What led you both to a career in makeup?
Louise McCarthy: Growing up, our Mum’s love of the classic movies we watched together was contagious. I remember Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder and To Catch a Thief. I would be mesmerized by the glamour and suspense of it all! I was truly inspired by the design process of filmmaking — the wardrobe, hair and especially makeup.

Joanna McCarthy: I channeled that same inspiration by earning a degree in fashion at Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. After graduation, I worked in the fashion
industry and lived in London. Louise was working as a makeup artist in the film and television industry and loving it! After much soul-searching and many discussions with Louise about her career, I decided to go to makeup school — Delamar Academy in London — where Louise trained. I learned from the best in the industry and never looked back.

What brought you to the US?
Joanna: Our father is American and when he was in the Air Force he met my Mum’s brother who introduced them — they will celebrate their 50th Anniversary this October. They lived in Brooklyn for the first two years of marriage before they moved
to Dublin where Louise and I grew up.

Louise: I finished high school and chose travel, living in the US, Australia and then London as I had set my heart on makeup training at Delamar Academy. We eventually
formed our own makeup company, McCarthy Artistry Inc., and the rest is history. We are grateful to have dual citizenship and feel like we have the best of both worlds.

How often do you work on projects together?
Louise: As often as we can. We are extremely >> Pickup the Spring 2018 issue to catch the rest of Joanna and Louise McCarthy’s inspiring story