From Chappell Roan’s rainbow beats to Jenna Ortega’s gothic glam: meet the celebrity makeup artists behind your favourite looks
In an era where a single photograph can dominate timelines, the craft of makeup artistry has never been more visible. Red carpets, music videos and candid street style moments are all under scrutiny, and what we see is rarely incidental. Behind every graphic eye, lacquered lip or porcelain base is a professional who translates personality into pigment.
These celebrity makeup artists are not simply following trends but adjusting to suit the performer, actor or public figure in their chair. Their work is part of the visual archive that defines how we remember artists at specific moments in their careers. It is no coincidence that Chappell Roan’s theatrical rainbow looks echo her unapologetic stage persona, or that Jenna Ortega’s brooding beauty aligns seamlessly with her gothic style evolution. When we admire a face in a close-up, we are also admiring the choices of the people just outside the camera’s frame.
Read more: Jenna Ortega is single-handedly bringing goth back: her best style moments as off-duty Wednesday
Andrew Dahling and Chappell Roan’s saturated spectrum
Andrew Dahling’s work with Chappell Roan has become synonymous with a bold use of colour—sometimes all over. Known for sculptural eyeshadow and neon pigments, Dahling’s approach amplifies Roan’s maximalist aesthetic without overwhelming her natural features. His Instagram showcases close-ups that reveal precision as much as playfulness, with seamless blending and saturated tones that nod to drag culture. For fans, these rainbow beats are as recognisable as the singer’s music itself, proof of how closely artist and makeup artist can collaborate to shape a performer’s image.
Mélanie Inglessis and Jenna Ortega’s gothic restraint
Jenna Ortega’s transformation into a modern gothic icon has been punctuated by her long-time collaboration with Mélanie Inglessis. Inglessis pairs smoky, muted palettes with matte complexions and sharp liner, creating looks that channel understated drama. It’s a refined rendition of goth: controlled shadow placement, softened edges and an emphasis on depth. The result is a visual language that bridges Ortega’s screen roles with her red-carpet identity. For Inglessis, the restraint is deliberate, proving that celebrity makeup artists often shape a mood as much as a face.
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Katie Jane Hughes and Dua Lipa’s glossed futurism
Katie Jane Hughes brings a polished, editorial sensibility to Dua Lipa’s beauty looks. Known for her use of luminous skin finishes, glassy textures and slick metallic accents, Hughes pushes her client’s style toward the futuristic without disconnecting from pop appeal. She often documents the process on her own platform, making her part of a new wave of makeup artists who are as visible as the celebrities they work with. The partnership has produced a catalogue of striking moments, from tour visuals to awards show appearances.
Carolina Gonzalez and Sabrina Carpenter’s pop sheen
Carolina Gonzalez has helped define Sabrina Carpenter’s signature look, a combination of glowing skin, plush lips and wide, doll-like eyes. Gonzalez leans into light-reflecting textures and subtle contouring, creating a pop sheen that photographs effortlessly. The consistency of Carpenter’s beauty across campaigns, performances and appearances illustrates how celebrity makeup artists can help solidify a star’s recognisable aesthetic. Gonzalez’s work shows an understanding of how makeup must function under stage lights and camera flashes, balancing practicality with allure.
Nina Park and Zoe Kravitz’s understated edge
Nina Park has a client list that reads like a who’s who of contemporary film, including Zoe Kravitz, Greta Lee, Mia Goth, and Emma Stone. Her style is recognisable for its minimalism: featherlight foundation, barely-there lips and subtly enhanced eyes. On Kravitz in particular, Park’s touch reinforces an effortless cool, avoiding heavy-handed techniques in favour of transparency. This approach resonates in a landscape often dominated by theatrical looks, reminding us that not all artistry relies on maximalism.
In case you missed it: 7 celebrity stylists behind Hollywood A-listers’ best looks
Sarah Tanno and Lady Gaga’s mutable canvas
Few collaborations are as emblematic of transformation as Sarah Tanno and Lady Gaga. Tanno has been behind some of the singer’s most memorable looks, from pared-back glamour to full theatrical reinvention. Her versatility reflects an understanding that Gaga’s public image thrives on change. Tanno adapts accordingly, moving between polished red-carpet minimalism and avant-garde experimentation. The partnership illustrates how celebrity makeup artists must not only master technical skills but also anticipate the shifting narratives of the stars they work with.
The next time a red-carpet image circulates or a music video sparks a flood of screenshots, remember that the face you are admiring is often the product of collaboration. These celebrity makeup artists, visible yet often unnamed, are shaping the aesthetics of pop culture in real time. Their brushes trace not just eyeliner but the outlines of how performers and actors are perceived globally.
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