Lisa Eldridge
Lisa Eldridge | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 26, 1971 New Zealand |
| Occupation(s) | Make-up artist, entrepreneur, author, YouTuber |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Known for | Creative director at Boots No7 (2003–2013), Global Creative Director at Lancôme (2015–present) |
| Notable work | Face Paint: The Story of Makeup |
Lisa Eldridge, MBE (born 26 October 1971) is a UK-based make-up artist, entrepreneur, author, and YouTuber originally from New Zealand. Her professional journey commenced when Elle magazine engaged her to collaborate with model Cindy Crawford. Between 2003 and 2013, Eldridge held the position of creative director at Boots No7, where she was instrumental in steering the brand’s growth and relaunch. Presently, she occupies the role of global creative director at Lancôme. In 2024, it was announced that Eldridge would be honored with an MBE for her contributions to the cosmetics and fashion sectors, an accolade formally presented by The Prince of Wales on 21 March 2025.
Early life
Eldridge was born in New Zealand on 26 October 1971 before moving to Liverpool in the United Kingdom. Her fascination with makeup began at the age of six when she discovered her mother’s collection of vintage Mary Quant and Coty cosmetics. During her teenage years, a book about theatrical stage makeup solidified her ambition to pursue a career in make-up artistry.
Career
After relocating to London, Eldridge completed training in photographic make-up artistry at Complexions and gained practical experience working at the Lancôme counter in Harrods. She developed her portfolio and secured representation with a make-up agency. Early on, Elle commissioned her to work alongside model Cindy Crawford, leading to numerous subsequent projects. Eldridge has worked internationally from bases including Paris, New York, and Los Angeles, before settling permanently in London. Her work has appeared in various editions of Vogue—including British, Italian, French, Chinese, and Japanese—as well as other prominent publications such as Love, Allure, Glamour, Elle, Numéro, Harper's Bazaar, Pop, i-D, and Lula. She has collaborated with acclaimed photographers like Tim Walker, Mert and Marcus, Rankin, Paolo Roversi, and Mario Testino. Her portfolio encompasses international advertising campaigns and runway presentations for luxury brands such as Lancôme, Chloé, Alberta Ferretti, Prada, Donna Karan, Moschino, Yohji Yamamoto, and Pucci.
In 2009, Eldridge launched a website dedicated to make-up tutorials and beauty guidance, which was followed by a YouTube channel debuting in 2010 that featured instructional beauty videos. In 2013, The Business of Fashion included her in their Fashion 500 list, recognizing her influence in shaping the global fashion landscape. Since 2015, she has been serving as Lancôme’s make-up creative director.
Her book, Face Paint: The Story of Makeup, was published in October 2015 and delves into the historical development of makeup. In 2018, Eldridge introduced her own makeup collection starting with velvet lipsticks, later expanding to include complexion products, skincare lines, and beauty tools. Additionally, she launched a jewelry collaboration with William Welstead.
In December 2024, Eldridge was named a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2025 New Year Honours for her services to cosmetics and fashion, an award bestowed by King Charles III.
Television and media
Eldridge has appeared as the resident beauty expert on the Channel 4 series Ten Years Younger along with its spin-off program centered on non-surgical cosmetic treatments.
Her television appearances extend to UK shows including GMTV and Lorraine, as well as the American program Today. In 2021, she hosted the BBC Two documentary series Makeup: A Glamorous History, which examined the transformation of makeup through time.
Brand partnerships
Between 2003 and 2013, Eldridge held the position of creative director at Boots No7, overseeing the brand’s evolution, redesign efforts, and reintroduction to the market. Beginning in June 2011, she has worked alongside Chanel, creating video content for Chanel.com. Presently, Eldridge occupies the role of Global Creative Director at Lancôme.