Oquendo is one of Maybelline New York’s newest US Brand Ambassadors — a dream come true for the artist. “When I first got started in the industry as a young Puerto Rican artist, Maybelline was one of the only brands I could afford that included shades of my skin color, so I relied on it to fill my kit,” he says of the appointment, adding, “I am humbled to be a part of their team.”

Vincent Oquendo is a bicoastal makeup artist. He is regularly called upon by brands such as Stella McCartney(whom he has collaborated with on several seasons), Nike, Marc Jacobs.

Oquendo honed his ability to read a room — and a client — when he worked in Saks Fifth Avenue’s cosmetics department in New York City during college. He’ll never forget the day years ago that legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath came up to his counter while she was shopping for her kit. “I gave her my spiel, and she bought what I showed her.” When McGrath left, her assistant told Oquendo whom he had just met, “I looked her up, and it opened a whole new world for me,” he says. “I resolved to work with her one day.”

After years of building up his portfolio by doing test shoots for models (“I worked for free for so long!” he says), the self-taught makeup artist landed a spot assisting McGrath at photo shoots and fashion shows for Anna Sui and John Galliano. “I remember tears of joy running down my face as I was powdering the models at Galliano,” he says. “I felt like my dreams were coming true.”

Vincent Oquendo is a globally recognized makeup artist, known for his bold aesthetic and creative vision. A “make-up maestro,” according to ELLE, Vincent’s red carpet clients include Lily Collins, Janelle Monae, Bella Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Hailey Bieber, Diane Kruger, and Jessica Biel. Vincent emulates Old-Hollywood glamour with a dash of modern flare. In addition to the red carpet, Vincent works with photographers such as Alexei Hay, Zoey Grossman, Miguel Reveriego, and Ben Watts, and his work has been featured in Vogue, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, W, and more. Vincent is the Global Makeup Ambassador for SHISEIDO, Brand Ambassador for Maybelline, and Brand Ambassador for LUMIFY Eye Drops.