There is no doubt about it, Sam Visser is a bonafide make-up prodigy. His career started at just 12 when he recognised make-up artist David Hernandez at a Make Up For Ever boutique in Los Angeles and introduced himself. Hernandez invited him to shadow a David LaChapelle shoot and the wunderkind quickly rose up through the ranks. By 16 he was already doing Kris Jenner’s make-up five days a week and earlier this year he joined Dior as the brand’s new beauty ambassador. 

With his early success, as well as a tight circle of supermodel friends – from Bella Hadid to Kaia Gerber – who count Visser as their go-to make-up artist, it’s easy to see why he has been heralded as the next Kevyn Aucoin. Beyond these easy comparisons though, Visser mirrors the make-up legend in multiple ways: his undeniable technical skills, his singular vision, and his celebration of individuality and fierce, confident women.

Where Aucoin tended towards the natural, however, Visser’s mode is drama; he favoures high octane glamour and decadent maximalism. A penchant for bright colours, harsh metallics, bold lips, and XXL eyes all contribute to his signature full-throttle, le freak c’est chic disco aesthetic. And after a year of lockdown and masks, more-is-more glamour is exactly what we all need right now.

Text Alex Peters