The Buzz: Herstory Continues with Pat McGrath

Source: Allure

Black, self-made, British celebrity make-up artist Pat McGrath has made a few headlines recently as her company, Pat McGrath Labs, became a billion-dollar company and surpassed Forbes’ youngest “self-made” female billionaire’s estimated $900 million earnings (you may know who she is).

McGrath’s story began a few decades ago when she began her career as an international celebrity make-up artist. She got her start in the industry in the 1990s and since then has made a name for herself within the fashion and beauty industry. Not only has she worked on elite fashion shows and editorial productions, but she has also created and launched make-up collections for CoverGirl, Max Factor, Dolce & Gabbana, and Gucci. In the early 2000’s, Pat was hired as the Global Beauty Creative Design Director by Procter & Gamble which gave her the freedom to spearhead most of the collections mentioned above.

In 2016, the semi self-titled make-up line, Pat McGrath Labs, was sold at fifty-four Sephora stores, Sephora online, and at patmcgrath.com. The straight-from-the-runway makeup collection has been a top seller, and a consumers’ ratings tell-all. “Pat McGrath Labs has reached top selling SKU status at Sephora with various hit products and was also voted the number one most engaged beauty brand in a Facebook survey of 500 top beauty brands. Pat McGrath Labs has already garnered over 30 billion media impressions since launch” (Business Wire).

It was the New York City-based investment company, Eurazeo Brands, that pushed the company over the edge. Eurazeo Brands recently invested $60 million as a minority shareholder in Pat McGrath Labs, bringing the company’s valuation to $1 billion. This recent investment positions the company to expand globally and reach an even broader, more diverse consumer base. There will be an increase of product visibility at an additional ninety Sephora stores, and there are even speculations of an apparel line.

Many are waiting to see how Pat McGrath Labs will transition everyday wear make-up into her signature novelty collection. But perhaps all this secondary to the power is Pat McGrath Lab’s story and narrative. While the “business side” of all this is impressive, the most exciting part for me is the visibility Pat McGrath brings to women of color, in an industry that has historically celebrated one type of woman and one type of beauty. The make-up industry is experiencing a shift—thanks to women like Pat McGrath, and other influencers, like Rihanna. This shift is one that is more inclusive of people of all shades and colors. It’s a shift that adds more complexity, nuance, and diversity to how we define beauty and who we see as beautiful.

I have no doubt that Pat McGrath will continue to amaze us all, and that her visibility will have a positive impact on the industry and consumers. What other make-up artist has been honored by Queen Elizabeth II for their services to the fashion and beauty industry?!

Keep writing your herstory, Pat. Leave your legacy, as you pave the way for other women of color to do the same.