Lip Art Leading Ladies - Johannah Adams

February 21, 2017

This installment of our Lip Art Leading Ladies series shines a spotlight on Johannah Adams aka beyou.byjoh. The talented New York City-based professional makeup artist, who has been part of New York Fashion Week and whose work has graced magazines and websites, skyrocketed to social media stardom this past year with her lip creations. Her signature crystal lips that resemble quartz and amethyst have received incredible attention, with features in Cosmopolitan, Today.com, Elle UK, Mashable, Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, and The Daily Mail. Johanna's lips are a true blank canvas that she transforms into art inspired by nature and such everyday items as jewelry and a cell phone case! Here's a peek into Johannah's artistic process.

Mehron: How many hours does it take to create such intricate lip art and take the photos?

Johannah: Each lip design takes a different amount of time. My more intricate looks can take around an hour to create. Then getting good shots and the editing (lighting, saturation, depth, clarity etc) takes even more time to complete - possibly 2-3 more hours.

Mehron: How do you put so much detail into one lip?

Johannah: Carefully. I use a ring light that helps me see in much more detail, along with many different brushes. My brushes range from tiny, tiny ones that I need to buy specially at art supply stores, to a mascara wand brush that I cut pieces out of to create a specific effect. A lot of the materials I work with are fluid like or movable, so I need to time my work carefully, because gravity begins to take over at a certain point.

Mehron: Who or what inspires your lip art?

Johannah: There have been many makeup artists who have pioneered this lip art phenomenon. Their inspiration helped open up my realm of creativity and I began to push myself to greater creative limits. I also look at the world around me for inspiration. My first crystal lip art was inspired by a piece of my own jewelry.

Mehron: What makes Mehron products so popular with so many artists doing lip art?

Johannah: I think because Mehron produces products that go beyond just simple makeup. Products that are similar to what a painter would need for their canvas. Products that cater to the creative expression.

Mehron: What Mehron extreme/performance products are your lip art go-to’s?

Johannah: I’m hopelessly obsessed with the metallic pigment powders. One can create so many different effects with just that powder and different mixing mediums.