An artist’s work speaks for itself. Nowhere is this more true than with celebrity make up artist and grooming expert, Merrell Hollis, whose body of work crosses all categories of the beauty, fashion and celebrity worlds.
As Key Groomer for Sean Combs’ Bad Boy Entertainment, Merrell is responsible for the make up and grooming of all Bad Boy artists. His work appears in the music videos of scores of industry greats including Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Mary J. Blige, Nelly, Usher, Faith Evans and Ludacris. Merrell’s celebrity clients run the gamut from supermodel, Naomi Campbell to fashion icon, Diane Von Furstenberg to actress, Kim Cattrall.
Tune in to Oprah, America’s Next Top Model, MTV Music Video Awards and TRL and you’ve seen his work. Hollis has also shared his cosmetic expertise on camera with Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight and The CBS Early Show. No stranger to the editorial world, Merrell Hollis’s artistry has graced the pages of top magazines including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Vanity Fair, Essence, GQ, Details, Interview, Rolling Stone, People and Men’s Health.
Over the past decade, Merrell has consulted with beauty industry leaders Clinique, Bobby Brown, MAC, Lancome and Versace. His work appears on the product packaging for L’Oreal Paris and Soft Sheen Carson where Hollis’s talents are also on display in the company’s advertising. Ever the consummate artist, Merrell believes that good skin is the foundation for great makeup. Or, as this Georgia native likes to say, “Beautiful skin is the cake. Everything else is the icing.”
Merrell Hollis holds a degree in Fashion Marketing Design from American Inter-Continental University and is also a licensed barber and esthetician. He currently resides in New York City where he is a member of the American Cancer Society’s advisory board to help raise awareness of the unequal burden of cancer among communities of color and to support ACS services dedicated to changing that equation.
MERRELL HOLLIS XEXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
XEX: What inspired you to get into the beauty industry?
Watching my mom in the morning enhancing herself. I love the way she would use different colors on her face and she would look totally different. So from a young age I knew I wanted to put my colors on people to change or alter there appearance.
XEX: What is one thing upcoming makeup artists should know?
Only do it if you LOVE it! Don’t do it for the fame or the celebrity! Educate yourself on all product knowledge! You need to know what you are putting on your clients faces.
XEX: You have worked with many A -List celebrities, any favorites or memorable moments to share?
I have my favorite right now! Wendy Williams! She’s awesome and is so much fun to work with!
XEX: What product is a must have for women this season, or in general?
This Season would be Spring/Summer! So I say SUNSCREEN!
XEX: You have done so much, whats next for Merrell?
A Book is definitely in the Near Future ; Following in the footsteps of Pat Mcgrath and Gucci Westman which would be to help formulate color and foundation for a Major cooperation like Proctor and Gamble or L’Oreal
ARTICLE FEATURED IN XEX MAGAZINE: SPECIAL EDITION ISSUE