Beauty Boss: Brittany Whitfield, Celebrity Makeup Artist, Groomer and Esthetician with Paul Labrecque Salon & Skincare Spa
Brittany Whitfield. Courtesy photo
Our latest Beauty Boss is Brittany Whitfield, celebrity makeup artist, groomer and esthetician based out of Manhattan’s Paul Labrecque Salon & Skincare Spa. Known for her skin-first approach to beauty, Whitfield has worked with stars like Queen Latifah, Ed Sheeran, and Tinashe ahead of major appearances — also expanding her portfolio to include campaigns for Ray Ban, covers of TIME, and shoots for Saturday Night Live.
At the core of Whitfield’s philosophy is the belief that beauty begins with wellness — whether that means movement, skincare, or just taking a moment for you. While always creative, beauty wasn’t always part of her career — which started with photography with a stint at Ralph Lauren Home. Today, she continues to honor those roots as co-owner of WTF Dumbo Photo Studio, a Black women-owned creative photography and videography space in Brooklyn.
We chatted with Whitfield about her career journey — including how she got her start, balancing motherhood and a busy schedule, who inspires her and her future goals.
What inspired you to pursue your career?
I originally went to school for interior design and didn’t quite have passion for makeup initially. My thought was, in order to have the gusto to pursue an “unsafe” profession, you either have nothing or everything. I had nothing, so I felt what more was there to lose!
My mother’s side of the family was super artistic; my great-grandmother came to America from the Bahamas to pursue contemporary and classical piano. She encouraged art as a profession, and therefore everyone on that side had some sort of creative profession. My mom pursued ballet, my aunt was a hairstylist, my uncle was a press photographer, and my grandmother was a painter. So, I was open to all possibilities, along with a passion for fashion.
I dabbled in photography and makeup more seriously once I worked at the Ralph Lauren Home showroom at the D&D building in NYC. The runway shows were always playing in conjunction with this need to appear more mature (I was 18 when I got the job in college, and my boss panicked when she realized how young I was!)
My network expanded in ways I’m forever grateful for due to RL, as I met a woman who put together “The Tents” for NYFW. One thing led to another and I decided this was actually what I wanted to do. There are many ancillary factors along the way as it pertains to art + skin (including not having access to a dermatologist, exposure to my mom’s best friend who was a model and died tragically, etc.) that all led to this defining decision for me. But I knew I’d always pursue a career in the arts.
Who was your first celebrity client?
I began my makeup career in the fashion industry. The first celebrities to me were models! I was grateful to work with Anok Yai at the start of her career, among many other fab girls like Binx Walton, Alanna Arrington, Eniola Abioro, etc. Once I transitioned to focusing on celebrities, my first client was Dyllon Burnside (Ricky from Pose).
The pendulum has swung upwards for me ever since. I’d love to note that once I followed my heart to fashion after meeting the woman from NYFW, to document her work. I was her press photographer for some time, when I was figuring out which lane I did best in. My first client back then was Ne-Yo! I wish I knew then what I know now, but that was the adrenaline I needed to quit my job and pursue the entertainment business full- time.
Who are some celebs you work with now?
I’ve worked with Queen Latifah, Tinashe, Lil Uzi Vert, Ed Sheeran, Carmelo Anthony, Stefon Diggs, Jesse Williams, Kenya Barris, Joan Smalls, Rosie Perez, and many more.
What’s your secret to a natural red carpet glow?
Incredible skin prep is so important to me. It pains me when a client prefers to do their own skin prep because I’m no longer in control of the way the skin performs in its totality. No matter the client, I will almost always include a mini facial as skin prep before a red carpet. I incorporate modalities such as red light and microcurrent, as well as a ice therapy and massage!
Who inspires you?
I’m inspired by my husband often. If you’re into astrology, we’re both Leos, but he’s a peacock, meaning you’ll notice him when you walk in the room without him saying a word, but with me, I make myself present. He is the most stylish man I’ve ever met, intelligent and accomplished, too. I wish I could bottle his mystery and modesty because he truly has no ceiling with where he wants to elevate to in life, and he doesn’t just work hard, he works smart.
My career can be so busying, even when I’m not actually doing makeup — I’m networking, I’m attending beauty events, I’m testing, I’m shaking hands and kissing babies. I can minimize my great work and be hard on myself. He constantly reminds me of my power and how you can assert yourself in a world that otherwise eats people alive. I wish I could be as effortlessly cool as he is while putting fires out AND shaking hands and kissing babies!
What are your beauty secrets? What’s ONE thing you think everyone should do to take care of their skin?
Beauty secrets are tough because, at the risk of sounding like a dinosaur, social media has told all of our secrets. I will say ice is my secret weapon. It is truly the Paris filter in real life!
The ONE thing though is to have a nighttime routine. I don’t care how late you get home, how lazy you feel in taking your makeup off, wanting it to last until the morning — NO! I believe as long as your face is clean and prepped before bed (when all the metabolic magic happens during your sleep) that is the secret to perfect skin. I don’t think any one product is a miracle worker for a blanketed demographic of folks.
But being married to your nighttime routine is my major key!
What are your must-have products?
My favorite must-have products rotate, but at the risk of sounding like a dermatologist, I will never cheat on Cetaphil Moisturizer. I’ve used it for 20 years. I don’t care if a brand sends me a $5k moisturizer, I will always use Cetaphil or at the least mix with it!
Your best career advice?
Know your craft but more importantly, know etiquette. Jobs and professionalism are being minimized to Instagram and TikTok success. It’s not just how good you are at your job. It’s how good you are with people, with your clients' privacy, having discernment and discretion, and being presentable. Secondly, don’t be desperate and work with top-tier people for free to low rates. You’re setting the precedent for the next generation. A test shoot is not the same as posting for content. One teaches you how to respect a team, a studio, get a better understanding of lighting, and assert yourself creatively.
Your best wellness tips?
Move your body! I know we’re in the dark ages of either Ozempic or BBLs. But move your body, get stronger! Find the workouts that work for you and apply yourself. I don’t want to be 70 years old without the strength to pick up my grandkids or to bend over and pet an animal. Let’s collectively normalize moving our bodies, no matter your vanity preferences of the moment.
Future plans?
This is arbitrary, but I am releasing a children’s book teaching kids how to adapt to big life changes — purely for fun and out of a hobby. I wrote it nine years ago when I was pregnant with my son, and I just want to watch it be a tangible thing in the universe for other kiddos to get their hands on. It’s not a huge business venture or side hustle, just something I love doing with an incredible illustrator. I genuinely love creating.
How do you like to relax?
I love, love, love to read. My husband jokes that I read way too serious topics. But I think in some respect my job as a makeup artist and esthetician has been trivialized as obviously non-essential. Also, loving what you do DOES make it harder to consider WORK. I am huge into history, race politics, and psychology, and take so much pride in higher learning. I’m at much peace when my kids are in school and I’m not slated for any work and can just read all morning or afternoon.
For more information about Brittany and the Paul Labrecque Salon & Skincare Spa, visit their website and follow on Instagram: @paullabrecquesalon @brittywhitfield
[Images courtesy of Brittany Whitfield]
Cassie Gill is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist with a passion for all things luxury. She is originally from Vancouver, Canada and holds a degree in Communications at Simon Fraser University. Cassie was previously a senior producer on CTV Morning where she booked and produced beauty guests, as well as covered major award shows like the Oscars. Following a stint there, she moved to Los Angeles to join the HollywoodLife team as a senior editor. She now resides in New York City where she freelances for Vogue, The Daily Beast, Parade, and others. She loves to travel and her favorite spa is located at the Borgo Egnazia in Italy.