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New Zealand-born, Los Angeles-based Amber D has had a long and lauded career as an international makeup artist. We’ve been a fan of her mahi since first meeting her on the M.A.C counter at Smith & Caughey’s back in the early aughts.

Her talent was quickly scoped out and snapped up, and she joined the ranks of M.A.C global senior artists, based out of Tāmaki, then Sydney; working with most of NZ’s top fashion designers, stylists and photographers. During this time she was introduced to a young musician on her first shoot, Lorde, and the rest is history.

Amber relocated to the States in 2014 where she joined Lorde on many tours, public appearances and fashion shoots, while carving out her own successful niche as a celebrity artist. Her Instagram is filled with the perfectly made up faces of big names like Angelina Jolie and Natasha Lyonne, and more emerging talents like Shrinking’s Lukita Maxwell, Baby Reindeer’s Nava Mau, comedian Kate Berlant and the band MUNA. She's even painted the face of Barbara Streisand, and worked extensively with Boygenius.

A longtime friend and one of the nicest people in the biz (as well as an amazing resource to tap for urgent beauty advice), it was a pleasure to quiz Amber on the last time she drunk, cried, danced and more.

When was the last time you cried?  

I cry almost daily watching TikTok animal videos. I just love my two dogs so much and the videos people share of their last days with their pets get the waterworks going instantly.

When was the last time you danced, and what were you dancing to? 

I think I dance all the time but the last time I danced solidly was at the MUNA concert at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, in June. 

What was the last thing you bought and loved?

A Phoebe Philo black handbag. She is my Chanel, my Hermès.

When was the last time you got really angry and what was it about?

This is a tough question because I think the rage and horror at the state of global politics and the way governments justify the murder of thousands of innocent people just lingers permanently. There seems to never be a time when I'm not shocked at just how low people can go. 

What’s the last piece of clothing you bought?

It's summer here in the US so my last purchase was a white cotton long sleeve mini dress. Easy breezy.

What’s the last beauty product you finished?

I just finished the Sisley Paris Exfoliating Enzyme Mask, Farmacy Beauty Clean Green Balm Cleanser and Augustine Bader The Rich Cream. For makeup I'm always using up the NYX Micro Brow pencils.

When’s the last time you got drunk? 

I am a lightweight so one strong drink and I'm done. Last week at Disneyland California Adventure Park with my husband and a few of our friends after one margarita. Then I went on a rollercoaster. 

What was the last really delicious thing you ate?

So many things lately but the most memorable was a dinner with my lovely friend and fellow kiwi Elizabeth Soljak (@alarobe) in Paris at Serpent à Plume. Amazing food and excellent company. 

The last song you listened to on Spotify?

The girl, so confusing Remix by Charli XCX and Lorde (obv duh).

The last book you finished?

First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung. 

The last TV show you watched?

Currently watching and obsessed with the survival show Alone - both the US and Australian versions are coming out weekly here. Have I ever reallllly camped? No. Do I think I know how to hunt and survive in the Alaskan wilderness? Of course. 

The last DM/text you sent? Who was it to? 

I just sent a Cameo to my friend Sally-Ann from Ronni from Love Island. Well worth the $ for the laugh. 

What’s the last fight you had?

Not so much as a fight but probably me yelling at people who are driving like maniacs. There are too many people with guns in the US so it only goes as far as me yelling to myself, no honking and no giving the fingers like I might be inclined to in NZ. My anger is kept very one-sided in road rage situations.

The last time you laughed so much your tummy hurt?

When my husband won a bicycle at the LA County Fair. Walking out like superstars with this huge insane prize was hilarious. 

What’s the last drug you took? 

The last very uneventful drug was an Advil for period pain. Oh the fun.

When’s the last time you were home?

I haven’t been HOME home to NZ since 2017. Time really has been flying and I’ve got to visit ASAP. I miss my friends, family, the food, the smell of the beach and green things. I miss the humour.