Unofficial fan-built page · not joined yet - creator hasn’t joined yet

Erin Parsons

Erin Parsons is a beauty historian, vintage makeup collector and creator who brings cosmetics history to life through tutorials, investigations and The Makeup Archive.

6M+social following

0/ 100 nudges100 to go

At 100 nudges, fangea sends Erin’s team an official invite.

🔒 Star boosts open once Erin claims this page.

Latest

Erin’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus their backstory and Starbook, where fans write.

Known for

Overview

Work: Beauty history creator, vintage cosmetics collector and former professional makeup artist
Early career: Lancôme and MAC makeup counters, followed by assisting Pat McGrath
New York: Moved to New York in 2008
Breakthrough: Gigi Hadid collaborations and a global makeup artist role with Maybelline
YouTube debut: July 21, 2022: a tour of their vintage makeup collection and studio
Archive: Founder and director of The Makeup Archive, a nonprofit preserving more than 4,000 cosmetic objects and related materials

Mini bio

How it started.

Growing up mainly in Ohio, Erin was drawn to the way old Hollywood stars used makeup to transform their faces. After a decade at Lancôme and MAC counters, Erin moved to New York in 2008 and began assisting artists including Pat McGrath.

From backstage to the camera.

Erin met Gigi Hadid around 2014 while assisting McGrath. Hadid later recommended Erin to Maybelline, where Erin became a global makeup artist. By 2022, fans could explore another side of that work on YouTube, starting with a tour of a growing vintage cosmetics collection.

Following the clues.

Erin’s videos investigate the makeup people actually wore, from Marilyn Monroe’s lipstick to wartime cosmetics and discontinued MAC shades. Historical products, old advertisements and practical demonstrations give fans a way into the stories behind familiar beauty looks.

Preserving the collection.

By August 2026, Erin was discussing the move from professional makeup artistry to full-time content creation on Fat Mascara. The Makeup Archive extends that interest beyond videos: the nonprofit preserves a collection of more than 4,000 items and is building a public database. Its long-term aim is a physical public makeup archive in New York City.

Creditschronological, newest first

Beauty and archives

2026In the MAC Archives, episode 7Guest, revisiting vintage MAC products and pieces from their collection
2026The Makeup ArchiveFounder and director
2017Maybelline New YorkGlobal makeup artist, documented in the 2017 Fashion Media Awards interview

Original videos

2025WW2 Beauty: Lipstick, Lies, & Hitler’s ObsessionCreator and presenter
2023The Beauty Complex: Pilot Episode 1, The Club KidsCreator, interviewer and presenter of a proposed beauty history series
2023Marilyn Monroe’s Lipstick!Creator and presenter
2022Vintage Makeup Collection: Beauty Studio TourCreator and presenter; first YouTube upload

Awards

Maybelline New York’s “Make It Happen” Award2017 · Fashion Media Awards, reported by The Daily Front Row.

Quotes

So if I’m enhancing my features now, it’s often through eccentricity or as an approach to looking unique.Erin Parsons, Vogue Singapore

From the interview on beauty, personal style and The Makeup Archive: https://vogue.sg/erin-parsons-beauty-historian/

Trivia

Erin told Vogue Singapore that collecting began in 2016 with a 1950s Maybelline cake mascara found on eBay.
The 1920s and 1990s are two favorite makeup eras, especially for their distinctive colors.
Josephine Baker is a beauty inspiration alongside Marilyn Monroe.
Erin’s dog is called VeeVee, with the longer name VeeVeePooPoo the powder puff Parsons.
Asked who should do their makeup, Erin chose Marilyn Monroe’s artist Whitey Snyder so they could ask him questions.