In this blog post, we will be looking at Black Makeup Artists in the UK who stand out and are well accomplished, on a national or international level. We love and support our talented service providers, and we will be showing appreciation for their dedication to the arts. A glimpse at looks that have caused quite the commotion, viral moments, and all levels of work, from editorial to runway, to bridal, to Instagram. Let the art speak for itself!
Black British makeup artists have long shaped beauty trends, drawing inspiration from pageant queens and global icons. From bold ‘90s lip liners to today’s inclusive foundation ranges, their artistry reflects cultural shifts. As Black women gained recognition in UK pageants, makeup evolved to celebrate diverse skin tones. This history highlights the resilience and creativity of Black beauty in Britain. Including:
- Patricia Southall (Miss England 1978) – One of the first Black women to compete in Miss England.
- Rachel Christie (Miss England 2009) – The first Black woman to win the title. She was an athlete and niece of Olympic sprinter Linford Christie.
- Leila Lopes (Miss Universe 2011) – While representing Angola, she made waves in UK media for breaking Eurocentric beauty standards.
- Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers (Miss Universe Great Britain 2018) – The first Black woman to hold this title. She later became a politician in Anguilla
There will be a follow up segment released next month on viral influencers and black make-up brands who are at the heart of the UK makeup scene: putting UK-black girl-makeup on the map, and the OG YouTube girls perfecting the bright under-eye we all love today. UK-girls are known for masterfully beating their face, and it slaying… these are allegations that we are not trying to beat.
Painted by Esther
First on the list is Ngozi Edeme also known as Painted by Esther, known for her pink blush that can be spotted a mile away with a seamless blend. Her hands have touched many faces being featured with supermodels at award shows and on red carpets. She has crafted a way to bring out a range of colour while working on darker skintone. With 102k followers on instagram and big names under her belt Naomi Campbell, Viola Davis, Nara smith, and Gabrielle union. As someone whose dedication is seen in every stroke of her brush and every dab of her beauty blender.
PatMcgrath
Pat McGrath’s amazing ‘glass skin’ look, which went viral from the Maison Margiela 2024 artisanal show by John Galliano, where models were made to look like porcelain dolls.
In her 25-plus year career, Pat McGrath has been responsible for the makeup on models featured on over 500 magazine covers. Her work has been featured in the world’s most prestigious fashion magazines, including: American Vogue, British Vogue, French Vogue, W Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, i-D magazine and so much more.
Renowned for her visionary work in high-fashion runway shows and editorial shoots, McGrath has consistently pushed the boundaries of makeup artistry.
Now, the Creative Director of cosmetics for LV (Louis Vuitton), her influence extends even further.
She also has a makeup line called Pat McGrath Labs, and the reviews don’t do it justice! With over 6 million followers: it’s privately held and is valued at $1 billion, a testament to her years of skill and dedication, McGrath’s emphasis on luminous skin and her fearless creativity continue to inspire aspiring MUAs. As she wisely states, ‘Trusting your instincts is essential,’ and ‘Staying true to your vision is key.’ She encourages us all to ’embrace every opportunity as a chance to learn and grow,’ reminding us that every step, every experience, contributes to our journey. And in a career where creativity is paramount, she urges us to ‘be fearless in your creativity.’ Her own journey stands as a powerful example, demonstrating that with dedication, passion, and a genuine love for the art, you too can achieve remarkable things
Her Page: https://www.instagram.com/patmcgrathreal/
Bernicia Boateng
A makeup artist who knows a little about lifestyle, providing us with glimpses into her amazing outfits, red carpet looks, and serving more than her occupation. When it comes to balance and showing more than your brand online, Bernicia has a standalone, thriving social influencer career, as well as a talent that makes her the absolute best.
Bernicia Boateng, a London-based makeup artist with Ghanaian heritage, grew up in London. Her passion for makeup began at the age of 19, practicing her skills on friends. Her expertise and artistry guide her red carpet and editorial approach. She has celebrity clientele, including Michaela Coel, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, demonstrating her exceptional talent, which has also graced the pages of prestigious publications like Vogue and The New York Times.
Notably, Boateng launched her own studio in 2018 focusing on helping people from London who are on lower income, she wants to ‘make beauty treatment just as accessible, and her influence has been recognised with a place on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Arts & Culture list in 2020, as well as being named one of London’s most powerful black fashion creatives in 2023.
She isn’t just a makeup artist; she’s a lifestyle influencer, showcasing her fashion sense and red carpet looks, thus blending beauty and fashion. She’s built a significant online presence, demonstrating a strong understanding of branding and social media engagement, which allows her to have a thriving social influencer career. Her work often merges beauty and fashion, showcasing her ability to create complex looks that go beyond just makeup application. She has experience creating looks for red carpet events, indicating a high level of skill and attention to detail. Bernicia has built her brand to include multiple areas of expertise, displaying a strong entrepreneurial spirit in the beauty and lifestyle industries.”
Make up page: https://www.instagram.com/berniciaboateng?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Her Social page: :https://www.instagram.com/livinglikebeni?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
MakeUp by Chelsea
Known for her eyeshadow and skinny brows (some might say anorexically thin, but she totally pulls it off), her back-to-back viral moments and 105k followers on instagram, trust that you’ve definitely seen her work even if you didn’t realise it! Arya Starr’s viral headband look for Balenciaga was a MOMENT we shall treasure. Makeup by Chelsea’s recent viral work includes Doechii’s three back-to-back looks during Paris Fashion Week, crafted minutes apart. Bringing the art of makeup backstage and putting it on wheels… have we just discovered a new extreme sport? Well, if we have, trust Chelsea would win gold every time! She even tweeted that she did that viral smokey eye look in 10 minutes… in a moving car!! Making Waves, her most recent Declaration is a White eye shadow for the 2025 summer!!
She started with the LV Look > to the ACNE studio show where she brought a thin brow out > then the final Tom Ford look.
A break down of the process link in this Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdeqUweu/
Beautybygbemii
Next up on this list is Beauty By Gbemi, a Nigerian, Black British content creator and beauty influencer who has been slaying the makeup game since 2015! From flawless beats to stunning hair transformations, Gbemi has built a powerhouse presence in the beauty space.
With an impressive 190,000+ YouTube subscribers, she’s not just a beauty enthusiast, she’s a go-to expert for hair lovers everywhere! Whether it’s the latest wig installs, styling tips, or must-have product reviews, Bemi keeps her audience hooked with her engaging content and expert advice. There is more to her story Gbemi stance is enhance your natural beauty its the key ethos of her Business: Youtube videos that are fan faves include Make up looks from 8 years ago that has reached 911k views
Link here: https://www.instagram.com/beautybygbemii?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Glam by Maurella
The UK based international MUA: She has Beat the faces of Jayda Wayda, Patricia Bright, Eva Apio, Dess Dior, Unclewaffles: Trust that the face cards never decline when Glam by Maurella is done with them.
Her page: https://www.instagram.com/glambymaurella?igsh=ZmZ0eGFhMngyNTh3
Maurella keeps beauty effortless yet flawless! Unlike some artists who focus on over-the-top editorial looks, she specialises in soft glam, sultry smoky eyes, and red-carpet-ready full glam; perfect for both everyday wear and high-profile events. Whether it’s a bridal moment, a photoshoot, or just a night out, her artistry ensures a polished, camera-ready finish.
Her services are designed for everyday people, making high-quality glam attainable and approachable. With a pricing range of £85-£105 for makeup services and in-depth lessons starting from £300-£500, she provides both affordability and expertise.
With 35K Instagram followers and a solid reputation, Maurella has cultivated a growing community that values her artistry. She stays drama-free, letting her work and client satisfaction speak for itself. In a recent campaign with Celsius featuring Declan Rice, she provided grooming services for him. For those looking for a trustworthy, talented, and accessible MUA, Glam by Maurella is one to watch!
Arikeartistry:
Artistry done right is her slogan, and we can clearly see why! With a focus on skin and the importance of skin care and prep first to achieve a better base, the work speaks for itself but let me add captions to further establish her true craftsmanship. She has a following of around 26 thousand people on Instagram and displays a range of looks on her page, her notable soft glam and full glam looks tailored to the shape of each person’s face, choosing product placement and shades that bring out the best looks for each client. Her services are designed for everyday people, making high-quality glam accessible.
Her page: https://www.instagram.com/arikeartistry?igsh=YXBmaTBzcnZwMDln
RantsMua
Here is a break down of products used on the this face:
Recently featured in a British Vogue article titled ‘How to make your foundation last all day..’ . An Mua known best for her bridal looks. Bringing Grooms to tears as the bride takes that step down the aisle, is a flex not everyone can claim. It takes trust and openness on both sides to achieve the dream look. As part of the key people on the big day, you need to be confident and calm as you do your best work. Ranti stated that her favorite bridal look is this one highlighted below and we can see why :
@toofaced @toofacedlovestheuk the natural nudes palette, @poundlashes 4D Halo, @maccosmetics coffee eye pencil, @makeupbymario 230, @toofaced butterscotch, mocha and @tartecosmetics medium concealer, @bobbibrown natural walnut foundation stick, @fentybeauty 430, and cocoa naughty bronzer, @maccosmetics peaches and @yslbeauty 37 make me blush, @narsissist orgasm, @barrymcosmetics chocolate lipliner, @maccosmetics yash, @morphebrushes_uk frosse bliss gloss ❤️
Beauty by Solange
Solange did her big one, her absolute best when adding her touch to these faces, multifaceted in her capabilities the potential when you sit in her chair, are endless one thing that is guaranteed a great lay and a Face card that won’t decline any time soon, AMEX has nothing on BeautybySolange. Based in South London, she offers Masterclasses and has worked with hosts, reality TV stars, influencers, and talented individuals as they attend awards shows. In front of many cameras whether on the stage or on your ‘FYP’ [For You Page] the beat by Beauty by Solange is awe-worthy and worth every like.
Check out her page:https://www.instagram.com/beautybysolange? .
As we conclude this blog, I have to shout out the amazing MUAs who took a risk and started their business. There are so many steps involved, behind-the-scenes struggles, countless days of turning up after burnout, and a work-life balance that is at times non-existent. These amazing businesswomen wear many hats—from managing brand image, social booking systems, and emails, to monitoring DMs. The story behind each page featured in this blog, shows dedication and a love for their craft and the work they do!
Thank you for reading and check out BLAM UK on twitter and Instagram we would love to hear your thoughts.
Written by Pamilerin Thompson
BLAM UK CIC 