MAKEUP ARTIST | CREATIVE VISIONARY | GLOBAL BEAUTY LEADER

As a globally renowned makeup artist celebrated for his creative vision and industry expertise, Nigel Stanislaus has a unique perspective on beauty and body image. With a career spanning almost three decades — and every continent except Antarctica — he’s collaborated with top fashion houses, beauty brands, and A-list celebrities. Known for his artistry and ability to enhance natural beauty, Nigel’s work has graced runways, magazine covers, and TV screens. His passion for empowering individuals through makeup has made him a respected mentor, leader, and beauty expert worldwide.

Born in Singapore, Nigel’s love for beauty began early, sparked by the women in his life. “I was raised by a tribe of women — my mum, grandmother, aunties and their friends. I’d skip the zoo to sit at the salon, listening to them while they got perms,” he says. “I really enjoyed the conversations they had, and I saw women walk in with flat hair looking ‘like a wet dog’ and leave as movie stars. That was magic,” he recalls with a laugh.

It was this early fascination with transformation that shaped his path. “I realised how powerful something like lipstick could be. I wanted to be part of that — to be around women, listening to their experiences and watching how they solved life’s problems.”

 A global career 

After starting out in Asia, Nigel moved to Australia to study graphic design, but makeup kept calling him back. A move to New York launched the next chapter of his career, where he became Makeup Director for Maybelline NY. Over the next decade, he created iconic looks and worked with names like Gigi Hadid, Coco Rocha, and John Legend. His work is featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and L’Officiel as well as global campaigns for Elizabeth Arden, Lancôme, Pantene and Olay.

But the glamorous jet-setting lifestyle lost a little of its allure when his sister had a baby. “It changed me. I thought, Paris Fashion Week will still be there when she’s older and doesn’t want to hang out with me anymore. I wanted to be around,” he says. 

Permanently settling in Melbourne after COVID, Nigel found new meaning in staying closer to home.

Redefining beauty

Nigel’s relationship with beauty has evolved over the years. “When I started, it was a world of supermodels. If you didn’t look like Cindy Crawford — tall, genetically blessed, with shiny hair and perfect skin — you’d think you’d never measure up,” he reflects. “And as an Asian kid who was chubby, I didn’t feel beautiful. I spent years punishing myself for not fitting in.

“Makeup was all about making women look young, sexy, and ‘sexually available’ — like sugar powders on the décolleté. And for guys, I knew if I didn’t look like Jason Priestley, then forget it … you’re never going to be that privileged back in the day,” he says. 

Now, Nigel sees beauty differently. “I paint women according to the stories of their lives. I want them to look soft, timeless, and intelligent. It’s about celebrating authenticity.”

The industry has shifted, too. “These days, it’s very different. People are finding that a diverse body shape is very much welcome and beautiful. I’ve learned that youth is temporary, but authenticity lasts forever. I’ve got silver hair now, and I don’t care. Someone once called me beautiful, and I laughed — but then I looked at myself and thought, ‘I don’t look that bad! All those years of self-doubt, when I thought I didn’t count because I didn’t have a ‘hot jawline’ … what a waste.’”

Nigel believes there’s power in embracing who you are, rejecting unrealistic standards, and pushing back against artificial ideals. “The Kardashians and J-Los of the world present an almost AI-like perfection. It creates so much pressure for women, especially those who can’t afford nose jobs or endless contouring. It’s unfair — and honestly, it’s cruel.”

Empowering others through artistry

For Nigel, makeup is more than foundation and lipstick — it’s about how someone feels after the brush is put down. “The real magic is giving people that extra ten percent of confidence — helping them see a version of themselves they never thought possible.”

Whether working with Australia’s Next Top Model contestants or artists like Tina Arena, Nigel’s approach is rooted in trust, creativity, and joy. “Tina trusted me to experiment, and I turned her into a ‘psychic Geisha Princess Margaret.’ It was a goddess moment,” he says, smiling.

Advice for the next generation

Nigel hopes to pass on his hard-won wisdom to his niece and the next generation. “Have fun, be curious, and don’t hold back. One day, you’ll look back and wish you’d worn that toga dress or gone down the slip-and-slide … actually, I still may not go down the slip and slide, but that’s more because of arthritis,” he laughs. 

When he reflects on what he cherishes most about himself, Nigel says: “My smile and my laughter are my greatest weapons. They make people feel safe, even when things go wrong. A big laugh is like a signal to let things go, not to take life too seriously. I’m conscious of keeping a smile on my face because, honestly, it can change someone’s day.”

For Nigel, beauty isn’t about chasing an impossible ideal. “Youth is temporary, but authenticity? That lasts forever. It’s about being real, embracing life, and celebrating who you are — right now.”

For more of Nigel’s contagious zest for life, head to his Instagram page.