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The 23 Most Influential Celebrity Makeup Artists on Instagram

Bow down to the leaders.

charlotte tilbury doing makeup on client

@charlottetilbury / instagram

Instagram and makeup artists go together like chocolate chips and mint ice cream—they're a match made in beauty heaven. Over the years, many makeup artists have amassed massive followers on the social media platform because of their forward-thinking techniques, incredible pictures, and celebrity clients. We also like to spy on new tools, favorite products (think celeb-approved foundations), and new methods we can use to get a great polished look. 

Because we know you don't always have time to go through everyone on your feed, we've selected the most powerful beauty Instagram players to follow, admire, and get great hacks from.  Read on for the most influential makeup artists you need to follow on Instagram.

01 of 23

Sam Fine

sam fine and letitia wright

@iamsamfine / instagram

Sam Fine is one of the most iconic MUAs in the industry. His client roster has included the likes of Queen Latifah, Tyra Banks, Iman, and Naomi Campbell. Fine was also the first African-American spokesperson for Revlon and Covergirl Cosmetics.

02 of 23

Mali Thomas

Mali Thomas

Mali Thomas

Mali Thomas is a celebrity makeup artist and beauty educator with a client roster of top talent like Kelly Rowland and Ryan Destiny. She is also currently Bobbi Brown's global artist in residence.

03 of 23

Mary Phillips

mary phillips and justine skye

@maryphillips / instagram

Mary Phillips is a makeup mastermind—responsible for creating glowy glam for people like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Jennifer Lopez. Follow her to learn pro tips and techniques like underpainting.

04 of 23

Gucci Westman

gucci westman applying makeup to client

@gucciwestman / instagram

Follow Gucci Westman for classic girl-next-door makeup tips (she paints the faces of Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Anniston, after all) plus a real behind-the-scenes look at her fabulous family life (which includes plenty of horses).

05 of 23

Mario Dedivanovic

Mario and Kim Kardashian

@makeupbymario / instagram

As the go-to makeup artist for the Kardashians, Mario Dedivanovic is the man who made contouring go viral. Dedivanovic is a must-follow for anyone looking to master the art of the smokey eye. Plus, you'll be kept in the loop of all the latest Makeup by Mario launches.

06 of 23

Pat McGrath

Pat McGrath

@patmcgrathreal / instagram

One of the most legendary high fashion makeup artists of all time (who could forget those early aughts Dior shows?), Dame Pat McGrath often uses her Instagram to offer complete breakdowns of the high glam looks she and her artists create for celebs like Cardi B and Doja Cat.

07 of 23

Mary Greenwell

Mary Greenwell

@marygreenwell / instagram

Mary Greenwell is a real veteran who has painted the faces of some of the most iconic women in the world, such as Princess Diana and Cate Blanchett, alongside newer stars like Soonam Kapoor and Amanda Seyfried. Needless to say, if you like soft glam, she's your artist.

08 of 23

Matthew VanLeeuwen

Matthew VanLeeuwen with Debra Messing

@makeupmatthew / instagram

Matthew VanLeeuwen regularly does the makeup of Debra Messing, Ellen Pompeo, Rebel Wilson, and Salma Hayek, to name a few, and his feed is dripping with drool-worthy red carpet looks that get us so amped up to do our own makeup.

09 of 23

Allan Avendano

Allan Avendano

@allanface / instagram

Allan's celebrity-studded Instagram serves up colorful, fresh beauty looks on some of the most recognized faces—including Joey King and Jodie Turner-Smith—giving us total FOMO if we ever miss a post.

10 of 23

Sir John

sir john doing makeup

@sirjohn / instagram

Sir John is Beyoncé's makeup artist. Need we say more? We guarantee you'll be following him before you finish reading the end of this sentence.

11 of 23

Lisa Eldridge

Lisa Eldridge

@lisaeldridgemakeup / instagram

If you're not already following Lisa Eldridge, we also suggest you do that immediately. On Instagram, you can find her posting makeup-related content ranging from breakdowns of looks for celebs like Emma Roberts and Dua Lipa to her vintage cosmetic finds.

12 of 23

Sarah Tanno

sarah tanno doing makeup

@sarahtanno / instagram

Our main reason for following Tanno? She gives us all the inside scoop on Lady Gaga's red-carpet beauty looks, and we could not be more obsessed. If you couldn't tell from her most famous client, Tanno is a great resource for splendidly over-the-top makeup.

13 of 23

Hung Vanngo

Hung Vanngo

@hungvanngo / instagram

Hung Vango's seriously impressive client roster reads like a who's who of young Hollywood: Selena Gomez, Julie Garner, and Jodie Comer, to name a few. Fortunately for us, he often posts video tutorials on Instagram, giving us all a chance to emulate his dreamy looks.

14 of 23

Patrick Ta

Patrick Ta and Monet Mcmichael

@patrickta / instagram

Patrick Ta works with some of the most glamorous women in the world, and he frequently features them on his page. If you're looking to perfect a master-level sculpt or for tips on creating a bronze smokey eye, follow ASAP.

15 of 23

Mylah Morales

mylah morales

@mylahmorales / instagram

As one of Rihanna's go-to makeup artists, Mylah Morales has created dozens of iconic red carpet and editorial looks. (Remember that sweep of blue eyeshadow Rih wore to the Met Gala in 2009? That was her.) Check out her Instagram to see her gorgeous work on clients like Tinashe and Becky G.

16 of 23

Kate Lee

Kate Lee

@kateleemakeup / instagram

If soft sophistication is your preferred genre of glam, look no further than Kate Lee. On Instagram, the British-born Chanel makeup artist posts her work for celebs like Emilia Clarke, Rose Byrne, and Charlize Theron alongside plenty of aesthetic inspo.

17 of 23

Vincent Oquendo

Vincent Oquendo

@makeupvincent / instagram

Posting image after image of the most gorgeous makeup put Vincent Oquendo at the top of the list for people to follow. Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hailey Baldwin Bieber, and Jurnee Smollett have all served stunning, fresh-faced looks by this master.

18 of 23

Pati Dubroff

Pati Dubroff touches up Margot Robbie

@patidubroff / instagram

While Pati Dubroff might do red carpet looks for famous faces such as Lily Collins, Priyanka Chopra, and Margot Robbie, she's also regularly on set doing makeup for films. Plus, her Instagram is chock full of stunning travel shots.

19 of 23

Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury doing makeup on client

@charlottetilbury / instagram

Trust us: When awards season rolls around, you'll be constantly refreshing your feed for the latest stories and posts from Charlotte Tilbury. The legendary British makeup artist and entrepreneur offers behind-the-scenes looks at celebs getting red-carpet-ready. Some of her A-list clients include Amal Clooney, Penelope Cruz, and Gigi Hadid.

20 of 23

Emily Cheng

emily cheng doing yara shahidi's makeup

@emilychengmakeup / instagram

Yara Shahidi, Barbie Ferreira, Maya Hawke—while that may read like the cast list for the next hit HBO series, it’s actually Emily Cheng’s client list. Cheng’s soft-focus makeup looks are like wearing a filter in real life, and lucky for us, she regularly posts tutorials on how to get the look at home.

21 of 23

Priscilla Ono

priscilla ono

@priscillaono / instagram

As one of thee makeup artists who works closely with Megan Thee Stallion—and global makeup artist for Fenty Beauty—Ono’s Instagram is one of the best sources for colorful, maximalist makeup and sultry 90s-inspired looks. And if she ever offered a class on how to take fire selfies, we’d be the first to sign up.

22 of 23

Nam Vo

Nam Vo and Rosie Huntington Whitely

@namvo / instagram

Two words: Dewy. Dumpling. The undisputed queen of fresh, super dewy makeup, Vo is the makeup artist of choice for anyone who prefers a skincare-centric makeup routine. Follow to watch her undergo enviable skincare treatments and to see her give celebrities like Rosie Huntington-Whitely and Kylie Jenner that #NamVoGlow.

23 of 23

Tasha Reiko Brown

tasha reiko brown and Letitia wright

@tashareikobrown

If you’re looking for a mix of makeup and men’s grooming, definitely check out Tasha Reiko Brown’s page. Along with stunning makeup looks for the likes of Letitia Wright and Tracee Ellis Ross, Brown delivers sleek grooming for Daniel Kaluuya and Michael B. Jordan (and both makeup and grooming for Lil Nas X).

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