LOS ANGELES — Celebrity makeup artist Alexis Vogel, 61, has passed away Sunday morning of complications resulting from an ongoing battle with breast cancer.
Vogel rose to fame in the '80s after becoming one of the go-to makeup artists for Vivid Entertainment box cover shoots. The daughter of veteran industry photographer Ron Vogel famously worked with Suze Randall and Anna Nicole Smith for several magazine covers and was the makeup artist behind Pamela Anderson’s iconic “sex-kitten” look. Former Playboy Playmate Shanna Moakler credits her as someone who "revolutionized makeup [and] created that Playboy look that captured generations.”
Sad to hear, a dear friend and icon in the makeup industry has passed away. @alexisvogel beautiful, kind spirit, fun and revolutionized makeup she created that @playboy look that captured generations #Godspeed Alexis you touched my life and made this world a better place. ?????????? pic.twitter.com/Vq5RZLzgpB
— Shanna Moakler (@ShannaMoakler) April 15, 2019
Vogel was a beloved figure and as adult performer Amber Lynn explains, “she was more than our makeup artist — she was like a big sister to many of us.”
As the news of her passing has begun to spread, friends and colleagues have reached out to share fond memories and pay their respects. Fellow makeup artist Christopher Milone hailed the "queen of the smokey eye," and memorialized Vogel as one of the "greats" in the makeup world.
Adult performer and director Melissa Monet said that she knew Vogel for her "sweet soul and incredible talent."
RIP Alexis Vogel, you were a legacy in our industry because of your dad & you went on to create your own legacy. I knew you for your sweet soul & your incredible talent. Your personality & stunning red hair would fill a room & you always knew how to make me laugh & smile. RIP ????
— melissa monet (@melissamonetxxx) April 15, 2019
In addition to creating her own makeup line, Ravishing Cosmetics, she had a “passion for helping others” and was a top consultant for post-surgical makeup lessons. Vogel encouraged others to “be the star in your own life” and dedicated her career to giving other “star-quality confidence.”
Lynn, a longtime friend and colleague concluded, “it is a great loss of history to our industry.”
Soar with the angels Alexis Vogel your time on earth may be done but your spirit and your legacy will live on forever ??RIP @alexisvmakeup pic.twitter.com/hz9VQlPEL6
— Amber Lynn ® (@XXXAmberLynns) April 15, 2019