We look to celebrities for beauty inspiration a lot, but you shouldn't forget about the artists behind some of the most iconic looks we've seen in films, on television, and on red carpets. Much like your favourite beauty brands and influencers, professional makeup artists deserve recognition too, especially Black artists who are wildly underrepresented in the beauty industry. In the same way that we like to highlight Black-owned beauty brands [1] and founders [2], we should also be celebrating Black makeup artists.
With this in mind, we rounded up some of our favourite Black beauty pros who have worked with superstars like Beyoncé, Ciara, and more. Check them out ahead.
Erika La'Pearl
Erika La'Pearl is known for being the artist behind some of Cardi B's most iconic looks — including that colourful pizza palette [3] look the rapper wore during Rolling Loud Music Festival in 2018.
Where to follow her: Instagram @erika_lapearl_mua [4].
Sam Fine
From Queen Latifah [5] to Gabrielle Union [6] to Tyra Banks [7], name any OG Black entertainer and you'll find that Sam Fine has likely worked with them all.
Where to follow him: Instagram @iamsamfine [8].
Letitia Sophia
If you often find yourself saving makeup inspo photos of Maya Jama, Winnie Harlow, and Rochelle Humes, there's only one person to follow: Letitia Sophia. Jama's longtime makeup artist shares behind-the-scenes looks of her client's glam as well as snippets from her masterclasses.
Where to follow her: Instagram @lletitia [9].
Michael Anthony
We know you're obsessed with all of Ariana Grande [10]'s makeup — specifically that white graphic eyeliner — from the "Rain On Me" music video [11], and that's all thanks to Micheal Anthony. Outside of doing editorial work, he also shares some pretty spellbinding looks on Instagram that really put the "artist" in "makeup artist."
Where to follow him: Instagram @manthony783 [12]
Pauline Briscoe
Pauline Briscoe will not only give you all of the celebrity makeup inspo, but she'll also teach you how to create glam looks at home on her YouTube channel, which is full of tips and tricks.
Where to follow her: Instagram @paulinebriscoe [13]
Porsche Cooper
In addition to having enviable personal style (her collection of hats and scarves is epic), makeup artist Porsche Cooper's famous clients span across every facet of the fashion and entertainment world. She works with award-winning musicians (Mary J. Blige, Andra Day), top models (Iman, Imman Hammam, Joan Smalls, Winnie Harlow), actors (Neicy Nash), and directors (Melina Matsoukas).
Where to follow her: Instagram @porschefabulous [14].
Sheika Daley
When Zendaya [15]'s not doing her own makeup [16] for red carpet events, she's enlisting the help of Sheika Daley, who's also the go-to makeup artist Nicki Minaj, Kelly Rowland [17], and LaLa Anthony.
Where to follow her: Instagram @officialsheiks [18]
Jerry Johnson
Jerry Johnson is the official MUA for Laura Mercier Cosmetics [19], but he's also worked with celebs like Paris Hilton [20] and Courtney Love.
Where to follow him: Instagram @mercier_mua_jerry [21]
Sir John
Sir John is best known for being the official makeup artist for Beyoncé, though makeup inspo isn't all he's good for. A thorough scroll through his Instagram page will leave you with a few cocktail recipes and a lot of inspiration on how to live your best life.
Where to follow him:: Instagram @sirjohn [22]
Margina Dennis
Dennis is also a beauty OG, and you can find most of her work in a ton of colourful, out-of-the-box editorials.
Where to follow her: Instagram @marginadennis [23]
Renee Garnes
NYC-based makeup artist, Renee Garnes, is an industry veteran whose work can be in seen in magazines, ad campaigns, and on the red carpet. Legends like actors Angela Bassett and Shonda Rimes, and supermodels such as Naomi Campbell [24] and Adriana Lima are longtime clients, as are some of today's hottest stars: Indya Moore, Lizzo [25], and Halima Aden.
Where to follow her: Instagram @reneegarnes [26]
Danessa Myricks
Danessa Myricks isn't just a makeup artist, she also founded her own beauty brand [27] that sells everything from bold metallic eyeshadow colours to statement lipsticks.
Where to follow her: Instagram @danessa_myricks [28]
Pat McGrath
A veteran in the industry, Pat McGrath took her knowledge of makeup and turned it into an empire back in 2016. Four years later and the products included in her namesake brand are some of the best and most luxurious ones out there.
Where to follow her: Instagram @patmcgrathreal [29]
Yolonda Frederick
Yolonda Frederick is Ciara's go-to makeup artist, and she's also worked with celebs like Cassie, Angelica Ross, and Jennifer Hudson [30].
Where to follow her: Instagram @yolondafrederick [31]
Mali Thomas
This master MUA has worked with a number of famous faces like Tiffany Haddish, Adrienne Bailon, and Dear White People's Ashley Blaine Featherson.
Where to follow her: Instagram @kingmalimagic [32]
Keita Moore
Based in New York City, Keita Moore has worked a handful of major celebrities from Issa Rae to Halima Aden. He's also created looks for campaigns behind brands like CoverGirl and Maybelline.
Where to follow her: Instagram @kilprity [33]
Latrice Johnson
Based in LA, makeup artist Latrice Johnson's work can be spotted on TV, music videos, and film. In 2019, however, she spent most of her time working with Regina King, creating her looks for award shows (including the Oscars!), magazine covers, movie premieres, and press appearances.
Where to follow her: Instagram @makeupbylatrice [34]
Deja Smith
Deja Smith is an Emmy-nominated makeup artist who's not only worked with Laverne Cox, she's also created looks for some of our favourite Pose actresses like Mj Rodriguez and Dominique T.A.R Jackson.
Where to follow her: Instagram @theladydeja [35]
Tiyana Robinson
Outside of being a celebrity makeup artist, Tiyana Robinson is also a beauty educator who recently launched an online school for exclusively for makeup artists called Makeup Mogul University [36].
Where to follow her: Instagram @tiyanarobinsonbeauty [37]
AJ Crimson
AJ Crimson is a self-proclaimed "rock star" of the beauty industry who's not only worked with stars like Bresha Webb, Naturi Naughton, and Brandy, but he's also the founder of his own cosmetics line, AJ Crimson Beauty [38].
Where to follow him: Instagram @ajcrimson [39]
Shayla Mitchell
When it comes to Black beauty YouTubers, Shayla is one of the OGs, and she has dozens of tutorials and a handful of successful collaborations with popular brands to prove it.
Where to follow her: Instagram @makeupshayla [40]
Dionne Wynn
A makeup artist for various celebs like Tiffany Haddish, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Jada Pinkett-Smith, Dionne Wynn's work has been featured in film, television, and magazines.
Where to follow her: Instagram @makeupbydionne [41]
Camara Aunique
In addition to being a makeup artist to the stars, Camara Aunique frequently shares her knowledge of the beauty industry as the voice behind her very own podcast, The Aunique Beauty Podcast [42]. She also founded of her own line of handcrafted faux mink lashes [43] in case you're looking for another Black-owned beauty brand to support.
Where to follow her: Instagram @camaraaunique [44]
Moshoodat Sanni
Moshoodat Sanni has created some stunning beauty concepts through her work for brands like Black Opal and Refinery29, and she's also the creator of Crowned by Moshoodat [45], a line of royalty-inspired headpieces.
Where to follow her: Instagram @moshoodat [46]
Amber Amos
Amber Amos's work has been seen on the likes of Black-ish [47] star Marcus Scribner, Pose's Ryan Jamaal Swain, and Travis Scott.
Where to follow her: Instagram @ber_amos [48]
Fatimot Isadare
Up-and-comer Fatimot Isidare doesn't shy away from bold colour and textures, a fact that's gotten the attention of magazines like Cosmpolitan, Teen Vogue editor in chief, Lindsey Peoples Wagner, and stars like Kelly Rowland [49].
Where to follow her: Instagram @fatimotisadare [50]
Jessica Smalls
Male grooming is listed as one of Smalls's specialties, though she's also done makeup on Tessa Thompson, Janelle Monae, and Yara Shahidi [51].
Where to follow her: Instagram @jessicasmalls [52]
Jaleesa Jaikaran
If there's one thing you should follow Jaleesa Jaikaran for, it's for her makeup looks that are never short on colour. She's also shared her expertise in a series of Carnival-inspired makeup tutorials for us to all keep in mind for future celebrations.
Where to follow her: Instagram @jaleesajaikaran [53]
Jonet Williamson
Jonet Williamson is basically the queen of graphic eyeliner, and many of her looks have been featured in editorials for Makeup.com [54] and Shea Moisture.
Where to follow her: Instagram @jonetwmakeup [55]
Oslyn Holder
Holder works with industry veterans like Tyra Banks [56], Vanessa Williams, Bette Midler, and Regina King.
Where to follow her: Instagram @oslynholder [57]