BEHIND THE SCENES

KEVYN AUCOIN BEAUTY was founded in 2001 by one of the most iconic and influential makeup artists of all time, Kevyn Aucoin. To understand the root of the heritage beauty brand today, you must first start by understanding who Kevyn Aucoin was and why his legacy left a longstanding impact on the beauty world today.

The Man. The Myth. The Legend and his story.

THE EARLY YEARS

Kevyn Aucoin was born on February 14, 1962 in Shreveport, Louisiana and was adopted as an infant by his mother, Thelma. Kevyn was often quoted as saying that “he knew he was gay at the age of six”, which left him the frequent target of bullying. Kevyn was considered “different." He was infatuated with the fashion and makeup styles that frequented the pages of Vogue and other fashion magazines, which is how his interest in makeup began when he was 11 years old. He started experimenting with makeup on his sister and best friend, Carla and captured everything he created with his polaroid camera.

NEW YORK CITY

Despite his adversities, and humble beginnings, his passion for makeup prevailed. Kevyn recognized that self expression and the transformative power of makeup could make the world a better place. He moved to New York and became what we know as the American Dream. He sat outside the Vogue office with his portfolio until he was given a chance.
A few months later Kevyn went on to be one of the first makeup artists to be featured on the cover of Vogue.

A STAR IS BORN

Kevyn put makeup artistry on the map. His philosophy was that every woman is beautiful within, and makeup was simply his tool for helping her discover that beauty. Kevyn was a content creator of his time, and his work was everywhere – highly acclaimed music videos, backstage at fashion week, gracing album covers and fashion advertising. His work was featured on 19 Vogue covers in 3 years and he appeared on numerous talk shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show. Kevyn even debuted as himself in the infamous “she’s fashion roadkill” episode of Sex and the City.

KEVYN'S MUSES

It was hard to find a celebrity's face that Kevyn hadn’t touched– J Lo, Madonna, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Kate Moss, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Janet Jackson, Liza Minelli, Stevie Nicks, Courtney Love, Lisa Marie Presley, Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tori Amos and Cher, to name a few. He was a best friend to everyone who sat in his chair, which is why he was so highly requested.

“I was not going to go to any other person, besides Kevyn’s chair.. There was always a line, but he was the only makeup artist in town who understood black skin..I’m not going anywhere else." – Naomi Campbell

THE MUSE

Kevyn singlehandedly created the celebrity makeup artist category or PRO artistry, as we call it today. He was the pioneer of contouring and made it mainstream. Empowerment and education were rooted in everything that he did. He was a master of his craft and he wanted to share it with the world. Kevyn went on to author bestselling books The Art of Makeup (1994), Making Faces (1997), and Face Forward (2001) which share his techniques. He was a muse who inspired others, including Issac Mizrahi and viral makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic (Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist). Yet, his favorite muse throughout the years continued to be his sister Carla.

AWARD-WINNING ARTIST

In 1995, Kevyn went on to be the only makeup artist to win a CFDA Award and in 2019, J Lo dedicated her CFDA Fashion Icon award to Kevyn and Oribe for “helping her turn from an around-the-way girl, to a girl who could grace a magazine cover.”

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