The Select Guest - Meet Gina Brooke

If you could get really up close and personal, who would you say has better skin? Gisele Bündchen or Kim Kardashian? Naomi Campbell or Gwen Stefani? Although professional makeup artist and beauty expert Gina Brooke is likely one of the few people who could actually answer those questions, she never would. Because as we said, she’s a pro, and confidentiality is key, especially when you have clients at the apex of the A-list. With over two decades of experience — her work has appeared in every fashion book out there (yes Vogue, Elle, W) and she’s worked with incredible photographers from Annie Leibowitz and Steven Klein to Ellen von Unwerth and David LaChapelle — this bi-coastal phenom is sought after for her uncanny ability to imbue her clients’ skin with that glow-from-within look. (Just ask Madonna who was a client for 13 years, including five world tours and a set of diamond-bejeweled mink lashes that went on to become the most expensive fakes in history, selling at Neiman Marcus for a cool $10K a pair.) 

You might chalk it up to Brooke’s self-professed obsession with bioluminescence, or her ability to infuse some real science into her work by custom mixing serums and foundation colors, engineering new ways to bring out skin’s natural luminosity, but whatever it is, you can’t argue with the results. Brands like Shu Uemura, Urban Decay and Hourglass, couldn’t argue either, so they’ve all added her expertise to their own lines via her work as Artistic Director and Global Beauty Consultant for each of them. And when it comes to color, Brooke’s an expert there, too. Having studied photography and design at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, she’s always been an artist and the proof is in the perfect red lip she sports (so perfect Make Up For Ever tapped her to make a limited edition lipstick for women of all diversities). And if all of that isn’t enough to make you green with envy, today Brooke is focusing on product development, working with large and niche brands to create products made without chemicals and with packaging that will help to preserve and protect our planet. Beauty, brains, and benevolence? Yup. She’s got it all. Welcome to Gina’s week.

Gina Brooke is one of the most well-respected makeup artists in the industry” – Harpers Bazaar
Gina Brooke is an American beauty expert/makeup artist and recognized as one of the leading talents in the world of beauty. Known as the creative force behind some of the most memorable beauty trends and the development of numerous award-winning beauty products. While known for her outstanding skill as a makeup artist and her work with some of the world’s most iconic faces, Brooke is increasingly channeling her expertise and artistry into collaborations with international beauty brands. Her vision and beauty philosophy is evident in the groundbreaking products she has created in her roles as Artistic Director and Global Beauty Consultant for leading cosmetic companies such as L’Oreal/Shu Uemura, Urban Decay, LVMH/Make Up For Ever, Intraceuticals and Hourglass Cosmetics. Brooke is developing on her own brand, creating products with a conscious and ethical approach to beauty and encourage consumers to protect and preserve the planet. Gina is bi-coastal with homes in Southern California and New York City.

My new skincare obsession is Retouch, a new generation of skincare by Intraceuticals to sculpt, define and accentuate facial features, whilst blurring fine lines and imperfections for a flawless makeup application. It’s cruelty free, vegan and paraben free and consists of five high performance perfecting serums which can be used in conjunction with each other. They are amazing.

BY  The Select 7