Makeup Muses
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…
Makeup and beauty have always been a huge part of what I create, it’s always exciting using my face as a canvas. My journey with makeup and the process of transformation didn’t happen by myself, and my style has been massively influenced by a small group of incredibly talented women. In this article I want to pay homage to ten leading ladies in the makeup world. These are the artists I have admired and they have all been a constant source of inspiration for me. Read on below to find out more about these incredible beauties and my favourite creations of theirs, plus the links to take a look and see more!
I also share my picks for the twelve up and coming creatives I adore! ♡ See more details on my Instagram here!
Please Note: The featured portrait photographs of the following artists do not belong to me, and are not my work in any way. This is a featured post showcasing the work of other creatives, and all images were created by each artist.
Makeup Muses | Top Ten Artists
BH Cosmetics Palette, Scarf & Scrunchie from Colette by Colette Hayman, Heart Clips from The Warehouse.
#1. Cayce Smit | @smitcayce | ‘Alternative Muse’
Makeup Artist, Creator, Photographer, and Model from New Zealand.
Platform: Instagram
Cayce is New Zealand born and one of the most unique makeup artists with an extensive portfolio and a lot of experience as an artist. Showcasing beauty, fashion, photography all with a darker aesthetic her work is both romantic and grungy, soft and dynamic. I admire Cayce as an artist, blogger makeup artist and all round creative. The moment I found her feed I fell in love with the exquisite detailing she puts into every image, the styling, the makeup and the photography is incredibly high calibre. Following in the footsteps of a high fashion, couture aesthetic she has created her own world completely bursting with creativity in every image. Beautiful, talented and not afraid to break all the rules Cayce is a creative pioneer and definitely one to follow.
You can find Cayce on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/smitcayce
@smitcayce on Instagram | Alternative Muse
Hallucineon, or her real name Drew is a whimsical artist with makeup looks that extend from light and dreamy, to vibrant ethereal looks in as many styles as she has had hair colours! I’ve followed Drew almost since the beginning of my blogging life, and I just love how effortlessly she puts together her work, it has a delicate soft feel to it that I haven’t seen captured before. She works with colours and moulds them to perfection, creating a feed that flows seamlessly from colour to colour. Drew’s work doesn’t remain the same for long, and is consistently evolving as are her makeup looks and modelling aesthetic. Drew is a true artist, she is fluent at creating incredible atmosphere through her photography, not only creating beautiful looks but telling beautiful stories through her imagery. Give her a follow and watch her creative adventures, she is adorable as she is beautiful!
You can find Drew on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/Hallucineon
@hallucineon on Instagram | Aesthetic Artisian
Anzu, or her full name ‘Anzujaamu’ is most well known for her cosplay work and ability to transform herself into entirely different characters from fiction and imagination. She is very creative and has a hands on approach, creating and building many of the props and accessories herself. You can watch her process on her YouTube channel where she shares tutorials on a number of her most extravagant and artistic makeup concepts from start to finish. Influenced by Japanese fashion and anime, she draws from Japanese and Korean makeup art styles while also incorporating her own fantasy elements. Alongside her artistic creations, she also experiments with photography and creates new looks and styles frequently. Always coming out with something new, Anzu influenced me to try a much looser style with my own makeup, and look for beautiful and interesting shapes and colours rather than the traditional approach. Detail oriented, she is the master of transformation.
You can find Anzu on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/anzujaamu/
@anzujaamu on Instagram | Apricot Girl
@brittanyivery on Instagram | Glam Queen
Brittany Ivery is a leader in the makeup industry, especially here in Australasia (New Zealand and Australia). I have followed her for many years and I have admired her creativity, originality and talent for years. Brittany is an absolute perfectionist and it shows in her finished work, each look has an incredible amount of detail and is painstakingly created. Her style is a mixture of pop glam and surrealism, she often uses feminine touches like gems, glitter, and flowers to create a base for her looks. A master of colour and application, her technical skill is rival to none. Every look she puts out is flawless, and she always has her own breathtaking original ideas making her one of the most standout makeup artists I have discovered on Instagram.
You can find Brittany on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/brittanyivery
Rhythm, colour, drama and a touch of 80’s pop glam. Dee is a one of a kind makeup artist from America who creates the most tantalising and dynamic makeup looks, designed largely from her own original art and aesthetic. I love how Dee is not limited by makeup for the face, and extends her makeup art to the rest of her body, such as her hands in a complete colourful transformation. Dee’s work is reminiscent of surrealist modern art, and each look is utterly immersive. It is a feast for the eyes, fascinating, beautiful, and playful. Dee’s work inspires me to think outside the box with my own work, and bring my own makeup looks into the realm of fine art.
You can find Dee on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/deemakeupart
@deemakeupart on Instagram | Avante Garde Artist
BH Cosmetics Palette, Scarf & Scrunchie from Colette by Colette Hayman, Heart Clips from The Warehouse.
Brittny is an alternative makeup artist from Germany, and I have followed her since the early beginnings of her creative journey. Brittny’s work is high fashion meets modern artist. I have always admired her ability to generate novel and eloquent ways of defining the planes of the face, highlighting and defining herself with makeup in completely new ways. Her work shows that she sees the world differently, and is able to capture that perspective with each new look she creates. Brittny is a leader in the online makeup scene, making headway with her own unique style evolving naturally over the years. I adore her minimalist aesthetic, her natural beauty, and her ability to create with any medium she is truly an artistic chameleon.
You can find Brittny on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/brittnymakeup
@brittnymakeup on Instagram | Welcome To My Mind
Porcelainette is a living, breathing artwork. She also describes herself as a living doll, which is very accurate. She is an Amercian artist, and not only creates her makeup looks from scratch, but often creates the accessories props to complete them. Porcelainette’s style is a mixture of fairytale renaissance, with a touch of ‘Japanese Lolita’ fashion. Nothing is too much for her aesthetic, she is able to effortlessly blend any colour and texture combination to complete her eclectic creations. Her style is extremely unique, feminine, and lush. A fan of soft pastel tones paired with striking deep colours, she is not afraid to use colour to the maximum. The effervescence of her work and unapologetic style is one of the countless reasons I deeply adore her. Porcelainette inspired a number of my flower fairy makeup looks, which you can take a look at here.
You can find Porcelainette on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/porcelainette
@porcelainette on Instagram | Living Art Doll
Beautsoup, otherwise known as Molly has a perfectly clean, refined and haute-couture, high fashion feel to her makeup artistry, each look a mini masterpiece. Molly’s ability to focus on one area of the face makes her unrivalled in the makeup scene. She is able to surprise and delight each time she brings out a new look. Never repeating the same concept twice, her creativity knows no bounds, and she also well known and loved by her fans for her dedicated Halloween looks which vary from dreamy forest nymph to hard ice queen. She keeps her concepts simple, and her execution flawless. Beautsoup is just that, a fantastic blend of beautiful concepts and styles, through the eyes of an artist.
You can find Molly on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/beautsoup
@beautsoup on Instagram | Dress Up Queen
@visiblejune on Instagram | Punk Princess
Visible June is a unique artist that I discovered during her vibrant face painting phase, and she always amazes me with her ability to evolve as an artist. Originally I discovered her work during a period of creating various graphic illustrative looks, such as her rainbow look featured below. I fell in love with the beautiful simplicity of it and even did my own version of this look myself. You can view the full tutorial and finished look here. Inspired by a mix of grunge, punk, clowns, and ‘Old Hollywood’ her work has a classic feel with a darker edge. Vintage elements are injected into many of her looks even the more playful pop ones. June is both gorgeous and talented, and full of beautiful ideas, and I am always excited to see what she will create next.
You can find June on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/visiblejune
Blondetaki otherwise known as Ali is a makeup artist and model from America and I love how her work has a very primal feel to it, which makes sense as she says many of her looks are inspired by her mood and how she feels at the time according to an interview with Paper Magazine. "A lot of my art is driven by my highly sensitive and unstable emotional side. I love when people can tell what I was feeling with each look." (2019, Paper Magazine). She blends glamour with goth creating a soft but spooky feel to her finished looks. Dynamic but romantically elegant I love the many juxtapositions she plays with and the direction she has taken her work over the years. Reminding me a little of Cindy Sherman, there is a strong narrative to each artwork where she seems to take on a new character and identity which adds another dimension to my appreciation for her skill. I have always admired the many directions she takes her work, her use of colour, lighting, and herself as the canvas and vehicle for her artistic statements. Ali’s work was a huge source of inspiration for my recent year’s Halloween makeup looks, and you can view the full photoset here.
You can read a full interview with her on Paper Magazine here.
You can find Ali on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/blondetaki
@blondetaki on Instagram | Blonde Seattle Crybaby
Featured: @azel00 and @vania.ye on Instagram | Eye Palette by Rimmel London NZ
Ones To Watch | Twelve Up and Coming Artists
Rising up in the makeup scene, here are twelve incredible up and coming makeup artists on Instagram creating makeup magic. I have handpicked a selection of my favourites locally and abroad, these are the ones to watch!
@artseyheart is a NZ based artist who has a playful but polished approach to her work. Reminiscent of other New Zealand artists like Nina De Mont, her looks are striking and exquisitely executed.
@eva.may.makeup is a young makeup artist from the UK who has risen rapidly over the last few months. Inspired by colourful glam looks and the latest trends, Eva’s work is lush and vibrant, full of inspiration.
@itskaleigh_x is another of my favourite local makeup and beauty bloggers from NZ. Bold and beautiful, she creates dramatic looks ranging from dark smokey eyes to colour pop clouds. Particularly fluent in the darker aesthetic she effortlessly layers colours together with ease for must-try eye-catching looks.
@artseyheart on Instagram [NZ]
@eva.may.makeup on Instagram [UK]
@itskaleigh_x on Instagram [NZ]
@azel00 is a local NZ makeup artist and model with a skill for creating lush glowing looks in almost every colour. She is a model for classic takes on the timeless red lip, and sun-kissed glowing skin.
@lornavillarreal is an artist and creator from Mexico. She has a talent for creating novel fun-filled makeup looks in the brightest colours of the rainbow with novel concepts.
@ikimmymakeup is an NZ based makeup artist with a super slick and extravagant style. Polished to perfection, each look has incredible amounts of colour and attention to detail.
@arzel00 on Instagram [NZ]
@lornavillarreal on Instagram [MX]
@ikimmymakeup Instagram [NZ]
@makeupbyvictorya is a UK based artist from Brazil who emanates beauty icons like Lana Del Rey. Selective of her colour palettes, her work is youthful and glamourous.
@jeybaee_ is one of my favourite new makeup artists from London in the UK. A keen eye and ahead of the trends, her work is innately feminine and executed with mastery.
@haileymollyh creates consistently flawless looks with a masterful approach to a softer palette and delicate shades. From striking to subtle glam, each look is a work of art.
@makeupbyvictorya on Instagram [UK]
@jeybaee_ on Instagram [UK]
@haileymolloyh on Instagram [CA]
@ vania.ye is an Indonesian makeup artist who focuses almost entirely on intricately detailed eye makeup looks, and she does so with incredible artistry and skill. From miniature impressionist paintings to dried flowers she covers almost every style.
@seaspectrums is also from Indonesia and has a dreamy and delicate approach to her work. Each of her looks has a specific theme and idea, utilising different materials from makeup to mixed media.
@becsmakeupx is one to watch from the UK. Creating consistently balanced and well thought out looks, her concepts are striking and dynamic and beautifully executed.
@vania.ye on Instagram [ID]
@seaspectrums on Instagram [ID]
@becsmakeupx on Instagram [UK]
Ralph Lauren Perfume, Scarf from Colette by Colette Hayman, Heart Clips from The Warehouse.
Based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
