Exploring the Quirky, Amazing, and Playful Realm of Andrew Dahling, Chappell Roan's Makeup Artist

      If you're not particularly engaged in the beauty industry, you might not immediately recognize Andrew Dahling's name. However, a glance at his work would leave you, your less tech-savvy parents, and even your grandmother who enjoys the radio, acknowledging him with surprise. Though you may not know his name just yet, you've likely seen his creations gracing magazine covers, adorning award-show red carpets, and flooding popular social media platforms over the past year, particularly through the canvas of Chappell Roan.

      Originally named Andrew Karrick, Dahling grew up in rural Kentucky, where "visions of grandeur" occupied more space in his mind than his parents would have preferred. The vibrant energy of metropolitan life called to him from afar. In his spare time, he would watch '90s VHS footage of the New York City club-kid scene on YouTube, sketch fashion designs on figures with stamped mugs, and secretly practice makeup. It seemed as though he was destined for success, and he let the self-proclaimed "psychedelic current" of creativity guide him through his initial six years in New York City, leading to the transformation of the Grammy Award-winning artist into a blunt-smoking Statue of Liberty for her headline-grabbing performance at the 2024 Governors Ball. This marked their first collaboration, we should note.

      When we connect over a video call, the spellbinding makeup artist exudes a quiet confidence. A mannequin stands in his window for sewing projects, while archival magazine covers and custom fashion sketches adorn the walls—a reminder of his ultimate goal, the next mountain to conquer. "I've always felt like I'm some sort of vessel. I'm supposed to be doing something important," he shares with Who What Wear. "My life has always felt like it belongs to that."

      Take a glimpse inside the creative mind behind the makeup looks of the industry's beloved Midwest princess, uncover the products that transformed his artistry, and explore the aspirations that remain unfulfilled for this captivating talent.

      Though your clientele and the art you create together receive great acclaim, I’d like to focus on you. Can you share a bit about your background—your childhood, your family, and where you grew up?

      I was raised in a very small town in Kentucky. There wasn’t much happening there. We were the first neighborhood on a long road. It was a very typical all-American childhood—surrounded by family, cookouts, and very close to my grandparents. It was sweet, but eventually, it no longer served me.

      Creativity wasn’t nurtured at all, and nobody in my family had ever encountered someone like me. They didn’t know how to deal with me. I felt like the odd one out, leading to some anger, and I struggled through my teenage and early adult years. I didn’t see anyone around me whom I aspired to emulate.

      Then I discovered Tumblr, social media, and the internet—in particular, Lady Gaga. I experienced various awakenings online through exposure to different subcultures and individuals primarily in places like New York, London, or Berlin. I yearned to emulate their lifestyles.

      I began to rebel. I started painting my nails and filling in my brows. In high school, my friends discovered a brow pencil hidden under my pillow and were shocked. My parents didn’t understand. Whenever I wanted to wear something bold for a family gathering, they’d say, "Can you just not?" So I always felt like the problem—like I was the one "trying to make a statement," when in reality, I was just being myself.

      Makeup has always been a passion of mine. As a child, I would frequently draw women adorned with stamped mugs and big lips, embodying glamour. I initially went to college for musical theater but disliked it. I simply didn’t fit in with that crowd. For my audition for Into the Woods, I even sang Lady Gaga songs. I loved being flamboyant and performing, and I was captivated by the entire world of glamour—from clothes to makeup to hair. I chose to pursue makeup artistry because it was the easiest entry point; I worked at a beauty counter selling makeup to older women, which was somewhat enjoyable at first.

      Then I grew tired of it and thought, "I need to leave." I saved enough money to support myself for a month in New York, moved here in 2018, and everything took off.

      What was the journey like from hiding brow pencils to your current work? Did you teach yourself before going professional?

      I believe the foundational skills were always there. I don’t want to get too philosophical, but I truly think in terms of DNA and past experiences—there’s some truth to that. I can’t pinpoint it to just one thing; it came from a combination of natural talent and practice, albeit not in a dramatic way. I didn’t spend years in a studio painting; it was simply always a part of me. As a child, my punishment was