An Artist's Legacy: Kevyn Aucoin
He’s painted the faces of the world’s most famous women, worked on over 18 Vogue covers, and is often referred to as the "Michelangelo of maquillage". But unlike other stylists, one thing Aucoin was especially well known for was transforming today's stars into old icons of the past.
It’s hardly surprising; his story is inspirational to say the least. Born on Valentine’s Day in 1962 in Lafayette, Louisiana, Aucoin realised he was gay at the age of six and was relentlessly targeted by bullies for much of his childhood - something which would eventually force him to drop out of high school altogether.
Despite this adversity, his passion for make-up always prevailed. He would resort to stealing products from stores as he was too embarrassed to buy then and would often practise application techniques on his sisters. Shortly after he quit school, he enrolled into beauty school. It wasn’t long before Aucoin surpassed his teachers’ abilities, and began teaching the classes himself.
His talent for transformations was truly remarkable, as we can tell here, where Calista Flockhart looks more like Audrey Hepburn than Audrey herself in that original picture.
From the sultry dark eyelashes to the deep red lips, Winona oozes the unapologetic sensuality that Elizabeth Taylor was so well known for.
Catapulted into the limelight for his artistic brilliance and raw creativity, Aucoin was soon able to charge $6,000 for a make-up session and was being booked months in advance. His talent also attracted the attention of makeup brands including Revlon, where he was made creative director at age 21 in 1983.
His line of foundations, called The Nakeds, was a revolutionary moment in make-up as the shades of the foundation catered to all skin tones. In the years that followed, he was approached by MAC, Vincent Longo, Laura Mercier and Shiseido to collaborate.
This stunningly intimate portrait of Elvis Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, has us seeing double. She even has the signature Marilyn Monroe mole down pat!
In 2001, he launched his own makeup collection, Kevyn Aucoin Beauty, which still exists to this day with many products reaching cult status. In fact, his Sensual Skin Enhancer, Neo-Highlighter and Sculpting Contour Powder are still sell-out products even in today’s saturated market.
You can't get more of a classic beauty that a Sophia Loren look. Even when that look is worn by--unbelievably--not Sophia Loren, but Gina Gershon.
It's almost scary how much Isabella Rossellini looks like the famous Russian actress, Alla Nazimova, who came long before her. Scary good, that is!
Aucoin did a spectacular job doing what he loved. And judging by these makeovers, we instantly know why he was always featured in the news and why his books continue to influence artists everywhere today, even 15 years after he's passed away.
Check out these other posts about makeup (Just click the pictures!)!
