Renowned makeup artist Pat McGrath recently disclosed the intricate details behind the captivating makeup looks of Nicki Minaj for her sensational album, Pink Friday 2. McGrath, a visionary in the beauty industry, shared insights into their collaborative process, which was marked by vibrant discussions about the album’s creative direction. The synergy between the two icons, who have previously joined forces for events like the Met Gala and New York Times magazine, was evident in the album’s visual storytelling.

McGrath, drawing from a rich repository of fashion shows, star-studded events, and editorial shoots, conceptualized a series of beauty moments that perfectly echoed the album’s vibrant essence. Working alongside Ronald Watkins, an accomplished makeup artist in Minaj’s team, McGrath’s innovative ideas were brilliantly brought to life, employing the renowned PAT McGRATH LABS’ products to achieve each distinctive look.

The First Look: A Glimpse into Pink Friday 2

Minaj first teased fans with a glimpse of the album’s makeup on Instagram, featuring a look that McGrath describes as “high glamour with a hint of daring.” The makeup combined the ethereal glow of PAT McGRATH LABS Divine Blush + Bronze + Glow Trio, particularly the ‘Burnished Honey’ and ‘Midnight Orchid’ shades, to sculpt and add warmth to Minaj’s complexion.

Foundation of the Look: Skin Prep

The key to Minaj’s flawless look began with the Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection System, creating a radiant base that McGrath frequently utilizes in runway shows and magazine work. Complementing this was the Divine Skin: Rose 001 The Essence and the Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation and Setting Powder, providing a perfect canvas to highlight Minaj’s natural radiance.

Rosy Glow and Metallic Eyes: The Hallmarks

Central to the makeup theme was a rosy glow, achieved through strategic application of blushes and highlighters from McGrath’s Divine Glow and Divine Blush ranges. The cheeks were delicately treated with either the Skin Fetish: Divine Blush or the Divine Blush: Legendary Glow Color Balm, creating a spectrum of sheen from subtle to vibrant.

For the eyes, McGrath turned to the MTHRSHP Bijoux Brilliance palette. The eye makeup featured shades like ‘AMBER AURA’ as the base, ‘STAR GARNET’ for a metallic magenta accent, and ‘MIDNIGHT CHERRY’ to deepen the creases. The look was intensified with the Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner and the Dark Star Mascara, adding dramatic flair to Minaj’s lashes.

Lips: A Pale Pink Statement

The lips were outlined using the Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil in ‘Done Undone,’ followed by the MatteTrance Lipstick in Femmebot, creating a harmonious pale pink look that resonated with the album’s pink-themed aesthetics.

ChromaLuxe Artistry Pigments: A Finishing Touch

A special feature in the Pink Friday 2 visuals was McGrath’s ChromaLuxe Artistry Pigments. This limited-edition formula added a layer of fantasy with creamy textures and metallic finishes, bringing an extra dimension of sparkle and allure to the various eye makeup looks crafted for Minaj.

McGrath’s mastery in makeup artistry not only complemented Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 album’s aesthetics but also added an iconic touch.

Ntianu Obiora
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Ntianu Obiora is a versatile creative professional with over a decade of experience in publishing, marketing, communications, and digital strategy. She is the Online Editor at THEWILL DOWNTOWN