These Black Makeup Artists Are Ensuring That Black Hollywood Has The Guaranteed Right Shade

While it should be mandatory for all makeup artists to be well-versed in multiple skin types, there is still a need for Black makeup artist exposure.

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Although the red carpet is slowly growing to be more inclusive every year, there is still a tremendous gap in the availability of makeup artists equipped to work on Black and brown skin.

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Thankfully, there is a growing roster of Black celebrity makeup artists who are not only for Black Hollywood, but are using their platforms to educate and inspire the next generation of beauty lovers. Here are a few names you should know:

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"The legacy I want to leave behind is to inspire artists, especially Black artists, that you can come from nothing and truly step foot into rooms you only dreamt of," celebrity makeup artist Keita Moore told BuzzFeed. "I also want artists to be able to say 'Keita Moore (otherwise known as Kilprity) did it; so can I.'"

Black History Month is here, but the reality is I celebrate and champion Blackness every day in my work. However, I wanted to shine a special light on some of the fashion and beauty industry's movers and shakers ESPECIALLY through this month.

1. Danessa Myricks

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Danessa Myricks is not only a makeup artist, but a photographer and entrepreneur as well (seriously, she is SICK behind a lens). A beauty boss in her own true right, she also offers highly pigmented makeup so that you can slay your face, whether you are an up-and-coming makeup artist or just a boss babe on the go!

2. Keanda (Keys) Rebelle

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With over 17 years of experience, Keanda (known as @keys_rebelle on IG) has done a bit of it all. In addition to working with top brands such as Black Radiance, the makeup artist has touched the faces of notable names such as Halima Aden, Mara Brock Akil, June Ambrose, and more.

3. AJ Crimson

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If you love beauty, you've definitely heard of AJ Crimson. The makeup artist and founder and CEO of AJ Crimson Beauty has dolled up everyone from Bresha Webb to Lauren London, LeToya Luckett, and more.

4. Keita Moore

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Keita's hands have touched a good deal of Hollywood melanin on and off the screen — Marsai Martin, Tiffany Haddish, Nicki Minaj, and even Iman are frequent clients in his chair. Moore told BuzzFeed, "I want my clients and also brands to be able to say that it meant something for them to work with me — that I was creative, an icon, or maybe even the first of something!"

5. Porsche Panache

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Porsche has dazzled us with signature looks on celebs like Andra Day, Niecy Nash, Mary J. Blige, Winnie Harlow, and more. On a personal note, she also serves us with a bold lip and bright nails and I am here for it!

6. Sir John

Instagram: @undefined

Sir John is not only the makeup artist responsible for Queen Bey's enviable beauty looks, but he's also responsible for the looks of Shanina Shaik, Zendaya, Joan Smalls, and Ashley Graham. He's also had an amazing career as an on-camera host, media personality, and brand ambassador.

7. Amber Amos

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"I am inspired by people who look like me," Amber told BuzzFeed. "For so long, we’ve been told anything outside the ‘standard’ was unconventional, even if acknowledged as beautiful. But who's to say what the standard of beauty is? Defiance inspires me in many ways — I live for a glam moment accompanied by sweats, a high-fashion look with toned-down beauty, boys in makeup, etc. My makeup journey is inspired by people doing them, unapologetically."

Amber's groomed the faces of Marcus Scribner, Travis Scott, Ryan Jamaal Swain, and more.

8. Fatima Thomas

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A senior artist at MAC Cosmetics, Fatima Thomas is responsible for many of the enviable makeup looks we see on the runway and throughout MAC's makeup campaigns.

9. Mali Thomas

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Mali Thomas, also known as Mali Magic on Instagram, is a Nigerian-born makeup artist who is now one of the leading makeup and beauty educators in the industry. She's touched the faces of Tiffany Haddish, Adrienne Bailon, Adut Akech, Nicki Minaj, and countless more.

10. Ashley Rudder

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Ashley Rudder is the director of digital content and artistry at MAC Cosmetics. She's a self-taught makeup artist, and her IG is full of colorful #BTS and great beauty soundbites for every makeup lover.

11. Nicky Posley

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Nicky Posley is a makeup artist and international beauty educator who not only gets others dolled up, but also does international workshops and one-on-one sessions in both traditional and airbrush techniques. He's been behind some of the sizzling looks of Lynn Whitfield, Serena Williams, Chrissy Teigen, Brandy, and more.

12. Lola Okanlawon

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Lola Okanlawon is a professional makeup artist whose work you've seen all over Hollywood — Cynthia Erivo, Bozoma Saint John, Angela Rye, Cara Sabin, and countless others have sat in her beauty chair.

13. Pat McGrath

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Of course you know Pat McGrath, also commonly known as our fairy godmother of beauty. She got her start at i-D magazine in the early '90s and has since climbed to the top of mastheads (literally — she's the beauty editor-at-large of British Vogue) and founded her own cosmetics line, which literally has alll of us running to the stores before it sells out.

14. Yolonda Frederick

Instagram: @yolondafrederick

Yolanda Frederick is not only the inventor of the Glam.Or.Ring iPhone clutch, but she's also perfected the light and selfie stance of some of today's top-list celebrities, including Ciara, Angelica Ross, and Jennifer Hudson.