In retrospect, the fact that Aucoin recognised a trend so early and turned it into a global phenomenon is a testament to the reputation and power that surrounded his career. Many of the notable figures comment throughout that Aucoin was more than just make-up, he was a creative, intelligent and unique artist.

Yet, it also highlights the strong man behind the iconic make-up brand and name. A man who suffered violence because his sexual orientation, a man who struggled with addiction because he was in chronic pain, a man who genuinely believed that all women were beautiful no matter what and set out to showcase that. As singer Tori Amos poignantly says, “Some of us were addicted to him making us beautiful, and he was addicted to making us beautiful.” The documentary successfully peels away all of the layers of Aucoin, in a way that makes you realise just how much of an influential powerhouse he really was.

In one of the most moving moments of the film, when accepting the first-ever CFDA award given to a make-up artist in 1994, Aucoin tells the audience, “I know to some people, winning an award for doing make-up may seem silly. But in the context of my life, it means that I not only survived my past but that I somehow succeeded.”

That he most definitely did.

Kevyn Aucoin: Larger Than Life is available on iTunes now.

Main image: Getty

The star-studded documentary that every make-up fan needs to watch