Pro Makeup Artists Vs. Beauty Influencers
Thanks to the technology we have today beauty lovers across the globe can access makeup tutorials and tips at the click of a button. Platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and Tik Tok offer unlimited ways for beauty influencers and artists to showcase their knowledge and talent.
Because of the surplus of knowledge on the web, it’s often difficult for the average person to differentiate between “beauty influencers” and “professional makeup artists”. While these two roles are often blurred, artists and influencers are indeed different.
What Are Beauty Influencers?
Beauty Influencers are content creators who share makeup tutorials, product reviews, and beauty tips across social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. They specialize in trendy looks often designed for online audiences. Their primary role is to inspire and educate followers while driving interest in beauty products, sometimes through brand collaborations or sponsorships. While many are self-taught and talented, beauty influencers typically lack formal training in professional makeup artistry and instead rely on creativity and personal experience to build their influence.
Examples of Popular Beauty Influencers: Mikayla Nogueira, Gabxxrielle, Meredith Duxbury.
What Are Professional Makeup Artists?
Makeup artists are skilled professionals hired to apply makeup for clients such as brides, models, actors, etc. They gain expertise through formal training or self-study, mastering advanced techniques and color theory. Due to their work with diverse clients, they are often required to hold a cosmetology or esthetician license to ensure proper sanitation and meet legal requirements for their area.
Examples of Professional Makeup Artists: Kevyn Aucoin, Lisa Eldridge, Pat Mcgrath.
The Influencer’s Role in The Industry
Beauty influencers inspire their audiences to try and buy beauty products by reviewing or demonstrating them through social media content like videos, photos, lives, and podcasts. Their recommendations often drive significant brand traffic, leading cosmetic companies to pay for endorsements or send free products in hopes of gaining exposure.
While many influencers provide honest opinions, some people worry that paid partnerships or free products could make their reviews less genuine. To ensure transparency, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires influencers to disclose any paid partnerships or sponsorships. You can learn more about those laws here.
The Artist’s Role in The Industry
Makeup artists focus on building their portfolios and working directly with clients rather than social media (although some pro artists DO share their work on social media). Their work often involves applying makeup for movies, TV, magazines, weddings, and special events.
While they typically don’t generate the same product hype as influencers, they often have a deeper understanding of products, their ingredients, and their proper application. Like influencers, artists may receive free products to review and must disclose gifted items when sharing them online.
How Their Makeup Application Techniques Differ
The Influencer Approach
Beauty influencers generally approach makeup by crafting visually appealing looks through in-depth tutorials, product reviews, and “before-and-after” transformations. They often emphasize current trends (latte makeup, cold girl makeup, etc), showcase their unique style, and demonstrate how to use products to create diverse looks that connect with their audience. Their ultimate goal is to encourage viewers to purchase the featured products and grow their fanbase.
The Artist Approach
Professional makeup artists focus on creating looks that naturally enhance their client’s unique features, such as skin tone and facial structure. They apply makeup strategically, using minimal products to define and highlight key areas.
With a strong understanding of color theory, artists choose the best colors and products for each client, often using multi-purpose items to save space in their kits. While their tools may vary, artists typically stick to a core set of products for consistency across different clients. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that the makeup enhances the client’s appearance while being functional and appropriate for the specific event or situation.
The Great Divide
The makeup community is often divided between professional artists and influencers, with each side holding distinct views on makeup application and teaching. Professional makeup artists argue that influencer techniques—often heavy, full-coverage looks rooted in drag style—stray from the principles of color theory and proper application. They feel that these styles can erase individuality and may mislead viewers into thinking influencers are qualified makeup artists. Additionally, some professionals believe influencers, who lack formal training, shouldn’t be teaching makeup, as they don’t have the experience working on diverse clientele.
On the other hand, influencers often feel unfairly judged by artists. They argue that makeup is a form of personal expression and that their unique, creative approaches to application are valid, even without formal certification. While many influencers respect professional artists, some see them as elitist, with an outdated, rigid approach to makeup. They argue that being certified doesn’t automatically make someone more talented or capable of teaching others.
Despite the tension, not all influencers and artists are at odds. Some appreciate each other’s work and collaborate, with makeup brands often bringing both groups together for projects. This exchange shows that there is room for both traditional artistry and innovative influencer techniques in the makeup world.
What Do You Think?
Whatever you believe, it’s fair to say that both parties have amazing talent and the beauty community is much more diverse because of their presence. What are your thoughts on this topic? Let us know down below!
This post is not sponsored but may contain affiliate links from which we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Nothing stated in this article should be used in place of professional medical advice. All opinions are our own.
