Meet Lila Child's Tiktok's Favorite Makeup Artist
"I always tell people it's cringe until it's cool so remember that."
I first started putting on makeup in middle school, nothing crazy, just mascara and lip smackers. Then in high school I found my “signature” look: foundation, mascara, and for the final touch adding gold eyeshadow on the corners of my eyes. (I looked a HOT mess.) It wasn’t until really last year I learned the importance of concealer, blush, etc. I have always admired makeup artists, well, simply anyone who knows how to put on makeup well. Makeup is such a fun way for someone to express who they are. So when I was scrolling on TikTok and saw Lila Child’s account, I was gobsmacked. The way she is able to take an image from the past or present of celebrities on the red carpet or fictional tv characters and replicate the way they did their makeup to a T, even down to the way they did their hair, all while guiding her audience of 118.4K and counting step by step on what product she is using to achieve said look, where you can find the products, is almost like watching an artist paint a picture but instead of oils she uses the latest Pat McGarth eyeshadow, and instead of paint brushes, she uses the state of the art makeup brushes. While watching her videos, I find myself adding so much to my Sephora Cart. I just needed to chat with her, I wanted to talk to the breakout makeup artist. Below is a quick interview we did before she jetted off on her much needed European summer adventures.
1) Introduce yourself - tell people who you are? (where are you from?)
Hi everyone! My name is Lila! I'm 23 years old and live in NYC. I'm an Upper East Side girly and love it so much. I'm from Connecticut, about an hour outside of the city, and go back every chance I get. I'm a freelance makeup artist and do social media, as well, all centered around makeup education.
2) Was the plan always to be a makeup artist?
I started doing makeup when I was 12 years old, so pretty much! Before that, I enjoyed painting a lot and also have memories of wanting to be a fashion designer, but once I started playing around with makeup and realized that I could actually do it as my job, I never looked back. I've never really had a traditional job, I always worked as a makeup artist at different cosmetic stores, which really helped me gain client and product knowledge. After graduating last year, makeup became my full-time job!
3) What made you want to start posting on TikTok?
I was very late to TikTok actually, but all of my friends said that I should start posting tutorials there. In 2023 when I graduated early and had some free time I made my account and the rest is history!
4) When was your lightbulb moment where you were like wait I can make a career out of this?
When I was a little girl I stole my grandma's magazines and begged my mom to buy them at the grocery store check out and would rip out pages and tape them all over my wall. One day I remember reading the little text box in the corner of one of the editorials where it referenced the makeup artist and I realized that people actually get paid to do it. I always knew that I wouldn't really stop doing makeup until I became successful but last September during NYFW I randomly got a good amount of bookings and I think that was when I really felt like the past decade had paid off and that makeup was really going to happen for me.
5) What decade in your opinion had the best makeup looks?
My sister and I adore "old" movies, anything with Audrey Hepburn, "To Catch a Thief" with Grace Kelly is my favorite, so I love the 50's. I think that makeup is very timeless which I appreciate, but I also love the 80's and 1970's Biba makeup!
6) When you’re looking to film your next viral TikTok makeup tutorial where do you get your inspiration from?
I'm obsessed with finding the detail and intentionality behind more mundane or "normal" makeup looks so if there's a female protagonist who's having a renaissance on TikTok, I love recreating those types of makeup looks. I did a late 90's/early 2000's female protagonist makeup look around the time the Mean Girls remake came out and I loved that video. Otherwise I try to be pretty up-to-date with whatever people are focusing on: a press tour, a red carpet, a new season of a show, a new movie and go from there. When in doubt, I doom scroll on Pinterest!
7) What is your favorite makeup tutorial look that you have done on yourself/ done for someone else?
I would have to say my 80's female protagonist makeup tutorial or my Nina Park inspired makeup tutorial (she's one of my favorite makeup artists). I did this look on my friend Cheyenne, sort of a smokey winged liner, and I loved that look so much.
8) Who’s a makeup artist you look up to and would love to work with?
There are SO many! Right now I would love to work with Emily Cheng, Billie Eilish and Gracie Abrams makeup artists. I also would love to shadow Nina Park for a day. Alexandra French is one of the makeup artists on Euphoria, but she has an amazing range and style so definitely her, as well.
9) Who’s a celebrity you would love to makeup on?
Also SO many! I adore Cami Morrone and think my makeup style would pair really well with her look. I would also love to work with Laura Harrier, Emma Chamberlain, Bella Hadid, Saoirse Ronan, Chappell Roan, and Olivia Rodrigo to name a few!
10) What’s your go to eye shadow pallet?
The one I use the most on myself and in my kit is by far the Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Neutrals Palette. For some color, I love any of the Pat McGrath Motherships.
11) What’s your go to lip product?
Any of the Make Up For Ever Artist pencils, my favorites are Endless Cacao and Wherever Walnut. I love the Kosas Wetsticks and for gloss any of the Rhode Tints and am currently obsessed with the Saie lip gloss in Kiss.
12) What advice would you give someone who wants to start posting makeup videos on TikTok or YouTube?
I actually had another account before my current one that I got logged out of and all of my videos on there were non-speaking tutorials. When I made my new account in October of this year, I only would post videos talking to the camera and it was crazy how much my engagement improved. If you are passionate and knowledgeable about something and can be articulate about it, that really cracks the code. I always tell people "it's cringe until it's cool" so remember that. Also, take time to learn how to edit and invest in good lighting, it makes a huge difference. I love CapCut and TheMakeupLight!
13) Where do you see yourself in a few years! (I see you dropping a line of makeup products)
In a few years, I will have done (hopefully) 2 Met Gala's, some award shows, Cannes, and couture fashion week for various clients. Perhaps do makeup design for a film and join SAG AFTRA.
I would really like my content to transition to my celebrity clients and then breaking down those looks for you guys. I do have a name for my brand if I ever end up making one, but I'm very disorganized so the thought of creating one scares me. I think I would like to create a really readily available educational space for makeup. It could be on YouTube, but I like how I'm able to teach people for free on social media and would want to continue that. For now my focus is my clients and I'm very grateful and excited for what's to come!
You can Follow Lila Childs on Instagram @lilainc or on TikTok @lilachilds
