About The Artist

Senior Artist Rachel O'Donnell

It was the windbeaten, Atlantic coastline of Galway in the West of Ireland that served as the backdrop to Rachel O’Donnell’s childhood. Behind a veil of perpetual rain, her artistic talents took root under the guidance of two creative parents whose influence is no less apparent today in O’Donnell’s work as a Senior Artist at M•A•C. Through her careful, process-driven approach, she has created looks for armies of models at fashion weeks and in magazine editorials across the world.

Here, she shares some of her inspirations, career highlights and favourite looks.

Gone with the Wind

“I hail from Galway, on the West Coast of Ireland. It is a vibrant, friendly city full of hidden secrets, and beauty that is often buried behind wind and sheets of rain. I was developing my creative skills without even realizing it, as my mother taught me traditional crafts and my father was a fine artist. Growing up a stone’s throw from the Atlantic Ocean and the landscape’s continuous changes, I began to appreciate all transitions, looking at things differently and finding beauty in the benign. Nature is my ultimate source of inspiration. It is constantly reinventing itself through seasonal change, mood and tone, forcing us to see things in new and different lights.”

Pale and Interesting

“I embrace my paleness and highlight this with a defined but textured brow and red lips. I think of it as power dressing for the face! Stud Brow Pencil allows me to draw hair-like texture in fine strokes, and also when used with more pressure it allows for opacity and definition. Lipstick in Ruby Woo paired with Lip Pencil in Cherry is my go-to red lip look no matter what the season. I use it along with my essentials; Pro Longwear Concealer to perfect my skin, and In Extreme Dimension Lash to add definition and drama to my lashes.”

Show Stopper

“Being backstage is unlike anywhere else. It is full of tension, excitement, creativity and collaboration. The impossible becomes possible through teamwork. One show I will always remember was Giles Deacon in September 2011, where I remember feeling a sense of overwhelming gratitude, seeing the looks I’d worked on appear from the side of the stage. When working with many models, I concentrate on the skin. A thoughtful application of your base will enhance all features and is often more than enough on its own. I tell models to keep to a quick but devoted skincare routine to keep skin looking hydrated and plump. It’s a must for all skin types, even those as pale as mine!”