Whether you’re partying in Los Angeles or getting down in New York City this awards season, we’d thought it’d be best to highlight some of the beauty and makeup influencers you meed to know as you gear up to get glam for all your parties and events.
While this season is sure to provide more than enough festivities for you to get all dolled up, with the help of these influencers and makeup artists, you can bring the perfect beat to every occasion.
So let’s kick things off with...
Known for her glow up and femininity videos, Styled by J Marie — as she’s known on TikTok — always gives effortless, classy glow. And this soft glam look is perfect for summer. Get into her!
Kyra Nikole didn’t land in the Sephora Squad for no reason back in 2023. Sis is LIT and if you aren’t hip, I suggest you get hip!
Just in time for summer, Titilola (or “Titi” for short) is primed and ready to show you how to easily slide some color into your makeup looks now that the sun is out. And trust me, once you go color, you won’t want to stop!
“Jackie, Jackie, Jackie, Jackie! Jackie, Jackie, Jackie, Jackie, Jackie, Jackie, Jackie!” (if you know, you know.)
There’s no way you can sit here on Blue Ivy’s internet and call yourself a student of the MUA YouTube school without knowing who the O.G. Jackie Aina is. When I was first getting into makeup and specifically looking for darker-skinned girls to learn from—Jackie was there, in all her melanin glory teaching me where to put my matte shadows vs my shimmers. She was there to teach me the difference between liquid foundation and powder. And she was also there to give me a laugh while doing so.
Now, years later, she’s still teaching makeup tips and tricks and how to live a bit more lavishly and for that, I thank her.
There’s a lot to be said of Shayla Mitchell, a.k.a. MakeupShayla. She was one of the very first MUAs and beauty influencers I ever followed and I’ve been a loyal YouTube/Instagram/ and now TikTok watcher for as long as I can remember.
Whether she’s showing me how to properly contour my nose, line my lips to get the perfect pout, or how to smudge my under-eyeliner to get the smokiest smoky eye, Shayla is one of the top-tier O.G.’s of the YouTube Beauty community just like Jackie and she will forever be my G.O.A.T. Nothing but respect for my Pretty President.
Bestieeeeeeee! Sorry, but that’s just how I feel every time I see Monet McMichael pop up on my For You Page on TikTok. She’s like the girl in your friend group that you always wanted to do your makeup because she’s so good at it. She’s also gotten deeper and deeper into her beauty and style bag over the last two years and seeing her shine warms my heart as if she was blood for real. Keep at it, girliepop.
Though Vanessa Gyimah may have joined YouTube in 2011, it was her creative Instagram content that continued to catch the eyes of beauty lovers all over the world. From festive holiday looks to themed ones, Vanessa is all hits, no misses and helps remind us all to keep the fun in makeup.
I’m not usually one to get envious but if I had lips like Miss Evelyn, y’all would get endless lip combos from me too. And the thing that also makes her looks pop? The fact that she seems to always have the perfect lippie no matter what her eye-makeup looks like.
Lawrencia Lovette has been one of my go-tos for makeup looks for the last five years at least and much like the aforementioned women—she’s rarely let me down.
Uche, Uche, Uche! Where do I even begin? Much like Lawrencia, if there was any girl I wish I could do my makeup like everyday, it has to be her. The way her looks accentuate her naturally beautiful facial features are just immaculate.
Though I hadn’t come across Kam Gregory before the pandemic, I am grateful that that time in quarantine led me to *finally* creating a TikTok page and finally discovering her makeup talent.
Admittedly, Germany Limehouse—or as she’s known on social media, Makeup by Germnay—is a newer discovery for me personally. But as the saying goes, better late than never. I’ve found myself returning to her IG and TikTok pages very frequently since I first came across her page for inspo and product recommendations, so it’s safe to say she’s got a new fan.
If you’ve been on #MUAYouTube or #MUATwitter long enough, then you know Aaliyah Jay like the back of your own hand. Not only has she ben serving looks, she’s also been like our makeup bestie next door, too.
You can’t call yourself a beauty guru or a beauty enthusiast without knowing who Alissa Ashley is. Along with Aaliyah, Jackie, and Shayla, Alissa has been in the game for a long time and been looking beat ever since. And even when she took a short break from YouTube, we welcomed her back with open arms—and an open wallet too, because sis rarely ever steers us wrong when it comes to the products.
One of the things I love most about Meghan Owens or as she’s better known on IG and TikTok, Meghan B Studios, is that she shows you how to take those glam looks you see on celebs and recreate them for you. And while it may not be a 100% match, its just the right amount of information and instruction to have you looking red carpet ready, too!
Another one of my faves, Katrina Duckett consistently proves why she needs to be one of your essential go-tos for neutral, glam, or everyday looks.
There’s a reason why Bernicia Boateng has her own studio and that’s because she’s gifted with the brushes like no other. And she consistently serves good looks for all the darker-skinned beauties, too!
If there’s three things you can count on Tamara Renaye for its: snatched eyebrows, a fire soft glam look, and smooth nude lip combo that puts all others to shame.
If there’s one thing I love about Yasmin’s content is that she’s a lot like me: when a find a product I love, I wear it out and find multiple uses for it until I just can’t anymore. We love a resourceful beauty!
I don’t even know where to start with my love and admiration for Eni Popoola. Not only are her glams easy for the everyday girl, but her style content is just as addictive. Both those things coupled with her calm voice makes learning from her a breeze.
If there’s two things you can count on Gbemi on its a beat face and bomb wig install. And if you’re an addict to her GRWM videos (shorthand for “Get Ready With Me,” for those not in the know)—then you know she always supplies you both and plenty of inspiration for your next look.
One thing about Fatima? She’s an educational baddie! Meaning not only will she show you how to do your makeup, but she’ll also provide explanations that make sense at the same time. Some people learn differently, so the fact that she tried to cater to different learning styles is *chef’s kiss*.
Bravo for Bri Marvalous! Why you may ask? Because her soft glam and everyday makeup looks are some of the best in the business.
For Tavaris Jefferson, it willl always be the lips and crisp camera quality for me! We love to see it!
This Afro-Latina makeup mami has been bring the laughs and looks for years now and it’s time we all put some respect on Monica’s name!
There’s just something about Nyma Tang that I can’t get enough of and neither can her thousands and thousands of followers on IG.! Get into her!
If there’s one thing I can always count on Mena for, it’s a good eye and lippie. The more colors, the better. And don’t sleep on sis’ style game either, she’s serving in that area too.
A fellow O.G. in the beauty and style game like Jackie and Shayla, Patricia Bright has been a favorite for longer than I can remember. Her content has always been top-tier and it’s looking like she’s not stopping anytime soon.
