Pat McGrath Reveals the Secret Behind Every Incredible Beauty Look She Creates

“I’m going to be getting you all that tea, all that gossip,” Pat McGrath told the audience at Vogue’s 2023 Forces of Fashion. “And I am not one to gossip.” The legendary makeup artist did not disappoint, giving attendees the lowdown on both the secret to her incredible beauty looks, as well as some juicy celebrity tidbits. 

“I did bump into Beyoncé the other day in an elevator,” she dished. “And she said, ‘My bathroom is only filled with your product.’” Between stocking Bey’s vanity and fielding calls from Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Erykah Badu, Taylor Swift, and Lana Del Rey, McGrath is clearly the go-to for a reason.

McGrath completed four looks for Forces of Fashion, spanning from no-makeup makeup seen recently on The Row’s runway to a shimmering look inspired by a look from Schiaparelli’s spring 2024 show. But whether you’re opting for everyday wear, or are taking a novel approach to body glitter, McGrath underscores that a good base is paramount to any makeup look.

“Almost everything that I’ve ever done for my whole career, there’s always a beginning of the look,” she says. “Every cover you’ve ever seen with Steven Meisel, and every show, there’s a beginning focus. And it’s how we start the skin.” Over a primer, McGrath applies foundation just like you would a moisturizer. “If you want to go heavier for couture, obviously then you can bang in a sponge or a brush, but I always start it using my hands. That’s how you get this beautiful sheer glowing, perfected skin,” McGrath adds. “It just gives you this dewiness.”

McGrath counts Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection foundation and highlighter balm duo from Pat McGrath Labs as her backstage hero product for creating a natural, dewy skin. But it wasn’t until recently that she was open to sharing her trade secrets for a modern skin finish.

“I used to hide it from all the editors, and they were always spying around your table, and I’d be like, ‘It’s secret,’” she says. “It really is about a beautiful highlighting balm, and then I’ve got a beautiful clear balm on top. You could almost have a ton of makeup and you will always look fresh.”

So, even if you weren’t able to attend Forces of Fashion this year, Pat McGrath wants you to know her tricks of the trade for a perfect makeup base. Whether you’re going full glam or keeping it low-key, a strong foundation is the gateway to the rest of the makeup look. “Always do that.”