The Australian-born makeup artist Sophie Haig works with the likes of Billie Eilish, Kirsty Hume, and Eliza Scanlen—but her most memorable brush with the world of beauty started decades earlier. “My mum was a makeup artist in the film and television industry, so some of my first memories are of rummaging through her kit,” Haig says over the phone from her Los Angeles home as her six-month-old daughter, Olia, chirps in the background. “I was like a kid in the candy store, 'oohing' and 'aahing' over the products."
That love of color and creativity never left her, even as she pursued a career in modeling. But eventually Haig felt the tug of a familiar calling, transitioning into makeup artistry and assisting major editorial pros like Hannah Murray and Rosemarie Swift before going out on her own. These days, she’s known for her ability to conjure gorgeous, glowing skin with just a handful of clean products. “Even though my mum worked in the 80s—when it was about lots of color everywhere—she taught me that less can actually be best,” she recalls. “Makeup is [an escape] if you want it to be, but it can also be about emphasizing who you are, and the beauty you already have."
Here, Haig shares her makeup essentials, from a lip balm that doubles as a highlighter to a pitch black volumizing mascara that's “the best thing since sliced bread.”
How did you start your career as a makeup artist?
I did a bit of modeling when I was a teenager. Despite how much I was drawn to [makeup], I put it off for a while because you don’t want to follow in your parents’ footsteps. It took a bit of encouragement to give it a go. Little by little, my agency ended up signing me as both a model and a makeup artist.
How did you get into clean beauty?
I assisted the makeup artist Rosemarie Swift, who was a pioneer in clean beauty. Around that same time, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. It shocked me. I was only 24. Being diagnosed made me take stock of what I was putting in my body and what I was putting on my body and how that could affect my health. I started researching and connecting the dots. Your skin is the biggest organ of your body, so of course what you put on it is going to be absorbed. I had to take control of my lifestyle, to become my own guide and compass. That was the start.
Your skin is striking. What’s your personal skin-care routine?
As a new mom, self-care is a fleeting idea at the moment, but I really try to keep up with my simple routine, especially in the evening. I take off my makeup no matter how depleted I feel. Breastfeeding and being quite tired can reflect on the skin, so I keep it hydrated with Agent Nateur's Holi Oil or In Fiore's Fleur Vibrante Serum—and I use only clean products because of my baby. The mornings are definitely a bit of a rush—sometimes I’m lucky to just brush my teeth—but I always try to hydrate my skin and use a natural sunscreen, like Suntegrity’s formula with SPF 30. Living in LA, that’s pretty important.
Do you have any other wellness routines?
I do have a few Ayurvedic practices, which are not for everyone, like using a tongue cleaner. That’s made a big difference for my oral hygiene. I’m also trying to take care of my hair in the postpartum period, especially because the autoimmune disease I have attacks my thyroids, so it’s a double whammy for my hair. Right now, I use Innersense’s Harmonic Healing Oil on my ends in the evening, but it can actually be used for everything from nails to dry skin.
What's your five-minute get-out-the-door makeup routine?
You really cannot go wrong with a little bit of concealing and a little bit of brightening. It will make you feel fresher and more awake, even if you only have two minutes. For concealer I use Un Cover-Up by RMS, and I’m loving the Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick in Nectar. It’s beautiful. I pop a little bit of that everywhere. I also use the Westman Atelier Eye Love You mascara, which is the best thing since sliced bread. I’ve tried a lot of clean mascaras, and this one is my favorite. If I can do those three things, I’m good to go.
What’s your beauty signature?
I’m known for creating clean, gorgeous, glowy skin. My philosophy of 'less is best' definitely comes into play with my work as well as my personal routine. I want to see gorgeous, healthy skin, so I really just focus on illuminating the complexion and emphasizing the beauty of each individual with little tweaks.
What’s your ultimate makeup trick?
Your fingers are a very versatile tool. Before I apply foundation, I warm it up in my hand and massage it into the skin. It sits better and creates a really beautiful texture. I also swear by just a little bit of highlighter, which looks good on everybody. I apply it on the high-points of the face. The upper cheekbones, the inner corners of the eyes, and perhaps a tiny bit on the bridge of the nose. Those are really nice areas to lift.Do you have any other makeup bag must-haves?
- A good eyebrow gel, like Kjaer Weis’s FeatherTouch, or brush is important because the brows frame the face.
- The Shiseido eyelash curler! Sometimes you may not even have time for mascara but curling your lashes and opening your eyes makes a big difference.
- Lanolips Lip Balm is a really versatile product. It can double as a highlighter to give your skin a natural glow. I use it on all of my clients.
- For a touch of color on the mouth, I love the Westman Atelier Les Nudes lip palette. It gives you just a little bit of something, and emphasizes that beautiful natural tone without being too dramatic.
Do you have a beauty rule?
Build up; it’s always easier to add than to take away.
Sophie wears Vital Skin Foundation in Atelier II and Lit Up Highlight in Nectar
Lit Up Highlight Stick in Nectar
Eye Love You Mascara in Clean Black
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To learn more tricks for layering Vital Skin Foundation and Lit Up Highlight, watch Gucci's favorite quick way to fake a luminous glow, Want more pro makeup artist secrets? Check out the five top products in William Scott's kit.
