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."
- 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.
