal space, so you have to learn to develop trust quickly.
What makes a great makeup artist? HP: A great makeup artist can do all skin types and is also able to highlight and enhance your key personality traits. Every time Grace does my makeup, no matter how crazy and dramatic the look is, I still feel like myself and not many people are able to make me feel that way. GL: I think what makes a great makeup artist is one obviously doing good makeup, symmetry, blending, but also adapting and making the client or model feel as beautiful as possible. It’s about enhancing, not covering. The other half of a good artist is having amazing people skills. Sometimes it all comes down to personality.
What makes a great model? HP: I think a great model is super professional (shows up on time, etc.) but is still able to have fun on set! GL: Of course. I know a lot of models take tips from something that I do to them. Same goes the other way around, I’ve learned a thing or two from when a model has told me about a particular way she likes something done. I’ve been doing makeup for 20 years and I still learn something new all the time.
What are your favorite products? HP: First of all, I’m a lipstick junkie. I love Vivid Matte Lipstick in Vivid Violet because it’s matte, but not dry. It’s creamy and stays on all night. My all over go-to moisturizer is argan oil. Right now, my fragrance of choice is Chloé Eau de Parfum. GL: La Roche-Posay Water Spray, Maybelline Baby Lips, SkinCeuticals Vitamin C E Ferulic, Garnier Face Wipes, Homeoplasmine (for lips, cuts, and dryness), Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat, Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation, Shu Uemera Eyelash Curler, Shu Uemura Art of Cleansing Shampoo, and Redken Powder Refresh Dry Shampoo.
Describe your day look. How do you change it up after dark? HP: My day [look] is very minimal—clean skin, a touch of Lash Sensational Luscious Mascara and a little stained lip. After dark, I add another coat or two of mascara and change up my lip, depending on my mood. GL: Definitely moisturizer for the skin. Apply concealer where needed. Curl eyelashes and apply mascara. Apply blush and lipstick or lip gloss. If you have time left over, then use eyeliner. Or, throw on a power lip and no one will notice you did your makeup in five minutes.
Are there any skin/hair products that you love? Any that you wish existed or could make yourself? HP: My sister and I make our own hair conditioner/cream moisturizer. Ingredients are shea butter, jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oil, lavender oil and pure castor oil. GL: I like using coconut oil for moisturizer my body and removing my makeup.
What’s always in your bag? HP: At this moment: Ray-Bans, vitamin D-3 supplements, argan oil, make-up remover wipes, water bottle, Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Mascara and Baby Lips. GL: A good eyelash curler, moisturizer, La Roche-Posay water spray, concealers, foundations, an army of Maybelline mascaras (like Lash Sensational and Great Lash), brow products, and lipsticks.
What’s your current obsession? HP: Any and all bikinis. Summer is coming soon so I’ve been obsessively looking online for new ones! GL: Adele. I can listen to her albums over and over again. Plus, I think that we could totally be best friends in real life.
Photos: Model Herieth Paul and Makeup Artist Grace Lee Talk Beauty
Herieth Paul at Balmain Fall 2016 in Paris, France, March 2016. Photo courtesy Balmain.
Grace Lee backstage during World Mastercard Fashion Week in Toronto, Canada, March 2014. Photo by Edward James/FilmMagic.
Models Herieth Paul and Betty Adewole outside Naeem Khan during New York Fashion Week Spring 2015 in New York, New York, September 2014. Photo by Melodie Jeng/Getty Images.
Models Emmy Rappe and Herieth Paul backstage at Tibi during New York Fashion Week Fall 2016 in New York, New York, February 2016. Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images.
Models Emmy Rappe and Herieth Paul backstage at Tibi during New York Fashion Week Fall 2016 in New York, New York, February 2016. Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images.
Herieth Paul in Brandon Maxwell at the amfAR Gala in New York, New York, February 2016. Photo by Getty Images.
Herieth Paul at 3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2016 in New York, New York, September 2015. Photo courtesy 3.1 Phillip Lim.
Herieth Paul at a preview of For Art For Love in New York, New York, September 2015. Photo by Getty Images.
Herieth Paul at Nina Ricci Fall 2016 in Paris, France, March 2016. Photo courtesy Nina Ricci.
Herieth Paul at Stella McCartney Spring 2016 in Paris, France, October 2015. Photo courtesy Stella McCartney.