Lou originally trained in theatrical and special effects make-up at the London College of Fashion, however she soon realised that making people look beautiful was her calling. After many years in the industry, Lou has worked in all aspects of make-up and is comfortable on any set from moving image to stills. Her work has featured in Vogue, Stylist, Nylon, Wonderland and Grazia. She has also worked with celebrities such as Gemma Arterton, VV Brown, Tinie Tempah and Birdy. Lou’s make-up style involves clean, beautiful skin with fresh, playful colour.

Lou grew up with an interest in natural health, so experimenting with natural beauty products in her professional kit was the next step. As she discovered their potential however, she also found a darker side to the conventional beauty industry. Surrounded by make-up every day, she started to question what she was using. From unsavoury ingredients to a careless environmental impact, she realised that these were key elements of many of the products she had in her kit.

Over a decade ago Lou made a conscious decision to try and make her kit as clean and ethical as it could be, making her one of the first UK artists to take this path. It has been a long work in progress; from a professional point of view some products have been harder to switch. However with the advancements of green technology, organic and natural beauty is thriving. Lou is enjoying the current boom in conscious beauty and is working towards a super green make-up kit. Her journey and green beauty practises have been documented along the way, most recently a feature in Harper's Bazaar. 

Lou is an advocate for great skincare, she believes it is an essential base to any make-up. She is qualified in Indian Head Massage, Natural Lift Facial Massage, Acupressure Facial Massage and facials,  and continues to study. She enjoys bringing the practise into her make-up as well as sharing advice with clients.

Lou has worked with green beauty brands such as RMS Beauty, Weleda, BYBI, Alima Pure, Beauty Kitchen and Content Beauty. She has represented the brands themselves, as well as showcasing products both at press and public events. She is a regular on beauty panels and has given talks and masterclasses on green beauty, working with organisations such as the Soil Association. Lou has taught at a make-up academy for the last ten years, and also works with private clients offering make-up lessons and green your make-up consultations. Lou has just been voted into the Natural Beauty News Top 25 Personalities 2020, for the fourth year in a row.

The beauty press regularly ask Lou for make-up tips and product recommendations. She loves to pass on her new green beauty discoveries and give advice through her own beauty writing too. Lou was Beauty Editor for SIX Magazine and EggMag and has contributed to various magazines and blogs. She has her own award-winning blog too, Lou Dartford Green Beauty. For more information on her beauty writing please click here

(portrait by Johnny Carrano for the Italian Reve)