This article appears in Volume
25: The Pioneer Issue.

Alex Box is a make-up artist and the former creative
director of Illamasqua. She has created iconic looks for designers
including Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh and
Vivienne Westwood, and is renowned for her experimental and often
surreal looks, which chart the correlation between art, science,
nature and the magical.

I

I
have always seen beauty as an evolving paradigm. As a word it
may fall in and out of favour, but it forever remains reflective of
the times. I view myself as an artist looking in on the industry,
exploring and challenging constructs of beauty to pioneer new ways
of seeing. Intelligence, integrity and spirituality are the most
under-used words in beauty, so that’s what I strive to bring. My
manifesto is to generate creative freedom, push boundaries and
inspire others to do the same.

My style has evolved through fearlessness and being open to the
moment, the cosmos and the muse. I’ve always talked about beauty
being a journey of the soul and a spiritual swim in the
understanding of one’s uniqueness. The individual is the future –
we hold everything we need to empower ourselves. We don’t need to
be told what is beautiful. I’m currently building a retreat to
explore this concept of mindfulness within beauty.

My edit may not be what you’d expect, as I do not view beauty
(or anything else) in a conventional way. My ritual more often
involves chanting a yoga mantra or bathing in the feminine energy
and healing power of the moon than indulging in the latest trend.
These products allow me to keep challenging the status quo.

Fushi, Triphala Capsules and Turmeric C3 & Bioperine Extract,
£8 and £20

I couldn’t choose between these two powerhouses of wellbeing. I
was an early adopter of Ayurvedic remedies in the Nineties so have
been taking them for a long time. The balance of the doshas has
helped me to understand both minor and serious ailments.

Shu Uemura, High
Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Advanced Formula,
£52

This much-copied, never-beaten maverick product has been on my
shelf for over 20 years. When I first left art college I worked for
Shu Uemura. He was humble and full of excitement about the
possibility of make-up. His vision was extraordinary.

Vijayshree, Golden Nag Champa Incense Sticks,
£7.30

I have many different types of incense varying in rarity and
purpose, but this beautiful incantation of scent and spirit is the
one I always return to. It’s so full and nourishing.

The Mineral Warehouse, Rose Quartz, £17

I’ve always carried crystals and have several for different
purposes, but rose quartz is the mother. Calm, caring and clearing,
it’s the stone of love and protection.

Le Labo, Tonka 25 100ml, £180

I absolutely love Le Labo’s fragrances, aesthetic and ethos.
Every time I go into one of their boutiques they have a new and
surprising twist on an old classic.

Orveda, Visibly Brightening & Skin Perfecting
Masque, £250

This range was recommended to me by the beauty expert Edwina
Ings-Chambers. She knows I’m a little obsessed with skincare and
this product blew my mind. When something works this well, it feels
like a requiem.

Illamasqua, Gel Sculpt, £25

I left a proud legacy of Illamasqua products during my time
there, of which this cult classic is one. It’s the result of a
brainwave I had to create a transparent contouring gel with a tint
that would mimic the natural flush of a cheek.