Kevyn Aucoin, an openly gay makeup artist to the superstars died on Tuesday in a New York hospital at the age of 40.

The 40-year-old died from complications of a metabolic disorder, his friend Marcy Engelman told the Associated Press. He had been diagnosed with and treated for a pituitary brain tumour in the past year.

The self-taught artist whose clients include Madonna, Cher, Cindy Crawford to Britney Spears created his own his own product line recently was also the author of three books, Face Forward, Making Faces and The Art of Makeup. He also wrote a column for Allure magazine until February of this year.

Aucoin first worked with photographer Richard Avedon for his first magazine cover in 1986 and went on to do make-up work for 18 Vogue covers in the next three years, in addition to other magazines.

He had strong political views and was very outspoken about gay rights.

Aucoin is survived by his adoptive parents, Thelma and Isidore Aucoin; partner, Jeremy Antunes; his brother, Keith, and sisters Carla and Kim.