Makeup Artists You Should Be Following

Who doesn’t love getting lost in the rabbit hole of Instagram makeup accounts? That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you, by compiling a list of some of the best MUAs in the game. 

Hung Vanngo

Hung is one of the most well-known makeup artists in the world, with a long list of celebrity clientele and 1.7M Instagram followers to prove it. Speaking to them, Hung says he approaches each client with no specific look in mind, as he “prefers to decide on the spot, deploying his repertoire of lipstick and eye-shadow colours based on the hair, dress, and personality in the room.” Follow him @hungvanngo.

Pat McGrath

Catwalk and high-fashion makeup your thing? Look no further than the insanely talented Pat McGrath (@patmcgrathreal). Her bold, intricate and shimmering looks have featured on many shows in fashion weeks across the globe. She even has her own cosmetic company (Pat McGrath Labs) which she uses to create her iconic work.

Lisa Eldridge

On the hunt for soft, dewy makeup inspo? English-New Zealand makeup artist Lisa Eldridge (@lisaeldridgemakeup) is your gal! Featuring flawless, fun work on some of the world’s most well-known celebs, Lisa is definitely someone you want to hit the follow button for. Lisa was the Creative Director for Boots No7 from 2003-2013 (responsible for redeveloping and relaunching the brand) and is currently the Global Creative Director for Lancôme. In 2015, Lisa published her book ‘Face Paint: The Story of Makeup’, which gives a deep insight into makeup history and trends around the globe.

Nikki Wolff

Nikki Wolff (known on Instagram as @nikki_makeup) is a big name in the makeup industry and boasts 1.2M followers on Instagram. Known for her flawless, colourful eye looks, there may be a few familiar faces you’ll notice on her feed. Some of Nikki’s clients include Dua Lipa, Dove Cameron, Jourdan Dunn and Hailey Bieber.

Val Garland

British makeup artist Val Garland (@thevalgarland) is a highly regarded professional in the beauty community. Starting out as a hair colourist then finding a passion for makeup, Val has a long list of accolades and achievements to her name. She is L’Oreal Paris’ Global Makeup Director, Contributing Beauty Editor for British Vogue and most recently, she became a judge on the new Netflix/BBC series ‘Glow-Up’.

Patrick Ta

Crushing on Gigi Hadid’s makeup looks? You have celeb MUA Patrick Ta to thank for that. Patrick (on Instagram as @patrickta) is a freelance makeup artist who works with the likes of the Hadid sisters, Camila Cabello and Madelaine Petsch. Following a failed tanning and nail salon business in his teens, Patrick moved to Los Angeles and worked tirelessly as a makeup artist. Soon, he was discovered on Instagram by Shay Mitchell and the rest is history! Patrick now has 1.7M makeup fans on the ‘gram and has his own cosmetic line, Patrick Ta Beauty.

Kiekie Stanners

Bringing it closer to home, Kiekie Stanners (@kiekies__) is an Auckland MUA and MAC Cosmetics Senior Artist. Kiekie’s work is known globally, with her services being used at fashion weeks, campaigns and magazines across the world. A highlight of Kiekie’s (according an interview with Viva) is her work with Lorde on the cover of Australian Vogue in 2015. Last year, Kiekie led the MAC Pro Team at New Zealand Fashion Week and is the creative mind behind looks such as Zambesi’s iconic graphic eyeliner.

Aaron De Mey

Working with some of the fashion industry’s biggest names, former student of Servilles Academy, Aaron De Mey is another one to watch. Following graduation from the academy in the late ‘90s, Aaron scored his big break in 1997 working with Naomi Campbell for the cover of i-D Magazine. Aaron was named as Lancôme’s International Creative Director of Makeup in 2008 and since then has worked with big brands including Calvin Klein, Celine and Tom Ford, plus working on various shoots for magazines such as Vogue. Check out his recent campaigns on Instagram @aarondemey1

Want to turn your passion for makeup into a career? We’re enrolling now for our NZQA recognised makeup courses! At the academy, we offer the NZ Certificate in Makeup & Skincare (Level 3) and NZ Certificate in Makeup Artistry (Level 4). To book a tour or apply, click below!