For Black women, the makeup world can often be disappointing. Very few brands carry a shade range that complements darker skin tones, making it hard for consumers to find something that looks good and makes them feel confident. Thankfully, there are Black makeup artists on Instagram who have perfected certain techniques that overcome this obstacle and shed light on the disadvantages within the beauty industry.
Check them out below:
1. @makeupshayla
One of the most popular beauty YouTubers, Shayla’s skills have received attention from celebrity-owned makeup brands, including Anastasia Beverly Hills and Kylie Cosmetics. She’s also the first Black social influencer to collaborate with a big-name makeup brand—Maybelline.
2. @thegodleybrand
Destiny is defined as the queen of Black beauty within her online communities. All her work is done with women and men of color in mind, especially those with darker skin tones who have very little makeup shades to work with.
3. @ellaarie
Ellarie is a bright light within the MUA community. Her flawless makeup execution, easy-to-follow tutorials, and her upbeat personality have created a loyal following online.
4. @katkarmalust
As a professional makeup artist who works in a wide variety of industries, Kat Da Trini isn’t afraid to take on any eyeshadow palette or lip color that enters the market. Aside from everyday looks, Kat also creates full-body looks that create the illusion of a whole new character.
5. @itsmyrayeraye
After becoming the first Black YouTuber to ever reach one million subscribers, Raye Boyce began to dominate the beauty community. This L.A. makeup artist consistently posts on all of her platforms, and she’s always providing her followers with top-trending looks.
6. @felicialatour
Felicia is the embodiment of positivity. On top of being a celebrity makeup artist, she’s also a life coach, mental health advocate, and mother of two. Her Instagram is full of flawless makeup looks and pictures of her adorable kids—each post inspires and empowers her followers with her uplifting captions.
7. @yagirltoomuch
Shanygne is a Haitian beauty influencer who performs detailed beauty product reviews for her thousands of followers. She dives deep into the dark-skinned makeup experience, and she has become a guide for finding the perfect shade and formula match for women with dark skin.
8. @nymatang
Nyma Tang is the ultimate spokesperson for people of color who fall on the darkest end of the melanin spectrum. She’s an advocate for more inclusive makeup brands and is committed to helping her dark-skin peers feel worthy within the beauty industry.
9. @heflawless
His Instagram username just about sums up Kenneth Segal. As one of the few Black male makeup artists on social media, he’s earned a huge following with his honesty, fun personality, and incredible story-telling skills.
10. @giselle_makeup
If you want to get inspired with some experimental makeup looks, follow Giselle Ali. She uses her unique vision to create stunning looks that demonstrate how adaptable makeup can be when creating artistic looks on Black women and men.
Perfecting the art of makeup is a learning process. If you’re not confident in your skills just yet, consider visiting a salon to enlist the help of a professional. They can teach you proper techniques and help you find the right brand for your skin type and tone. Practice makes perfect—refer back to these Black makeup artists on Instagram when you need a little encouragement and inspiration to create your next look.