If you spend any time on the beauty side of TikTok, you’ve seen her. Erin Parsons is the woman with the sharp bob and the steady hand who can make lead-based Victorian face powder look like a high-fashion editorial. But before the millions of followers and the museum-grade collection of Marilyn Monroe’s personal belongings, she was just a girl from Ohio with a dream that felt way too big for her zip code.
Honestly, the erin parsons before and after story isn't just about a change in career status. It’s a total metamorphosis of a person who went from the Air Force and retail counters to being the most trusted hands in Gigi Hadid’s inner circle.
The Ohio Origins: From the Air Force to the Counter
People think Erin just appeared on the scene with a Maybelline contract in hand. Not even close. She grew up in a small town in Ohio, and by her own account, life wasn't exactly easy. She started working at 13. At one point, she actually joined the Air Force. Imagine that—one of the world’s most creative makeup artists in military fatigues. She lasted about nine months before realizing that her heart belonged to the gloss and glamour of the beauty world rather than the rigid structure of the military.
Basically, her "before" was defined by the grind. She spent a decade working at makeup counters—Lancôme, then MAC. This is where she learned the real-world physics of a face. While most influencers today learn by watching YouTube, Erin learned by touching thousands of different faces. She studied Kevyn Aucoin’s books like they were the Bible, recreating those looks on unsuspecting suburban shoppers.
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The New York Leap and the Pat McGrath Era
In 2010, she took the plunge. She moved to New York with no real safety net. Within months, she landed an assistant role with the legendary Pat McGrath. This is the part of the erin parsons before and after timeline that most people skip over. She worked under Pat for seven years.
That is a lifetime in the fashion world.
While assisting, she met a "baby-faced" Gigi Hadid in 2014. They clicked instantly. Gigi, being the powerhouse she is, recognized Erin's talent and eventually recommended her to Maybelline. By 2016, Erin was striking out on her own, and the rest, as they say, is history.
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The TikTok Pivot: Why She’s Different
Most celebrity makeup artists are kind of... gatekeep-y? Or maybe just too busy to talk to the rest of us. But during the pandemic, Erin’s career took another "after" turn. She started posting. And she didn't just do "get ready with me" videos. She turned her Lower East Side studio into a literal museum.
We’re talking about:
- Marilyn Monroe’s actual false lashes.
- 1920s lash curlers that look like torture devices.
- Rare 1800s "mouches" (beauty patches).
- Using actual 1930s block mascara on her own eyes.
It’s kind of wild to see someone at her level—a Global Makeup Artist for Maybelline—putting toxic, lead-filled 18th-century makeup on her skin just to show us how it works. She’s currently 46 years old, though she looks about 28, which she credits to a skin-care routine that costs more than a used Honda. Seriously, she recently revealed a routine featuring $1,500 eye creams and $800 moisturizers. If you’ve wondered how her skin survives the vintage lead paint, there’s your answer.
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The Style Shift: Before vs. After
Earlier in her career, Erin’s work was very "NYFW"—clean, modern, and trend-focused. She was the one putting snowflakes on lashes for Jonathan Simkhai.
Now? Her personal brand is synonymous with "Beauty Historian." She’s obsessed with the why of makeup. Why did women in the 1920s draw their lips that way? How did they get that specific "vamp" look before modern pigments existed?
Is She Still With Maybelline?
Yes. Despite the massive success of her social media channels, she is still Maybelline’s Global Makeup Artist. It’s a rare partnership that has lasted for years because she brings a level of credibility that most "content creators" just can't touch. She doesn't just sell a mascara; she tells you the history of the wand.
How to Apply the Erin Parsons Philosophy
If you want to move from your "before" to your "after," here are the actionable takeaways from her career:
- Master the Foundations: Don't skip the retail grind. Working at a counter teaches you more about skin than a 60-second tutorial ever will.
- Find Your Niche Obsession: Erin didn't just do "vintage." She became an expert on it. Find the one weird thing about your craft that you love and own it.
- Invest in Skin: If you're going to experiment with makeup, your canvas has to be bulletproof. You don't need a $3,000 routine, but consistency is key.
- Network Genuinely: Her relationship with Gigi Hadid wasn't just a business transaction; it was a genuine connection that eventually opened doors.
The erin parsons before and after story is ultimately about the long game. It took her 20 years to become an "overnight" sensation. Whether she’s recreating a 1940s Hollywood glam look or explaining the dangers of Victorian arsenic wafers, she’s proven that being a nerd about your craft is the fastest way to the top.