Trish McEvoyTrish McEvoy
From her cult-favorite makeup planners to her industry-leading cosmetic brushes, Trish McEvoy is one of the beauty industry’s original innovators. And she’s still going strong, with an expanded range that includes skincare, as well as fragrance.
What drove you to start your own brand? One of the many reasons why I love skincare and makeup is that I truly enjoy the time I spend applying them. In those few private moments spent on application, not only do you transform your look, but you transform your mood and get ready to face the day. I grew my love of beauty into my own company because I’ve always adored making people look and feel good. As for how I got my start, I launched my brand in 1975 with six of the makeup brushes I’d been hand-cutting for use in my makeup lessons and applications. Back then, makeup brushes weren’t available, so I cut and shaped paintbrushes that I bought at an art supply store. Before I knew it, clients from my makeup lessons, models from my shoots and makeup artists from all over the world were demanding their own sets. That’s truly how my business began, one client, one brush at a time.
What’s your favorite product in the line? I truly can’t pick just one. They're all my loves! I develop products to enhance a person’s beauty experience. Everything we do is with them in mind—to calm the chaos and make it easier to maximize your beauty routine, whether it be the most minimalist get-up-and-go regimen or the most luxurious, therapeutic ritual.
What’s your morning and evening routine?
In the morning, the first things on my list are my protein drink, cup of coffee and my exercise, which give me the focus and endorphins that start every day off on the right foot. It’s my first step in self-care! Afterwards, I shower and give myself some Mirror Time, which is specific time we spend with ourselves to nurture our beauty from the outside in. In the morning and the evenings, my Mirror Time is spent on a five-minute skincare routine: cleansing, exfoliating, hydrating, protecting, repairing! My morning routine always begins with proper cleansing and ends with an application of sunscreen. In the evenings before bed, I apply my Vitamin C Cream. Vitamin C is so important for uneven pigmentation, reducing the look of fine lines and enhancing your complexion. I can rest easy knowing I’ve taken the time to take care of myself and my skin.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
People often think I have no makeup on, but I do!
What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting their own business?
Never give up—this is the test of a true entrepreneur! Arm yourself with determination and passion for your vision. It’s so important to understand every aspect of your craft and your business. For example, even if finance doesn’t come naturally to you, keep looking at the numbers! You can only hand things off to others when you truly know it yourself. At the end of the day, it’s about loving what you do. Keep showing up for yourself because what you feel when you dream something and then you do it—it cannot be explained. It's such an amazing feeling!
The Founders Series
Learn how some of the beauty industry’s most dynamic entrepreneurs find inspiration and develop must-have products as they share their advice for aspiring business moguls and much more