MAKEUP ARTIST MARIA PILAR
Makeup Artist
Let me introduce you to Maria Pilar, a talented makeup artist whose passion shines through her work. In a recent interview with Maria Pilar, she shared her journey into the world of makeup artistry, describing how she started and what inspires her. Maria Pilar’s artistry goes beyond just makeup; she believes in creating a personalized experience for each client, making them feel comfortable and beautiful in their own skin. With a keen eye for detail and an innate sense of creativity, Maria Pilar is dedicated to helping others look and feel their best.
When did you know you wanted to be a makeup artist?
At the age of 17. It was destiny. That was my feeling when I created makeup for the first time. At that time I had no idea about fashion and that makeup artist was going to be my profession.
How long you have been a make-up artist and how did you start?
Over more than 3 decades.
Just a little bit of my background which later had a big influence in my career. Both of my parents were musicians. My father escaped from the Hungarian Civil War in 1956 and went to Vienna to study conducting. My mother an extraordinary concert pianist from Uruguay/Rocha, came to Vienna to participate in a masterclass at the Wiener Musikakademie. There they met. Grown up with artists and friends from all over the world, visiting my parents, like composers, writers, singers, and painters were unique and very special to me.
One day, when I was 17, I was asked to help out in a designer fashion store in Vienna. Soon I began to decorate windows and mannequins with the most beautiful clothes from designers like Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Kenzo, YSL, Dior, and Armani, just to name a few.
When the new season started, the owner of the store, invited their clients to a presentation, a small show with models.
The models did their own makeup but asked me often to help out. So I did. I had no idea about makeup, still in High school. I loved art and painting since my childhood. So I had no fear of trying. Whenever I worked in the store, my interest and passion for fashion, photography, hair, and makeup art, started to grow.
And then as it happens sometimes in life, one evening, I was dining in a trendy restaurant in Vienna, and I met Luis Burgos. He was a beautiful young man sitting next to me. We talked and I could not believe, it turned out, that he was a make-up artist from New York City, working for a few days in Vienna.
“This evening and our conversation together changed my life”. It was a turning point, it was destiny.
Luis kept contact and I became his assistant in Madrid. Assisting him was one of the most valuable experiences in my life. Luis was an extraordinary makeup artist, originally from Puerto Rico, living in New York City and Madrid.
For more than 2 years I was assisting him, it was more than I could ever ask for. He shared all his secrets and knowledge about hair and makeup art. He was incredibly generous and supportive: “always believing in me, as no one else did”.
One day, just out of the blue, he asked me to represent him for a beauty editorial for Spanish ELLE magazine.
It was like jumping into cold water… I was so nervous and excited, at that time I didn ́t know that I could do everything he taught me.
Surprisingly it went so well, that since that day I began working as a make-up artist in Madrid, Barcelona, Vienna, Milan, Paris, and Germany. It was like a dream come true.
Who has inspired you throughout your career?
My admiration for Japan began when I was working in a fashion store in Vienna. There in a magazine, I found an advertisement for Shiseido created by Serge Lutens. For me, it was the most beautiful makeup design I had ever seen. Since then I have had a deep admiration for his art, and still often look at his book “The Spirit of Beauty” today.
They are such great makeup artist in the world which inspires me, just to name a few: Luis Burgos, Serge Lutens, Tyen, Kevyn Aucion, Francois Nars, Stephane Marais, Linda Mason, Pat McGrath, Mary Greenwell, Rose-Marie Swift, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Diane Kendal,
In Germany: Yasmin Heinz, Serena Goldenbaum, Loni Baur, I could list so many more!
Two of my best friends in Vienna studied photography. I was very lucky to spend nights in the darkroom with them and
fascinated by the process of creating a photo in the laboratory. I was able to learn a lot about photography. All of this was an additional good basis for my work as a make-up artist.
What is your favorite makeup product?
Today there is such a large selection of makeup products. When I started as a make-up artist, there were just a few make-up companies. So we mixed everything, to create the best effect. Most of the time my hands were full of colors and possible textures to create makeup looks, and they still are today, when I test products.
For example, shimmery eyeshadow mixed with face oil ( like from Annemarie Börlind) to create a glow, lipsticks such as cream blush, and for contouring…
Favorite: foundation – Armani luminous silk, Chanel N1-Lip &Cheek Balm,Nars – The Multiple Highlighter Stick, Pat McGrath LABS Divine Skin Glow & Blur Duo, Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, Clé de Peau Concealer, RMS Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow, Westman Atelier, Lip Suede: Les Nudes.
I try to add more and more organic vegan products into my makeup kit. There are sensational, innovative Beauty Companies in Germany, Austria, and worldwide. Ingredients, Materials, and packaging should protect our environment and give the customer an awareness of how and where a product is manufactured.
Some of my favorites: Annemarie Börlind, Dado sencs, Dr. Hauschka, Saint Charles Apothecary, und-gretel-cosmetics from Berlin, Westman Atelier, RMS.
How would you describe your signature look and what is it about your styles that set you apart from other makeup artists?
This is a difficult question.
I would say that my strength, my signature look is exposing the inner beauty of the individual, then making that beauty come forth.
Also, the whole package is important to me: my wonderful agent, teamwork, creation with the photographer, designer, creative director, stylist, model, client,… it is about inspiration, recognizing and supporting each other and being respectful to each other.
We are so different and yet a magical unity can emerge. I find that very fascinating in our work.
That’s what I want for us humans, this energy of unity defies differences. In the end, what moves me is touching people with my hands through my work and giving them a precious moment, is to remind them how unique and beautiful they are.
What are the 2024 makeup trends?
It is a diversity with many influences. Everything is possible…
To know more about Maria Pilar, please visit: Kultartists
