“Artist In Conversation is an editorial series curated by Paradise Files which connects make-up artists, hairstylists, and nail artists of the moment to demonstrate their creativity under one house. Paradise Files strives to create a community of experts and visionaries within the beauty industry, giving them a room to embody and capture their vision.”
Model Kat Wu
Photography by Joel Smedley
Make-Up by Luz Giraldo
Hair by Gordon Chapples
Creative Direction by Kiran Mariya
Casting by Tide Casting
Kat Wears MMRMS Studio
For Paradise Files’ first instalment we connected with make-up artist Luz Giraldo. She took a career trajectory in early 2018 by moving to London from Madrid to explore the new openings that the city could offer. We speak to Luz on her beginnings, to her current projects as we’ve watched her begin devouring into the creative industry that is London.
Where are you from? Tell me a little bit about your background…
I was born and raised in Madrid! I’ve been doing makeup maybe before I can even remember (playing with it at least), but started taking it seriously when I turned 16 by enrolling for a summer course, and then at 17 I did hair & make-up at college. I started working by doing test shoots while I was still finishing, and having a second job in fashion retail. A little while after, I quit fashion for makeup retail and worked for MAC Cosmetics, where I learned the most and it made me the professional I am today. After 3 years at MAC I decided to move to London in 2018, I always knew I needed to explore this creative and vibrant city. Since then I’ve worked with brands like Chanel, Charlotte Tilbury and Nars in retail, through networking I was able to get on the coolest projects through assisting other makeup artists, and got to meet amazing people in the creative industry.
When did you know that you wanted to become a make-up artist?
I’ve always been more creative than anything else, when I was younger I loved to paint, make collages or crafts, dressing up etc.. Also my dad is an artisan, so I remember being at his workshop surrounded by all kinds of materials, pigments, colours and texture displayers so ended up playing with it. So It kind of came naturally, I also remember myself playing with my grandma’s rouge or my mom’s bronze pearls. I never really thought make-up artist was a profession until later on with the internet! When in high school I started doing my friends make-up, they liked it, so I kept on going and exploring.
“Make-up is art, an expression. It could be abstract, with no sense, but it could also be a good tool to change people’s mood.”
– luz giraldo
Beauty Credits
Make-up By Luz Giraldo
Skin
MAC Strobe Cream
Weleda Skin Food Light
Nars Longwear Foundation
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
Cheeks
Make Beauty Face Gloss
Lips
Benefit GoGo Tint Lip & Cheek Stain
MAC Clear Lipglass
What does make-up mean to you?
Make-up is art, an expression. It could be abstract, with no sense, but It could also be a good tool to change people’s mood. If it’s a beauty makeover it can change the way you feel, if it’s a characterisation and so forth. So for me, there’s many meanings to make-up. I see it as a representation of what you are inside, expressing on the outside. That’s why is so important to get the reference right when doing all kinds of clients, because they need to validate it with what they have in their minds.
Where do you draw your beauty inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from many things such as nature, museums, fashion, visually appealing movies, interior design, illustrations… I see beauty everywhere.
What’s the one product you have repurchased the most over the years?
I love the Highliner Gel Eye Crayon, and Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara from Marc Jacobs. Such a great mascara, and variety of colours on the Eye Crayons.
Beauty Credits
Make-up By Luz Giraldo
Skin
MAC Strobe Cream
Weleda Skin Food Light
Nars Longwear Foundation
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
Eyes
Marc Jacobs Beauty Fineliner Ultra-Skinny Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in Code Blue 22.
Dior DiorShow Waterproof Mascara in 258 Azure Bleu
Lips
MAC Lip Pencil in Stone
Nars Matte Lipstick in Boukhara
Nars Velvet Lip Glide in Bound
What is your favourite skincare product?
I would need to say Eight Hours Cream from Elizabeth Arden, I love how multi-use it is, from shaping your brows, to giving your eyes and cheeks a slight tint to moisturising your lips and rough areas.
Is there a particular person whose face you’d like to do make-up on?
I would have loved to do Amy Winehouse’s, I feel a special connection with her music, and I’ve been wearing my signature eyeliner since I’m 15 so I know I would have nailed hers! I’m very thankful to have done make-up on most of my favourite female artists, but right now, I would say M.I.A. she’s such an icon and natural beauty!
What has been the most exciting project you’ve worked on to date?
Since I moved to London, I had many opportunities on big projects while assisting such as VS campaigns or Nick Knights editorials, but as a key makeup artist, I need to say the Mugler Campaign SS21 with SHYGIRL, the video is insane and it’s so cool to see your work in the same project with some of the best creatives internationally. I felt truly blessed and rewarded after years of hard work.
What do you want your legacy to be?
I want to be remembered as a timeless artist who made a career by herself, by being fearless, being as kind as possible, a perfectionist in her work and a thriving spirit.
Coming from a working class background and making it, it shows you can achieve most of your goals with passion and hard work.
