I’m going to say Pat McGrath because every time I play with the brand’s eyeshadow palettes (and eyeshadow is my favorite part of makeup most of the time)… I just really have fun – I enjoy the process and end result so much.
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I have to say PMG also. Every since I discovered this site, I went all in with Pat, even color stories I wouldn’t ordinarily reach for. Her shadows are so great and have set off a whole quest for improving my makeup game. I am so inspired by her releases and have bough nearly everything Pat McGrath since.
For a while, I’d probably have said Make Up For Ever or perhaps Urban Decay but in all honesty, at my stage in life, I honestly don’t think I’m looking for any inspiration – I’m just looking for wearable, practical and flattering products that work for me rather than trying to sharpen any sort of creative edge or anything like that.
Colourpop, because there are so many shades and options, and it’s inexpensive enough to really experiment with.
The first brand that made me feel this way was Le Metier de Beaute, maybe 10 years ago at this point. I was so inspired by their kaleidoscopes and their creative way of using makeup in unexpected ways! Remember their signature eyeshadow layering technique? LMdB as a brand has been kind of forgotten lately, but Chauvet Pont d’Arc is still one of my top 5 favorite palettes of all time and I use it at least a couple times a month.
From the recents, I am surprisingly inspired by Charlotte Tilbury. I know her products are often on a more neutral side, but I always have so much fun playing with them. I’m really into the whole 90s supermodel bombshell aesthetic right now, maybe that’s why.
I have to say I’ve been super inspired by Peter Philips looks with Dior’s spring and summer collections; I wish he’d do more with the other palettes and blushes that have come out at the same time but weren’t necessarily part of the limited collections.
This is a really hard question for me. In years past, I would have said Urban Decay, MUFE, and Kat von D, but the first two have gone downhill, and I no longer buy KVD.
Now…I don’t know if I actually feel “inspired” by brands any more. I’m getting kind of burnt out on a lot of them. I suppose Viseart, Pat McGrath, ColourPop, and NARS are making me the happiest.
Another hand raised over here for Pat McGrath! Between her lip products, highlighter trio, Mothership V and MTHRSHP palettes with their more compact theme that can still go in several directions, I’m never uninspired or bored with her products.
She DOES have some neck-in-neck competition from Natasha Denona, ColourPop and even MAC here, though.
Like you, I’m definitely an eyeshadow aficionado. So, that part of a brand is what can feel me in hook, line and sinker into buying from them.
Melt Cosmetics. I love their vibe, shadow quality, and the palette color combinations.
For me, it’s Anastasia Beverly Hills. I feel like there is always a story behind her eyeshadow palettes that captivates me. I don’t know if it’s the versatility of the shades, the names of each eyeshadow or both. And this is valid for her singles as well; when I am in a Sephora store and I see an ABH stand, I feel like I am in a candy bar. Every time I open her Modern Renaissance palette to create a look and I see the names, I see myself walking on the streets of Verona. Her style is attractive to me without trying too hard.
I am a big fan of PMG (I have three of her MTHRSHP palette) and of Viseart, but I am still loyal to ABH.
Pat McGrath, then MAC. I know what colors I like now, know well enough how to pick a cohesive look so my focus is placement of color and technique to flatter my eye and face shape.
I wish PMG showcased makeup on older/mature/over 40 skin more than they do but I know she’s primarily involved in runway work, so quite young for the models. I know she uses a lot of vintage prints and photos of varying ages for backstories but I want to see the technique on current older models, on older, textured eyes and mature faces. I could adapt (and have) the techniques I see on the younger models, but it’s also about representation.
And I wish MAC used older models in general. MAC says all ages, races and genders but virtually all of their models are young(er). And a 5 second clip of an older person on instagram getting lipstick dabbed on a full face doesn’t count as representation or a tutorial. How about multi-generational models in ad copy from here forward? Like for their recent release of Electric Wonder, why not add in a few older models?
It seems like what most makeup companies think of as “inspirational” or on trend for older skin is just a variation of the same ole same ole, focused primarily on making it look like fresh or “barely there makeup” or limited to a strong base to cover the stereotypical blotchy aged/lined/ruddy skin and then a reddish lip and call it glamorous. Can we not stop there, please? I love a dimensioned eye look (even a pop of color!) as well as a full face and don’t see that changing anytime soon.
As I get older I find that I’m more inspired by a beauty brand’s commitment to quality, texture, performance and versatility of products than the creative process of application. That doesn’t mean however that I’m any less of a beauty junkie as I have more products than one could possibly want or need!
With that being said, right now the brand that has been inspiring me most is Chanel. Their last few collections have been solid and this year’s Cruise Collection has been a workhorse for me this summer. I bought almost every piece! 🙂
I don’t find any brand particularly “inspiring”… Instead, I work from the opposite perspective. At 45 years old, I’ve pretty much settled into a very deliberate aesthetic, know what I like/ what works for me, and which techniques/placement I need to do to achieve a given look. After 30+ years of experience, I’m not looking to be inspired. I tend to gravitate towards brands that make an effort to market towards others like myself, such as Kat von D Beauty & Melt Cosmetics, that have a “dark”, edgy, sophisticated shade range, and more alternative packaging. Wet n Wild will always have a place in my heart, as they were the first “commercial” brand to offer shades to fit more “alternative” styles, and have never strayed from that philosophy.
Well said. I think this is part of my feelings, too. I’m old enough (49) to know what my look is, what colors I like, and how to apply things. If I feel inspired, it’s more from alternative beauty Instagrammers sharing creative looks than from any one make-up brand.
Natasha Denona. Her eye palettes ca n be used in so many ways. Love them but I only have 1 big, 2 small and 1 mini. Not to big into spending over $100 for eye shadow.
I wish I liked PMG but I’ve bought 2 small and 2 large and I don’t get it so I need to stop buying them. Mattes are mostly warm browns and the shimmer isn’t special. Obviously not the popular opinion.?
I get inspired by pix and tutorials.
It’s a tricky question for me for several reasons, first of all because it is only in the last 4-5 years that we have had access to most of the brands that have been around in the States for a long time, to actually see and swatch for ourselves.
Once upon a time, Urban Decay inspired me, but their recent offerings have not been to my liking.
And I have now reached the age and stage of my life where I want products to actually suit me and my colour story. So I think the brands that are exciting me the most are Sydney Grace, Colour Pop, Coloured Raine and ABH. Every now and again, I do like Chanel.
I’m going to come at the question from a different direction: The brand I’m most inspired by is Aromaleigh because she combines her love of history and mythology (and a few other interesting subjects, like bugs and chickens) with her business. Mostly because her interests overlap mine, I’m inspired every time I pull one of her products out. Aromaleigh has a bit of history that I don’t consider relevant to my point (just acknowledging), but she has always pretty faithfully insisted on theming her collections around things that clearly show her individual passions. I admire that; it’s artistically brave. And inspiring.