Meet Beau Cockrell | Makeup Artist & Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beau Cockrell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beau, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
In moments of anxiety and stress, there is only one thing that fills me with the grounding energy I need to set me back on track, and that is creating. There are so many ways to find expression through different artistic mediums, whether you find your stride in cooking, painting, interior design, etc. – there exist so many unique ways to find joy through expression. I find my joy in painting faces, and creating music. Whether or not I choose to share what I create with the world varies, but finding joy in the creative process is enough for me to keep the fire lit. I want to create work that uplifts and is authentic to me 100% of the time – that is how I will find and hold onto my light.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m obsessed with faces and learning as much information as I can about how to paint them. I see beauty in every line and curve of the face. It thrills me to bring a vision to life. My beauty aesthetic is an eclectic jumble of modern beauty that meets hyper-femme drag glamazon with anything and everything in between. My work is heavily focused on accentuating natural beauty and faking the rest. I revere the queer artists who invented and popularized the techniques and beauty aesthetic that I and so many others reference today. When I first started dabbling in makeup after my fifteenth birthday, I remember just how important it was for me to have access to online tutorials by drag queens and queer artists that showed me just how far an artist can push the boundaries with makeup. Being able to have the freedom to play and learn about makeup as an artistic medium regardless of my gender was so valuable, and something that is so incorporated into my work now. I grew out a mustache my freshman year of college for the fun of it and found that the final vision after I’d painted a look on my face was so enhanced with the added hyper-masculine touch. A blend of masculine and feminine beauty to create the most sickening cocktail, and it’s only grown from there. As an artist, I find that the work to master your craft is never done, but that’s exactly what makes it so thrilling. I recognize how far I’ve come and I’m proud of myself, and yet I’m still painfully aware of just how much more I need to learn. The most important thing we can do as artists is to keep pushing, letting go of perfectionism, allowing ourselves to share our authentic thoughts and expressions, and being accepting of others as they are. There is room for all of us at the top.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
California is so rich with beauty in so many different ways. The first stop on my itinerary is a day at the beach in Malibu – the most stunning waters and gorgeous coastlines, you literally cannot go wrong. I really enjoy spending time outside when I’m able, so a nice hike in Runyon would be a nice way to get movement. Admittedly, I’m somewhat of a California newbie myself, so my scope of secret little LA hideaways is limited. I spend the majority of my time in Studio City & Silver Lake because I find the people, food, bars, and overall vibe most akin to my own. If we had the time, I’d also go up the coast a bit to Santa Barbara because the beauty is unmatched. One of the coolest things about LA is that regardless of who you are or where you come from, you can find people and places and communities that value the same things that you value.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without a doubt, the two people who are most deserving of a shoutout in my life are my beautiful mother and sister. I am forever in awe of their tact, beauty, strength, and honesty. My sister taught me how to stick up for myself, to better understand my value, and not settle for anything less. I learned how to express gratitude and extend kindness to strangers from my mother, who happens to be one of the most selfless people I’ve ever known. My creative efforts were always championed, and I’m beyond grateful to have received that level of acceptance growing up. I’m thankful to have such powerhouse females above me – I have so much reverence and love for my family.

Instagram: @beaucockrell

Facebook: @thebeauinbeauty

Other: Tik Tok @thebeauinbeauty

Image Credits
All photos were taken by me and belong to me, apart from the photo of the model with the long straight orange hair & nails – that photo belongs to Sarah Pardini.