Harold James has made history as the first Black global makeup artist for L’Oréal Paris. The 37-year-old French MUA succeeds British artist Val Garland, who held the role since 2017.
Born in French Guiana, James, who is a self-taught makeup artist, picked up his first brush during his time as a political science student in Lyon, France. He assisted a MUA friend and discovered a passion for makeup.
Since then, James has traveled the world to learn diverse beauty techniques and is now known for his natural-yet-glamorous signature look, which has earned him gigs with the likes of Sabrina Elba, Venus Williams, Dior Beauty, Elle, Louis Vuitton, and Vogue.
“Harold James’s work celebrates women’s infinite diversity through makeup,” Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, L’Oréal Paris global president, said in a statement to Vogue.
“Along with his tremendous capacity for listening to each woman’s needs, he uses his considerable talent to reveal each woman’s individuality and unique worth. We welcome Harold to the family, where his innovative spirit and timeless style make him a natural choice to steer the makeup vision for L’Oréal Paris.”
“Harold James’s work celebrates women’s infinite diversity through makeup,” Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, L’Oréal Paris global president, said in a statement.
“Along with his tremendous capacity for listening to each woman’s needs, he uses his considerable talent to reveal each woman’s individuality and unique worth. We welcome Harold to the family, where his innovative spirit and timeless style make him a natural choice to steer the makeup vision for L’Oréal Paris.”
“Becoming the global makeup artist and creative director for the number one makeup brand in the world is an incredible honor,” James told Essence Magazine about his appointment. “It fills me with excitement to have the platform to celebrate beauty traditions from every corner of the world.”
“Makeup is a powerful tool. It always touches me to witness the joy and confidence radiating from my clients after a makeup session,” he added.
According to Vogue, James will be involved in the makeup direction for the brand’s ad campaigns and work on product development. The first products under his stewardship will come to the market in two to three years, due to the beauty industry’s lengthy lead times.
The first global campaign under his direction will be a foundation-concealer called Infallible Skin Ink, which is expected to come out in the coming weeks.
“The goal is to be as close as possible to the customers’ needs while also surprising them with products and formulas that don’t exist yet,” the global MUA said, adding that accurate shades, including those for darker skin tones, are definitely in the cards for L’Oréal Paris.
“I really want to be as precise as possible with colors and undertones. I would like to offer unexpected yet wearable tints that make you feel special.”
James will also oversee the makeup of L’Oréal Paris’ upcoming runway show during Paris Fashion Week this September. As an official event partner, the brand supports young designers by providing expert hair and makeup teams for their models and showcasing their creations on L’Oréal Paris ambassadors during the show.
“One of the main reasons I appreciate the brand is that it goes beyond mere beauty,” says James. “It connects to women, cinema and fashion. I always need a theme to drive my work forward, and I accomplish that through makeup. Although I studied political science, makeup has allowed me to amplify voices.”
