Painting Hollywood: How Patrick Ta is Championing Beauty Inclusivity.
Patrick Ta is the makeup artist behind some of the most impressive looks in the celebrity world. If you’ve seen Gigi Hadid, Rihanna or Jennifer Lopez at any celebrity event, there’s a high chance you’re looking at the work of Patrick himself. From crafting iconic looks for A-list celebrities to launching his beauty line, Patrick's trajectory is impressive.
The thing is, Patrick’s life hasn’t always been this glamorous. Although he came from humble beginnings, he’s firmly earned his spot in the Hollywood world for his bold looks and creative flair. And now, he’s turned his attention toward celebrating inclusivity for all with his makeup line.
So what does Patrick have to say about his journey to cosmetic stardom and what can we learn about the beauty world through his eyes? Let’s take a look at Patrick Ta and his impact on the beauty world — one blush, one lipstick, one highlight at a time.
The Patrick Ta story begins
Patrick's journey into the world of cosmetics didn’t start with a glamorous makeup studio or all the stars lining up at his door. No, he worked for it. His parents were Vietnamese immigrants who instilled in him a solid work ethic and the courage to pursue his passions. However, he dropped out of junior school and struggled with his own identity when he was growing up, telling one outlet that he was overweight and didn’t feel accepted. According to Forbes, he even tried to become a chef and open a tanning salon before he fell into the artistic realm of cosmetics.
Things changed when he decided to start playing around with doing makeup looks for proms and weddings. He told the outlet: “After my salon went bankrupt, my roommate at the time gave me my first job doing makeup at Mac Cosmetics and from there, my makeup obsession began.”
Moving to Los Angeles was when his trajectory to makeup stardom started to kick off. Like many others who ambitiously moved to California before him, he had no industry contacts but he did have big dreams. Patrick embarked on a mission to perfect his makeup artistry, showcasing his looks on social media and eventually attracting his clientele with his perfect makeup mix of boldness and subtlety. Then, one day Pretty Little Liars actor Shay Mitchell slid into his DMs. Next came an encounter with Gigi Hadid and his celebrity client book started to instantly fill up. Patrick was instantly propelled into the world of high fashion.
Inclusivity at the heart of his art
So by this point, Patrick was attracting the likes of Bella Hadid, Jessica Alba, Katy Perry and Ariana Grande into his makeup chair. However, Patrick wasn’t just interested in helping the stars achieve their best beauty looks. He also wanted to share his gift with the wider world.
Being gay as well as Asian American, Patrick recognized some of the challenges that others may experience when trying to find their identities and make their mark on the world. It had always been his goal to help inspire confidence by empowering people to feel comfortable with who they are.
He explains on his website: “While my client roster consists of high fashion models, celebrities, and influencers, I believe that everyone deserves to feel confident and beautiful.” So how could Patrick connect with millions of beauty lovers who were obsessed with his work? Of course, he needed a cosmetics line.
Patrick added: “My desire to amplify and elevate the natural beauty in others led me to launch PATRICK TA BEAUTY in April 2019 – intentionally innovative products designed to enhance major confidence in anyone and everyone. With the lessons of my parents guiding me, I am committed to carving a meaningful path forward and leaving a lasting impact."
Patrick Ta Beauty not only symbolizes his vast experience in the industry but also his evolution from a makeup artist to a brand. His products mirror his belief in empowering individuals to feel confident and beautiful. Importantly, his line celebrates the glow — both literal, through his shimmering highlighters, and figurative, via the self-confidence his products instil. The glow range includes a long line of products highlighting mists, body oils and balms that we’re all obsessed with.
Patrick Ta reshapes conventional beauty standards
Obviously, his journey doesn’t stop here. With inclusivity and uniqueness at the heart of all of his beauty business goals, Patrick continues to inspire, empower, and pave the way for inclusivity and innovation in the industry. What’s clear is that his background helped to shape the products he creates and the brand he wants to share with the world.
Reflecting on his journey, Patrick has never forgotten his roots or the support he received from his peers.
He told Newsweek: “ I feel like I owe so much of my career and self-identity to all of the girls around me because they gave me a voice. And so when I started the brand, just over four years ago, it was really important for me to be able to allow people to come into their selves and feel the way that I did.”
Patrick Ta's ascension from prom makeup to being a sought-after artist for A-list celebrities is the work of resilience and strategic innovation. Despite the hurdles, his persistent efforts on social media helped him craft a distinctive makeup style that paid off. Ta’s story is one of potential, perseverance and a genuine commitment to inclusivity and empowerment in the beauty industry. We’re here for it 🙌
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