“When I create products, I always imagine characters,” explains Dany Sanz of her approach to makeup. Founding the beauty label Make Up For Ever alongside her husband in 1984 – she was unconvinced by the size of the industry’s offering elsewhere – the French makeup artist has since been one its most important champions in her role as Artistic Director. And now, she’s put those same creative thoughts into a book.

“Long before becoming Founder and Artistic Director of Make Up For Ever, my vision as a makeup artist was shaped by the education I received at the School of Fine Arts,” she continues. “I see art as a form of movement, which is why I chose to paint bodies, rather than canvas, and sculpt faces rather than clay. This book is an illustration of my own creative process… I wanted to write an original book, different from all the others, which would reflect my creative philosophy.”

Which is exactly what Sanz has done. Teaming up with Wonderland fave Ellen von Unwerth – who’s lensed the body of the book – Life Is a Stage sees Dany collaborating with her nearest and dearest professional pals, “giving life” to 27 characters and 72 photographs inspired by the stage (her favourite source of inspiration and the core of MUFE’s very being).

Alongside the main book – full of von Unwerth’s intense portraiture and Sanz’s colourful #looks – a second “sketchbook” showcases the illustrations from which the designs begin. A similarly evocative tool, together the two make for a dream combo.