Patrick Ta, known for his signature glowy style and liberal use of blush, is a makeup artist to the stars: Gigi Hadid, Ariana Grande, and Halle Berry, just to name a few. But career aside, makeup is an integral part of his identity—and a tool that he used to express himself when other methods felt too scary or vulnerable. Now, his latest launch is inspired by one of his true loves: contouring. "I wanted to create a product that I could use to precisely define certain areas of the face," Ta says about his new Major Sculpt Shape & Shade Anywhere Artistry Sticks. "I love contouring my nose. It's just something that makes me feel a little bit more confident. So finding a product that could easily do that is super defined, and eliminates the need to draw it on with a bigger brush was important to me. It allows you to sculpt and define."
With eyeshadow shade extensions and holiday collections on the horizon, Ta's long-term goal is to create community, pay it forward and, hopefully, inspire the next generation of makeup artists. "As someone who was able to get to a place where my career is truly amazing, and everyday is a new adventure, I think it's important for me to continue to uplift the artist community," he says.
Ahead, Patrick Ta shares his first introduction to makeup, his favorite beauty treatment, and why his Defining You campaign spotlighting artists like Judy Lim, Luis Torres, and Etienne Ortega is his favorite yet.
Photo: Patrick TaWhat's your star sign and do you relate?
"I'm an Aquarius, and I don't know too much about my zodiac sign, but I know that Aquariuses are creative and they're independent, and I wish to think I'm those things."
What three words best describe how you're feeling right now?
"I feel happy, I feel grateful, and I feel inspired."
What color is your aura?
"I was reading about this. I personally think that I'm a mix of purple and red. I think purple feels super creative, it feels intuitive, and then red really represents passion and energy, and I'm super passionate about everything that I choose to do. So I think those are the two sides of me."
What's your first memory surrounding makeup?
"Rewind 15 years ago, one of my first encounters was my roommate. She was a glamazon. She got ready, and she had a 50-step routine just to go to the gym or to go to the grocery store. I personally thought, 'oh, all the girls wear full beat downs every single day.' I was super intrigued by all of that. I feel like I got to see her transform and shine into this new persona. That was the first time I saw the power of makeup."
When did you know you loved makeup?
"I was able to do makeup on my family members, specifically my mom and my sister. I think growing up really closeted and not feeling comfortable expressing who I really was in front of my family members, doing what I love on my mom and my sister was one of the most memorable moments for me personally. They got to see not only the makeup, but also the real me who wasn't out of the closet yet."
What's the biggest misconception about makeup and beauty?
"I think the biggest misconception is that there's a right or wrong way to do your makeup. I feel like makeup is so personal, so there is no right or wrong way. I get to work with so many different artists, models, and musicians, and everyone has something that they like to enhance on that given day."
Can you talk about the Artistry Sticks that you launched this month?
"They are contour sticks that allow you to define certain areas of your face, whether you like shaping your nose, whether you like more defined eyes, or whether you're enhancing your lips, cheekbones, forehead, or jawline. I wanted to create a product that makes it easy to sculpt and define, blends out like a bronzer butter, and has the staying power of an eyeshadow. I brought other artists into the campaign, too, which I was super proud of. It was the first time my brand has done this. It was so inspiring for me, and it felt so creative because everyone has their own perspective of beauty, technique, and everyone has their own stories."
What advice would you give to someone who doesn't know much about makeup, but wants to establish a routine?
"If you're someone who doesn't wear too much makeup, you can never spend enough time blending. Unless you're doing a wing liner, my recommendation is to never have harsh lines on your face. I recommend doing makeup where you can't detect where it starts and where it ends. In general, I feel like makeup should be able to just enhance your natural beauty."
F, Marry, Kill: Blush, Bronzer, Contour?
"I would F bronzer, marry blush, and kill contour. Blush is my first love, and it's what has really transformed my life and my career—it's what I'm known for. I would F bronzer because it resembles you're in the sun, it's sexy, and it's a summer holiday. My clients always say I want to look like I just came back from vacation or from holiday. And then kill contour, just because you have the bronzer already."
What are the last three things you wrote in your notes app?
"I was looking for coconut milk, and there's a brand called Koko Moo that everyone has been talking about, so I wrote that down. I'm looking for a new makeup artist assistant and personal assistant, so I was writing a little note to put on Instagram. And then I wrote down the address to Good Morning America because I went on this morning."
Do you have a signature scent?
"I have a cocktail that I wear, and the order that I apply it in is super important to me. I wear Guerlain Double Vanille, then I sometimes will apply Tamburins Lale. I finish off with a Joe Malone, it's a holiday fragrance called Ginger Biscuit—I just love the scent of this, and I love sweet gourmand scents."
What's your favorite skincare product at the moment?
"Right now, I'm obsessed with the Real Actives Get Bare Melting Cleansing Balm to remove my makeup. It's super slippery, and it's super lightweight, but it removes everything. I always use that before I do my face wash."
What's your favorite beauty treatment?
"I think one of the only treatments that I have personally done that I think I can see a visible difference from is microneedling. It tightens, it helps with texture and all of that."
What's been entertaining you?
"Traveling around the world. Especially traveling around Europe with my girlfriend, Carlita. I've been really obsessed with electronic music for the vibe, the energy, and the people that I get to be surrounded by. I think for me, community has been such an important aspect that I want to make sure that my life has. It sounds crazy, but the people that I meet at my girlfriend's DJ sets are some of my really great friends right now."
What's your song of the summer?
"'Tornado' by Ayra Starr. It's sexy. I feel vibrations, I feel rhythm, but I also feel a sense of calm."
Can you describe your perfect day?
"My perfect day would start with a personal training class with my trainer and then getting a matcha. I personally love a lavender matcha with whole milk. Then, going home, showering, getting ready. For me to have a great day, I want to feel the best version of myself. I want to do my hair. I want to pick a nice outfit. I want to do my skincare and makeup routine. It's not too much, but on a day where I feel like I want to go out, be seen, and interact with people, I wear a little bit of my concealer. I put a little bit of my contour, my bronzing duo, and then a little bit of lip balm. During the day, I don't usually powder. I would go into my office and accomplish anything that there's a deadline for. After work, it's really important for me to have some of sense of community and to find something fun to do. So whether it's going to dinner with a friend or two, calling my mom, or calling my sister to FaceTime her daughter, that's important to me. I would head home, do a full unwind routine, take my bun down, wash my face, and go to bed."
Do you believe in manifestation?
"I definitely believe in manifestation. I think there's something really powerful about being intentional about what you want and really vocalizing it. I'm not afraid to say what I want, and I think if you can visualize something, it will happen. There are certain days when you're doubtful or you don't really know if this is the right decision, but I think if you want it, you have to put in the work for it. I think with manifestation comes a lot of work. I think you have to be willing to put in the work to create the opportunities."
What are you manifesting for the rest of 2026?
"I think my biggest want for the rest of 2026—and more so, for the rest of my life—is to continue to build community. I think where you live is so important. The people that you surround yourself with is so important. I always want to be around people who are smarter than me and who better me. I want to continue to work with other artists, as well as the people who I started my career with, who understand the grind that it takes to be a freelance artist and to make a name for yourself."