Social media is often spoken about as a dangerous place. These days, we’re taught about the downsides of TikTok, Instagram and Twitter, and encouraged to reduce our screen time to boost our mental health. I certainly don’t contend with this viewpoint, and would likely benefit from adopting it more in my own life.
But social media can also be a wonderful place, full of inspiration, excitement and knowledge.
I believe it really comes into its own in beauty, and in particular, makeup. It’s an endless resource for those wishing to try new looks and have fun with products while experimenting with new techniques.
I follow dozens of makeup accounts, but there are a few I tend to get the most out of – particularly when it comes to inspo for trying different things.
I’ve selected my favourites below, so you can enjoy them too. Note that this list certainly isn’t absolute; there are so many incredible creators, makeup artists and journalists out there I continue to follow, learn more about and discover as each day goes by. These are just some of the amazing accounts I like.
Mary Phillips
Makeup artist Mary Phillips looks after all your favourite A-list clients: JLo, Priyanka Chopra, Kendall Jenner and my personal makeup queen, Hailey Bieber. Phillips shares all her finished faces at her Insta account, and if you’re after regular inspo from H Biebs, this is the one to follow.
Hannah Baxter
US-based beauty journalist Hannah Baxter is the epitome of cool, and her pared-back beauty looks are always a bit of me. If dewy skin and no-makeup makeup is your thing, give her a follow, stat.
Mira Parmar
Makeup artist Mira is an Eliza favourite, having worked with the team on shoots previously. I love her feed, particularly her editorial work that involves bold, electric block liner and shadow, which she perfects so skilfully. Follow for bright ideas.
Allan Avendaño
Allan Avendaño works with everybody from Gigi Hadid to Kerry Washington, but what drew me in most was the gothic aesthetic he has perfected with Wednesday’s Jenna Ortega. Berry-stained lips and sheer washes of colour over the eyes? Yes pur-lease.
Meron Aboye Sengal
Artist Meron Aboye Sengal shares her looks on her clients and herself, and she’s someone who’s not afraid to go bold. If you fancy experimenting with colour more, she’s a great Insta find.
Pat McGrath
Pat McGrath (also known as ‘Mother’ to her clients and fans) is a household name in beauty, and needs no introduction. Over on her Instagram page, she shares looks she’s created on her long list of celebrity clientele and friends, along with product-heavy posts from her namesake makeup brand.
Donni Davy
If you’re a fan of Euphoria, you’ll likely know the name Donni Davy. Head makeup artist of the beloved HBO show, Donni is the queen of eye art. She posts behind-the-scenes shots of all your fave cast members (from Sydney Sweeney to Barbie Ferreira), along with looks she tries out on herself.
Sable Yong
Beauty writer Sable Yong has long been a favourite of mine – I just love the way she has fun with makeup; that’s the way it’s supposed to be. From dewy skin to the coolest eye makeup looks ever, you can’t beat her feed.
Katie Jane Hughes
There’s perhaps no one quite like Katie Jane Hughes when we’re talking Insta makeup inspo. Her impressive feed has every makeup look you could imagine with clear tips on how to achieve it through personable, easy-to-follow videos.
Denika Bedrossian
Talented artist Denika Bedrossian has done the makeup of Hailey Bieber, Sarah Hyland and Vanessa Morgan, to name a few. In fact, Denika was even the chosen one for Hailey’s big day at her wedding to Justin Bieber. If that doesn’t speak volumes, I don’t know what does…
Regina Talpa
If intricate eye art is your thing, you literally can’t beat Regina Talpa. Her feed is filled with close up eye shots covered in glitter, gloss, liner and shadow. I’m obSESSED with her looks and regularly head over to her page if I want to do something fun with my eyes.
Rio Viera-Newton
Beauty journalist and Esthetician Rio Viera-Newton is the queen of cool – I love everything from her style to her skincare recommendations (which went viral through a Google doc she once shared online). But her makeup? The. Best. Especially these glorious rainbow sherbet eyes.
Adeola Gboyega
Not only is skincare expert and makeup artist Adeola Gboyega gorgeous and talented, she’s also the sweetest soul; I met her recently at an event and adored her. Follow Adeola for the most stunning radiant makeup finishes, and to learn how to achieve them with both makeup and skincare.
Violette
There’s nobody quite as chic as French makeup artist Violette. If you’re a fan of those sophisticated Parisian vibes, give her page a follow immediately. As well as makeup inspo, you’ll also learn a lot about her stunning namesake brand (of which I’m desperate to try product from!).
Rose Gallagher
Call me biased (she’s an Eliza columnist) but makeup artist and content creator Rose Gallagher is a must-follow for makeup enthusiasts. Not only does she share beautiful looks for inspo, she also reminds you how to perfect the classics, from a winged liner to the perfect red lip. All her content is in video format, meaning learning how to get the look is easy, too.
Charlotte Tilbury
Finishing on a classic, there’s nobody quite like Charlotte Tilbury. When asked which makeup brand I’d use for the rest of my life if I could only choose one, my answer is always the same: CT. The brand’s Instagram page shares both product insight and looks from Tilbury’s personal work, so it’s a must-have for any beauty fan.
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