Pat McGrath: Beauty and Body Pioneers

June 11, 2025

Pat McGrath: Beauty and Body Pioneers

Beauty and Body Pioneers

Pat McGrath

When discussions about makeup legends who have changed the game and left an unforgettable mark on the beauty industry, Pat McGrath’s name is always at the top. Widely recognized as one of the most influential makeup artists in the world, Pat McGrath is more than just an artist—she’s a visionary, a brand, and a living legend in luxury cosmetics.

The Beginning: From Northampton to the Runway

Dame Patricia Ann McGrath was born on June 11, 1970, in Northampton, England, to a Jamaican mother who deeply influenced her passion for beauty. Her mother, Jean McGrath, was a devoted follower of fashion and beauty trends, and encouraged Pat to explore color, texture, and style from a very young age. With no formal training in makeup, Pat’s path was unconventional. She studied fashion at Northampton College and began experimenting with makeup in the 1980s, often creating avant-garde looks for friends and small shows.

Her first major breakthrough came when she began working with i-D magazine in the early 1990s. There, she collaborated with photographer Edward Enninful, who would later become the editor-in-chief of British Vogue. This collaboration helped propel her to industry fame. Her ability to translate a designer's vision into artistic, innovative makeup earned her a reputation as a 'makeup translator'—someone who could seamlessly convert fashion concepts into striking beauty looks. Her creative instincts and technical brilliance quickly established her as a lead makeup artist in editorial and runway work.

Pat doing Naomi Campbell’s makeup along side sits Donatella Versace

Artistry That Changed the Industry

Pat’s work is defined by creativity that knows no bounds. She is renowned for creating colorful, editorial looks that blend fantasy with technique, turning models into living, breathing canvases. Her work has graced the covers of Vogue, i-D, and countless other fashion bibles. She has collaborated with some of the most legendary designers and houses in fashion including John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Prada. Her role as Global Beauty Creative Design Director for Procter & Gamble gave her access to influence the beauty world on a massive scale.

Runway Royalty

Her ability to captivate with makeup is why designers continually trust her with their runway shows. She’s been the lead makeup artist behind countless iconic looks during Fashion Week—her backstage presence is revered. One of her most notable moments in recent years was at the Maison Margiela Spring/Summer 2024 couture show, where her use of glass skin effects, gloss, and hyperreal beauty stunned the industry. The ethereal, doll-like look she created became a viral sensation, with thousands of creators attempting to emulate the style.

Models from the Maison Margiela Spring/Summer 2024 couture runway show wearing the glass makeup look

Pat McGrath Labs: Makeup Genius in a Bottle

In 2015, Pat launched Pat McGrath Labs, and the industry hasn’t been the same since. Her brand is unapologetically bold, luxe, artistic, and EXPENSIVE ($69 for ONE foundation bottle!). Known for high-performance pigments, show-stopping packaging, and unforgettable campaigns, Pat McGrath Labs has redefined what luxury makeup looks and feels like. The line includes standout products such as:

Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation – A buildable, radiant foundation that has become a cult favorite among makeup artists and beauty lovers alike.

Mothership Eyeshadow Palettes – Known for their rich, multidimensional colors and velvety textures, each palette is like holding a piece of couture.

Every product in her collection seems like it was made with the same care and imagination that goes into haute couture. While undeniably positioned in the luxury price point (SIXTY-NINE DOLLAR FOUNDATION!), the quality is never compromised. Pat McGrath Labs is the definition of beauty, innovation, and artistry.

Final Thoughts

Pat McGrath inspires me not only because of her incredible skill and vision but because she never waits for permission to be creative. She has built her empire on her own merit and creativity, and in doing so, has opened doors for countless other black artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs in the beauty world. I’m glad she is taking up space as a high-priced priced black owned luxury brand because it’s important black beauty shows up at every price point.

Her products feel like treasure chests filled with pigment, power, and possibility. She reminds me that makeup is more than just beauty—it’s a form of storytelling, an expression of emotion, and a work of art.