7 trans and gender non-conforming make-up artists to follow on instagram

By Kuchenga / WearYourVoice Mag*, AFROPUNK contributor

There are thousands of online make-up artists to follow on Instagram and YouTube, but what about trans and gender non-conforming artists? What about artists who are welcoming towards us? We compiled a list of our favorite artists to look out for.

1. @brownbeautystandards

Don’t tell Tomi Lahren but Umber Ghauri is a professional make-up artist who specializes in working with people of color and LGBT+ people. Their goal is to decolonize our aesthetics and our minds by “creating a safe, creative and educational space for clients.” I can affirm that they do this with aplomb, their spirit is calm, healing and beautifying.

@gnasche #makeupbyme

A post shared by Umber Ghauri (@brownbeautystandards) on May 17, 2017 at 9:39am PDT

2. @vlad_theunicorn

Vlad is a queer non-binary artist whose work features smoky brows, chrome incisors, bold sharp engorged lips and the occasional unicorn horn. If ‘True Blood’ had a spin-off that focused on more subcultural influences then they would no doubt employ Vlad.

Vampire Queers from Outer Space! #antifashion #vampire #silver #grillz #lingerie #bodysuit #pink #qtpoc #cyber #genderfuck #nonbinarycuties #waitingtobecastasthenextstartrekvillain

A post shared by Vlad/Remi (@vlad_theunicorn) on Apr 10, 2017 at 8:43am PDT

3. @jade_poncee

All hail the Queen of the contour! The Siren of strobing! The Baroness of baking! She is here to snatch all of the awards as well as your face. Jade is the kind of girl who keeps customers dedicated not just to the counter but to her specifically. The smoky eye is somewhat modernized under her supervision: purple and orange anyone? Full brows and soft shadows that make the angles of the face all aquiline. Her selfies are museum worthy.

A post shared by Jade Ponce, Makeup artist (@jadee_poncee) on Mar 26, 2017 at 8:17pm PDT

4. @makeupby_bran

Brandy has been kind enough to bestow the honor of having us accompanying her on her transition. She has a no-nonsense approach to make-up. Even the most skillful looks seem attainable–whether glittery sci-fi or avant-garde couture banana yellow on dusky maroon, everything is within range for us.

E L E C T R I C ⚡️⚡️⚡️ So this happened hope you guys love! ___________________________________________________ @anastasiabeverlyhills @norvina #browwiz in Medium Brown @urbandecaycosmetics Electric Palette on the eyes @lorealmakeup @lorealusa Pro Matte foundation @makeupgeektv @makeupgeekcosmetics highlight in CELESTIAL @benefitcosmetics Hoola Bronzer @morphebrushes brushes to complete the look @jeffreestar @jeffreestarcosmetics Abused liquid lipstick with highlight over top Hands: @milkmakeup eye pigments ___________________________________________________ #anastasiabeverlyhills #anastasiabrows #abhbrows #wakeupandmakeup #slave2beauty #morphe #morphebabe #morphebrushes #urbandecay #urbandecaycosmetics #urbandecayelectric #makeupgeek #makeupgeekcosmetics #brian_champagne #vegas_nay #jeffreestar #jeffreestarcosmetics #jeffreestarabused #benefit #benefitcosmetics #loreal #lorealinfallible #hudabeauty #velourliquidlipstick

A post shared by ⭐️Brandy (@makeupby_bran) on Mar 28, 2017 at 3:26pm PDT

5. @Poeticdrugs 

The King Of Highlight doesn’t just slay multiple kinds of highlights and contours, their brow and eyeshadow technique is perfection. IG followers are constantly blessed with breathtaking photos featuring beautiful color combinations and styles.

A post shared by ✨King Of Highlight ✨ (@poeticdrugs) on May 14, 2017 at 6:28pm PDT

6. @rosalynnemontoya

Blue, pink and white pastels never looked this good. Rosalynne Montoya is a proud possibility model reveling in her visibility. There is such a sense of achievement and happiness in the shots that Rosalynne takes, that we can only help but be inspired.

✨✨ Festival Makeup! Products: MOISTURIZER: @cetaphilus daily face lotion PRIMER: @benefitcosmetics porefessional mattifying primer | @urbandecaycosmetics eyeshadow primer potion ⚗️ FACE: @toofaced born this way foundation in light beige and concealer in light | @tartecosmetics shape tape in light sand | mixed with @josiemarancosmetics argon oil CONTOUR: @toofaced chocolate soleil bronzing powder in medium BLUSH: @Narsissist super orgasm GLOW: @limecrimemakeup hi-lite palette using pink EYES: @anastasiabeverlyhills modern renaissance palette | @limecrimemakeup hi-lite palette | @urbandecaycosmetics heavy metal glitter liner in midnight cowboy ✨ LINER: @stilacosmetics stay all day liquid liner in black ✔️ @anastasiabeverlyhills waterproof cream in jet LASHES: @toofaced better than sex mascara BROWS: @anastasiabeverlyhills dip brow in chocolate LIPS: @kyliecosmetics kandy k topped with @urbandecaycosmetics heavy metal glitter liner in midnight cowboy ✨ BRUSHES: @morphebrushes Vegan set SETTING POWDER: @lauramercier loose translucent SETTING SPRAY: @maccosmetics prep prime fix +

A post shared by Rose Montoya (@rosalynnemontoya) on Apr 20, 2017 at 12:23pm PDT

7. @miles_jai

The gender blending afro-futuristic looks served by this star on the rise deserve so much more recognition for taking cosplay and manga inspired looks to another level of gender queer gorgeousness. Miles features candied pink sweetness with rich melanin skin illuminated as though kissed by the moon. It is obvious that there was an intense gestation period when they created themselves from a wide range of cultural influences.

Looks for @timaloveslemons birthday dinner Happy bday bishhh!!! I have to show yall our matching outfits haha #pastelpink #redhead ignore my swatches those LA Girl liquid lipsticks are no joke

A post shared by ✨MilesJai✨ (@miles_jai) on Mar 21, 2017 at 1:30am PDT

This post is in partnership with WearYourVoice Mag.

*KUCHENGA is a writer, an agitator an avid consumer of all culture high and low. She is a Black trans feminist whose work sparkles with vivacity and originality. A member of Black Lives Matter UK, the Bent Bars Collective and Sisters Uncut she lives by the River Thames in London and can be found frollicking in Battersea Park with her dog Nene.