Lan Nguyen-Grealis is a popular name around the London fashion scene for her creative makeup artistry. Having worked on the likes of Bianca Jagger, Amber Le Bon, the Brit Awards, London Fashion Week and every fashion title imaginable she is the youngest ever recipient of the Golden Mask for Makeup Art award.

It’s been another exciting year for Lan who fulfilled another career goal and launched her own book. The stunning hardback tome features an array of images created by Lan and her collaborators, including Rankin, and is sure to inspire creative minds. Titled ‘Art & Makeup’ it blurs boundaries between the two and will leave you amazed that these are not created with special effects.

If you’re still searching for a (very) last-minute Christmas gift or one imaginative relative gifted you a Waterstones voucher, this is a purchase you won’t regret.

As her reputation goes from respected industry makeup artist to leading influencer in the realm of makeup, FAULT caught up with Lan to hear more about the art of making the book.

What was it about make-up that first made you want to pursue it as a career?

When I first started assisting a photographer backstage during the Paris Couture fashion weeks and saw the whole process taking place I was so inspired by the creations that I knew then this is where I wanted to be.

When does make-up become art?

I believe make-up is and always has been an art form as it’s a way of application and using your brush and products to bring a face to life which is the same way of painting on a blank canvas. When you start creating strong creative looks on the face then of course it becomes a visible art piece whether it’s natural or creative as you can appreciate the beauty of how someone looks at the end result.

How did you first come to work with Rankin and why did you want to work with him on your book?

I collaborated with Rankin for the book through his wife Tuuli, who is also his muse. We had a mutual love of creating beauty looks so we decided to shoot together to transform her into five very strong and different looks in the book to demonstrate metamorphosis through makeup.

You created every image in the book specifically for the book, how long did the process take you?

The process in creating the book from start to finish was around three years before the launch date. It took a year to shoot, a year to edit and a year to approve and get everything finalised ready to print.

Has it always been in your plans to create a book?

Yes it was always my plan to have my own book that was complete with all my ideas and messages to help and inspire others in the same industry and to bring my makeup to the forefront.

Why do you think a book like this is needed in the fashion/beauty world?

I think this book has a place in the market because it really does tackle the understanding of where an idea comes from. It shows how creative makeup can be seen as a natural progression to evoke feelings in beauty but also to appreciate how it can pave and dominate a story too in fashion or film. Makeup can bring a shoot together and is a hidden tool that should be at the forefront for trends and discussion.

What is your FAULT?
Always competing against myself to be better and to create the new.

Art & Makeup by Lan Nguyen-Grealis is out now RRP £28.