We don’t want conventional beauty. We want beauty that makes you feel something – the kind of beauty SFX artist Nina Carelli has been creating for years. Known for her penchant for increasing heart rates with disturbingly realistic gore and surreal alien characters, New York-based Nina Carelli has been using SFX to imagine new realities and strange creatures for years. With a CV spanning work for music videos, movies, red carpets, and exclusive parties, Nina Carelli’s impact is undeniable.
For our first digital cover on CultedXO, we found out that our cover star, It-girl and former City Girl JT, feels the same way. Handing her over full creative control, the first thing JT did was enlist legendary SFX artist Nina Carelli to help bring her vision of subversive beauty, a commentary on social norms and beauty standards, to life. We spoke to Nina about her career in the SFX world so far, her best advice for emerging creatives, and what it was like working with JT on our first digital cover.
How did you first get into doing SFX makeup? What inspired you down that path?
“I was inspired to pursue SFX makeup after many years of being a lost soul creatively. I had gone to art school but wasn’t sure where I fit in, so I pivoted to painting faces and doing beauty makeup. Watching a lot of movies and tv is what led me to study SFX – I’m more interested in building worlds, characters and backstory rather than doing one-off photoshoots.”
Some of your work is insanely surreal. Where do you usually go for inspiration?
“Thank you! I collect books and magazines for visual research. My favorites include several Details magazines from the late 80’s, and a photo book on Reptiles, both gifted from friends. Films heavy on practical effects excite me. TV shows like X-files are also a great resource.”
You’ve worked with a ton of celebs, including Ed Sheeran, Steve Buscemi, Brooke Candy, and now JT. Do you ever get star-struck by the person in your makeup chair?
“Working with celebrities can definitely be surreal…I try to not think about it.”
Can you tell us what it was like working with JT on our digital cover – what was her vibe?
“JT’s vibe was open minded, down to earth. I like that she knows what she wants and what works for her.”
The shoot, which was creative directed by JT herself, involved some really fun SFX makeup. How did JT present her vision to you initially, and what was it like bringing it to life?
“She wanted to be a glam cartoon character with exaggerated features, while still looking like herself. The result was shocking but still pretty, and kind of comedic. The prosthetics were made in one day and applied the next, very fast turnaround, so I didn’t have much time to process what we had made in the moment. It was exciting to see her so transformed.”
Can you walk us through how you actually designed and made the SFX lips that JT wore on the cover?
“I started by drawing out the concept, then we met and I took a quick tracing of her face for some measurements. From there, I sculpted the piece and made a mold of it, and then I casted the prosthetic from that mold in silicone. The application process required some customization, but after blending and collaborating on the beauty makeup with incredible MUA Rommy Najor we arrived at our destination.”
What’s been the hardest SFX makeup you’ve ever done?
“The hardest look I’ve ever done was pinhead [from Hellraiser] on myself. It took about 5 hours and I almost lost motivation midway through.”
Can you tell us your favourite SFX moment in film?
“I have a lot of favorite SFX moments, but a recent one would be the finger transformation in ‘The Substance’.”
What’s a product you work with that you’d recommend to every beginner?
“I use the Danessa Myricks groundwork palette often. It has the best neutrals – a kit staple.”
If you had to give emerging makeup artists one piece of advice, what would it be?
“Don’t compare yourself to anyone else.”
Who’s inspired you the most in your career?
“Jim Henson, creator of the muppets – very influential on my love for making creatures and transformations.”
Lastly, what’s your favourite piece of work you’ve ever done?
“My favorite piece of work doesn’t exist yet, but I’m planning a personal project involving goblins for 2026.”
Images (aside from the CultedXO digital cover with JT) provided by @nina_carelli_©
CultedXO Digital Cover Shoot Credits
Creative Director JT @thegirljt
Photographer Jean Toir @jean.toir
Stylist Erik Ziemba @erikziemba
MUA Rommy Najor @rommynajor at Forward Artists using Claropsyche
Hair Miss Kam @kamaracoma using Oribe
SFX Nina Carelli @nina_carelli_
Creative Producer Kai Baynes @kaitheblackangel
Social Video MJ Perez @byeemj
Stylist assistants Rendi Alemu, Deannelys Corcino @deannelysc, and Clarke Jackson
