Rie Omoto is one of the most respected names in contemporary makeup artistry and is a Beauty Creative Director. As the Creative Director of Japan’s acclaimed Three Cosmetics, Rie has built a career that bridges artistry and innovation—earning global recognition from the worlds of fashion, beauty, and celebrity.
Her signature is a deconstructivist approach to makeup—where the goal is not to perfect, but to reveal. “A face should be explored beyond what’s seen in the mirror,” she says. “I aim to bring forward what’s hidden in the soul.”
Rie began her career in Tokyo, experimenting with unconventional textures and techniques that gave her work a sculptural, skin-forward quality—ideal for editorial and advertising. In 1995, she moved to Paris, where her artistry was embraced by some of the most iconic photographers of our time, including Paolo Roversi, Steven Klein, and Peter Lindbergh. Her editorial vision soon became sought after by major fashion houses and publications across Europe.
By 1999, Rie relocated to New York City, where she expanded her portfolio to include red carpet, beauty campaigns, and celebrity work. She became a go-to for InStyle magazine, was named one of the world’s top makeup artists by WWD, and served as a longtime brand ambassador for Maybelline Japan.
Most notably, Rie was tapped by beauty powerhouse ACRO to conceptualize and launch Three—a skincare and makeup brand rooted in the balance between advanced technology and organic ingredients. The result was a cult-favorite line that redefined modern Japanese beauty and earned international acclaim.
Rie continues to collaborate with world-class photographers including Sofia & Mauro, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Tom Schirmacher, Nagi Sakai, Ben Hasset and Benjamin Lennox. Her client roster includes brands such as Bergdorf Goodman, J.Crew, Target, and Garnier, and her work is featured regularly in Vogue Japan, Numéro, Interview, Elle, and W Korea.
Based in New York, Rie Omoto remains driven by curiosity, creative integrity, and a fearless approach to beauty. And with a career still in full momentum, her most defining work may still be ahead.
