MEET MAKEUP ARTIST: LAUREN GOTT
Louisiana is the home of amazing cajun food, bluesy zydeco, Mardi Gras, and Lauren Gott. Lauren Gott is a very talented makeup artist that has worked on both sides of the brush. As a former model Lauren was able to experience the talents of Pat McGrath, Tom Pecheux and Kevyn Aucoin, to name a few. At the start of her makeup career, Lauren started with self portraits while living in Paris, garnering attention from various photographers. With her immense creativity, attention to detail, flawless application, and contagious energy, Lauren is the whole package! We're thrilled to share her light and talent with our readers.
What was a pivotal moment for your career?
When I started makeup really. It was not planned. I began doing Polaroid self portraits in Paris when I was still modeling. I made all my friends my guinea pigs and began building a portfolio then I assisted many brilliant artists to pay my dues and hone my craft. Well, you're never done with those actually; have to stay humble and work hard.
What has been your favorite set to work on? Why?
I absolutely love and thrive on doing location work, but I must admit I like doing beauty imagery best. It is usually a small closed set and the focus is makeup, hair, and the model. It is like having a magnifying glass on your work, and I love that. I aim for perfection and don't rely on retouching and post production. The crop is tight and the goal is something avant garde that makes you do a double take. I want people to stare at my work not flip the page.
What is one of your proudest moments in your career?
I think the first published work I ever created. It was a beauty editorial self portrait. I used a tiger lily as my tongue. It was provocative and beautiful.
What are some other things you enjoy when you aren’t shooting?
I am a fitness and health enthusiast. It's clear that beauty starts with what we put in our bodies and how we maintain the machine.
What is your favorite part about being on set?
I like that with certain teams everyone on set plays an active part in creating an image. When not only the photographer and creative director, but also the hair, makeup and even the model are involved. Those shoots where everyone has a voice are creatively the most fun and fulfilling.
What does #createmoments mean to you?
#createmoments is all about being present in the moment to me
What is one thing your fans may not know about you?
I'm an open book with work but my private life I like to keep for myself.
What advice can you provide for future Hair & Makeup artists?
Pursuing a career in makeup/hair artistry is a long journey and everyone's path will be different but if you love what you do and persevere it will pay off.