Tom Pecheux is a French makeup artist, art director of the makeup department at Shiseido (until 2006), creative director of makeup at Estée Lauder Corporation (since 2009). Tom Pecheux is often called the “king of makeup” and “the most famous makeup artist in the world.”
Career of Tom Pecheux
Tom Pecheux's experience in the fashion industry has already exceeded 30 years. He managed to build a dizzying career from an aspiring pastry chef to a makeup artist working in high fashion.
Tom Pecheux graduated from culinary school in his native Burgundy. However, he soon discovered that drawing patterns on cakes brought him more satisfaction than the process of cooking itself. Having moved to Paris, Tom Pecheux begins to study make-up. Tom Pecheux's career began as an assistant to famous makeup artist Linda Castello. By the early 1990s, he had established himself as one of the the best masters his business, and for many years Tom Pecheux has been the central person in matters of makeup on the backstage of fashion shows at Milan, Paris and New York fashion weeks. Now Tom Pecheux claims that there is actually no significant difference between his first and second professions: both in a restaurant and at a fashion show, he creates ephemeral beauty that very quickly disappears. According to rumors, before shows, models argue and quarrel a lot: each wants to get makeup done by Tom Pecheux.
Tom Pecheux's career is connected with two major cosmetic corporations: Shiseido and Estée Lauder, which Tom Pecheux advises on the creation of decorative makeup collections. Shiseido makeup collections designed by Tom Pecheux became iconic. At Estée Lauder, where Tom Pecheux has worked since 2009, he has also enjoyed great success. By the way, Tom himself even starred in a commercial for Estée Lauder cosmetics along with the face of the brand, model Hillary Rhoda.
Achievements of Tom Pecheux
Touch-up pencil, luminous tri-color powder, long-lasting lipstick that evens out the lips and a makeup base that evens out the skin - this is a partial list of the developments that Tom Pecheux undertook for Shiseido's seasonal makeup collections. Tom Pecheux also radically changed and improved the brand's classic range of lipsticks and eyeshadows. Innovation is in his blood.
When I lack certain makeup products, I simply invent them myself. Tom Pecheux
His lipsticks and polishes, created for Estée Lauder, are called genius by fashion journalists.
Tom Pecheux has worked with such famous contemporary photographers as Peter Lindbergh, Patrick Demarchelier, Mario Testino, Craig McDean and others.
Singer Madonna invited Tom Pecheux to create makeup for her videos Ray of Light and Music.
Tom Pecheux worked as a makeup artist on the sets of Ralph Lauren, Marni, Givenchy, Derek Lam, Balmain, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Yves Saint Laurent, Michael Kors, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Gucci. He also has covers of Vogue, V, Vanity Fair, and many other glossy magazines.
Tom Pecheux - best friend Kate Moss and Linda Evangelista. In his professional life, he had to work with Princess Diana, actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Demi Moore and a number of the most demanding stars in matters of makeup.
Styling and makeup by Tom Pecheux
Tom Pecheux names the following conditions under which makeup will be luxurious:
- healthy complexion, fresh cheeks
- perfect eyebrow shape
- the presence of black or brown mascara on the eyelashes
- The lipstick should look slightly rubbed on - what your lips look like after you've bitten an apple.
- Nail polish that matches your skin tone looks best
- It is important for beauty to be alive. Living beauty, as Tom Pecheux understands it, is like Romy Schneider in the movie “Swimming Pool” or his friend Kate Moss
Personal life of Tom Pecheux
Tom Pecheux is a non-public and private person. Very little is known about his personal life. He calls himself “a bad boy with a good education.” In fashion circles, Pesho is famous for his perfectionism and flawless appearance. Tom Pecheux lives and works in Paris. He is especially friendly with photographer Mario Testino and editor Carine Roitfeld. In an interview, Karin said: “One day Tom decided to add a pale green color to my makeup. As a result, we had a terrible fight and had to remove our makeup. He is my old, old friend. Tom has a certain talent for making a woman beautiful. It is Tom Pecheux who always does my makeup for going out. He laughs at me while he paints me for a whole hour, it relaxes me so much, we have a drink. Oh, we've been through so much together! My children simply adore him, he is like a favorite uncle in our family. And he knows better than anyone what suits me. Except pale green!
Quotes by Tom Pecheux
My most futuristic find is the eye spray I used on Daryl Hannah on the set of Blade Runner back in 1982. Tom Pecheux about his first successes
Even within the same show, I never give two models the same makeup. Tom Pecheux on his working methods
It is not necessary to change your makeup every season: it is enough to refine some nuance, add a fashionable shade. Tom Pecheux on the relativity of trends
Makeup should enhance the model, not embellish it. Tom Pecheux on natural beauty
Sophisticated and powerful women often wear lipstick rather than gloss. Glitter is favored by playful girls who look like they want to be kissed. Tom Pecheux on individual makeup preferences
He is one of those who belongs to a very narrow circle of high fashion makeup artists.
To better define his status, it is enough to say that he worked with Madonna and Princess Diana, as well as with the most famous actresses (Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, Demi Moore), top models (Naomi Campel, Milla Jovovich, Linda Evangelista) and photographers.
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Tom Pecheux used to create collections for Shiseido, in the creative department of “The Make-up”, makeup collections became cult. At the moment he is creating in the company Estée Lauder.
His makeup ideas are also recharged by such high fashion luminaries as Ralph Lauren, Valentine, Prada, Ungaro.
He started as a master of style as a culinary specialist, graduating in his homeland in France, in the glorious region of Burgundy, something like our culinary college. He painted patterns on cakes, and then came to Paris and accidentally ended up in a makeup artist school. Today he says that there is not much difference between the first profession and the second - just as in the Burgundian restaurant once upon a time, so today - in the creative department and on the catwalk - he creates fragile, fragile beauty that immediately disappears.
This master of style, the trendsetter of Make-up in the whole world, names the following points, observing which, it is impossible not to look chic.
-Good complexion with fresh cheeks.
-The effect of slightly worn lipstick, like on painted lips after biting an apple.
-Perfect eyebrow shape.
-Presence of mascara on eyelashes – black or brown.
-Nail polish to match the skin tone.
- beauty should be alive, like Kate Moss or Romy Schneider in the movie “Swimming Pool”.
They say that top models at shows quarrel over getting their makeup done by Tom Pecheux. Why? Because his principle is: “Make a woman beautiful.”
8 Pro Tips from Tom Pecheux
I believe that well-groomed eyebrows are as important to a woman's appearance as a manicure. This defines a person.
I've never put on makeup without first giving it a short beauty massage, even just for a minute. By stimulating blood circulation, I heat the epidermis. The makeup base will spread more easily, guaranteeing a beautiful sheer effect on the skin.
For skin imperfections, I use a concealer pencil before applying the background. Otherwise, pencil putties look like stains. For Shiseido, I came up with a concealer pencil that has an extremely effective tip.
I always say that you should treat cosmetics as a game, for your own enjoyment.
I often use lipstick as blush. I am careful and use them in small doses.
Curled eyelashes create a much more open expression. The way to keep your eyelashes curled is with mascara, which acts as a fixative.
To avoid the "cobweb" look on my eyes, which I hate, I simply place the mascara at the base of my lashes without spreading it to the ends. This creates a black spot that highlights the eyes without making them look heavy.
I still use my good old waterproof mascara and my lashes stay flawless even after swimming. I also like to highlight the cheekbones.
In general, Tom Pecheux’s idea of blooming female beauty (in sharp contrast to the gloomy aesthetics of the early 90s) became part of the general makeup trend of the new millennium. This was greatly facilitated by the maestro’s work with such public idols as Princess Diana, Liz Hurley, Cher and Madonna.
When talking about Madonna, Tom Pecheux's face lights up with a warm smile. “I don’t know another woman in the world who would be as dedicated to her profession as Madonna. She happily goes for any experiments with her appearance,” he says.
“They say she’s difficult to work with?” - “Nothing of the kind. Of course, she is very demanding, has her own strong principles, but Madonna never tried to influence my creative individuality. Although, on the other hand, I cannot say that everything was easy and smooth with her. This woman - a professional and an absolute perfectionist. For her there are no characteristics of “good”, “not bad” and even more so “this will do”. Everything should be not just “very good”, but only “excellent”.
The first collaboration between Tom Pecheux and Madonna was the video Ray of Light. “For the first time, Madonna decided to appear to the public as she really is, without a hint of imitation of Marilyn Monroe or Marlene Dietrich,” recalls Mr. Pecheux. During the last collaboration Music Madonna told the maestro that she wanted to try herself in the image of a kind of female incarnation of Puff Deddy and look just as charming, radiant, tanned and showered with diamonds.
“It’s terrible when makeup turns into a daily routine like brushing your teeth,” says Pecheux. “I sympathize with those who are constantly trying new cosmetics, bright nomads and eye shadow in unusual shades.”
Unlike the vast majority of stylists, Tom believes that there is no need to thoroughly follow fashion, turning into its victim. Despite the fact that technical and color trends are constantly changing, there is no need to radically redo your makeup every season.
"Why give up the shades that suit you? Complement them with one or two fashionable colors: the result will be stylish, but not shocking. After all, today no one forces women to wear skirts of the same length or sweaters of the same style. Why should makeup artists become dictators? Why obviously “offering a woman something that doesn’t suit her,” Tom fumes. “Even when working on the same show, I never give two models the same makeup!”
Here is a short interview that Tom Pecheux gives to Russian Vogue.
Trends.
They are invented by journalists. My colleagues and I think in different categories. I develop a makeup collection two years before the show and have no idea what they will wear by that time. There is no need to change makeup every season. It’s enough to shift the emphasis a little, add a nuance, refine the shade .
Art.
I am interested in contemporary art and photography. I recently bought a painting by Gross Blackwell at the Kettinde Wiffey gallery in Paris, inspired by Matisse's Lilies. Shiseido has always been associated with art, be it Japanese calligraphy or the imagery created by Serge Lutens when he was art director of the company .I do not compare my work with the work of an artist: unlike a canvas, a face has shapes, curves, and character, which I try to emphasize.
Models.
Once, backstage at a fashion show, I heard one model complaining to another: “Just look at what they did to me!” - referring to the work of a makeup artist. Since then, the main thing for me is not to make beautiful makeup, but to maintain individuality. For 16 years I have worked with the best models. Linda Evangelista and Kate Moss became my favorite and close friends.
I dream of visiting India. Once upon a time I was also raving about Japan, but now I go there once every two months. I often go to Thailand and America. But Paris is still my favorite city.
Color.
My favorite makeup shades are black, red, fluorescent pink. The Porcelain Sheen New Year's collection is inspired by the East. On smooth white skin there are contoured eyes, purple eyelids and pink lips.
Wine.
My father had a vineyard, but at home it was not customary to drink with food. My father loved to savor good wine while enjoying a bouquet. He had his own principles. When I needed a scooter to leave the farm, he said that I would have to earn it myself by harvesting. So he taught me my first lesson in adult life.
I don't think I set trends in makeup, even if journalists call what I do life-changing. My most futuristic find is the eye spray I used on Daryl Hannah on the set of Blade Runner back in 1982. And today I make technological cosmetics that are comfortable and pleasant to wear.
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He shocked his parents with his choice of profession, surprised his teachers with his willfulness and captivated everyone - from ordinary spectators to models and world-famous brands - with his unconventional vision and philosophy of beauty. He is the makeup artist top brands dream of working with, and supermodels and celebrities line up for makeup...
Tom Pecheux was born in Burgundy, near Paris (France) and became the younger of two sons of a wine farmer. His childhood was spent surrounded by beds, flowers and with the knowledge that after school a job as a baker in some pastry shop awaited him: " I have always enjoyed cooking, especially baking. My older brother spent more time with his father, and my mother and I were always hanging out in the kitchen. As for cosmetics and make-up... I didn’t even suspect that such a profession could even exist!"
Actually, until the age of 14, there was nothing in his life that related to the topic of Fashion. There was farming, a vegetable garden, there were craft skills, there was the prospect of continuing to study to become a baker... And after school, Tom’s parents sent him to Paris, where a position as an assistant chef at a large hotel awaited him.
Needless to say, life in the capital was radically different from life on a farm! In an interview, Tom recalled: " At that time I was like a nocturnal animal - I disappeared into discos and clubs until the morning, but then one fine day (or rather, on a beautiful night) I met a girl who turned my life upside down..."
The lovely stranger casually mentioned that she was attending the School of Artistic Makeup: " And this phrase was so stuck in my head that even after a week I was still thinking about it. I quite sincerely believed that makeup is a purely personal matter and depends solely on the personal fantasy and imagination of each individual person. But I never imagined that this was specifically taught!“After a while, fate again confronted Tom with that very special person, and here he was no longer at a loss - he asked in detail what exactly they teach her and where this institution is located.
The parents were waiting... Shock: their son wants to quit his job; their son is going to become... a makeup artist! " The family was, to put it mildly, in a stupor - Tom recalled later. - But they are the most wonderful parents in the world! That's why they didn't reproach me, but supported me". So Tom ended up among the students of the School of Artistic Makeup Christian Chauveau L"Ecole Technique Privée de Maquillage Artistique.
At first, Tom was literally obsessed with the Universe that had opened up for him, and, despite some expressiveness of the teachers (one of the teachers literally exploded when he saw Tom applying lipstick with his fingers... on his cheeks: " I just repeated what I saw at home - my mother always did this! And now I often do this trick, using lipstick as a cream blush. But then it seemed nonsense".). However, when the main attention and time in the class schedule began to be given to stage makeup, the future maestro got bored. And left: " I realized that I was not interested in this, and that I would not earn my living from this. I was interested in creating real makeup..."It was the bright, crazy 1980s.
He never imagined that Fate would lead him to the top of Olympus in the beauty industry; will not only introduce you to brilliant masters, real Fashion gurus, but will also make sure that they become good friends; will allow you not only to do what you love, but also to create in the most literal sense of the word - to create new makeup products and release them for open sale. But he was fascinated by his work and devoted himself to it without reserve.
His success in Paris could not but rejoice - Tom happily collaborated with talented photographers and editors of fashion magazines. Mario Testino, Carine Roitfeld, Orlando Pita are just a few of the names that influenced Tom's life and career. Working as an assistant to makeup artist Linda Sontello, Tom managed to make a name for himself with a new makeup concept for Shisedo(where he worked as a full-time art consultant from 1999 to 2009). And it was great. But there was life outside too: " To be honest, before we didn’t really think much about the fact that makeup might be different somewhere. Actually, I didn’t have much time to travel. But the fact remains: makeup trends were sometimes radically different. So it's time to go to New York".
A crazy, electrified city with its own vibrations and rhythm. Of course, he, a resident of sophisticated Europe, had a hard time here at first. But the facts speak for themselves: New York has submitted and seems quite pleased with it. Together with his friends, Tom managed to interest the sophisticated bohemian viewer with completely new images. His ideas were received with a bang in CHANEL,GUCCI, Hermes, Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce&Gabbana,Michael Kors, Versace, Givenchy, Balmain, and behind them the top models - , Amber Valletta, Kristen McMenamy, Stella Tennant, Sasha Pivovarova, and etc.
His philosophy is not to “reshape” a model’s face with the help of cosmetics, but to highlight all the most beautiful things about her face: “ It is very important that a girl likes herself after applying makeup. Yes, sometimes the concept of runway makeup or for a photo shoot within advertising campaign can be radical. But it is necessary to emphasize the beauty of the model, otherwise she will start to get nervous, and this will make it worse for everyone". He never allows himself to raise his voice at assistants or models, he still loves to cook and design makeup for large conceptual photo shoots, and breaks into a smile when he remembers. His favorite scent is mix Opium from Yves Saint Laurent And Ambre Sultan from Serge Lutens.
Tom Pecheux's work schedule is minute by minute. And it’s not surprising: after all, he creates the most avant-garde products and develops colors for the world’s leading brand Shiseido. Plus, the maestro is working on creating new makeup for such luminaries as Ralph Lauren, Valentine, Prada, Ungaro and many others.
Each of his creations becomes a cult event. Tom is more than popular among all celebrities without exception, from Meg Ryan to Nicole Kidman. He is the idol of Madonna and Miuccia Prada. And heartbreaking quarrels constantly occur between famous fashion models when it is decided who is next in line for an appointment with the maestro. In short, Tom Pecheux is one of the most fashionable makeup artists in the world today.
« When I'm working, says Tom Pecheux, - my main goal is to make a woman beautiful. I started my career with this motto, and so far it has not let me down. If girls feel beautiful, they are more confident on the podium and in front of the camera. The average age of a fashion model is 18-24 years. At this stage of life, they most want to be liked, and therefore, if makeup does not emphasize the girl’s advantages, it upsets her" (Note that most makeup artists don't care if models get depressed when the makeup artist doesn't put his heart into his work.)
Thomas Pecheux's technique expanded the boundaries of possibilities in makeup, gave us new ideas about aesthetics and beauty and a qualitatively different, new vision of beauty. The “dark eyes” invented by the maestro for Valentine look extremely expressive and sexy, and the eyelids lined with pink lines for Miu Miu, despite the emphasized sensuality, do not contain even a hint of shockingness.
In general, Tom Pecheux’s idea of blooming female beauty (in sharp contrast to the gloomy aesthetics of the early 90s) became part of the general makeup trend of the new millennium. This was greatly facilitated by the maestro’s work with such public idols as Princess Diana, Liz Hurley, Cher and Madonna.
When talking about Madonna, Tom Pecheux's face lights up with a warm smile. " I don't know another woman in the world who would be as dedicated to her profession as Madonna. She happily goes for any experiments with her appearance.", he says.
« They claim that she is difficult to work with?" - "Nothing like this. Of course, she is very demanding and has her own strong principles, but Madonna has never tried to influence my creative individuality. Although, on the other hand, I cannot say that everything was easy and smooth with her. This woman is a professional and an absolute perfectionist. For her, there are no characteristics of “good”, “not bad”, and even more so “this will do”. Everything should be not just “very good”, but only “excellent”.
The first collaboration between Tom Pecheux and Madonna was the video Ray of Light. " For the first time, Madonna decided to appear to the public as she really is, without a hint of imitation of Marilyn Monroe or Marlene Dietrich,” recalls Mr. Pecheux. During the last collaboration Music, Madonna told the maestro that she wanted to try herself in the image of a kind of female embodiment of Puff Deddy and look just as charming, radiant, tanned and showered with diamonds.
« It's terrible when makeup turns into a daily routine like brushing your teeth.- says Pesho. - I sympathize with those who constantly try new cosmetics, bright nomads and eye shadows in unusual shades».
Unlike the vast majority of stylists, Tom Penu believes that there is no need to thoroughly follow fashion, turning into its victim. Despite the fact that technical and color trends are constantly changing, there is no need to radically redo your makeup every season.
« Why give up shades that suit you? Complement them with one or two fashionable colors: the result will be stylish without being shocking. After all, today no one forces women to wear skirts of the same length or sweaters of the same style. Why should makeup artists become dictators? Why deliberately offer a woman something that doesn’t suit her?- Tom gets excited. - Even when working on the same show, I never give two models the same makeup!»
Tom Pecheux is known to be very pleasant and easy to work with. And his friendship and collaboration with the famous hairdresser Orlando Pita has long become the talk of the town.
« We have a similar working style, says the maestro. - We never try to put pressure on each other. If a simple hairstyle suits a girl better, Orlando will never arrange a complex composition on her head. Same for me: if heavy makeup is unnecessary, I will never wear it».
The friendly atmosphere in Tom Penu's team is legendary. Assistants adore Tom’s unsurpassed sense of humor and tact, who does not even allow himself to raise his voice: “You should never yell at anyone. Who needs it? Even after the shows, if something didn’t go quite well. Imagine models passing by who have not yet had time to take off their false eyelashes and wigs, and you are scolding someone in every possible way. This immediately creates tension. When I was working as an assistant and someone gave me a public reprimand, it was very humiliating.”
Not long ago, Tom Peto received an invitation from Shiseido to take part in the creation of a new makeup line and the development of seasonal collections.
« In principle, I always really liked Shiseido products, but after getting to know this brand from the inside, I simply fell in love with it. The company has excellent laboratories and technologies, thanks to which amazing products are created. Shiseido only needed a little support from me“Tom explains modestly.
In addition to radically changing and improving the classic range (lipstick, mascara, eye shadow), this makeup fanatic is constantly coming up with something new. " When I lack certain means or they do not meet my requirements, I simply invent them!»
A luminous three-color primer, a retouching pencil, a skin-evening base, a long-lasting lipstick that nourishes the lips - this is not a complete list of Tom Penu's innovative inventions for Shiseido. These products are unique in their kind and fully meet the needs of women. Are clearly defined eyes especially in trend this season? This means that Shiseido will have two new products: a multi-colored Liquid Eyeliner and a liquid eyeliner pen Fine Eyeliner.
« In my opinion, it is absolutely wrong to create cosmetics that can only be used by professional makeup artists. First of all, we should think about those who will become even more beautiful with the help of our products." And I especially don’t want to argue with this statement of the “king of makeup”.