In the international makeup industry, there are many female makeup artists who are highly regarded in the fashion world. Just released is the collaboration between 50-year-old black female makeup artist Pat McGrath and Supreme, as well as the 47-year-old star makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury, who was awarded the MBE by the Queen of England. Of course, there is also the 61-year-old Italian makeup artist Val Garland, who is a national treasure in Italy. Each of these masters has rich experience and has worked for different brands and celebrities, holding a significant position in the industry. However, the spotlight in the international makeup world seems to have shifted to 30-year-old Isamaya Ffrench, born in 1990, this year!
Isamaya Ffrench, who can compete with senior figures in the industry at a young age, was appointed as the Global Beauty Director by Burberry’s Creative Director Riccardo Tisci in May this year, taking charge of the future development of Burberry Beauty. Before joining Burberry, Isamaya was the Creative Director at Tom Ford Beauty and the Global Makeup Artist for Christian Louboutin Beauty. Recently, she collaborated with the Swedish brand BYREDO to create a new makeup collection. In just a few years, Isamaya Ffrench has been highly sought after in the international fashion industry, leading multiple makeup collections. What is it about this beauty industry rising star born in the 90s that makes her so captivating?
Isamaya Ffrench did not come from a professional makeup background. She studied 3D design at Chelsea College of Arts and also studied product and industrial design at Central Saint Martins. During a part-time job, she accidentally had to do makeup for children, which ignited her passion for makeup and opened the door to her makeup career. Later, by chance, she became the makeup artist for performance artist Theo Adams’ troupe, where the exaggerated stage makeup effects sparked Isamaya’s makeup universe, and her whimsical and unconventional makeup looks began to attract attention.
After leaving the circus makeup job, Isamaya Ffrench turned to become the beauty editor of “i-D” and “Dazed Beauty”, had the opportunity to collaborate with fashion photographers such as Nick Knight and Tim Walker, broadened her horizons, and laid a solid foundation for the beauty industry. After meeting the big names in the fashion industry, Isamaya Ffrench put down her editor’s pen, picked up her makeup brush again, created different themed makeup for fashion magazines, and participated in the makeup work of many fashion shows.
Isamaya Ffrench’s work subverts everyone’s perception of beauty. She does not believe that concealing flaws is a representation of beauty. Excessive perfection is actually just a fictional illusion. She excels at using the face as a medium, telling stories through makeup, creating entertaining and darkly humorous “characters.” Face paints and multiple layers of latex are her signature makeup techniques, presenting a surreal makeup look that goes beyond beautifying facial features. Rather than being defined as a makeup artist, Isamaya Ffrench is more like an artist, a creator!
As an artist full of innovative ideas, Isamaya Ffrench knows how to strike a balance between artistry and commercialism. She can create stunningly bizarre and crazy makeup looks that captivate the world, while also effortlessly navigating the universal aesthetic standards required in the commercial world. By refreshing everyone’s aesthetic views in a gradual and nonchalant way, she manages to make her unique aesthetic widely accepted! This artist, who is anything but an “artist,” surprisingly wins the love of many in her makeup artist career. She has worked with countless patrons, including Kanye West, Kate Moss, Rihanna, Bella Hadid, and even the queen Madonna, all of whom have praised her work. This has propelled her to the top of the industry at lightning speed, leading to the admiration of fashion brands and establishing her as one of the most prominent and eye-catching new generation makeup artists in recent years!
As Burberry Global Beauty Director, Isamaya Ffrench recently brought us a new work that she started preparing 2 years ago. At that time, she was still a “free agent” and collaborated with the Swedish fragrance brand Byredo to launch a makeup collection. Following Byredo’s minimalist packaging design, the inside features a range of metallic lipsticks in unconventional shades from light blue to black.
Choosing colors unconventionally, the products are also used unconventionally, with lipstick being used as blush and eyeshadow. Are you shocked by Isamaya’s subversive aesthetics? For those of you with higher acceptance and creativity, why not get your hands on the Byredo x Isamaya Ffrench makeup collection in October and challenge non-mainstream makeup looks.
