Oh, Kevyn ... I never knew ye (or, Ode to Kevyn)

For years (all too few, though they were), his huge hands painted the faces of the world's most well-known women.  They were stars, but so was he.  In my mind, he was the bigger star ... he had a gift that could make the plainest woman look and feel radiantly beautiful.

During the "Supermodel Years", when I was just beginning to play with make-up and discover my abiding love for it, this awesome man was showing the world what make-up could mean.  When I decided that pursuing make-up artistry was something I was serious about, I pored over anything I could find relating to him - studying his books, image by image; reading about his life; revelling in the fabulous faces he produced. 

Kevyn Aucoin, though I never had the fortune to meet him, has been my mentor.  He has shown me how make-up, seemingly such an insignificant thing, can serve to uplift, empower, and strengthen.  Through his example, I can find the beauty in any and all faces.  It is a great sadness that I will never be able to tell him what his life's work has meant to me.  Though, perhaps he knows.

If heaven has a make-up room, I want Kevyn to paint my face.  When I finally see Jesus face-to-face, I want to look my best.

Comments

[Elke]

Oh gosh, I miss Kevyn. Never met him but his work was/is truly amazing. I've always wanted to do work as amazing as him, but then, in my mind, no one will ever be as good as he was, and no one should be. He should always reign as the master of makeup. He sure knew how to transform women into a thing of beauty...

[Funkee]

What a beautiful tribute :)

J-Lo just doesn't look the same w/o Kevyn :)

[kris]

i'm standing up and clapping. Oh Kevyn...sigh! Amazing amazing genius of a man.