Pat McGrath

Dame Pat McGrath is the most influential makeup artist in the world — a self-taught artist from Northampton, England, whose work has defined the look of fashion for three decades. Vogue called her "the most influential makeup artist in the world." Her cosmetics company, Pat McGrath Labs, launched in 2015 and was valued at over $1 billion within three years, making it one of the most successful independent beauty brands ever created.

Born in Northampton in 1970, to a Jamaican mother who taught her to create makeup from household items — mixing pigments from fruit, flowers, and whatever was available — McGrath learned that beauty could be built from nothing. She moved to London and began working in fashion in the early 1990s, quickly becoming the most sought-after makeup artist in the industry.

McGrath has created the makeup looks for more fashion shows than any other artist, working with every major fashion house including Prada, Versace, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, and Louis Vuitton. Her campaigns have featured Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, and Rihanna. She was the first makeup artist to be awarded a DBE (Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to the fashion and beauty industry. Her influence extends beyond cosmetics — she has fundamentally changed how the world sees beauty.