12 of the Best Makeup Artists to Follow Right Now!
Makeup artists throughout the world have curated quite the fanbase for themselves over their years of activity. Truly, there are thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of makeup artists out there from all over the globe, with all kinds of unique techniques and expertise. From natural looks to bold and creative innovations, there are makeup artists for every category and style you can dream of - you'll be hard-pressed to pick your top favorite out of all of them.
However, among the sea of mediocre makeup artists, some really stand out, whether it's because of their technique or their personal style, these artists are indeed the best of the best. These days, artists are using the digital world to post their work on either Instagram or demonstrate their processes on YouTube. So, here is a list of our favorite makeup artists on those platforms!
Pat McGrath
Pat McGrath is what we would call a natural in the world of beauty and makeup. McGrath had absolutely no formal training in makeup artistry, and even then, she has climbed her way to the top of the makeup industry. Along the way, she won multiple awards and titles as one of the most influential makeup artists globally, earning her place as a favorite and on the top of this list. McGrath's techniques have brought some much-needed flavor into the then stale makeup industry, along with a highly demanded luxury cosmetics brand! She isn’t called the “Mother of Makeup” for nothing!
Bobbi Brown
Founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics - an incredibly famous and beloved cosmetics line for the ages - Bobbi Brown herself is no less notable. Besides being the founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and a professional makeup artist, she's a guest writer, editor, and author! Undoubtedly, due to her techniques and cosmetics line - which boasts creativity and innovation - she is one of the best makeup artists in the world!
Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte Tilbury's products are all over Instagram, and with good reason. Tilbury began her journey as a makeup artist by attending the Glauca Rossi School of Makeup. Using her unique makeup line, the artist herself demonstrates how to use the products properly, all the while giving tips on killer looks that'll leave you feeling (and looking!) like an entirely different person. Put simply, no matter where you apply makeup, Charlotte Tilbury will make sure it looks like magic.
Nam Vo
Nam Vo is a makeup artist that specializes in incredible highlights. Highlights are something many makeup amateurs and even veteran beauty gurus struggle to do correctly. However, Nam Vo isn't one of those - her highlighting techniques are undeniably the best, as can be seen by one look at her Instagram. Dewy skin is all the rage these days, and if you want to hop on the trend this summer, then what better way to learn how to perfect your highlights than through the master herself?
Kevyn Aucoin
Vogue first scouted Kevyn Aucoin as he was working as a makeup artist for amateur models. His boundless potential was brought to Vogue's notice, and you better believe they jumped at the chance to recruit him. This turn of career was a landmark for Aucoin, and it kick-started the rest of his professional makeup artist life. Aucoin has launched numerous cosmetics lines through the years, all of them raging successes: from The Nakeds to Inoui Cosmetics, and finally Kevyn Aucoin Beauty. Aucoin was one of those artists booked months in advance, with sessions costing thousands of dollars!
Gucci Westman
Gucci Westman is best known for her incredible work with some of the most well-known celebrities in the world - we're talking Natalie Portman, Cameron Diaz, Reese Witherspoon. There are few amateur artists and makeup enthusiasts unfamiliar with her work, as it should be. She's worked with veterans in the world of makeup artists, and the mentoring she received from them truly shows in her own work on runway models and magazine covers - from New York Fashion Week to London to Allure; her artistry truly knows no bounds!
Tatiana Rose
Rose brings the retro ages to life on her IG feed. One of the reasons why Tatiana Rose is a top favorite makeup artist of many is her uniqueness and creativity - no two pictures on her Instagram look the same. It's not easy to come up with an incredibly unique post every single time, but Rose makes it look effortless. Her account highlights the best part of makeup - not the perfect looks and fancy techniques, but the joy of experimenting and having fun throughout the entire process.
Mario Dedivanovic
We couldn't finish up this list without mentioning the legend himself - Mario Dedivanovic, famed makeup artist of the Kardashians. With his ever-growing army of more than a whopping six million followers on Instagram, it's no surprise why he's the first person that comes to the mind of many when they hear the word "makeup artist." In fact, there may be few Kardashian fans out there who haven't heard about him. If you're looking for a neverending catalog of new makeup hacks and tricks, then Dedivanovic is the artist you want to go to.
Lisa Elridge
Makeup artist, creative director, best-selling author - Lisa Elridge is truly the whole package when it comes to the world of makeup. With her first major accomplishment as a makeup artist for Cindy Crawford, it was clear that the only way Elridge could go was up! Since then, she's created a much-needed cosmetics line with Asians worldwide as her primary demographic and gone further to become the creative director of Lancôme.
Lou Sims
Glitter fans, this one’s for you! Glittery and shimmery products are highly challenging to work with as they are, without the pressure of the perfect look. To Lou Sims, however, there is no such problem. Sims is an expert in glittery makeup - her makeup almost makes it look as if gems are dripping from your eyes. Dewy makeup, shimmery makeup, glowy makeup - you name it, Sims' is a professional in those areas.
Kevin James Bennett
If you want to educate yourself on color theory, applications, cosmetic development, and marketing, Kevin James Bennett is your guy. Kevin has won multiple Emmy awards for his makeup technique, and rightfully so with over 30 years of experience. He has helped create numerous projects with L’Oreal, Coty, LVMH, and many more. His latest assist is with RCMA and their new foundation and concealer.
Danessa Myricks
Danessa Myricks - a self-taught International MUA, with her own brand Danessa Myricks Beauty, is truly a work of art. With a focus on glossy and colorful, Ms. Myricks continues to break the beauty standard of bold color and unconventional ways of using makeup. She has worked with numerous company’s before launching her own brand and landing in the most coveted magazines, such as Vogue, In Style, Paper, and many more.
Let me know who some of your favorite professional makeup artists are.
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