{"id":170507,"date":"2026-06-17T13:23:31","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T17:23:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/?p=170507"},"modified":"2026-06-17T13:23:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T17:23:31","slug":"makeup-artist-maud-laceppe-on-letting-observation-lead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/?p=170507","title":{"rendered":"Makeup Artist Maud Laceppe on Letting Observation Lead"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><em>Behind the Image is an ongoing MODELS.com series taking a more personal look at both established and emerging creative talent.<\/em><\/p>\n<style>\n.quote {\nline-height: 1.2em !important;\npadding: 35px 25px;\n}\n.wp-caption {\n    margin-top: 65px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141369\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141369\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/maud.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"889\" height=\"960\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-170509\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/maud.jpg 889w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/maud-593x640.jpg 593w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 889px) 100vw, 889px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141369\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\n<a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/Maud-Laceppe\">Maud Laceppe<\/a> | Image courtesy of Home Agency<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/Maud-Laceppe\">Maud Laceppe,<\/a> Makeup Artist<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Hometown:<\/strong> Paris, France<br \/>\n<strong>Based In:<\/strong> New York City, New York<br \/>\n<strong>Representation:<\/strong> Home Agency <\/p>\n<p><strong>What initially drew you to beauty, and was there a defining moment that made you pursue it professionally?<\/strong><br \/>\nI always felt a bit outside of things growing up. School wasn\u2019t where I thrived, and I think being on the sidelines really shaped my sense of observation. My grandfather was a hairdresser and a bit of a dandy, and I think he influenced me more than I realized at the time. My mum was also a big influence. She was always fully put together, no matter what. Sometimes, the worse the day was, the sharper she looked. I understood quite early the power of how you present yourself to the world, and how much it can shift perception. I found it fascinating that something as simple as a red lip or a sharp eye could completely change how you\u2019re perceived. Even something as subtle as the way an eyebrow is shaped can tell you so much about a person, whether they intend it or not. Makeup came quite naturally after that. It felt like a way to turn observation into something tangible. <\/p>\n<p><strong>How would you describe your work? What\u2019s your trademark?<\/strong><br \/>\nMy work is about the balance between structure and instinct, something precise but never overworked, with a subtle tension that gives the face attitude. It comes from observing people closely, their features, and their body language. I\u2019m interested in contrast and softness, creating something defined without feeling overworked. I often start with the brow. It frames the face and sets the tone. Even when it feels natural, it\u2019s always intentional. I\u2019m drawn to looks that can feel slightly unsettling, but still beautiful. It\u2019s about creating an attitude that shifts the way someone carries themselves. <\/p>\n<p><strong>You\u2019ve worked closely with<a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/people\/ella-marija-lani-yelich-oconnor\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Lorde<\/a>. How does your collaboration evolve from concept to execution, and how has your dynamic grown over time?<\/strong><br \/>\nWorking with Lorde is very intuitive. It usually begins with a conversation around mood, sometimes something abstract, a feeling, or a reference. From there, I translate it onto the face, refining it through texture, placement, and restraint, always considering how it reads both up close and on stage. Over time, our dynamic has become very instinctive. There\u2019s a real trust, so we don\u2019t need to over-explain. We just understand where it\u2019s going. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Are there specific materials or textures you love working with? Do you find yourself drawn to certain finishes?<\/strong><br \/>\nI\u2019m drawn to textures that feel alive, skin that still looks like skin, but slightly altered, without being tied to one approach. Lately, I\u2019ve been using a very sheer blue pigment. It creates a kind of transparency and a glow that shifts depending on the skin tone. I\u2019ve also been working with metallic foil, often distressed so it catches the light in a more irregular way. I mostly use my fingers. It feels more tactile and intimate, like the makeup is applied by touch rather than brush. It\u2019s intentionally diffused and a bit uneven. The shine is fragmented, catching the light rather than being uniform. I like finishes that sit between matte and luminous, controlled but still breathable, especially on stage. I tend to go through small obsessions with materials or textures, then move on to something completely different, sometimes even the opposite. It\u2019s always shifting. I follow what feels right in the moment. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Given your experience creating makeup looks for tours, how do you approach longevity and ensure looks hold up under the demands of touring?<\/strong><br \/>\nIt was actually my first time working on a tour, which shifted the way I approach things. It made me think more about longevity, how makeup reacts to heat, movement, and lighting. It pushed me to be more technical without losing the feel of the skin. I try to keep the skin breathable but controlled, building in layers so it holds without feeling heavy, and making sure it reads clearly both on stage and up close. Each leg becomes a kind of ongoing research. I adjust, refine, and bring something new each time. <\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s your process for conceptualizing a look? Do you start with references, emotions, or something else entirely?<\/strong><br \/>\nIt usually starts with gathering ideas, images, or references that feel right, often coming from a conversation or an initial feeling. It\u2019s also very collaborative. I take into account the approach of everyone involved, the stylist setting the tone through the story they want to tell, the photographer\u2019s eye and their sensitivity to makeup, and working closely with the hairstylist as a real duo. From there, I focus on who I\u2019m working with, their personality, their style, their bone structure, and their energy. After observing all of that, I study the face more closely and start building intuitively, placing texture, adjusting, and sometimes removing. It\u2019s quite instinctive. I let the face guide how far to push it and where to hold back.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>What non-fashion influences (art, film, literature, music, etc.) shape your creative  perspective?<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>This Is England <\/em> and <em>L\u2019Enfer<\/em> really stayed with me, in very different ways.<em>This is England <\/em> for its rawness, the way nothing feels overworked, everything is about presence and identity. And <em>L\u2019Enfer,<\/em> especially Henri-Georges Clouzot\u2019s original vision, for the opposite reason: the way the face becomes unstable, shaped by light, perception, and tension. Both made me think about how subtle changes can completely transform how a face is read, which is something I\u2019m very interested in doing in my work.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s something outside of your work that you would like people to know about you?<\/strong><br \/>\nI spend a lot of time observing small details in everyday life, probably more than necessary. It keeps everything quite sharp. I\u2019m very sensitive to fragrance. I notice it immediately, and it tells me a lot about the person I\u2019m in the room with.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>Who do you think is one to watch?<\/strong><br \/>\nI\u2019m excited to see what my friend <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/sam-penn\">Sam Penn<\/a>  builds next. She\u2019s an incredibly talented photographer. We met through Lorde on tour. I\u2019m very interested in the way she blurs the line between something very personal and the image itself. The body becomes very close, almost tactile. It\u2019s intimate but not romanticized, which I connect to a lot.<\/p>\n<h3>Selected Work<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/Lorde_by_Sam_Penn.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-170510\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/Lorde_by_Sam_Penn.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/Lorde_by_Sam_Penn-640x427.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nLorde by Sam Penn | Image courtesy of Home Agency<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/special-projects-lorde-by-sam-penn\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lorde, backstage at the Ultrasound World Tour in Christchurch, New Zealand<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nThis image holds that sense of stillness before everything unfolds, where texture and placement become their own statement. It reflects how much I value subtle gestures and how they can carry as much impact as something more overt, which continues to shape how I approach beauty.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/PussPuss.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"805\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-170511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/PussPuss.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/PussPuss-640x403.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nMaria Keidj by Jai Odell | Image courtesy of Home Agency<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/puss-puss-magazine-editorial\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Maria Keidj for Puss Puss Magazine<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nThis selection comes from a really exciting and inspiring moment on set. I was so influenced by the energy of the team, and especially by <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/models\/maria-keidj\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Maria Keidj\u2019s <\/a> beauty guided the direction of the look. It reflects my interest in pushing beauty into something slightly unsettling but still beautiful.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/INDED80-A-247-FINAL_sRGB.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"1920\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-170512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/INDED80-A-247-FINAL_sRGB.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/INDED80-A-247-FINAL_sRGB-427x640.jpg 427w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/INDED80-A-247-FINAL_sRGB-853x1280.jpg 853w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/INDED80-A-247-FINAL_sRGB-1024x1536.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nBy Troy Covey | Image courtesy of Home Agency<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Personal project<\/strong><br \/>\nThis image comes from a personal project where I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and explore something unfamiliar. I used sugar instead of makeup, creating textures that don\u2019t really exist within traditional makeup, which shifted the way I think about it. Working on personal projects like this is essential to me. It keeps my work moving forward and evolving beyond what I already know.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/WHATEVR.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"803\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-170513\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/WHATEVR.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/WHATEVR-640x402.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nEnya Davis &#038; Libby Slaymaker by Tyler Roste | Image courtesy of Home Agency<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/whatevr-beauty-10\/2491719\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Beauty<\/em> for Whatevr Magazine<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nThis series was really exciting to work on because each girl brought something very different, which pushed me to approach them in opposite ways. Each look is very different in its outcome, but a sense of comfort connects them within something slightly uncomfortable, something a bit disturbing yet still beautiful.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/LORDECOVERS.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"407\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-170514\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/LORDECOVERS.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2026\/06\/LORDECOVERS-640x204.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nLorde by Wera Nowak, Jean-Baptiste Talbourdet-Napoleone, Theo Wenner, and Dan Jackson  | Image courtesy of Home Agency<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/people\/Maud-Laceppe\/people\/entertainer\/ella-marija-lani-yelich-oconnor\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lorde Covers<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nThis series of covers with Lorde feels very special to me because it marked the beginning of our relationship, before I had any idea of where it would lead. A different photographer shaped each shoot, and while the makeup remained raw, I approached it differently each time. It reflects a moment of building something together, both creatively and personally.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Behind the Image is an ongoing MODELS.com series taking a more personal look at both established and emerging creative talent. Maud Laceppe, Makeup Artist Hometown: Paris, France Based In: New York City, New York Representation: Home Agency What initially drew you to beauty, and was there a defining moment that made you pursue it professionally?&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":450,"featured_media":170509,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6476,12752,13941,10414,16,13943],"tags":[9617,9017],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170507"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/450"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=170507"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170507\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":170519,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170507\/revisions\/170519"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/170509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=170507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=170507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=170507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}