Linda Mason Linda Mason is an internationally recognized makeup artist, cosmetics entrepreneur, visual artist, filmmaker, and whose work is characterized by her vivid and creative use of color.
Early life
Linda Mason was born in Sunderland, in the northeast of England, on Friday, September 13, 1946. Linda's mother, an artist who imitated the hottest designer fashions of the day and whose eccentric home renovations transformed their neighborhood, initially inspired her fascination for artistic expression. She got her start in the beauty industry modeling for haute couture designers in Paris while studying makeup.
Career
Linda moved to Beirut to teach makeup and sell cosmetics for Lancôme. In the late 70s, she returned to Paris and became the premier makeup artist for Helena Rubenstein. While making rounds at fashion shows, Linda observed that makeup done by the models themselves was totally out of sync with the incredible fashions they were wearing. Linda then reinvented the role of makeup on the runway by personally applying the models’ makeup. She worked on early collections for Jean-Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto, Giorgio Armani, and Issey Miyake. The diligence, skill, and ingenuity of these designers inspired her to further develop and refine her own work. In the early 80s, Linda moved to New York, where her cutting-edge work continued to make headlines. In response to a look Linda created for photographer Steven Meisel, the Wall Street Journal stated that "Mason…took face painting out of punk and into high fashion." Linda also worked with many celebrities, including Cameron Diaz, Uma Thurman, Brooke Shields and Charlize Theron. Linda launched her own makeup company, Linda Mason Elements, Inc., in 1987. In 1988, she developed cosmetic kits which were carried at Henri Bendel, Barney's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom. Her habit of painting pictures of her daughter, Daisy, who was born in 1986, led her to discover her love for portraiture. She also continued to explore other styles of visual art, including multi-media collage and glass art. Her pieces range in style from classical to abstract, reflecting her dynamic personality and variety of sources of inspiration. In 1998 Linda opened "The Art of Beauty by Linda Mason," a shop and gallery in Soho, New York City. "An Aladdin’s cave of makeup" where one could find her makeup and, later, her hand silk-screened accessories and clothing line. Mason also used the space to meet with clients, create artwork, and show exhibits.
Exhibitions
Mason presented many exhibitions of her work at her Soho workshop and gallery, including Gone, Spring Masquerade, and Ageless Beauty. She has had two solo exhibitions at the National Glass Centre in Northern England: Visitors to the Seafront and A Day at the Beach. Her most recent solo exhibition at Studio Vendome in Soho, Sensory Abstraction: Model as Medium, included a comprehensive selection of mixed-media panels, film, and paintings.
Publications
Linda has published several books: Linda Mason's Sun Sign Makeovers and later Tanaka-Mason-Kostabi, a collaborative book. More recently, Makeup, The Art of Beauty, a handbook of techniques and approaches refined over her career, was published in September 2003 and re-released in paperback May 2007; in October 2004, Teen Makeup, Looks to Match Your Every Mood; and in April 2008Eye Candy: 55 easy makeup looks for glam lids and luscious lashes.
