So, we waded through the B.S.—and believe us, there’s a lot of B.S.—to find the best-of-the-best beauty influencers, sans the drama. There’s no tea here—just good old fashioned makeup at its best. Below, here’s who you should keep an eye on.
Lauren Elyse
This 28-year-old makeup artist goes way beyond the basic cut-crease. She’s crafted up odes to Keith Haring, transient dreamscapes, and more toned-down looks that highlight her vitiligo instead of falling into the beauty industry’s unrealistic standards.
Lauren Brown
We love a girl with beauty and brains: This cosmetic creative not only knows how to ace her daily glam, but she’s also a Howard University student.
Gigi Gorgeous
As one of the most popular beauty gurus on Instagram, you probably follow Gigi already. But, instead of using her platform to stir the pot, Gigi uses her insanely large following to educate the masses about transgender rights and the LGBTQ+ community—now that’s how an influencer does it right
Pat McGrath
McGrath might not create YouTube vids on the daily, but she’s one of the world’s most respected celebrity makeup artists. She’s an O.G. that has helped push boundaries for POC within the beauty community, and is worth every double tap she gains.
Alok Vaid-Menon
Vaid-Menon is known for their groundbreaking activism within the LGBTQ+ community, but this gender non-conforming multi-hyphenate also made waves through their fabulous fashion and beauty taste. We always stan a woke beauty queen.
Patrick Ta
Another legend in the makeup world, Ta has worked with the likes of the Hadid sisters, Katy Perry, Shay Mitchelle, and just about everyone else in the world of Hollywood. Bonus: He tends to stay away from the drama, so his page is all glam, no shade.
Salwa Rahman
Salwa Rahman’s name has been popping up more and more in the beauty industry for her eclectic beauty concoctions. The Mulism, U.K.-based MUA creates just about everything from groovy ’70s full-face styles to minimally playful dots and lines.
Umber Ghauri
This queer makeup artist is actually part of the Bideshi Collective—which Rahman is also a part of—to create extravagant looks that celebrate and explore their cultural backgrounds, with an ultra-glamorous twist.
Ivy Kungu
Kungu is one of the biggest up-and-coming names in the beauty vlogging world, yet still finds a way to keep it genuine and real. Plus, her looks are just as fun and bubbly as she is, so there’s no reason to not follow her.
Kicki Yang Zhang
Looking for something a little more avant-garde? Check out this playful makeup artist, who always finds a way to stray far from the ordinary beauty tropes that the influencers of yesteryear can’t seem to let go.