Meet Adrian Rux
Virtuoso make up artist Adrian Rux counts the likes of L’Officiel, Wonderland, Harpers Bazaar and Net-A-Porter amongst his clients, alongside celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan. Over the past two weeks he has been taking over our VERO account with exclusive beauty tips and tricks as well as his top cultural recommendations.
Fresh off of debuting not one but two beauty stories – ‘Freshen Up’ exploring male makeup and the retro-futuristic ‘Cult of Tomorrow’ – to our VERO followers, Adrian gives us the lowdown on his beauty inspirations, favourite spots in London and how to use social media to further your creative career.
What was your makeup awakening?
I’ve always been fascinated by the colours and textures of beauty products. Playing with colours and paintings was my favourite thing to do since I was a child, when I used to create fascinating worlds in my imagination all the time.
I started out in the industry as a hairdresser but I always felt that I missed out connecting to that vibrant feeling of happiness. When I decided to study makeup I quickly rediscovered all those feelings and relearned that you must create whatever you want to create, or, most importantly, whatever you want to be.
How did you break into the industry?
When I was studying I kept sending emails to everyone I knew, working on different collaborations, photoshoots with other students and building up a better portfolio as a way to show my work.
What’s your advice to aspiring makeup artists?
I’m still learning but I would say that you shouldn’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone, even travelling to different countries or learning other languages. Keep working! Now we have the power in our hands with social media show the world what you can do as an artist.
What films, songs or books do you turn to for beauty inspiration?
When I was a teenager I was completely fascinated by pop culture, so a lot of my inspiration comes from there. I’m also obsessed with old fashion magazines from the 70s and 80s. When it comes to books, I’m inspired by Kevyn Aucoin’s Face Forward, Andrew Gallimore by Rankin, Walt Kassidy’s New York – Club Kids, David LaChapelle’s Heaven to Hell and Tim Walker: Wonderful Things.
Who’s your Vero essential follow?
Nowness and VERO Music.
Tell us the must-visit beauty spots in London?
The whole city inspires me, just a little ride with my bike makes me feel so blessed. I love every place when you can enjoy the night views of the city. When it comes to locations, Neal’s Yard, TATE and Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park.
One piece of beauty advice you live and die by?
I love to create, but honestly, I’m a bit of a mess doing beauty treatments on myself. Good fresh and healthy food, Vitamin C, a bit of sun and a good skin treatment.
What’s next for you?
I always tried to do different things during my career and I really love the music industry, the videos, the ideas around an artist. I really love to create and to think about beauty looks or complete concepts around a product too. Who knows, maybe I could work as a Beauty Editor or as a Creative for a beauty brand. The whole world is changing so it’s a good time to think about it.
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