The global make-up industry wouldn’t be what it is today if it wasn’t for Pat McGrath. Rightly called the mother of make-up, the much sought-after celebrity makeup artist and the founder of Pat Mc- Grath Labs, she’s birthed millions of trends and looks that now serve as the blueprint for the industry.
ELLE: When and how did your interest in makeup begin?
Pat McGrath (PM): Growing up with a mother who was obsessed with fashion and make-up and being exposed to fashion and films at a young age made an extraordinary impact on my life. It inspired me to make a difference in the industry by experimenting with creative make-up, and I learned to tell a story through the art of a face. This has transcended my life as a make-up artist.
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ELLE: What was the first beauty product that caught your eye and why?
PM: The first beauty product that truly caught my eye was a skincare one. I was still in primary school when I became fascinated with the idea of creating my own moisturiser. I enthusiastically mixed various ingredients that I believed would make my skin soft, hydrated, and radiant. After concocting my mixture, I left it in the refrigerator to set. Sitting in my mother’s vanity that evening, I generously applied it, feeling like a glamorous star from a classic Hollywood film. It was a major moment for me, and that’s where my deep connection with beauty began.
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ELLE: What do you start and end your day with?
PM: I start my day with Divine Skin: Rose 001™ The Essence. After cleansing and before moisturising my face, this lightweight emulsion nourishes, hydrates, and rebalances my skin, imparting a luminous glow that’s essential for a fresh start. At night, it’s my treasured ritual once more, as it softens and smooths my skin texture, replenishing the skin barrier and preparing it for deep, restorative rest.
ELLE: When it comes to your makeup routine, what is non-negotiable?
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PM: Mascara. A single swipe of my Dark Star Mascara is transformative, lifting and dramatising the lashes to celestial heights. It’s the finishing touch that perfects and pulls together any look.
ELLE: Name two of your favourite products.
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PM: You’re asking a woman who travels with 67 suitcases to choose just two? Impossible! What I will say is that I am obsessed with my two most recent releases. First, my Mothership XI: Sunlit Seduction Eye Palette holds a special place in my heart. With its structure-shaping essentials, creamy, blendable textures, multidimensional astral, and brilliant jewel-toned metallics that you can use wet or dry, it’s a solar-infused spectrum that tempts you into new realms of makeup artistry. Next, there is my Divine Blush: Legendary Glow Colour Balm. This multi-functional marvel is a staple, providing a soft, buildable colour with a dewy, luminous finish for both lips and cheeks.
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