Meet Kim Baker: The Makeup Artist Turning Three Decades Of Industry Wisdom Into Everyday Beauty

Meet Kim Baker — a New York-based commercial makeup artist and former Wilhelmina model whose path to the beauty industry runs through two decades in front of the camera before she ever picked up a brush professionally. Her background is what sets her apart from her peers, and it shows in every face she touches.

For 20 years, Baker was the one being photographed, beginning as a size 4 model before becoming, in the early ’90s, one of the pioneers of the plus-size modeling industry. That firsthand experience in front of the lens gave her an instinct for beauty that few makeup artists ever develop.

At just 13 years old, Baker’s very first makeup artist was the legendary Way Bandy, and the experience stuck with her. She learned early on the power of great makeup paired with a great makeup artist — a lesson that resurfaced years later when she met a makeup artist just launching her own line who shared a simple philosophy: “Don’t fall into trends — just play up your best features!” Baker began working for that company. That was 30 years ago, and the makeup artist was Bobbi Brown. It was through that experience, and years spent in the industry, that Baker was able to secure opportunities as a full-time makeup artist.

In 2006, Baker landed her big break, working with Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise and actor Ving Rhames for the Mission: Impossible movie press junket. Since then, her client list has grown to include NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, songstress Toni Braxton, singer John Legend, actress Dakota Fanning and radio personality Angela Yee, along with credits on TV shows including America’s Next Top Model.

Today, Baker continues her passion for beauty by working with everyday women and has launched her own cosmetics line, built to enhance that “special something” she believes everyone already has — their favorite feature, their personality.