Madonna's Personal Makeup Artist Brushes Up for Fashion Week

By Beth Whiffen
September 9, 2011

Gina Brooke

Makeup artist Gina Brooke, who is now the artist diractor for cosmetics brand Hourglass

To most people, eyelashes may seem like an afterthought—a tiny sprinkle of hair on the eyelids that gets little more attention than a swipe of mascara here and there. But to Gina Brooke—the beauty powerhouse who works frequently with Anne Hathaway, Britney Spears and Naomi Campbell and is Madonna's personal makeup artist—eyelashes are everything. Madonna, Sade, Oprah and Lady Gaga have all worn hand-made, custom lashes designed by Brooke. In fact, Brooke was commissioned to customize lashes for Sade's 2011 World tour, and she's also responsible for the diamond-encrusted mink lashes Madonna rocked during her 2005 Confessions tour.

Gina Brooke

Brooke spent five years as the Artistic Director at cult beauty brand Shu Uemura, where her passion for '60s-style false lashes spawned parent company L'Oreal's global launch of department store lash bars. Then, in March 2010, she became the artistic director for the luxury, niche cosmetics brand Hourglass. In that role, her work has graced the pages of Vogue, W, Harper's Bazaar and Vanity Fair, and she has produced campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana, Lanvin and Giorgio Armani. So it's no surprise that Brooke is a behind the scenes New York Fashion Week favorite.

This season, she was the woman behind the makeup at fashion designer Tara Subkoff's Imitation of Christ, which had its presentation yesterday at the W in Union Square. The show's theme was a wedding party, with models (playing bridesmaids and groomsmen) parading down the rose-petal-strewn aisle dressed in IOC's suits and dresses.

Tara Subkoff's Imitation of Christ

Imitation of Christ Spring 2012 Presentation, with makeup by Gina Brooke (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images for TRESemme)

Gina Brooke

Perhaps the most newsworthy moment of the show was that model, actress and heiress Lydia Hearst actually got married during it! But our eyes were on the makeup—dewy skin, pale lips and vivid eyes—all designed by Gina Brooke.

Gina Brooke

Tara Subkoff's Imitation of Christ

"Imitation of Christ Spring 2012 Presentation (Photo by Jesse Lirola/FilmMagic)

As she ramped up for Fashion Week, we chatted with Brooke about surviving New York Fashion Week, beauty trends (she doesn’t believe in them) and, of course, how to apply those pesky false lashes like a pro.

The Inside Source: You’re doing the makeup for the Imitation of Christ show at New York Fashion Week this season. What’s the beauty inspiration for the show, and what kind of look are you going for?

Gina Brooke: The show is inspired by Hollywood icons like Elizabeth Taylor in "A Place In the Sun" and Grace Kelly in "To Catch a Thief", so the makeup will be clean and beautiful—a mix of peach, gold and cream tones.

The Inside Source: What do you expect will be the biggest beauty trend for spring 2012?

Gina Brooke: I suspect we’ll be revisiting classic, chic-looking makeup.

The Inside Source: Are there key spring beauty trends that you’ll incorporate in the show?

Gina Brooke: I’m not one to follow beauty trends, but I do love gorgeous, luminous skin. To create a flawless complexion, we are going to start every look with a new primer serum that Hourglass is launching next summer, and some models will be wearing a new mattifying foundation, Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation, which is launching in spring. It’s ideal for those with oily skin.

The Inside Source: What’s the best show you’ve worked on in the past at New York Fashion Week?

Gina Brooke: I love all the shows I’ve worked on but one of the highlights is Monique Lhuillier’s Spring 2006 show. I loved the surreal, ballerina-like makeup. I also loved the 1960s inspired lashes at Vivienne Tam’s Spring 2010 fashion show.

The Inside Source: Any tips for surviving Fashion Week?

Gina Brooke: Lots of sleep and tons of water.

The Inside Source: What personal beauty products do you always carry with you to get through a long day at Fashion Week?

Gina Brooke: I always carry a red lipstick by Hourglass called Femme Rouge in Raven. It’s the perfect pick me up. Like my credit card, I never leave home without it.

Gina Brooke

Makeup artist Gina Brooke at a shoot for Italian Vogue

The Inside Source: Do you have a signature scent?

Gina Brooke: I love anything that smells like tuberose.

The Inside Source: You’re known for your use of false lashes—and for hand-making them yourself. What are your favorite ones to use in real life and on the runway?

Gina Brooke: I’m in the process of creating my own line of lashes, so stay tuned! But in the meantime, I’ve found something that creates a fake lash effect and is easier to use: Film Noir Lash Lacquer by Hourglass. It’s a topcoat that instantly creates sexy, dark, glossy looking lashes. You literally paint it on.

Gina Brooke

Brooke applying lashes for a performance at last year's Fashion's Night Out

The Inside Source: Can you give us some tips for putting on faux lashes and making them look professionally done?

Gina Brooke: The key is to apply your false lashes after applying mascara. The combination of the thickness from the mascara on your own lash and the soft, delicate effect from the false lashes will create an optical illusion of gorgeous, lush lashes. Be sure to customize your false lashes according to the size of your eye. It’s best to mold the false lash by bringing the outer and inner corners of the lash strip together. Also, make sure to take your eyelash curler and tap your lashes to connect your false lash with your real lash to create a natural appearance.

The Inside Source: Who are your favorite models to work with?

Gina Brooke: Gisele [Bundchen], because she’s beyond beautiful in a very natural way. And Naomi Campbell—her gorgeous face is a blessing for any makeup artist.

Gina Brooke The Inside Source: Do you have any makeup tips to help regular girls feel like runway models?

Gina Brooke: Instead of hiding your flaws, find your best feature and focus on it. Individual beauty is always the most compelling.

The Inside Source: What beauty products should no girl ever set foot outside her front door without using?

Gina Brooke: Red lipstick and enhanced lashes—of course!

left: Gina Brooke at an event for Hourglass Cosmetics

The Inside Source: You’ve said that Madonna is your muse and you’ve worked with her since 2003. How has she inspired you?

Gina Brooke: I admire and respect Madonna’s meticulous work ethic—she’s more disciplined than anyone I’ve ever met. Her career is a true testimonial to her success. I respect and admire her immensely. She inspires my makeup—we’re always trying to elevate it.

The Inside Source: What’s your beauty philosophy?

Gina Brooke: There are no rules when it comes to makeup—the possibilities are endless.

The Inside Source: When it comes to shopping on eBay, what’s your guilty pleasure?

Gina Brooke: I always find myself looking for products and clothes that are difficult to find.