From her humble beginnings as a face painter to working backstage at fashion week, Isamaya Ffrench proved that she is a true game-changer in the industry
Does sex still sell in beauty? At least for the visionary makeup artist, it does. Isamaya Ffrench recently put her own spin on the old advertising adage by launching a range of refillable lipsticks that come in cases inspired by the male form. In short: gunmetal penis-shaped packaging. But what made the collection truly special is how she continues to push the boundaries of beauty—it’s not just about the sex, but rather her creative intention to call for human connection and celebrate oneself.
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Of course, it’s not out of the norm for the artist to release something that is quite unexpected. Ffrench has long been known for her non-traditional approach to makeup. Think more of her as the perfect poster girl of bad beauty. Her works don’t conform to any standards or restrictions, but rather challenge the industry’s obsession with perfectionism. Unconventional, unapologetic, and rebellious—there is never a dull day with the artist.
Who is Isamaya Ffrench?
Isamaya Ffrench has successfully carved out recognition as the visionary force behind the generations’ iconic cover and campaigns. However, the artist perceived that she got into the line of her work by accident. She had a strong background in dance performance and soon pursued industrial design in college. At that time, she took on a part-time job as a face painter and worked at the Theo Adams Company, a performance group that creates bespoke shows for Louis Vuitton and Tate.
Doors of opportunity opened as soon as she delved into the world of makeup artistry. Ffrench began working on creative editorial projects painting the faces of Rihanna, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Cher. Her portfolio also unveils her previous work as the creative artist consultant for Tom Ford Beauty, creative director of Byredo Makeup, and global beauty director of Burberry. Elsewhere, her legacy as a beauty editor can be seen in publishing titles such as i-D Magazine and Dazed Beauty.
The new fashion week favorite
It appears that fashion week has gained a new beauty darling because Isamaya Ffrench knows exactly how to get the job done. In Collina Strada’s Please Don’t Eat My Friends collection, the artist brought fantasy to real life by dressing models with surreal prosthetics that morphed them into members of the animal kingdom. Another standout includes her AI-inspired celestial glam for Mowalola and futuristic reptile skin for Dion Lee.
Her winning card
It’s no secret that the beauty industry will always have its affinity for skin-focused makeup and modern glam. And while there is space for every subtle and subversive entry, there is something about the artist that truly made her stand out. Her vision introduces a new sense of playfulness and fantasy that simply teases the mind. In most cases, the creative’s work knows its way to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.
And while her direction may not fit everyone’s liking, her mission to challenge the world’s perception of beauty speaks volumes about her true purpose. Isamaya Ffrench came into the game with the purpose to create a more universal, progressive, and inclusive language of beauty. And as for her success as a visionary? It only proves that being different is undeniably a good thing.
Photos: ISAMAYA FFRENCH (via Instagram)
