Pamela Cochrane, a makeup artist drawing from Glasgow’s roots and nourished by London’s vibrance, has become an enduring force in the beauty and fashion industries. Not one to boast, her work speaks for itself—she’s been by Lana Del Rey’s side since 2011, perfecting the singer’s signature look that intertwines retro glamour with modern allure. The bond forged over countless shoots and performances reveals a unique artistic symbiosis, each enhancing the other’s vision in a world painted in dreamy pastels.
Growing up in a whirlwind of small Scottish towns, Pamela’s early years were filled with a curiosity for beauty sparked by teenage magazines and an early fascination with her mother’s styling skills. “I used to make her spend so much time on me trying to get as high and sleek a ponytail as possible,” she recalls, a humble admission that hints at her quest for perfection. Her artistic journey began with an education at the London College of Fashion, after which she assisted some industry legends—an initiation into a world that would challenge and inspire her.
Her aesthetic is a delicate dance of technique and instinct, often favoring glossy skin and cat eyes evoking a 60s nostalgia. But there’s an ambiguity in her approach; while she strives to uncover natural beauty, she’s aware that beauty is subjective, shaped by cultural currents and the relentless pace of social media today. “Beauty for me is how you feel from the inside as it radiates on the outside,” she states, a reminder that the pursuit is sometimes more philosophical than formulaic.
As she heads into new ventures, like her current tutorial projects between LA and London, Pamela’s story isn’t just about makeup; it’s a narrative of adaptation, collaboration, and the eternal quest for authenticity in an industry that constantly redefines itself. It’s probable that as she evolves, so will her understanding of beauty itself, always working to align the external with a deeply personal vision.