"I prioritize consistent research" – Under The Beauty Radar by nss G-Club

Interview with the makeup artist Giorgia Lecce

“I’m Giorgia, I was born in Taranto in 1991, and I’m a make-up artist. After graduating from classical high school, I moved to Bologna to attend university. Puglia is a place I feel deeply connected to, but I felt the need to experience a different environment and broaden my opportunities for personal and educational growth.” This is how our conversation with Giorgia Lecce, the latest guest on Under The Beauty Radar, begins.

“My relationship with make-up started very early, during my first dance recitals. I began dancing when I was four, and after just a few years, I already enjoyed doing my classmates’ make-up backstage before performances. I loved those moments because they allowed me to express my creativity while also seeing how make-up could completely transform a face.” Manual skills also played a key role in shaping her creative background and references. “I’ve always had a strong passion for drawing and anything involving craftsmanship and hands-on creativity. That’s why, after high school, I decided to follow my artistic instincts and enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts, where I studied Visual Arts. It was a fundamental experience that gave me the opportunity to experiment and express myself through different forms and materials, deeply influencing the way I approach make-up as well. I’m incredibly grateful to my family, who have always supported every choice I’ve made.”

Interview with make-up artist Giorgia Lecce

How would you describe your visual style in three words?

I don’t really like labeling myself or reducing my style to just three adjectives, because I see it as something fluid and constantly evolving. However, I would say that my style is refined and versatile, allowing me to adapt to different situations without losing my identity. For me, it’s important to maintain a recognizable aesthetic consistency that reflects my taste and my way of seeing things, regardless of the context I’m working in.

How did you get started?

At the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna, I had the chance to experience art in a very tangible way, experimenting and creating through different forms and materials. I studied Visual Arts with a focus on sculpture. I took many art history and theoretical courses, but what truly fascinated me were the drawing and sculpture workshops: they were the moments when I could express myself freely, working with materials that felt most natural to me. Ever since I was a child, I’ve had a strong inclination toward anything involving creativity and manual skills, and art has always been a space where I felt completely at ease. After graduating, I decided to move to Milan to attend a make-up school and finally pursue what had been a childhood dream. From there, through hard work, sacrifice, and dedication, opportunities came gradually but naturally.

What inspires you? Cinema, music… tell us about your references

Music and the visual aesthetics connected to it are definitely among my main sources of inspiration. I grew up surrounded by music, both because my father was always playing records at home and because I danced for many years. I can honestly say I’ve gone through almost every music genre, simply because I’ve always been curious. It was an essential journey in shaping my taste and understanding what truly resonated with me. Having grown up during the ’90s and early 2000s, I’ve been deeply influenced by the imagery of those decades. In particular, R&B music videos from that era had a huge impact on the way I perceive beauty. Even today, I’m fascinated by ultra-glossy, sharply defined lips, luminous golden skin, and warm, vibrant colors in general. My visual references stem from this blend of music, imagery, and visual culture that I’ve absorbed over the years and continue to update through everything that surrounds me today.

You work on fashion shoots, music sets, and with celebrities. How does your approach change? What do you enjoy most?

Working on fashion sets and music productions are definitely two different realities, but both feel very much like home to me and enrich me in different ways. There isn’t one I prefer over the other. I’m most drawn to situations where I have the opportunity to truly express myself and, so to speak, contribute my own perspective, going beyond corrective or purely technical make-up. I find it much more interesting when I can contribute creatively, engage in dialogue with the project, and bring something personal to the overall vision. That’s what motivates me the most in both contexts. Working with artists is especially rewarding because music is such a huge passion of mine. Following an artist means stepping into their world, their projects, and their creative journey, which makes the experience even more engaging. I also love the idea that meaningful teams can grow and strengthen through work, because I believe collaboration and harmony among people are fundamental - and often decisive - for the success of any project.

What do you hope for the beauty industry in Italy? What is still missing, and what makes it such a great environment?

I hope the Italian beauty industry continues to evolve toward greater openness and inclusivity. There have definitely been positive changes in recent years, but I still believe there is room to better celebrate diversity, both in terms of aesthetics and professional paths. In some contexts, I think there’s still a lack of true creative freedom and trust in individual talent, regardless of labels or hierarchies. It would be wonderful to see more collaboration and a greater openness to ideas, even those that fall outside traditional frameworks. At the same time, I find it to be an incredibly stimulating environment, full of creative energy. It’s a dynamic world where you can grow tremendously, and where exchange with others is constant and invaluable.

Do you think make-up artists today have the creative freedom and artistic recognition they deserve?

I think make-up artists today certainly enjoy greater visibility and recognition than in the past, but the artistic value of our work is not always fully acknowledged. In some contexts, creative freedom is genuine and respected, especially when working within open-minded teams and on projects where make-up is considered an integral part of the overall vision. In other situations, however, the role of the make-up artist is still seen as purely technical or supportive, when in reality it can - and should - be so much more. To me, make-up is a form of creative language. The artistic dignity is there, but it also needs to be defended and built through the way we present ourselves and the kinds of projects we choose. It’s a balance that is evolving, but one that has not yet been fully achieved.

How do you approach trends? Do you follow them, avoid them, or create them?

I don’t have a particularly close relationship with trends and, in most cases, I tend not to follow them, as I often see them as temporary phenomena that aren’t always meaningful in everyday work. I prefer focusing on a more personal and conscious approach that reflects my own vision and understanding of make-up. When followed passively, trends can become repetitive and predictable, limiting individual expression. For this reason, I choose to maintain a certain distance, prioritizing a coherent aesthetic research that is constantly evolving and capable of adapting to different contexts without losing authenticity.

What never leaves your kit?

I love skincare and pay particular attention to the complexion because, for me, it is the foundation of every successful make-up look. That’s why a carefully curated selection of skincare products is something I can never do without. I enjoy trying new launches and incorporating into my work the products that, in my opinion, truly perform and make a difference. Proper skincare is essential for achieving the best make-up results, and it should always be tailored to the skin type in front of you. For this reason, I always make sure to carry a broad and thoughtfully selected range of skincare products in my kit.

What would be your dream collaboration?

My dream collaboration would definitely be working with international artists whom I deeply admire and follow. I’m fascinated by the way they build their image and visual identity, and by how make-up becomes a fundamental part of their language and artistic storytelling. For me, make-up works best when it exists within a broader creative vision.