Basking in the natural beauty of Southern California, Lauren Elise Child has cultivated a resume that sets her apart in the world of makeup artistry. Her work blends an appreciation of her picturesque surroundings with a fascination for the eccentric, creating a unique visual dialogue between the natural and the surreal.
The makeup artist’s passion is influenced by those who live their lives like personal masterpieces, or in her words, “I love to be around people that live their life like it’s their truest masterpiece. I’m a true observer, and those people are like a movie to me.”
Her transformative journey into the beauty industry began in her late teens after being inspired by a YouTube video of a woman applying Marlene Dietrich-inspired makeup. As she watched, she realized that makeup was more than a cosmetic tool. It was a medium of self-expression. This revelation resonated deeply with Lauren, who shared, “I was about 16 or 17, and I knew that this was what I was going to do.”
Despite her illustrious career, including high-profile projects for Fenty Beauty, Katrina Motes, Gabrielle Richardson, and becoming one of Megan Thee Stallion’s preferred makeup artists, Lauren remains refreshingly humble. She sees herself on a continuous journey of discovery and self-improvement rather than having arrived at a definitive destination. Her unique approach to “making everyday beautiful” is not only a personal motto but also a testament to her artistic philosophy.
She beautifully encapsulates her experience saying, “A few years ago, I traveled to Europe for my first time to work on my first beauty campaign, and I was sitting in Hyde Park, watching some swans on the water, just full of gratitude that I was there. It was a magical moment I’ll never forget. I felt like a real artist.”
Looking ahead, Lauren is eager to challenge herself further, combining her diverse artistic interests to create unforgettable work. We had the pleasure of chatting with the makeup artist about the early stages of her career, advice to other MUAs, and her go-to products, among other topics.
For those who are unfamiliar with you, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and what informed your idea of beauty growing up?
I grew up in southern California, and I’m still here. I definitely think the landscape has had a part in informing what I think is beautiful. All the beautiful trees, mountains, the desert, and the beach being not so far away from me, in the background of every long drive I go on.
I have also been a daydreamer since a child, and have always found so much beauty in the surreal. I find eccentric people really beautiful. I love to be around people that live their life like it’s their truest masterpiece, I’m a true observer, and those people are like a movie to me. I love to be around it, and I strive to live like that as well.
At what point did you decide to pursue make-up as a career?
I just never considered anything else. I remember the exact moment I fell in love with makeup, watching a YouTube video of a beautiful woman painting herself like Marlene Dietrich. She put on this blood-red lipstick and just absolutely transformed. I was about 16 or 17, and I knew that this was what I was going to do.
From celebrities to doing looks on yourself, your work is incredible! How would you describe your aesthetic?
Thank you so much! To be honest, I feel I’m still discovering my aesthetic, and I hope that it’s always evolving. But one goal I have when doing makeup is that the finished look is a reflection of some part of the model’s soul or personality, even if I’ve painted them blue or only put on a little blush. I don’t want the makeup to be a mask but more of a mirror.
I know that your typical day-to-day changes very often depending on the client and event, but what does the average day look like for you?
Every day really is so different! If I’m working, an average day is a very early morning, and a lot of time in planes or trains or cars, getting to wherever my job might be for the day. I usually spend that time traveling going over what makeup I’m going to do, and then it’s on to setting up and then finally doing the makeup.
If I’m at home, it’s me and my daughter laying in the grass, going on adventures, watching movies. Making art with my sister. My life is either going 100 mph, or it’s like floating down a lazy river. I love it.
You have such an expansive resume, including working on several projects for Fenty Beauty to becoming one of Megan Thee Stallion’s go-to MUAs. At what point in your career did you feel like you finally made it?
I haven’t made it yet! There’s so much I want to do with makeup, but also including using some of my other artistic interests. At the end of the day, if I can look back and feel I’ve lived my day with beautiful intent, I feel accomplished. Although I will say, a few years ago, I traveled to Europe for my first time to work on my first beauty campaign, and I was sitting in Hyde Park, watching some swans on the water, just full of gratitude that I was there. It was a magical moment I’ll never forget. I felt like a real artist.
In terms of makeup or skincare, do you have any go-to products at the moment?
Sunscreen, lip liner, blush, and perfume. I don’t necessarily have a favorite brand, and what I use changes all the time, but I always have those four things in my bag.
For all of the people that look up to you, what is your advice on how to make it in the industry?
There’s a lot of power in knowing your strengths and weaknesses. When you know what you have to offer and follow your intuition, you’ll find your place. Also, to stay in love with the art of it, behind it all, that’s what keeps the machine going.
Lastly, what are you looking forward to in the future, whether it be profession-wise or personally?
Just making every day beautiful. Challenging myself and making the art I’m supposed to make. Life is beautiful, and to remember that and live that way is all I wish for.
