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If you’re a beauty junkie, you know that navigating the world of makeup can be a pretty overwhelming experience. Whether you’re in the market for a new concealer, translucent powder, or setting spray, there seems to be a million options for each—who has time to test them all and find the very best one? Luckily, that’s what beauty pros are for.
Vogue reached out to six noteworthy influencers and makeup artists who are all gaining large followings for their stellar makeup looks. This includes Neon MUA and Robert Welsh—both of whom create colorful eyeshadow looks like no other—and Wayne Goss, who has nearly 4 million followers on YouTube. If you’re a Lil Nas X fan, you may also recognize Anthony H. Nguyen’s work: He serves as the rapper’s makeup artist, and has created many of his memorable red carpet and video looks (like this graphic liner for the “Montero” video). Meanwhile, Shantanu Dhope—whose Instagram tagline is “Brown Boys wear makeup too”—also creates eye-catching beauty looks that incorporate his Desi culture.
Beyond simply creating enchanting looks, these pros are also proving makeup is truly for all—whether female, male, or nonbinary. Dhope, for instance, says he proudly wears makeup because, “I feel we do not have enough brown skin representation in the beauty industry, especially brown men wearing makeup. In India, a boy wearing makeup is still a very new concept, and a lot of people consider it to be a taboo.” Goss also specifically encourages men who are new to makeup to experiment and have fun with it. “When it comes to makeup, most men tend to want to enhance their looks without anyone knowing they’re wearing any,” says Goss. His tip to achieving the perfect beginner look? “Make sure you apply ‘little’ and avoid over-application. Less is more. And never be afraid of blush—healthy skin has some color to it.”
Below, read on for these six beauty artists’s top products for everyone to try.
Neon MUA
Midas Cosmetics x NeonMUA Dusk to Dawn Face Palettes
Call me biased, but my collection of face palettes with Midas Cosmetics is something that everyone needs in their kit. These palettes are pigmented, buttery, and most importantly, they have the range. My focus with creating this collection was to make sure that everyone can have access to effective contours and bronzers, whether you are fair and need products that don't run orange, or if you're deeply rich and are tired of not having access to contours and bronzers that actually show up on your complexion.
Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Setting Powder
This is a recent must-have for me. I love this powder because it is truly translucent. The All Nighter collection is known for being waterproof and locking in your makeup for hours, so being able to finally have a product that helps with sweat and shine that is also a true translucent powder is a gift from the makeup gods.
NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation
I will always love NARS foundations because they have such a wide range of shades and undertones, plus their formula is always top-tier. Out of all of the NARS foundations, this is the one that I always find myself reaching for, because it offers a nice amount of coverage without looking cakey, while also giving you the natural, healthy glow that everyone wants.
Lunar Beauty Strawberry Dream Palette
MannyMUA in my honest opinion has one of the most impressive influencer brands in beauty, because he's not afraid to play with color and concepts. All of his palettes are truly impressive (especially his revamped Life's A Drag Facelift palette), but if there's one palette that I will also grab, it's the Strawberry Dream palette. Reds and blues are some of the hardest colors to work with in terms of shadows, yet these shades are so pigmented and blend like a dream. Everyone needs this palette.
Robert Welsh
Glossier Brow Flick
With the classic technique of soap brows becoming a more recent trend, and many brands releasing their version of brow grooming waxes, this is one of the only brow products I have found that draws smoothly and precisely over a waxy texture. After grooming brows into that fluffy look, this pen is also perfect to draw strokes of hair on the brows, without losing the overall look.
Lisa Eldridge Elevated Glow Highlighter
I find a lot of highlighters can look textured or obvious on the skin—either because they contain glitter, or because the shades are slightly off, with a metallic finish. This highlighter is the complete opposite. There are multiple different shades that complement skin tone, instead of the highlighter being just pink or gold for example. When applying this highlighter, you notice how it effortlessly blends, and almost becomes one with your skin. And because it's buildable, you can start at a natural "glowing from within" to a more dramatic glow.
By BeautyBay Eyeshadows
Beauty Bay has always been a go-to destination for me when looking to try new products and brands, as they offer everything from drugstore to high-end products. Their own brand’s eyeshadows, at drugstore prices, offer high-end quality. Every texture, matte, shimmer, and glitter are extremely pigmented and blend beautifully. They all have an almost creamy texture that is easy to build, and are a pleasure to use when creating a makeup look.
Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo
One thing I get asked a lot is "what's the difference between bronzer and contour?" These compacts are the perfect representation of what a bronzer and contour should be. The bronzing powder provides just the right amount of "sun-kissed" without being orange, and the cream contour shades create the perfect 'bone structure-mimicking' contour colour, which blends naturally into the skin. If you've had trouble finding your perfect contour shade before, or perhaps are intimidated by the idea of contouring, this product is the perfect place to start, and stick with.
Bretman Rock
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Concealer Pen
If there’s one thing that every beauty expert knows, it’s that blending is key. I love this brightening pen because the formula blends into my skin so naturally to cover up any blemishes with a luminating pop. I love using it under my eyes, on my cheekbones, and other areas I want to pull forward and bring light to; plus the shade range is amazing, because my tan changes throughout the year. If you ever see dark circles, this pen is your go-to girl to make them disappear.
Buxom Power-full Plump Lip Balm
I am always moisturizing my lips—always. And this lip moisturizer is my absolute favorite because it triples as a lip plump and a lip tint. My favorite part of this balm is that the ingredients bring out the natural color of my lips, while also making them look more full. It enhances the beauty of your lips without looking too overdone, so this product is used on the daily—whether I’m in full glam, light glam, or appear to be in no makeup at all.
Wet n Wild Bretman Rock Shadow Palette
I created this palette at the beginning of last year and I haven’t stopped using it on my eyelids ever since it came out. Lately I’ve been playing with a lot of nudes, neutrals and metallics—so the “King of the Jungle,” “Don’t Be Lion,” and “Prowl” have been on my eyes pretty much every time I use an eyeshadow. Also, I just had an entire peacock mural painted on my house, so today I put the “Big Peacock Energy” golden color to match and it was perfect. I have peacocks playing in my yard, a peacock on the side of my house, and a color inspired by Hawaii’s peacocks on my eyelids. The best part of this palette is that it’s at an accessible price point, so my fans can get it at their local drug store and not have to break the bank to put on the same eyeshadow that I use.
Tom Ford Ombré Leather Eau de Parfum
This may not be makeup but I think you always need to smell good when you are wearing makeup—even if it’s for a photo on Instagram, because it gives you the confidence that completes a look. And when I’m not home in Hawaii and I’m, let’s say, out and about at fashion week, I cannot leave my hotel room without a spritz of a good Tom Ford parfum. I love this new ombré leather parfum, especially when I’m fully glammed, because I can serve femme in the face with a touch of a hot masculine scent. Ever since my grandma told me that I was both handsome and pretty as a child, I’ve been all about playing with that fun juxtaposition of gender, and throwing the binary on its head—so I can smell like a handsome man while looking like a pretty female.
Shantanu Dhope
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Concealer
I love this product a lot because it gives me an amazing amount of coverage with very little product. It is great for making my under eye area look bright and awake with a flawless finish.
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
This has been my go-to setting powder for the longest time because it sets my concealer in place without creasing and mattifies the oily areas of my face without feeling heavy.
Morphe Continuous Setting Mist
This mist just refreshes my makeup and makes my skin look and feel hydrated throughout the day. Its like an instant touch up to make my skin dewy.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Gel
I cannot leave my house without grooming my eyebrows. I just run this product quickly through my brows to give me a clean and fresh looking brow. It gives me the right amount of color without looking over done.
Anthony H. Nguyen
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KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner
This is the most jet-black, fine-tip liquid liner I go to when I need something to stay put without smudging or creasing!
KVD Beauty Lock It Setting Spray
This setting spray is hands down the best insurance for securing all-day wear for your makeup. Helps with less touch ups!
Blot Film
It can be anything from Clean & Clear to the Target dupe. I love taking away oil and shine without having to add more product on top when not needed.
Ardell Individual Lashes
You can always count on individual lashes to create the most natural lash effect without weighing down your eye, plus it’s super comfortable.
Wayne Goss
Wayne Goss Radiance Boosting Bronzer
Bronzer adds a healthy glow to the skin that isn’t obvious or adds texture.
Wayne Goss Weightless Veil Blush
While I know this often feels like a feminine product, adding “red” or a “flushed” look to the skin gives everyone that instant healthy been-outside look.
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
Use concealer with caution. If using to cover a pimple, it must match exactly, otherwise you’re highlighting it! Used under the eyes, stay within the darkness only—it should be invisible.
RCMA No Color Powder
I like both loose or pressed. Keeps shine at bay all day long.
