November 5th, 2019
With over a decade in the celebrity make-up world, Thai-born Dominic Paul is one to watch. His work has graced the pages of i-D, Velvet and Vogue, and he’s got an exciting client list such a Graham Norton and Dakota Blue Richards. This year he took the plunge and turned entrepreneur, launching the first British-made products under his eponymous makeup label, Dominic Paul Cosmetics. Now based in the UK and Asia, we caught up with him to chat high-quality, trendsetting cosmetics.
What’s your background and what brought you into makeup?
I’ve always been fascinated by the instant result with wearing makeup. As a teenager I suffered with severe acne and I was very insecure about going out in public. One day I plucked up the courage and brought myself some makeup from M.A.C and taught myself how to fake perfect skin. Doing this gave me the fascination and interest in makeup so I went on to study the art at Brushstroke in Shepperton Studios and here we are 10 years later still going strong.
Who were your early makeup or artistic influences?
Oh gosh, I have so many. I was always besotted by the makeup Twiggy used to wear the doll like eyes, the bold liner and the drawn-on eyelashes. I just loved how effective and how iconic that look was.
Is there a make-up technique that you’ve ever struggled with?
I always say just because you are a professional, doesn’t always mean you’re perfect all the time. Makeup is about trial and error and if it’s not right, you can take it off and start again. The technique to this day that I still struggle with is the evenness of doing winged eyeliner. I find it difficult, but at the same time challenging because every time I do it, it’s on a new face and obviously faces aren’t all the same.
What’s your favourite era or sub-culture?
That’s a hard one I have so many – I think the ‘90s. I love the bronzed glowing skin with an over drawn lip. This to me is an era that I always be incorporated into today’s makeup looks. It’s very in at the moment and to be honest, I don’t think will ever go out of fashion.
What were the first steps to setting up your range and what advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs?
The advice I would give is to focus on a genre that you’re most well known for. For me I was always known as the guy who made skin look just like skin with also a fierce contour. I then used this to my advantage as the way to create a product my range. I put all my expertise towards creating a brand that could stand out in a very saturated market.
How long has it taken you to develop your range and bring it to market?
It took me over a year and a half to perfect my range as I was conscious on making sure, that absolutely everything was perfect as being a makeup lover myself I wanted to create a product that had many different uses and also a formula that would be loved by many.
What’s your favourite product? And one you wish you had?
I know this is being bias, but my favourite product is powder and cream contour. I love how you can recreate any face you want but it’s not permanent. It always blows my mind!
The product I wish I had… Hm…I’ll be honest I’m very fortunate to be able to have most products that are on the market. If I was to really think of one, I think that would be more foundations for darker skin tones.
Who are your competitor brands?
I don’t like to think I’m a competitor in this market. We’re all very unique in our own ways. I believe that women and men will buy your products as long as the formula is great, and the branding and packaging catches their eyes.
What’s the next big beauty trend? Where do you get your forecasts from?
I don’t think there is a next big beauty trend. As time goes on you adapt your makeup from previous trends that we’re first ever created. I think it depends on the client. Most looks to me are an adaptation of lots of different trends.
I get most of my forecast from those who I follow on social media and from fashion magazines. Again, I kind of follow my own rules and do what I think is right for my client’s face. I think that’s most important.
What are your plans for the future of the brand?
The future for Dominic Paul Cosmetics is to create a full range. However, something I plan on making is foundations. I know there are a lot on the market, but I don’t think there’s enough still for medium to dark skin tones. They all seem to be very ashy or extremely yellow in their undertones. And a lot of people are still having to still buy two similar tones to create your perfect match. I would love to create a foundation where you didn’t have to buy two.
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