Beauty Illustration with Nina Tiefenbach

In this interview, Nina Tiefenbach talks about beauty illustration and how she has developed her own style in this field. She offers insights into her working methods and demonstrates how she uses her illustrations to shape and redefine brand identities. For beauty brands, this creates a highly personalised approach to visual communication that stands out clearly from traditional imagery.

Nina, beauty illustration is a very specialised field of illustration. How did you get into this area?

My entry into beauty illustration was rather by chance: my first commissions probably came about because I’ve always had a penchant for illustrating aesthetic female faces – and my portfolio reflected exactly that. Clients specifically booked me for this style and repeatedly told me how pleased they were with the faces I designed. That’s how it all began.

But I soon realised just how versatile and exciting this field is. I’m particularly fascinated by the opportunity not only to capture moods and atmospheres surrounding the theme of beauty, but also to develop explanatory illustrations. Both approaches require completely different methods – and that’s exactly what makes the work so varied and inspiring for me.

What sets you apart as an illustrator in the beauty sector?

I work in three main styles, but I’m flexible enough to adapt to a variety of desired aesthetics and bring them to life authentically. In addition to illustrations, I also develop bespoke typefaces to create a holistic visual concept.

As I originally come from a background in graphic design, I’m skilled in conceptual work and the creation of comprehensive visual identities. In the beauty sector, I cover a wide range of topics – from mood boards for magazines and advertising, through beauty editorials and step-by-step illustrations, to short animations and complete brand identities for cosmetics brands. My subjects range from skin, hair and nails to full-body care.

What role do illustrations play in the beauty and cosmetics industry today?

Illustrations are now an indispensable design tool in the beauty industry: they give brands a unique look, evoke emotions and make even complex content such as active ingredients or methods of application intuitively understandable. Illustrations are particularly prevalent in digital communication and packaging design – because they offer maximum flexibility and creative freedom, and strengthen brand identity in the long term.

Where do you see the greatest added value compared to photography?

Compared to photography, illustrations offer key advantages in the beauty sector: they create a distinctive, brand-specific look and visualise abstract concepts such as skincare routines or sustainability in a clear and accessible way. Without the need for elaborate productions, they can be adapted flexibly and enable an inclusive, stereotype-free portrayal of diversity. Illustrations combine creativity, information and emotion – ideal when brands are seeking a unique style or photography reaches its limits.

In the beauty sector, for which applications are illustrations particularly well-suited – such as packaging, tutorials or editorial content?

In the beauty sector, illustrations are particularly well-suited for packaging, where they attract attention through unique design and visual storytelling. In tutorials, they help to create clear and easy-to-understand step-by-step guides. In the editorial sector, they skilfully showcase trends and moods, whilst on social media they make an impact through eye-catching posts and campaigns. They also make complex product information – such as details on active ingredients or sustainability – clear and accessible.

Many beauty illustrations explain make-up application step by step. How do you develop such tutorials visually?

First, I clarify the key requirements in a detailed discussion with the client: How many steps are needed to depict the relevant scenes clearly? Who is the product aimed at – for example, what age group? What colour schemes and moods should be conveyed: sober and factual, or rather pastel and atmospheric? The number of perspectives is also crucial for making the illustrations as clear and vivid as possible.

Once all the details have been finalised, I develop a visual style that serves as the basis for the overall aesthetic. The next step involves creating initial sketches, which I adapt as needed following consultation with the client. I then finalise the illustrations – always with the aim of conveying the application steps in a way that is intuitively understandable and visually appealing.

What are the typical challenges involved in illustrating individual make-up and hairstyle steps?

It is particularly challenging to maintain the consistency of faces across different perspectives – every detail must remain consistent, regardless of the angle. Hand positions, too, particularly in hairstyle illustrations, require a great deal of precision: they must look natural whilst clearly conveying the application steps.

Beauty illustration often straddles the line between precise information and stylistic interpretation. How do you strike the right balance?

The right balance between precise information and stylistic interpretation is achieved through close collaboration with the client: together, we define where the focus of the project should lie. Often, both approaches are required – for example, explanatory illustrations for product details and, at the same time, atmospheric depictions for the brand world. It is crucial that both styles work together harmoniously and ultimately create a coherent, well-rounded overall picture.

What techniques or tools do you prefer to use to depict skin, textures or make-up effects?

I work with real watercolours, which I then edit on the computer to strike a balance between a realistic depiction of skin and an artistic touch.

On the computer, I mainly use Adobe Illustrator because it allows me to work with great precision. A major advantage is that the programme is vector-based – this means the images can be enlarged as much as required later on, provided the watercolours are large enough to begin with.

What does a typical project with a cosmetics brand involve?

A typical project with a cosmetics brand begins with a detailed briefing, during which we clarify the objectives, target audience and intended use of the illustrations. Reference photos or sketches are particularly helpful for step-by-step instructions – they don’t need to be perfect, but they should be accurate and explanatory to depict the process or product features precisely.

I then develop initial sketches or mood boards, which we discuss together. The aim here is to strike a balance between precise information and the desired brand aesthetic. Following your feedback, I refine the illustrations in the agreed style, paying particular attention to clarity, perspective and consistency.

Finally, I deliver the final files in the required formats – thanks to vector-based work, they are flexibly scalable and versatile.

What visual trends are you currently seeing in beauty illustration?

At present, beauty illustration is characterised by four strong visual trends: exuberant dream worlds with surreal colours and motifs; hand-drawn, humorous styles that convey authenticity; maximalist glamour with hints of grunge and the 90s; and natural botanical and earth tones that emphasise sustainability and a connection to the earth.

Do you think illustrations will become even more important in the beauty sector in the future – for example, for digital content or animations?

Yes, illustrations will become even more important in the beauty sector in future – particularly for digital content. Animations, interactive formats and personalised experiences open up entirely new possibilities for presenting brands in a lively, memorable and distinctive way. There is enormous scope here for creativity and innovative, playful approaches that go beyond traditional photography.