Top 10 Makeup Artists on Instagram (Updated)

Need some glam for your feed? Makeup artists these days are turning to social media outlets like Instagram and YouTube to share their work and educate others. Instagram makeup artists have become trendsetters, keeping the makeup industry on their toes with each and every new look. In this blog, we outline the leading beauty gurus of Instagram. We have chosen 10 makeup artists that are must-follows! From contouring to bold lips, these innovative makeup artists can help anyone transform into a CoverGirl.

1. Jeffree Star

• @jeffreestar
• 15.7M followers 

Jeffree Star is known for his flawless makeup and larger than life personality. His Instagram fame can be attributed to his popular YouTube channel, which has over 2 billion views! He sets himself apart from the rest with his unique makeup style and high fashion outfits. He’s known for his brutally honest product reviews and one of a kind makeup related video. According to Celebrity Networth, Jeffree has a total net worth of $75 million with over $150 million coming from his cosmetics line before taxes. In 2018 Jeffree was ranked the fifth highest-paid YouTuber on the Forbes Highest-Paid YouTube Stars list. Read more about Jeffree’s net worth. 46% of Jeffree’s viewers between 17-19 years old, with more than 80% of his reach being comprised of single women with no kids. The other part of his audience consists of 20% males who are married and have children. His viewers are mostly American based with a few exceptions. He has his cosmetics and fashion line (you can visit at jeffreestarcosmetics.com) that’s animal cruelty-free, based on his inspiration from his love for dogs and animals. His most recent hit video is titled, “We Broke Up.” and features Jeffree Star opening up about his breakup with his long-time partner Nathan Schwandt. The heartbreaking video has received 29.1 million views and counting. Jeffree Star rightfully deserves his spot on his list, given his many successes and the fact that he was named one of the top fastest-growing YouTubers of the year!  

2. James Charles

• @jamescharles
• 16.2M followers 

James Charles is a 20-year-old internet personality, makeup artist, and musician from Bethlehem, New York. He gained his fame from being the very first male CoverGirl spokesperson. He has since then amassed more than 7 million followers on Instagram and over 8 million on YouTube. He is best known for his charming and humorous personality, and never before seen makeup looks. What many people don’t know, is James started off his career as a hairstylist but would often share his creative makeup looks on social media. His one of a kind makeup looks started to go viral, and the rest was history! Check out how James Charles went from makeup to millions in this article outlining his net worth and rise to fame. When James Charles started making YouTube videos, he very quickly grew a large following. It was in 2015 that he started posting videos, in order to share tutorials for his favorite looks. After joining YouTube, his following skyrocketed on both YouTube and Instagram. Since making his channel in 2015, he has racked up 16.3 million subscribers and counting! One of James’ most recent accomplishments was his announcement of his signature palette with Morphe. The bright and colorful rainbow palette sold out worldwide within a few hours! The very fitting slogan for this product is, “unleash your inner artist”, a phrase James said he is very inspired by. James is now a prominent internet personality and has racked up 16.2 million followers on Instagram, making him among the most followed makeup artists on Instagram. In 2019 he announced the exciting news of his new reality TV series on YouTube, where he will be inviting a few rising makeup artists to compete for a grand prize. You can find more details about James Charles’ newest project here. 

3. Jaclyn Hill 

• @jaclynhill
• 6.2M followers 

Jaclyn Hill is an American internet personality and makeup artist who rose to fame from her popular YouTube channel. She grew up on her family farm in Illinois but moved to Florida in her teenage years. She started her makeup journey working at MAC Cosmetics while she was in college, and the rest is history. Jaclyn Hill has built a makeup empire from her popular YouTube tutorials. Since 2011 she has gained over 5 million followers on YouTube, and even more on Instagram! Not only does she have millions of followers online, but she has collaborations with big beauty brands like BECCA and Morphe. On May 23, 2019, Jaclyn Hill announced the launch of Jaclyn Cosmetics, her very own makeup brand. Upon the release of her lipsticks, controversy struck when those who purchased some of her nude shades noticed inconsistencies in the pigment. Despite the controversy of the lipsticks, her brand has proved to be successful thus far, and Jaclyn remains one of the most popular makeup artists on Instagram. Learn more about how you can work with YouTube influencers like Jaclyn Hill here.

4. Mario Dedivanovic

• @makeupbymario
• 7.4M followers 

Mario Dedivanovic, better known as Makeup by Mario, has become a star to both the makeup world and Instagram. His naturally glamorous looks have caught the attention of countless celebrities, but most notably Kim Kardashian. Mario has been Kim’s makeup artist and close friend since 2008. In fact, the pair created a makeup collaboration together called KKW X MARIO. In recent years, Mario has dedicated his time to educating other makeup artists. He shares his skills in Master Classes all over America, spreading his knowledge to those who want his expertise. With his platform being so global, Mario has transformed the world of makeup, popularizing makeup techniques such as contouring, highlighting, and baking. He has created viral trends that have inspired and influenced makeup artists around the world. In 2018, his KKW x MARIO palette was named one of the major beauty events that shaped 2018 by WWD’s Beauty Inc. 

5. Manny Gutierrez 

• @mannymua733
• 4.3M followers

Manuel Gutierrez, better known as Manny MUA, is a make-up artist, YouTuber, and beauty guru. He is best known for his unique makeup looks and from being the first male brand ambassador for the make-up brand Maybelline. Manny MUA loves to keep his videos exciting and fun, as he features products and looks the world has never seen before. For instance, his most viewed video features his experiment with the world’s first foaming foundation. One of the many reasons why you should love Manny is his passion for equality. In the description of his YouTube channel, Manny expresses his belief that men can be glamorous too, “Honestly I believe that men can wear makeup, teach makeup, and vlog about it just as much as girls can and I am fighting for that equality with my channel.” In the bio of his Instagram page, you will find a quote that reads, “I think boys deserve just as much cosmetic recognition.” 

6. Nikita Dragun

• @nikita_dragun
• 5.8M followers

Nikita Dragun is a popular makeup artist and vlogger on YouTube. She got her start, in 2014, by sharing her jaw-dropping go-to glam looks with her followers. Nikita is transgender, and as Nikita transitioned from male to female, she took her fans along for the ride, being completely open during the whole process. According to Forbes, Nikita was in preschool when she first realized that she was different, “I wanted to put on a dress and look cute. Everyone else can nap, but I’m going to be a princess over here! But one day a teacher came over and asked why I was dressing up like this and then she called my parents.” Nikita is already a successful businesswoman. She recently launched her own cosmetics line called “Dragun Beauty”, which sold out in only 12 hours! You can shop her line of products here.

7. Hursh Achemyan

• @styledbyhursh
• 2.4M followers 

Hrush Achemyan is a makeup artist and beauty influencer from the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic of the Soviet Union. She immigrated with her family to America when she was five years old. Her creativity with makeup stems from her longtime passion for painting. Hursh is another Kardashian-Jenner makeup artist who shares her skills on Instagram. She works closely with all the sisters, especially Khloé, to keep their makeup looking glamorous and flawless. What has allowed Hursh to grow in popularity on Instagram is her work with celebrities such as the Kardashians. In recent years, she has created popular palettes with Tarte Cosmetics.

8. Ariel Tejada

• @makeupbyariel
• 2.1M followers

Ariel Tejada is best known for being Kylie Jenner’s long-time makeup artist. The pair has been together since 2015 and he appeared frequently on her show Life of Kylie. Kylie is not his only client though, he has an impressive catalog that includes other members of the Kardashian-Jenner family, Shay Mitchell, and Ashley Graham. He and Kylie met on Instagram. Kylie admits that she is not one to direct message strangers, but that she could not resist herself when she saw Ariel’s work! The two connected in LA and have been a dynamic duo ever since. His makeup looks are the perfect combo of flawless and fabulous, making him among the top makeup artists on Instagram. 

9. Pat McGrath

• @patmcgrathreal
• 3M followers 

Pat McGrath is a world-renowned high fashion makeup artist. She is from Northampton, England, and had no prior knowledge in the art of makeup or fashion before setting out as a makeup artist. After moving to London in 1980, Pat started working with designers, and the rest is history. No one loves the art of makeup more than Pat McGrath, as she speaks highly of her career, “I really love being a makeup artist. IT never gets mundane or predictable and every shoot and show is different”.  Vogue once named her the most influential make-up artist in the world. In addition to her incredible makeup skills, her creativity really sets her apart from other artists in the industry. She has worked with brands like Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, and Miu Miu! McGrath’s Instagram showcases her unique makeup looks and her celebrity clients like Nicki Minaj. She is known for her unique and adventurous looks, making her among the top makeup artists on Instagram. 

10. Mary Phillips

• @maryphillips
• 1M followers

Mary Phillips is among Instagram’s most popular makeup artists. She claims to have found her calling in her mother’s makeup drawer as a child and is inspired by her love for art and painting. After working in a dermatology office for years, she began taking cosmetology classes and now transforms some of the most famous faces this world has ever seen. Mary works closely with supermodels Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid, but her client list doesn’t stop there. Other clients include Chrissy Teigen, Britney Spears, Emily Ratajkowski, and Hailee Steinfeld. Phillips’ looks are trendy and pretty simple. Her Instagram is filled with pictures of her clients rocking their flawless makeup looks. What’s her secret? Well, she is known for practicing good skincare. 

Want more of the top makeup artists on Instagram? Here are some who didn’t make the cut: