From Painting Walls to Painting Faces
What happened
Makeup artist Tasha Reiko Brown, who works with clients like Chanel and Michael B. Jordan, discussed her creative origins as a New York graffiti artist. "I started painting walls, and now I’m painting faces," she stated on a recent podcast. "The principles of composition, color, and impact are the same—the scale just changed."
Why it matters
- Before her current role as a Chanel ambassador, Tasha Reiko Brown began her career by talking her way backstage at a New York Fashion Week show and later toured for years with musicians Jill Scott and Florence Welch. - Her client list includes prominent figures in film and music, such as Alicia Keys, Tracee Ellis Ross, Gabrielle Union, Lupita Nyong'o, and the late Chadwick Boseman. - In addition to her work with female celebrities, Brown is a sought-after groomer for male clients, including Michael B. Jordan, Denzel Washington, and Common. - Chanel supported Brown early in her career by providing products for a client who was not yet well-known, a gesture she valued because it demonstrated the brand's appreciation for her artistry. - Brown describes her signature style as "skin forward," focusing on creating a glowing complexion rather than intricate, trend-based looks like the "cut crease." - Her editorial work has been featured in major publications such as *W Magazine*, *Vanity Fair*, *GQ*, *The New York Times*, and *The Hollywood Reporter*. - Brown's initial inspiration came from observing the transformative power of makeup while driving her younger sister, a model, to photoshoots as a teenager. - She embraces a uniform for her demanding work schedule, opting for a black turtleneck as her go-to piece to navigate multiple jobs in a single day.
Quick answers
What happened in From Painting Walls to Painting Faces?
Makeup artist Tasha Reiko Brown, who works with clients like Chanel and Michael B. Jordan, discussed her creative origins as a New York graffiti artist. "I started painting walls, and now I’m painting faces," she stated on a recent podcast. "The principles of composition, color, and impact are the same—the scale just changed."
Why does From Painting Walls to Painting Faces matter?
Before her current role as a Chanel ambassador, Tasha Reiko Brown began her career by talking her way backstage at a New York Fashion Week show and later toured for years with musicians Jill Scott and Florence Welch. Her client list includes prominent figures in film and music, such as Alicia Keys, Tracee Ellis Ross, Gabrielle Union, Lupita Nyong'o, and the late Chadwick Boseman. In addition to her work with female celebrities, Brown is a sought-after groomer for male clients, including Michael B. Jordan, Denzel Washington, and Common. Chanel supported Brown early in her career by providing products for a client who was not yet well-known, a gesture she valued because it demonstrated the brand's appreciation for her artistry. Brown describes her signature style as "skin forward," focusing on creating a glowing complexion rather than intricate, trend-based looks like the "cut crease." Her editorial work has been featured in major publications such as *W Magazine*, *Vanity Fair*, *GQ*, *The New York Times*, and *The Hollywood Reporter*. Brown's initial inspiration came from observing the transformative power of makeup while driving her younger sister, a model, to photoshoots as a teenager. She embraces a uniform for her demanding work schedule, opting for a black turtleneck as her go-to piece to navigate multiple jobs in a single day.
