Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pat McGrath best known for?
Pat McGrath is widely regarded as the most influential makeup artist of our time. As Paul puts it, “She is often referred to as ‘mother’ in the industry, and is even the first makeup artist to be made a Dame by the British Empire.” He adds, “Coming up as a makeup artist in the 2000s, her creativity alongside John Galliano for Dior reinvigorated runway makeup and inspired us all. She has always been innovative in her approach to beauty and always ahead of the trends.”
Why should someone reach for Pat McGrath products over other brands?
For Paul, it comes down to the brand’s runway DNA. “Because of her background in runway/fashion, she creates products that make a big impact with minimal effort—as runway makeup has to be fast, perform well, and visible from a distance.” The result, he notes, is a line that delivers “the highest quality pigment with intense color payoff, but has the sensorial experience of a luxury brand,” a combination that, in his words, “blends the exciting world of backstage beauty with the prestige of luxury beauty.”
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best Pat McGrath products, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
We could talk makeup all day—below, more faves to complement your Pat McGrath glam:
