MAKE-UP ARTIST, ELLIS FAAS

Ellis Faas (born in 1962, Rijswijk) is a make-up artist whom Vogue Paris has called “one of the most influential make-up artists of her generation”. After her graduation from high-school, Faas did a professional course in photography, and always used herself as her model.

In order to look different each and every time, she discovered the versatility of make up. She decided to move from Amsterdam to Paris in order to study at Christian Chauveau’s school for make up. After she went to London, where she found the creative jobs she was looking for. After her daughter’s birth, Faas moved back to Amsterdam where she was contacted by Inez van Lamsweerde. With her Faas made e.g. the awarded campaign for Louis Vuitton.

Other work with Van Lamsweerde can now be seen in various museums. Faas’ international break-through came when Mario Testino was in Netherland to do a shoot for L’Uomo Vogue. In Ellis Faas’ portfolio he found the style of make up he wanted, and this was the start of a fruitful collaboration. After Testino, the rest of the world followed, and since then she frequently worked with many photographers such as Miles Aldridge, Michelangelo Di Battista, Richard Burbridge, Patrick Demarchelier, Nathaniel Goldberg, Jean-Paul Goude, Karl Lagerfeld, and others.

Ellis Faas currently works mainly in Paris, New York and Milan, but officially still lives in a studio in one of the oldest parts of Amsterdam. Early 2009 she launched her own brand of makeup products, Ellis Faas. The line is available at fine retailers such as Sephora, Selfridges, Vivienne Westwood, Nigel Beauty Emporium, Mecca Cosmetica and others.