with Maybelline NY makeup artist Grace Lee

Grace Lee has the coveted position of Official Makeup Artist for Maybelline NY in Canada. Most recently, at World Mastercard Fashion Week in Toronto, we saw Lee’s creativity truly shine with looks created for Pink Tartan, Hayley Elsaesser, Mackage and an inspired use of neon for Mikael Kale. An industry vet, Grace Lee spoke to us about her first fragrance and the scent that reminds her of childhood.

QUESTION: What is your favourite scent memory of childhood?
GRACE LEE: The smell of freshly baked pound cake. I used to bake it with my mom.

Q: What was the first fragrance you bought yourself and why did you buy it?
LEE: I think it must have been Dior Poison. I loved the bottle and I remember saving my allowance for it.

Q: What does your favourite fragrance say about your personality?
LEE: It has a bit of spice. I like to be a bit more sassy than sweet.

Q: What makes you notice a fragrance?
LEE: I’m pretty sensitive to smells; I like when fragrance is subtle and not overpowering. I tend to like spicier notes instead of very flowery ones.

Q: How many fragrances do you own?
LEE: Six.

Q: How many fragrances do you regularly wear?
LEE: I rotate between three. I usually stick to a fragrance once I find one I like and never look back. Lately I’ve been wearing Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb.

Q: What do you smell like?
LEE: I think I smell a little spicy, with a bit of amber.

Q:  Who is the best smelling person you’ve ever met, and what did they smell like?
LEE: My husband. He always smells like he stepped out of a shower.

Q: If you could bottle the scent of a favourite place/city/memory/moment what would it be and please describe the smell.
LEE: My favourite city would have to be Paris, and that smell of freshly baked french bread is intoxicating.

Q: How important is fragrance to your life, to your sense of style?
LEE: Fragrance is important to my sense of style because, like my clothes and makeup, it can also evoke a mood. I love that the power of fragrance can bring you back to a favourite memory or pastime.

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