Pat McGrath Becomes the First Makeup Artist to Be A Dame

Credit : Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Pat McGrath, makeup artist and founder of Pat McGrath Labs, has just been awarded a D.B.E. or Dame of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for the Queen's New Year 2021 Honors List. A damehood is the equivalent of a knighthood, and both are the second highest honors to be bestowed upon for services to the British Empire. McGrath's contribution to the fashion and beauty industry has earned her a place among the greats such as Dame Julie Andrews, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith, and Dame Helen Mirren. Elizabeth Taylor was also awarded a damehood.

As Stylecaster reports, McGrath is the first makeup artist to achieve this high honor. Fellow makeup artist and entrepreneur Charlotte Tilbury is ranked several classes below as an M.B.E. or Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

In a statement on her official Instagram page, McGrath says that she is "beyond humbled" to have been awarded a damehood and thanks her mother, her family and friends, and all lovers of beauty that have contributed to her success and to this most prestigious award. McGrath has also dedicated her award to all makeup artists everywhere.

Also read: Francois Nars Launches New Capsule Collection in Honor of His Mother Claudette

McGrath's Best Hits

McGrath is famous for her eponymous makeup line and her lipsticks and eyeshadow palettes have propelled her into cult status. Below are some of her best-selling items that beauty editors and beauty junkies cannot get enough of.

Mothership V: Bronze Seduction Palette

Allure awarded this eyeshadow palette with their Best of Beauty Award in 2019. This warm-toned palette has ten highly saturated shades of browns, bronzes, golds and red in both matte and shimmery finishes. Its emollient-like texture promises fully pigmented and opaque color on your eyelids. Allure Is also a fan of the more colorful Mega Mothership Celestial Divinity Eyeshadow Palette which features shades of purple, mauve, gold and green.

Mothership VIII: Divine Rose II

McGrath collaborated with supermodel and good friend Naomi Campbell for this unique palette that features the first-ever "triochrome," in the market. The triochrome is a metallic eyeshadow shade that changes into three different colors when it hits the light.

MatteTrance Lipstick in Full Panic

Cosmopolitan is all praises for this lipstick shade that they recommend for dark skin tones. It's a lightweight and buildable matte pink color that you can use as a lip stain or build up to a full-fledged statement lip. Elson 2, which InStyle says is the perfect shade of red, is also another favorite shade among beauty editors.

Skin Fetish: Highlighter + Balm Duo

An Allure Best of Beauty Award winner in 2018, the transparent balm is formulated with argan and aloe oils plus moisturizing champ hyaluronic acid to soften skin, while the highlighter reflects and refracts light. You can wear them separately or use them together for luminous and radiant-looking skin.

Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Perfection

36 inclusive shades give users medium coverage. With an exclusive Vita-Serum Complex, hyaluronic acid and ceramides in its nourishing formula coupled with a Diamond Core Powder Technology that blurs imperfections, expect an improved skin texture and flawless appearance.