Perhaps it started with her mother, whose crimson lipstick and dark hair made for a minimal but dramatic look. As a young girl, Shaheera Bhutto would pocket that lipstick, along with her mom’s other makeup, to practice replicating the looks she saw in magazines and movies on family members. She was particularly drawn to Middle Eastern brides’ appearance: colorful and dramatic yet classic and refined. In high school, the shy freshman got involved with theater by helping behind the scenes. Today, the makeup artist splits her time between St. Louis and L.A., often doing editorial fashion and commercial work. Bhutto still embraces what she learned so many years ago by observing her mother: “To me, enhancing what you already have is beautiful.”
How does a fashion shoot compare to doing makeup for an individual? When it’s one on one, I almost feel like a therapist—it’s such an intimate process. On set, we are executing a creative concept. Then, like an artist stepping away from his canvas, I can see the creative experience unfold.
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Any fashion advice? Find a nice medium and practice taking makeup from day to night in a few easy steps. I’m obsessed with multipurpose makeup. People buy too many things when there are great products that can multipurpose. I love NARS’ The Multiple stick, which comes in various shades, and Clinique’s Chubby Stick, which comes in lipstick and eyeshadow forms. The lipsticks can be worn on cheeks, too. I love Rimmel London ScandalEyes Mascara because it adds volume and length—I realize why actresses and models always say mascara is the one thing they won’t leave the house without!
What’s next for you? I’d like to start combining the art of makeup, beauty, and fashion by telling real people’s stories visually. It’s nice to use real people, whom we can all relate to.
