Jill sits down with renowned makeup artist Stéphane Marais for an in-depth conversation about his cinematic approach to beauty. Over his thirty-year career, Stéphane has evolved from admiring Marlene Dietrich's elegance to creating iconic looks for stars like Rihanna.
Stéphane describes his signature style as centering on character creation. His trademark smudged black eyeliner technique transforms eyes into captivating focal points, while his preference for finger application creates an organic, personal touch.
He traces his creative roots to childhood influences spanning classic cinema and the landscapes of Africa and France. This early exposure drew him to Paris, where he abandoned economics studies to pursue makeup artistry. Stéphane shares stories from his collaborations with entertainment legends, including working with Faye Dunaway and styling Rihanna for her debut Vogue cover. He emphasizes how trust and tactile sensitivity form the cornerstone of his artistic relationships.
His breakthrough came when he substituted for Jacques Clément on a Peter Lindberg photoshoot. Clément worked with Catherine Deneuve and Isabelle Adjani. Stéphane also recounts meeting José Luis, the key makeup artist for Yves Saint Laurent.
While acknowledging industry transformations, Stéphane maintains his commitment to makeup as pure artistry, offering aspiring artists wisdom about nurturing passion and creativity.
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Going Rogue is produced by Jill Demling and Maddie Kelly, who also serves as our social media director. Matty Rosenberg is the executive producer Be sure to follow Going Rogue on your favorite podcast platform.
Going Rogue is part of the Radio Free Rhinecliff media network.