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3. Val Garland
Val Garland is a renowned makeup artist and author from the United Kingdom, known for her conceptual runway work for Alexander McQueen and collaborations with publications including Vogue, Dazed, and Confused. Born on February 3, 1959, in Bristol, England, Garland has served as the Global Makeup Director for L'Oréal Paris and beauty editor for Vogue. She has also appeared as a judge on the BBC television series Glow Up. Garland authored the book Validated in 2018.
Val Garland opted not to attend university, instead relocating to Sydney to pursue a hair styling course. She also undertook makeup and beauty training in Sydney and later in Bristol. A skilled professional makeup artist for decades, Val Garland has amassed considerable wealth through her work, book sales, paid promotional appearances, and brand ambassadorships. As of 2022, her estimated net worth is around 5 million USD.
4. Nam Vo
Nam Vo is a talented and beautiful American makeup artist who has made a significant impact on social media. She is widely known for her distinctive style called Nam Vo Glow. Born on July 15, 1996, in the United States, she has struggled immensely to build her career and is currently the founder of Oribe Beauty makeup line. After working with makeup companies, design firms, color, and packaging, she gained experience and later established her own makeup company. Nam is one of the famous makeup artists who has become a popular trendsetter thanks to her makeup skills.
Nam Vo has become one of the renowned makeup experts. She is passionate about makeup, style, and her own business ventures. Known to many, she pursued her dreams and became a well-known artist. While pursuing her passion and dreams, she did not pursue higher education. Nam Vo is one of the wealthiest makeup artists born in America and has a huge following on social media. She has earned a considerable amount from her own company and through her social media accounts. Her work can be seen on celebrities such as Solveig Mork Hansen, Nykhor Paul, and others.
5. Charlie Green
The signature makeup style of Charlie Green is incredibly feminine and charming. Her trademark makeup look is flawless skin with a dewy youthful texture. Charlie has an eye for detail and finesse; while applying makeup, she explains the products she has chosen for you and the reasons why. Her extensive background in fashion and beauty includes helping create the vision for Victoria's Secret Angels, known for being sensual and feminine yet never overly perfect. 25 years of perfecting models and celebrities has led Charlie to share specific beauty secrets at her age for women of all ages.
Some famous clients of Charlie Green include Bette Midler, Liza Minnelli, Martha Stewart, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Penelope Cruz, Rachel McAdams, Katie Holmes, Elizabeth Hurley, Jewel, Kelly Clarkson, Heidi Klum, Gisele Bundchen, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Christie Brinkley, Elle MacPherson, and many other renowned artists. Some magazines she has collaborated with include Vogue, Elle, Allure, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Bazaar & Sports Illustrated. Charlie's abilities have afforded her the opportunity to showcase her makeup skills on numerous television shows including Martha Stewart, Rachel Ray, Good Morning America, The Today Show, E! Network, VH1, MTV, BBC, ITV, Fashion Television, Lifetime Network, and Good Day L.
6. Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown is a renowned name in the fashion and makeup world, one of the most famous makeup artists globally. She is the CEO of her cosmetics company, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, and also serves as the beauty editor of The Today Show. From a young age, Bobbi Brown was fascinated by makeup. She began collaborating with photographers Bruce Weber and Arthur Elgort for Vogue US, as well as with the late Francesco Scavullo for Cosmopolitan and Self. A series of full-face shots of supermodel Tatiana Patitz spanning seven pages—shot by Wayne Maser—also propelled Bobbi's work to the forefront.
As a successful makeup expert with access to everything on the market, Bobbi noticed that nearly all products looked too artificial, unable to create a glamorous makeup-free look. Ten years into her freelance career, a chance encounter with a chemist at a magazine photo shoot changed everything. The chemist created lipsticks to Bobbi's precise specifications, and the result was Brown Lip Color, a pink-brown hue. Nine more shades of brown lipsticks followed shortly after, and Bobbi's lipstick line was complete. Bobbi often conducted instructional segments on The Today Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
7. Michele Burke
Michele Burke is one of the most versatile makeup talents in the world today. Originally from Ireland, she immigrated to Canada and is currently based in Los Angeles. She has garnered numerous professional awards worldwide, including two Oscars for Best Makeup as well as six nominations. Additionally, Michele has won two BAFTA awards and an Emmy. Her clientele consists of actresses, actors, directors, and producers working globally.
Michele has never been one to limit herself. She has excelled in all areas of makeup development including, but not limited to: Design and Application, from beauty and fashion for print media, to her iconic characters, prosthetic departments, fantasy works, and period pieces in film and television. She has worked all over the world in remote locations. Her custom-designed lipstick applicator is now sold by many top brands. If you recall 'Bram Stoker’s Dracula,' you'll be surprised to know that the iconic hairdo for 'Old Age Dracula' was a specially designed look by Michele.
8. Billy B
Billy Brasfield, better known as 'Billy B,' is one of the most successful and sought-after makeup artists in the world. He is a master in the art of makeup, whether it's subtly enhancing a face or completely transforming it. Billy excels in his craft, and his exceptional talent and passion have propelled him to the top of his field. He was invited to oversee cosmetics and began self-educating about 'Real Women' on the main floor of Macy's, encouraged to pursue a career beyond the cosmetics counter. With that encouragement, Billy began focusing on a freelance makeup artist career, days at Macy's and building his portfolio.
Today, Billy works with leading fashion and beauty magazines worldwide including Harper's Bazaar, Vanity Fair, and Elle. Billy has worked with Lady Gaga, starting with the cover photoshoot for the Fame Monster album and continued working with Gaga for every red carpet event, appearance, and personal performance including music videos Bad Romance, Telephone, Videophone, and Born This Way. Billy also designed makeup for Gaga's worldwide tour 'The Monster Ball.' His work can also be seen in print ads and commercial endorsements with Britney Spears, Cindy Crawford, Sharon Stone, and Padma Lakshmi.
9. Laura Mercier
Laura Mercier is none other than the creator of Laura Mercier Cosmetics, Body & Bath, Skincare, and Fragrance. Celebrities like Juliette Binoche, Julia Roberts, and Sarah Jessica Parker only turn to her for makeup. Besides attracting many celebrities, she also contributes to cover designs and editorial photoshoots for some of the world's most famous magazines. Mercier was hired as Madonna's personal makeup artist after Madonna's photoshoot for Vogue magazine. Mercier also worked on campaigns for magazines and clients including The Gap and Chanel.
In 1996, Janet Gurwitch, former Executive Vice President of Neiman Marcus, founded Laura Mercier Cosmetics along with her partner, Gary Kusin. The company's philosophy focuses on what is called 'flawless face,' a concept believed to originate from Mercier's advertising of natural-looking makeup. Mercier continues to work as a freelance makeup artist and is a published author. In 2006, she published The New Beauty Secrets: Your Basic Guide to a Flawless Face. On March 23, 2014, she and Claudia Poccia participated in Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and donated some of their savings to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. In April 2014, she launched a new collection called New Attitude.
10. Pat McGrath
American fashion queen Anna Wintour of Vogue declared Pat McGrath as the “most influential makeup artist in the world.” Queen Elizabeth II of England bestowed upon her the title of Member of the British Empire for services to the fashion and beauty industry. Undoubtedly, Pat McGrath is the most influential and sought-after makeup artist worldwide. Over two decades, Pat McGrath has shaped and cultivated luxury cosmetic brands, numerous runway shows, groundbreaking advertising campaigns, and editorials.
Each season, Pat McGrath conceptualizes and creates beauty for over 60 high-fashion and ready-to-wear shows in Milan, Paris, London, and New York for a stellar roster of the world’s most prestigious brands and visionary designers including Prada, Miu Miu, Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, Gucci, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Maison Margiela, Yohji Yamamoto, Valentino, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Nina Ricci, Calvin Klein, Loewe, and Alexander McQueen,... With her exquisite vision and unparalleled iconography, Pat McGrath has revolutionized the beauty industry. You’ll find Pat McGrath's makeup style ranging from dewy skin of the 1990s to specially designed selfie-friendly foundation for this decade.
