How Maybelline Makeup Artist Yadim Does Fashion Week

Joanna Douglas
·Senior Editor

Yadim is one of the most influential makeup artists at New York Fashion Week. Photo: Courtesy of Maybelline New York

You may not know Yadim by name just yet, but at 30 years old, he’s already become one of the industry’s most influential makeup artists. Obsessed with cosmetics since his teen years, his passion for color blossomed during the ‘90s club scene and morphed into a successful career. When Yadim moved to New York City in 2006 he honed his skills, working on shoots for high fashion brands like Prada and Dolce & Gabbana, and he landed his first cover shot for Dazed & Confused in 2010.

Recently, Yadim has become a Fashion Week staple, creating makeup looks for DKNY, Pucci, and Kenzo, and ads for brands like Alexander Wang, Calvin Klein, and Balmain. He has also has worked with a wide range of celebs from Rihanna and Lady Gaga to Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham and currently serves as the global makeup artist for Maybelline New York. With an exceptionally hectic month ahead, here’s how Yadim getting through New York Fashion Week one day at a time.

This season I’m doing makeup at…7 shows! DKNY, Opening Ceremony, Marissa Webb, Jonathan Simkhai, Cushnie et Ochs, Chromat, Baja East

I fill my bag with… an ever growing stash of Maybelline New York.

My go-to outfit is… a black shirt and a hat.

The only shoes I’ll wear are… Air Jordans 23s.

I snack on… Clif Bars.

Four weeks before fashion week… I don’t think about fashion week because it’s too overwhelming.

The night before, I…. sleep.

In the morning for breakfast I… drink coffee.

If I have a minute to workout I… LOL. I don’t have a minute to work out.

You’ll catch me reading… Vogue Paris, of course.

I get around in… a black SUV to fit my huge makeup cases.

The only way I can clear my mind is… turning off my phone.

The product I can’t do a show without is… Maybelline New York Baby Lips in Quenched.

My current favorite makeup look is… confidence.

The makeup look I’m bored to death of is… insecurity.

If I’m losing my mind I repeat…. This, too, shall pass.

The song that pumps up my energy is… “Werk B**ch” by Brithey Spears.

My favorite part about fashion week is… all the energy backstage and working with friends.

But I can’t handle… all the emails.

I wind down with a glass of… I’m not much of a drinker.

When it’s all over, I can’t wait to… do it all over again in Europe.