Celebrity makeup artists used to be behind the scenes only, but now they're our favourite influencers. They get the latest product, have all the techniques, and know exactly what it takes to create the perfect wing, lip combination or skin finish. Zoë Kravitz might not tell us what foundation she's wearing, but her makeup artist Nina Park will. Great beauty can make or break a pop culture moment, as well. Just look at Hailey Bieber and her strawberry girl cheeks, or her glazed donut lips – it's the stuff of beauty legend (and she has makeup artist Leah Darcy to partially thank for it).
For every Hollywood makeup look we save on Instagram, there's a talented professional who's artistry brought it to life. This list is a celebration of all our favourite celebrity makeup artists. Whether you need a reference or just appreciate good makeup, you'll find our edit of the best below.
Nina Park
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Clients include:
- Kaia Gerber
- Hailey Bieber
- Lily-Rose Depp
- Mia Goth
- Zoë Kravitz
- Greta Lee
No one does makeup like Nina Park. Her a-list clientele help (Zoë, Hailey Bieber, Lily-Rose Depp), but really she's a master of fresh skin, subtle smoky eyes and baby-faced blush. Recent mega hits include Margaret Qualley at the NY premiere of Honey, Don't and Zoë's Caught Stealing press tour (but really, Zoë any time). Nina's work is also the perfect blueprint for future brides.
Cyndle Komarovski
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Clients include:
- Charlotte Casiraghi
- Pamela Anderson
- Saoirse Ronan
- Kristine Froseth
Cyndle is as talented as they come. She frequently works on campaigns for the likes of CHANEL, Khaite and Proenza Schouler, plus red carpet looks for cool girls like Charlotte Casiraghi and Kristine Froseth. Her vibe is high fashion with a creative edge: raw skin, a matte scarlet lip, navy smoked out shadow, a graphic liner.
Pati Dubroff
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Clients include:
- Margot Robbie
- Phoebe Tonkin
- Kirsten Dunst
- Elizabeth Olsen
If you swooned over Margot Robbie's face at every appearance on the Barbie movie press tour, then you'll know the work of Pati Dubroff. Another CHANEL aligned artist, Pati is an expert at fresh, natural, feminine makeup. No one does a pink lip quite like her. Fun fact, she was also the makeup artist behind Mark-Kate and Ashley's iconic strobed skin from the early 2000s.
Leah Darcy Pike
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View this post on Instagram
Clients include:
- Hailey Bieber
- Laura Harrier
- Elsa Hosk
- Addison Rae
I think it's fair to say that Leah is the artist behind the great strawberry girl makeup trend of 2024. Alongside Hailey Bieber and her brand's famous Pocket Blush, Leah inspired hyper-flushed cheeks and faux freckles around the world (she was the makeup artist on the Pocket Blush campaign, as well). Blush aside, her makeup vibe is cool but glamorous – contoured lips, gloss, liner, fluffy lashes and considered use of colour.
Mary Phillips
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Clients include:
- Kendall Jenner
- Hailey Bieber
- Jennifer Lopez
- Sabrina Carpenter
Another Hailey Bieber-approved makeup-artist, Mary Phillips is a master of defined but natural-looking skin (she popularised the underpainting technique, even building her eponymous brand off the back of it). Her work is imperceptible – every product melts seamlessly into one another for a flawless, lifted finish.
Sam Visser
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Clients include:
- Alex Cosani
- Bella Hadid
- Dua Lipa
Sam is one of the coolest new talents that's risen up within the beauty industry in recent years. A YSL artist, he's as well known for celebrity looks as he is for editorials, covers and campaigns. His style is bold, sculpted and glamorous: sharp cheekbones, thick gloss, bold colour and graphic shapes. There's a distinctive 80s feeling to his work – Way Bandy meets Kevyn Aucoin.
Gucci Westman
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Clients include:
- Nicole Kidman
- Anne Hathaway
- Jennifer Aniston
- Cameron Diaz
Gucci is one of the most decorated makeup artists of the last decade, and the woman behind countless iconic red carpet looks. Her work is classic and glamorous but always fresh – old Hollywood with a contemporary edge. Her own brand, Westman Atelier, is an amalgamation of this; she believes in makeup that's good for the skin, and creamy textures that impart radiance.
Raoul Alejandre
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Clients include:
- Zendaya
- Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
- Angelina Jolie
- FKA Twigs
The only way to describe Raoul's work is other wordly. He loves colour, graphic shapes and iridescent finishes, a digitised kind of makeup that looks like it was generated by a machine, not a human. Also, any person that Zendaya trusts is a person we want to know about.
Katie Jane Hughes
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Clients include:
- Dua Lipa
- Ashley Graham
- Hailey Bieber
Katie has had one of the biggest careers of a makeup artist in recent history and has produced some incredible work, but her recent collaboration with Dua Lipa has been incredible to watch. Katie knows how to do party makeup to the highest degree: immaculate skin, glitter, fluffy lashes and sunburnt blush in a way that looks fresh and fun (never too much).
Images: @ninapark
