You can still see the landmarks while driving down Los Angeles’ famed Sunset Strip. There’s The Comedy Store, Chateau Marmont, Whisky a Go Go and more. Many staples have stood there for decades—some will soon near the century mark.
Then there is the “newbie” setting up shop at 8560 W Sunset Boulevard. The vast, glass-windowed building is home to Patrick Ta Beauty, the eponymous brand of the beloved celebrity makeup artist.
Ta only launched the brand a cool five years ago (he is quick to say he did it alongside product specialist Rima Minasyan and seasoned entrepreneur Avo Minasyan). He’s since built it into a social media sensation sold at Sephora and it’s widely recognized as one of the fastest-growing brands in the industry.
As the high-school dropout Ta told us, none of it happened overnight. And none of it can keep happening without authenticity, self-reflection and some wise words: “When self-doubt creeps in, you have to tell yourself to keep going.”
You’ve been open about your ups and downs and faced any hiccups head-on. What do you consider your start in the industry?
At 18, I moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, where I got my start in the industry. I opened a nail and tanning salon—my first foray into the industry. In 2012, I began working at a MAC counter. I worked there for about a year and I fell in love with makeup. It was in 2013 that I decided to follow my passion and move to Los Angeles, where I started as a freelance makeup artist.
My big break was when I had the opportunity to work with my first major client, Gigi Hadid, which really put me on the map. As her career grew, so did mine. I expanded to working with more celebrities, musicians and models, which allowed me to create content for my social media and eventually led me to meet my co-founder, Rima. In 2019, we officially launched Patrick Ta Beauty! Balancing my work as a makeup artist while building my brand has been incredibly rewarding. Beauty has always allowed me to find my voice and give me confidence in myself, which I love sharing with the world through this brand.
What was the hardest part about launching the brand?
For me, the hardest part of launching the brand has been the immense effort required to bring a product to life that meets all of my standards regarding formulation and payoff. There’s so much more to it than I ever imagined and I want everything we put out to be something I’d reach for in my own kit. It can take anywhere from a year to multiple years to get a product just right and that’s very important to our team.
What was the most rewarding part?
Looking back five years later and seeing how the brand has grown with such a supportive team behind it has been incredibly rewarding. Together, we launched our first-ever brand campaign, Beauty That Brings You Out, which celebrated embracing who you are and finding your voice through beauty. As a first-generation Vietnamese American, it meant the world to me to work with other first-generation Americans and share their unique stories. It’s a great feeling to celebrate our successes with people who are just as invested in the brand as I am and also uplift my community through this campaign.
If you weren’t doing makeup, what would you be doing?
I would probably be working in interior design. I love creating calm spaces and watching projects develop from the ground up.
What is the most challenging part of being a makeup artist and running your company in general?
I would say being on the go all the time. I’m never in the same place for too long, which can be super exciting, having the chance to see parts of the world I never would have been able to if it wasn’t for my work. But it can definitely be a bit tiring from time to time. We all know jet lag is never fun.
Is there anything about you or the brand that people might be surprised to find out?
I’m deeply involved in the brand and want to have a handle on as many facets of it as possible, which I really enjoy. Having that 360 approach to all aspects of the business is a must for me, as I want to be part of everything that goes into the world.
You are a little more than a half-decade in. Where do you see yourself and the brand five years from now?
I want to continue creating products that are filling a need in the beauty space. Creating exciting and innovative products that look and feel beautiful is something I’ll never get tired of—and I only hope to expand this into something that everyone wants to be a part of.
What are you excited about personally and professionally as the year wraps up?
Personally, I’m looking forward to spending some time with family and friends as we head into the holiday season. It’s been a busy past few months for me with work, so unwinding with those I’m closest to is something I’m very excited about.
Professionally, I’m excited for everyone to see what we have in store for Patrick Ta Beauty upcoming. New color stories and exciting new products are just around the corner.
What is your best advice to anyone looking to get into the makeup industry?
If you truly believe in something and genuinely love being a part of it, others will, too. Even when self-doubt creeps in, remind yourself to keep believing in yourself and remember why you fell in love with this industry in the first place. That mindset can take you far and it is something that has carried me through my career.
