5 makeup artists to follow

With so many makeup influencers flooding Instagram and TikTok it can be hard to know where to start. Here are five unique professional MUAs who use their platforms to educate and inspire

Joy Adenuga

Instagram @joyadenuga 97.9k

Multi-award-winning celebrity makeup artist Joy Adenuga has well over a decade of experience under her tool belt as a beauty heavyweight. Mainly working with Black clients, her roster includes Little Mix’s Leigh-Ann Pinnock, and India Amartifo of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. She has also worked on global ad campaigns for Google, Unilever, BBC, Cantu Beauty and more. Adenuga has also been a jury member for the Baftas for Makeup & Hair Design and a judge for both Asos and Who What Wear’s beauty awards as well as The Wedding Industry Awards.

Nathalie Eleni

Instagram @nathalieeleni_beauty 71.6k

Beauty-mad Nathalie Eleni has spent over two decades in the Industry developing her career as a facialist and makeup artist. As the beauty director of Country & Town House, she uses her knowledge to investigate the best products on the market.

Eleni is known for her glowy, plumped and natural look; an ideal follow for anyone wanting to know how to combine skincare, makeup and tools to create the ultimate radiance. She works as a celebrity makeup artist and facialist on editorial shoots, junkets and red-carpet events, working with stars including actors Anya Taylor Joy and Michael Sheen.

James Mac

Instagram @jmac_mua 263k

Glow Up season 2 finalist James Mac is known for his bright, bold and otherworldly makeup looks, super sharp graphic eyeliner and drag.

Since making it to the final on the hit TV show, his career has gone from strength to strength, as has his content on social media. Mac also uses his platform to advocate for Tourette’s and speaks out about how it affects him and his work.

He is a judge for the Professional Beauty Makeup Competitions and is also a regular on our Trends & Techniques stages at the shows.

Lan Nguyen -Grealis

Instagram @lanslondon 50.4k

Lan Nguyen-Grealis has worked as a celebrity and fashion makeup artist for over 20 years, regularly readying models during Fashion Week and the stars at award events alongside her team.

She often collaborates with UK pop sensation Raye to help her achieve her soft romantic looks, among other artists. She has also been a judge for various competitions including the Bafta Television Craft Awards, the Professional Beauty Makeup Competitions and BBC’s Glow Up.

Ann Marie Harper

Instagram @GlamourGranAnn 14.6k

Being almost 70 years of age doesn’t stop this glamorous gran from experimenting with makeup. In her younger years, Ann Marie Harper wasn’t so fearless and dealt with years of depression leading to a breakdown after bullying at school.

Now, the qualified MUA specialises in makeup for older women while also advocating for mental health. With her own training academy and makeup brand, GlamourGranAnn is on a mission to spread her knowledge and positivity, and spoke at the first Professional Beauty & Hair Glasgow show.