Why make-up artist Sophia Sinot keeps going viral

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While the make-up artistry may be meditative for Sophia Sinot, it is anything but quiet. She’s turned Troye Sivan into a sunburnt, scratched-up castaway for CR Fashion Book, painted her signature latex lips on Doja Cat, and created the now-viral ‘JT-lip’ look that continues to circulate social media two years on.

Sinot’s style combines hyper-femme glamour with a subcultural edge. “Even though I’m obsessed with perfection and beauty, my mom has always taught me that something doesn’t have to be beautiful to be inspiring and that has always stuck with me. Not everything always has to look clean, sharp and flawless,” she says. This mindset has seen Sinot carve out her own experimental aesthetic, one she describes as “sexy, futuristic, and provocative”. It can be seen in the cuts and bruises she gave Doja Cat to sit front row at the Balenciaga show last year, in the razor-sharp eyeliner for Brooke Candy that stretched up to her temples, and the barbed wire-esque designs for her signature lip looks.

Growing up in Huizen, a small town in the Netherlands, Sinot spent her time drawing and painting until eventually swapping out sketchbooks for faces. Today, based in London, she’s backstage and on-set, creating a whole host of her signature looks. Below, we talk to Sinot about the beauty in imperfection, her viral ‘JT-lip’ look, and the process of beating up Troye Sivan.

What is it you do and how did you get into it?

Sophia Sinot: My main focus is being a professional make-up artist. I’ve always loved creating. I loved drawing and painting, and as I got older, it just progressed into painting on a face instead of paper. I love expressing whatever goes on in my head through different styles of make-up, and for me, doing a natural beat or a full-on face paint gives me the same satisfaction. Whenever I paint, I get really quiet in my head, it’s like a form of meditation.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and where you grew up?

Sophia Sinot: I grew up in a small town called Huizen in the Netherlands. Growing up, I was more on the introverted side and learnt to be independent early on, which helped shape who I am today. I was also very stubborn. I started working different side jobs at a very young age – I literally did every job you can think of. I think that taught me discipline and focus, and I always had an inner gut feeling that I was going to live my dream life doing something creative. After moving out of my parents’ house, I lived in Amsterdam for a few years. That’s when I started a make-up course and was finally able to make my dreams and artistic vision come to life.

What are you trying to communicate through your work?

Sophia Sinot: Apparently, I have a recognisable style, but I don’t just do one style of make-up. I love a natural look, a full beat, dirty SFX make-up, a glam look, face paint – the list goes on. I always try to give something new and refreshing, maybe even unexpected. To me, I don’t just do make-up; I love creating concepts, and I work on a lot of my own personal projects on the side. I also really love photography.

What’s your earliest beauty-related memory?

Sophia Sinot: From what my mom told me, I was always very vocal about how I wanted to express myself. I always colour-coordinated my outfits and had an obsession with anything pink, red or leopard print! I also had super long hair, and my mom did the most fab hairstyles on me with little braids and ponytails with coloured hair ties.

Your lip looks have often gone viral online, could you talk us through your favourite?

Sophia Sinot: I have to choose the ‘JT-lip,’ just because it’s been over two years since I created that on JT, and people still tag me in recreations and talk about it! Any time someone finds out I did that look, they still react with, ‘OMG, was that you?!’ It will forever be iconic, I guess.

Which fictional character do you most relate to?

Sophia Sinot: I think I’d be a mix of Tinkerbell and Alice in Wonderland. Tinkerbell is a sassy but charming, stubborn little blonde fairy, and Alice is a delusional queen who blindly follows her inner craving for adventure. Basically me! Oh, and not to forget a little hint of Bratz – those baddies like me!

Who is your beauty icon?

Sophia Sinot: Amanda Lepore, Nina Hagen, Pamela Anderson. I think if all three of them had a baby together, it would be me.

What is your current obsession?

Sophia Sinot: Throwing things away.

What does beauty mean to you?

Sophia Sinot: Self-expression. I’ve always had a weird obsession with the butterfly effect. I even made a personal project about it called 0705donna. I’ve always been fascinated by how moments in people’s lives, no matter how small, can result in them becoming the person they are. I truly believe that every single factor people go through influences them in how they express themselves verbally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. It makes me spiral sometimes, but it gives me so much inspiration. I see a lot of beauty in it because I think if everyone is more conscious of this concept, people will become kinder and have more grace.

When do you feel most beautiful?

Sophia Sinot: When my house is clean, after my ‘everything shower,’ a candle lit, and having money in my bank account.