Traditionally, the B side refers to the flip side of a record. The A side contains the more front-facing hits—the singles—but on the B side, you can get in a bit deeper with the artist. And quite honestly, there’s no better metaphor we can think of for the creative team behind a beauty look. They pull the references, scour the archives, and paint the picture you see on the big screen. The celebrity, model, or actor is the single with the most airtime. But the glam team? They’re the producers, conductors, friends, and family members. For lack of a less ubiquitous phrase, they make it work.

It has always been our mission to shine a light on the BTS of beauty, as the artistry of hair and makeup is an intricate, detailed exploration that lies at the cross section of aesthetics and culture. Why? Because the origin of a look is just as important as the look itself. The backstory deserves its hard-earned glory.

This time around, we’re introducing you to makeup artist Jo Baker, hairstylist Kelly Peach, and stylist Ryan Young, who, to be quite honest, need absolutely no introduction. Together, they’re the masterminds behind the beauty looks for Byrdie’s Next-Gen Issue featuring Lukita Maxwell. Below, join us in taking a peek behind the curtain.

Makeup Artist Jo Baker

On the inspiration for Lukita’s makeup looks…

“The ballerina look included stark white matte shadow on lids. I love using solid blocks of matte. They allow me to design how light hits the face and for a full-length shot, and this reads perfectly from a distance. Keeping that clown texture and tone present but making cheeks dewy and high shine, brings it back to 2026. [For the actor look], we wanted a romantic, soft, and flush-y ethereal feel. It’s youthful, girly makeup—like a doll, but modern—using blush to blur lips and cheeks for a soft-focus finish. I used a simple skinny liner to exaggerate the feline eye shape and stretched natural lashes to bring that über-darling feel. The clown look took inspiration from Pierrot clown theatrics, with lashes to emulate the shape of traditional clown liner. It’s striking and fun. We gave the lips a severe, angular bow with blur for drama. A bit of blue was swept on the outer brow bone and cheeks to keep the look healthy and pretty.”

On working with Lukita…

“Lukita is a dream. When she asked for a Zoom to discuss the editorial makeup direction, I was so happy she was so involved and keen to collaborate together. She is a true artist and respects the creative process, allowing and inviting us to fully lean into the inspiration and shared vision for the shoot!”

On her early years and starting her career in beauty…

“I grew up in London and feel so grateful I got to develop my creative personality in such a diverse, culturally vast, and interesting city. I remember sitting in front of my mother’s bedroom mirror and using her makeup to play, blend, and explore the textures and different tones. I was obsessed—probably around 11 years old—and I just couldn’t believe how makeup could transform. It took years of hustle and grind to be given opportunities and trust. People don’t always want to let you in and open the door; you must have a ‘won’t quit’ mentality and learn to trust your own belief.”

On her career highlights…

“I am super proud of a couple key milestones: an Italian Vogue cover and the latest two Saint Laurent campaigns are high on my list of favorites. As far as celebrities are concerned, I’ve been able to travel and see the world with some of the most amazing talent. The bond and friendship built between hair and makeup artists are what I value so much. We all feel like a family of artists together. I’m so happy to know and work with all these brilliant artists.”

The must-have products in her kit…

“Of course, Bakeup Beauty Tarantulash Volumizing Mascara—the mascara of my dreams I created for my brand. I’m obsessed with Plated Skin Daily Serum (IYKYK!). I am also never without my Desert Road Trip palette. The size is inspired by my trips to Japan. The makeup compacts there are so small, so I created credit card–sized, buttery soft shadows. I love the ability to travel light but with options. A new discovery I’m loving is Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tint Shine in 62S. I’ve been using it on Mariah [Carey], and we love it. It’s gorgeous! I also absolutely love Lisa Eldridge Liquid Lurex Eyeshadows. They are so creamy and easy to blend and come in the most beautiful shades.”

On what beauty means to her and how it’s empowered her throughout her life…

“Beauty started off being about the physical: the face, the bone structure, the skin, and how pretty someone looks. For me now, it’s about a feeling and an energy someone gives off. Beauty really is more about how someone behaves and treats others, and there’s makeup to enhance and celebrate any and every face.”

On her mentors and icons…

“Kevyn Aucoin, Val Garland, and Pat McGrath were my beauty heroes growing up. [Their] never-ending body of work trained and encouraged my eye to learn structure and playfulness and to think outside the box.”

Advice for those coming up in the industry…

“Be unique and take risks. Be yourself and stand out. Use social media as a platform to reach the masses, and the whole world can view your self-built portfolio.”

Hairstylist Kelly Peach

On the inspiration for Lukita’s hair looks…

“The ballerina [look] was inspired by a modern dancer, with a focus on movement and softness. The hair was kept smooth and fluid, while the headpiece added a subtle sense of individuality and refinement. The actor look was inspired by Shakespearean portraiture, especially early paintings that feature soft, voluminous hair. I created a rounded silhouette that reflected that fullness, translating the historical reference into something that felt modern and wearable. Last, the clown [look]. This drew inspiration from theatrical and clown performance. The hair was elevated but intentionally restrained, allowing the makeup and styling to lead. A sleek, wet finish brought in polish while still keeping a playful, performative edge.”

On working with Lukita…

“Working with Lukita was a really wonderful experience. From start to finish, the process felt collaborative and easy, with a strong sense of trust on set. That made the shoot not only enjoyable but genuinely fulfilling.”

On her early years and starting her career in beauty…

“I grew up in Michigan. Early on, I was very motivated and eager to learn, saying ‘yes’ to as many opportunities as possible. That curiosity and work ethic shaped my approach and played a big role in getting me to where I am today. My mother gave me a braiding book, and I became instantly hooked, practicing on friends and neighbors whenever I could. That early curiosity slowly turned into a passion, and I’ve been immersed in beauty ever since.”

On her career highlights…

“Working backstage during Paris Couture Fashion Week stands out as a major career highlight. Seeing the level of craftsmanship and care that goes into every detail was incredibly inspiring and something I’ll always remember.”

On her mentors and icons…

“Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, and Veronica Lake.”

On what beauty means to her and how it’s empowered her throughout her life…

“Beauty, to me, is closely connected to confidence. What I love about hair and makeup is how they allow you to express different moods and identities day to day. The process feels calming and empowering, giving me the freedom to choose how I show up in the world.”

Advice for those coming up in the industry…

“My advice would be to truly enjoy each stage of the journey. It’s easy to focus on what’s next and forget to appreciate where you are. Journaling your experiences can be really grounding; it gives you perspective over time and reminds you of how far you’ve come.”

Stylist Ryan Young

On the inspiration for Lukita’s fashion looks…

“Each look represents a facet of Lukita’s artistry: We have the clown, the actor, and the ballerina. It was important to us for these to feel timeless and to execute the looks in a way that felt authentic to Lukita. We mostly partnered with a favorite Parisian brand of ours—Renaissance Renaissance—as the silhouette and textures made our story come to life.”

On working with Lukita…

“She is a creative partner in everything we do together. It’s so refreshing to be able to discuss imagery and clothing and how it all comes together. She is a true artist in every aspect of her career, and I’m lucky to get to be a part of that.”

On his early years and starting his career in beauty…

“I grew up in Tallahassee, Florida. I bounced to New York the first chance I got and started as an intern at Esquire—where I got a crash course in editorial. My then-boss, Wendell Brown, recommended me for a job at Vanity Fair, and then my fashion journey really began, flying all over the globe for shoots.”

On his mentors and icons…

“The entire reason I was inspired to start working in fashion was Kevyn Aucoin’s [Making Faces] book. The way he transformed subjects really blew my mind. Also, my longtime mentor, Jessica Diehl, showed me nearly everything I know about how to create an image and how to run a set. Big love to her always.”

On what fashion means to him and how it’s empowered him throughout his life…

“For me, it helps me tap into freedom of expression. I’m a person who needs to feel something. If a look or an image falls flat for me or doesn’t elicit some sort of response, I need to rework it. It’s deeply personal.”

Advice for those coming up in the industry…

“Be willing to work hard and keep a good attitude. Like in any competitive field, you need to find an edge, and I find the majority of my favorite people radiate kindness and positivity.”