Chappell Roan’s Makeup Artist Keeps Pushing the Boundaries

Chappell Roan isn’t just your favorite artist’s favorite artist, she’s your favorite makeup artist’s favorite artist.

Despite Roan’s debut studio album The Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess Released in 2023, the star was only recently discovered on the internet. Today, she sets social media on fire with her bold and kitsch style: think pageant queen, ’80s pop star, and rodeo cowboy, all in a dazzling dress or bodysuit. And it’s not just her costumes that make a splash: Roan never shies away from colorful makeup.

The excitement around Roan reached fever pitch after her performance at the Gov Ball in June. Onstage, she emerged from a giant apple, a nod to the music festival’s New York venue. The massive chunk of fake fruit onstage wasn’t the highlight of her entrance: Roan was dressed and made up like a super-glam Statue of Liberty. Covered in green body paint and topped with a spiky green crown, she delivered a vibrant and theatrical performance.

The New York-inspired look took a team to pull off. Behind every fantastical look Roan creates is a team. One of the key members of that team is Andrew Dahling, the 28-year-old makeup artist and Modern Kid Club member tasked with bringing Roan’s vision to life.

Below, Highsnobiety chats with Dahling about her background in beauty, her introduction to the world of Chappell Roan, and her favorite products to use on the budding star.

Highsnobiety: Tell us about your background: how did you get into makeup?

André Dahling: Makeup is in my DNA. The first thing I did when I was home alone at the age of eight was rummage through my mother’s makeup bag. I used to draw when I was little and most of the things I drew were very glamorous women. Her eyes were always made up and her lips were big. Before I even had any cultural references, I was already imagining this glamorous world.

When I moved to New York five years ago, I had this big dream of working my way up to fashion editor and living that fabulous lifestyle you dream of. Makeup artists are a big part of that world. I wanted to be a part of it and create iconic moments.

I’m also a bit of a Club Kid – that whole 80s and 90s subculture really inspires me. I’ve kind of fulfilled that dream, in a way. I work for[nightlife icon]Suzanne Bartsch. I do all sorts of crazy looks. I can’t see myself doing anything else.

HS: Did you study art when you were at university?

ANNOUNCEMENT: I went to musical theater.

HS: Okay, wow. So you’re completely self-taught?

ANNOUNCEMENT: Totally.

HS: There is so much artistry in your work, it’s not just about concealing and color correcting. How would you describe your approach to makeup?

ANNOUNCEMENT: You could call me a makeup extremist. I love to build a hyper-feminine fantasy with makeup, but I see the face as a canvas. I see no limits to makeup… the more, the better.

HS: Your collaboration with Chappell Roan has recently generated a lot of interest. How did you meet and start working together?

ANNOUNCEMENT: I met[Genesis Webb]her fashion director and stylist, on a shoot in LA. She asked if I could do body painting. I had done it a few times before, so they trusted me. The look was the Statue of Liberty. I took creative control of the face makeup. I didn’t want to be too avant-garde… I chose the pointy eyelash detail to mimic the Statue of Liberty’s crown. And it was really important to match the greens – it had to be monochromatic or it would have thrown off the whole thing. It was nerve-wracking, but so much fun.

HS: I’m sure it’s been amazing for you to see all the positive reactions online.

ANNOUNCEMENT: This is the first time I’ve worked on someone with this level of visibility. I was online for a few days after that, constantly checking and looking at everything. I was a little obsessed for a second.

HS: There seems to be a synergy between you and Chappell. You’ve mentioned being inspired by the Club Kid scene, and in recent interviews, Chappell has talked about realizing she was a drag queen.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Drag is a very generic term. It’s so ambiguous today, compared to what it was 20 years ago. RuPaul’s Drag RaceThere are so many different types of drag performers, and that’s what makes drag so beautiful: it’s not just a female impersonation; it can be anything.

When people see the type of makeup we do, it’s hard not to call it drag because it’s so extreme, so over the top. We glue on the eyebrows, we lift the brow bone, we cut the crease, we add glitter. It’s very drag, but there’s a real intention in the direction… Every look is really going to reference and pay homage to the people and subcultures that have brought us to where we are today.

HS: For people looking to incorporate some of Chappell’s aesthetic into their own makeup, are there any specific products you use most frequently on her?

ANNOUNCEMENT: The most iconic thing is its pale, almost off-white base. My favorite brand that I use all the time is Danessa Myricks. If you want a completely white foundation, there is this foundation called Vision Cream Cover in shade (TW).

For an off-white, pale look, it’s best to use as light a skin tone as possible. Danessa has a foundation, the Yummy Skin Serum Foundation… 1P is the color I used on[Chappell for her Jimmy Fallon appearance]. I wanted the skin to be translucent.

HS: Is there a makeup product that you personally can’t live without?

ANNOUNCEMENT: I would say a black kohl pencil. When I’m going out and I don’t feel like doing anything, but I still want to look cute and fashionable, I take a black eyeliner and apply a thick layer under my eyes and then up to the outer edge of my lashes.

HS: Is there a specific brand you like?

ANNOUNCEMENT: Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil. This is my favorite.