Way Bandy

Biography

Way Bandy (August 9, 1941 – August 13, 1986) was an American make-up artist. During the 1970s, Bandy became one of the most well-known and highest-paid make-up artists in the fashion industry. Photographer and frequent collaborator Francesco Scavullo called Bandy "one of the great makeup artists of our time."

After moving to New York City in 1966, Bandy enrolled at the Christine Valmy Beauty School. It was there that he learned about proper skin cleansing and structure and became interested in makeup application. Bandy then became the school's "derma specialist" and was later assigned to teach makeup application techniques to students. The school was one of the first in New York to offer such a course.

Around this time, Bandy set about reinventing himself. He underwent a nose job and facelift and capped his teeth. He also changed his name to "Way Bandy" explaining, "The name just came into my consciousness." After his reinvention, Bandy never publicly discussed the details of his previous life and refused to reveal his birth name or real age. 

In 1969, Bandy was hired as the makeup director at Charles of the Ritz where he met photographer Francesco Scavullo. Scavullo was impressed by Bandy's "face designing" techniques and the two became frequent collaborators. In 1971, he left Charles of the Ritz to do makeup for the Broadway show No, No, Nanette. 

After the show closed, Bandy began working as a freelance makeup artist for print, television, and films. Bandy's work was featured in editorials for Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar and Rolling Stone. He also worked with several noted photographers including Scavullo, Richard Avedon, Hiro, Horst P. Horst, Helmut Newton, Irving Penn, and Victor Skrebneski.