PAT McGRATH
Pat McGrath, born in Northampton to a Jamaican immigrant and single mother, Jean McGrath, grew up immersed in fashion and beauty. Jean, a devout Jehovah's Witness, was passionate about style and would take Pat on weekly trips to choose Vogue patterns, fabrics, and makeup. "Our story that week," Pat recalled, reflecting on how her mother's influence shaped her.
"In my career, I have chosen to embrace freedom over fear."
Pioneering Makeup Artist
Pat McGrath is known for revolutionizing makeup artistry. She has created iconic looks for countless runway shows, magazine covers, and celebrities, often pushing the boundaries of creativity. She famously used sequins, Swarovski crystals, and latex paint to transform beauty into art.
Founder of Pat McGrath Labs
In 2015, Pat launched her own makeup line, Pat McGrath Labs, starting with her Gold 001 pigment, which sold out in 366 seconds. Her brand is now a global sensation, valued at over $1 billion.
Cultural Icon and Trendsetter
Pat McGrath is celebrated for setting global beauty trends, from the resurgence of colored mascara to the popularity of bold, glowing skin and ombré lips. Her visionary approach has consistently redefined beauty standards.
"It wasn't this idea of heightening what was naturally there. It was about creating something wholly out of her imagination."
Going back to the beginning of your beauty journey, what are your earliest memories of beauty?
Seeing my mom put on a full face of makeup, then get in the bath to emerge with a dewy finish. It was next level, but that’s where I became obsessed with fashion and beauty — it was passed onto me at seven years old. This obsession led me to create my first skincare product as a child. It was a moisturiser where I mixed all the ingredients and then let it set overnight in the refrigerator. I can still recall to this day sitting down at my mother’s vanity and carefully patting it onto my cheeks. I felt like a film star.
What does beauty mean to you now?
True beauty comes from within. It’s kindness, compassion, laughter and authenticity. It’s the energy you bring to the world. Makeup is a tool we use to express ourselves; depending on our moods, and what we want to communicate. I love the versatility of makeup, and the impact it can create.
What was the most important thing when creating Pat McGrath Labs?
PAT McGRATH LABS is the culmination of all of my work as an artist. It’s my entire career, wrapped up into products that I know don’t exist anywhere else. My philosophy has always been that if I want a product and cannot find it, I make it. That is how my brand was born, unlocking the history of my career to explore the artistry that has defined my work for the past three decades. It was important for me to launch must-have products that would work backstage but also make it fun and easy for everyone to use at home! I create products that push the boundaries of beauty while fuelling your passion and taking your experimentation to a whole new dimension.
You’ve just finished a marathon of fashion weeks and created a host of fresh, new looks. What are you most excited for in 2023?
This season was so refreshing and beautiful. The looks were inspired by sublime skin, minimal majorness and decadent drama. When it comes to natural, subliminal looks, we introduced the idea of gorgeous, radiant, done-undone skin while creating a classic look that has been evolved and refined. We’re calling it Sublime Skin meets Minimal Majorness because we wanted minimal product but with a MAJOR impact - revealing pure luminosity with undetected textures. Incorporating neutral definition with subtle, buildable eye looks using the MTHRSHP Mega: Celestial Nirvana Palette gave us so many options for all skin tones.