Ellis Faas, founder of Ellis Faas Cosmetics, died on August 12. The Dutch makeup artist was 58 years old and had a cult following. While building her company in Amsterdam, she also raised her daughter Flavia, as a single mom.  

Faas’ brother and business partner, Thijs Faas, posted the tribute below on Instagram, writing, “Ellis still had many plans for her brand, and even though it will never be the same without her, we will carry out those plans and thereby pay tribute to Ellis’ legacy.” 

Ellis Faas Cosmetics debuted in 2009 and is known for its innovative liquid makeup line in pen packages. (Photo, far right: Ellis Faas Skin Veil Foundation Pen via Dermstore) 

Vogue Paris once stated, “Faas is one of the most influential makeup artists of her generation.” 

Faas said the colors of human skin inspired her makeup line. “The turquoise blue of veins…It is precisely that red that makes blood so distinctly red,” she stated. The photo on the far left, ‘Lipdrip,’ shows Ellis Red –the brand’s signature color, “based on the natural color of blood.” 

In 2015, Faas’ vintage self-portraits were sold at The Makeup Show exhibition in Los Angeles. French Vogue interviewed Faas for the article, Ellis Faas’ Beauty Exhibition.

After the news of her passing, Dutch Vogue reported, “In 2018 Ellis got bad news about a rare cancer. The last two years have been a rollercoaster of treatments, emotions, good and bad news.”

More About Ellis Faas

Early in her career, in 1999, Faas worked with fashion photographer Mario Testino — and became known internationally as a makeup artist for major magazines, fashion campaigns, and shows. She also worked with Karl Lagerfeld on Fendi and Chanel’s runway shows and campaigns.

In 2002, Faas designed a makeup collection for L’Oréal’s Biotherm.

In Faas translates to “face” in English, coincidentally.

 

 

 

 

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Ellis Faas (1962 – 2020) Dear friends, It is with the greatest imaginable sadness that I inform you about the passing of Ellis – our brand founder, my business partner, but above anything else my beloved sister… I am convinced that Ellis herself would say that her greatest pride and joy in life was her daughter, whom she raised as a single mom. But the world says goodbye to an immensely talented, creative, visionary artist, and to a proud, strong yet vulnerable, and always passionate woman. Ever since I can remember Ellis had a special eye to view the world around her. With her intelligence and sensitivity, she aimed to inspire also others to pursue their dreams, use their passion, embrace their non-conformity. This not only affected the people around her, but also infused her make-up and photography work with its uniqueness, and it was the basis for the make-up brand she created. It has always been Ellis’ wish that her ELLIS FAAS brand could and would exist detached from her own persona, and that is exactly what we – our wonderful team and myself – will try to realise. Ellis still had many plans for her brand, and even though it will never be the same without her, we will carry out those plans and thereby pay tribute to Ellis’ legacy. All best, Thijs Faas

A post shared by ELLIS FAAS Cosmetics (@ellisfaascosmetics) on Aug 13, 2020 at 5:15am PDT