Monica Corcoran Harel Variety will toast five Hollywood makeup artists (Alex Babsky, Kathy Jeung, Kelsey Deenihan Fisher, Allan Avendaño and Cedric Jolivet) known for setting red carpet beauty trends with staying power at the annual — and lively — Makeup Artistry Dinner on March 9 at Ardor Restaurant.
But before the festivities, we sat down with each creator on Variety’s “Red Carpet Ready,” presented by Armani Beauty, to share behind-the-scenes moments, surprising inspirations and secret industry beauty tricks you won’t find on TikTok.
Self-taught Alex Babsky studied fashion at Central Saint Martins in his native London before pivoting to makeup artistry for its accessibility and immediacy.
His instinct to match a beauty aesthetic to an actor’s personality works for clients Tessa Thompson, Florence Pugh and Jodie Comer. What was your breakout moment as a makeup artist? Alex Babsky: Naomi Campbell and I worked together quite prolifically for 16 years.
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