BEAUTY
ONLY PAT MCGRATH CAN DEFINE PAT MCGRATH
By Ayis Stephen-Diver and Jazmin Duribe, 10 March 2025
Picture: PAT McGRATH LABS
We’re so excited to be speaking to you, Pat! How did you get your big break in the makeup industry?
The moment Steven Meisel called me for my first Vogue cover—that was the beginning of everything. Working with him changed my entire trajectory, and from there, I never looked back.
You have a career spanning over 30 years, but what project have you worked on that you’re most proud of?
Every project is a joy in its own right, but launching PAT McGRATH LABS will always be one of my proudest moments. Bringing my backstage secrets and creations to everyone, everywhere, and seeing all of the creativity it inspires—nothing compares.
Picture: PAT McGRATH LABS
Picture: ASOS
It’s all about storytelling. I immerse myself in the designer’s vision, whether it’s a whisper of an idea or a fully realised concept, then translate that into makeup. It’s about mood, movement, and magic. Every element, from texture to finish, is intentional. Once we’ve finalised the look, it’s about having a world-class team and the best-performing products on the market to bring it to life backstage.
Picture: PAT McGRATH LABS
Picture: ASOS
Have you ever created an iconic look by accident or had a fly-by-the-seat-of-the-pants moment?
Always! Some of the most legendary looks were born in the chaos of backstage. Once, a designer decided to change the lip colour for around 50 girls minutes before the show was about to start. My team and I mixed pigments on the spot –what started as a last-minute fix became one of the most requested looks of the season.
If you could repeat one of your iconic makeup moments again, which would it be?
I don’t want to repeat anything, however, I love to iterate on my archive, take something from my past and bring it into the future. That’s always a joy!
Picture: PAT McGRATH LABS
Pat McGrath Labs Divine Skin - Rose 001 The Essence, £81
Are there any current beauty trends you’re into right now?
I have always been a huge fan of skin that looks lit from within, and I love how it’s trending right now. You see so many people embracing radiance, hydration, and dimension over flat mattes. A little Divine Skin: Rose 001 The Essence under makeup creates an effortless glow.
Notes taken. Who’s your current muse or inspiration?
It has to be anyone who wears LABS with confidence and audacity!
Your contacts app is probably overflowing with big names. Who, in particular, have you loved collaborating with?
There are too many! I just had a shoot with 50 iconic women that I’ve worked with over the years and it was so much fun, so inspiring and I would work with every single one of them again!
Picture: ASOS
Picture: ASOS
We’re excited to see it! How do you navigate creative blocks?
When I hit a creative block, I step back and let my instincts take over. I’ll revisit the concept, explore new textures or colours, and see where the unexpected takes me. Also, collaboration is so important. It often unlocks new perspectives and that’s where having a world-class team comes in.
What’s a piece of advice you can give us to elevate our makeup game?
My mantra and brand identity is 'Use Without Caution', which is a reminder to embrace fearlessness in artistry, to break the rules, and to always push the boundaries of beauty.
Picture: Getty
Pat McGrath winning an Isabella Blow Award during The Fashion Awards 2017
Many of us like to do our makeup with music playing in the background. How does music fit into your process?
That is so hard! I have my own playlist that I’m always adding to – it’s a collection of so many songs from different decades and genres. My go-to song always depends on the moment in time.
What’s the best thing about owning a beauty brand?
Probably being able to use my brand as a way to express my creativity, push innovation and connect with the best community there is – beauty lovers.
Picture: ASOS
Do you have a makeup hack or shortcut that you absolutely swear by?
Using Skin Fetish: Highlighter & Balm Duo on the high points of the face before foundation creates the illusion of glass skin.
Speaking of Skin Fetish, how did you land on the name?
Because I am obsessed with skin – its texture, its luminosity, the way it moves! The idea of a fetishist's devotion to perfecting it was at the heart of the entire Sublime Perfection system.
Picture: ASOS
Picture: ASOS
Just one? IMPOSSIBLE! It really depends on the moment and the mood. Right now, I’m loving my Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation [editor's note: coming to ASOS this summer!]. It’s the backstage staple – light as air, buildable, flawless. The perfect complexion is always the foundation of any look. But ask me this question again next month...
