Surreal Is The New Real - Malorie Shmyr is MERDE’s New Beauty Editor
Photographer: Malorie Shmyr
Makeup Artist - Maya Roget
Post Production - Kristina Rukavishnikova
Models - Haby of Izaio models and Sebit John
Interview by Malorie Shmyr, MERDE Beauty Editor
Malorie Shmyr: You are foremost a hair stylist, but you have the great talent to also amazing at makeup too! Do you prefer one over the other?
Maya Roget: Thank you! When I first pursued a career in beauty it was because I was in love with makeup. But when I moved to Berlin and started working in fashion, seeing how much more technical and involved the hair styling was compared to what I was doing in San Francisco, I realized I much preferred doing hair. I would rather build something than paint something. I feel more inherently creative with the concept of hair.
Malorie: I LOVE THIS! Is this why you were so inspired to dive back into your makeup world for this story because you were essentially building 3d looks? Do you feel this is something you would explore further in the future, bringing this idea of building rather than painting but onto the face again?
Maya: For this shoot the inspiration for this really just stemmed from the excitement in coming across the tiny little flowers and grass tufts, they were perfect for putting on the face! But perhaps it could be something I continue to explore, or more likely looks that incorporate the entire head.
“I would rather build something than paint something.”
Malorie: Having lived in all 3 of these cities, In regards to your beauty aesthetic, what part of you is San Francisco, what part is Berlin, and what part is Paris?
Maya: San Francisco - probably a classic bouncy hair blowout, Berlin - more graphic or coloured eye liner looks. One time I did a white line arch above my crease, and that looked super cool. Or sometimes a tiny circle or rectangle below the centre of my lower lash line, Paris: has to be my hair, people comment on this a lot. Even though I already had a bob with bangs before I moved to Paris, but then I went shorter and that did feel quite Parisian.
Malorie: You have to have a floral implant permanently placed on your face - what do you choose? Please describe it.
Maya: Might be kind of funny to have flowers coming out of your ears. That actually would’ve been a fun one for this shoot! Why didn’t we think of that Malorie? ;)
Malorie: Where is your go to makeup and/or hair shop in Paris?
Maya: For hair I go to Delorme and the hair shops on Bd de Strasbourg in the 10th for wigs, hair extensions, etc. For makeup, I can’t say I have a favourite place in Paris. I miss the beauty shops in the US, where you have access to so many brands including the indie brands. So I usually load up on things when I’m home.
Malorie: Which is your favorite image from this shoot and why did you create this look?
Maya: Thats a tough one, but I think my favorite is the eye with the dried grass. I felt quite inspired when I came across those little grasses. It makes you feel something when you look at it, the image of like a dry, dehydrated desert, and the sharp spines close to the eye, it’s uncomfortable. And it pulls out the yellow in his eyes which you wouldn’t traditionally find beautiful but here it really is.
Malorie: You have never been afraid of bringing bold colours and shapes into your work. Why is that?
Maya: I’ve never been a very dark person. I grew up with a mom obsessed with color, rainbow everything, and my twin sister is just the same. There are artists who are so good at portraying this grungy, bizarre imagery, and I love it, but thats not really me. I have always been more drawn to playful, campy, cartoony vibes. Whimsical and weird, but never too dark.
Malorie: What is an atypical beauty look that you feel every girl should try at least once?
Maya: I love unexpected (but still wearable) colours on the the lips, like navy blue or dark green.
