Trish McEvoy's Makeup Secrets
Our first ever Phone-a-Friend series!
Hi pals! This newsletter is a special one for a few reasons. First, I’m writing it at my desk in my new office!!! If you somehow missed the news – I don’t know how since I’ve been talking about it constantly – I moved into a new apartment last week! I finally have an office that is not also my bedroom and a desk that is not halfway in my closet. A miracle!
The second reason this issue is special is because I am delighted to finally introduce:
One of my favorite parts of my job is the opportunity to meet people from all over the beauty industry – brand founders, estheticians, makeup artists and more. I love learning their history, inspiration, philosophy and highlighting expertise across the beauty world. I’m excited to share some of these conversations in this new recurring feature and I truly can’t believe I get to kick it off with Trish McEvoy. Yes, the Trish McEvoy.
I’ve been familiar with the brand for as long as I can remember, but until I got to know her and her team, I didn’t fully grasp the impact she’s had on the beauty industry. You might also be surprised (I was!) to learn about the span of her career throughout the decades. Here’s a handy timeline and summary:
Beauty maven Trish McEvoy revolutionized makeup application in the 1970s with the advent of makeup brushes shaped to simplify and enhance makeup application. With her husband, renowned dermatologist Dr. Ronald Sherman, she opened the doors of the Dr. Ronald Sherman/Trish McEvoy Skin Care Center in New York in 1978, and pioneered the marriage of beauty and science that is now an industry standard.
For more than four decades, Trish has been committed to the creation of the highest quality products, while putting professional makeup application skills in every person's hands through her unique teaching program. The invention of her iconic Makeup Planner in the early 1990s established Trish’s place as the author of makeup organization and functionality.
Through countless public appearances, Trish and her team have a grassroots, one-person at-a-time approach to teaching makeup applications that work and stripping away the inessential clutter from our makeup bags, beauty routines and lives. Providing life-enhancing solutions and portability to people remains Trish’s raison d’être.
Her guiding philosophy is that people should be able to maintain a standard of beauty to live their best lives each day and not be obligated to sacrifice their beauty because of the constraints of time, space and the natural changes that occur with age.
Incredible, right?! Below, you’ll find our interview, her product recommendations and a video demo of how to use different types of brushes (you’re welcome!)
In your own words, can you share the story behind how you developed your brushes?
In the 70s, professional makeup brushes weren't available to the general public. I would take paint brushes and cut them so it would enable me to apply makeup effortlessly. The next day I would see clients and they'd say to me, 'Where did you get that brush?' I starting giving my brushes to clients as gifts but then I saw an opportunity. I decided that I would not only I do make-up, but I would also sell the tools that made the makeup application easy.
What were you doing before you started your company?
I started behind the makeup counter! I then moved onto running cosmetic businesses in New York City as well as working in product development for Ultima II. I then found Boyd’s pharmacy on Madison Avenue where I taught the power of makeup to every client I could reach, while also doing photo shoots in the evenings.
At what point did you know you had a good idea that was worth following through with?
I knew in my heart I was creating a brand that addressed every client's need.
If you weren’t in the beauty industry, what would you be doing?
I would never not be in the beauty industry, it’s my passion!
Who or what do you turn to for advice and inspiration? What do you do when you’re stuck?
I don’t believe in being stuck. There is always a solution.
Your makeup planners are iconic for a reason. What do you keep in yours? How should someone start out when creating their own?
My planner is the one and only portable makeup vanity. I keep my everyday routine in my planner- I cannot live without my Correct and Even® Full-Face Perfector and my Light and Lift Face Duo. The best way to build a planner is to access what you need for your everyday routine, that’s what should be inside!
Brushes can be intimidating, from knowing which to use for what to the proper techniques for desired results. What are the essential brushes everyone needs in their kit and any tips for best practices?
The more dense the brush, the stronger application you will get. If you used a fan brush it will be more of a wash of color vs a densely packed fluffy brush which will give a stronger application. You should always have a foundation brush, powder brush and eye color brush in your kit. (Click here to view Trish’s brush demo!)
What is the easiest makeup “level-up” for someone to make?
The easiest is to have product like my 24-Hour Shadow and Liner Pen on hand to go from day to play in an instant!
How do you introduce your product line to someone who has never tried it before? What would be your must-try’s?
Before introducing anyone I always ask their concerns and what they want to address. My essentials depend on those concerns! I recommend to brighten the eye area, even out the skin and enhance the lashes.
What is the biggest mistake you see clients make with their makeup and/or skincare?
The biggest mistake is not cleansing your skin!
What skin prep do you recommend for the best makeup application? How do you make a look last?
The best prep is to always cleanse, exfoliate and hydrate. Translucent Finishing Powder will always ensure your makeup lasts!
Are there any classics in the makeup world that haven’t changed or any trends you’d love to see disappear?
Even skin will always be a trend.
You have five minutes to get ready and do your makeup. What do you do?
Brighten the under eye, enhance my lashes, even my skin and add a touch of glow.
To an outsider, the beauty industry can seem so glamorous. What are some of the misconceptions people have about being a makeup artist/business owner and/or some of the “not-so-glamorous” behind the scenes things that people probably don’t know about?
I believe beauty makes you feel fabulous from the outside in, there is nothing not glamorous about that!
You’ve been in the industry for so long – what have been your career milestones? Do you still experience any “pinch-me” moments? What’s next on your bucket list?
Every day for me is a milestone, I am so grateful for my clients and the joy they bring me.
A non-beauty question I ask everyone: what is your favorite pen?
I love Le Pen!! They are amazing!
I hope you loved reading and learning from Trish as much as I have – you can hardly tell us apart by now, wouldn’t you say?
Don’t forget, you can shop everything mentioned above plus more team faves here!
See you next time!
xx,
Jolie