Hollywood’s Top Celebrity Makeup Artists Talk Upcoming Beauty Trends
The start of a season calls for new beauty trends. This month, we ask industry experts what we’ll see the most of in the coming months
Celebrity makeup artists Kristofer Buckle, Renée Loiz, and Courtney Hart have all made names for themselves in the beauty industry — they have become known for their work with Hollywood’s biggest stars and for entertainment’s most notable events. Buckle is a go-to for celebrities like Jessica Chastain, Mariah Carey, and Blake Lively; Loiz for Quinta Brunson, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Cynthia Erivo; and Hart for Glenn Close, Kristen Bell, and Hilary Duff.
“I was always fascinated by the power of transformation using makeup,” says Buckle of his introduction to the art form. As a teenager, the artist began publicly showcasing his talents by walking around with his face dramatically painted, which then led to him being offered opportunities to work at the opera and with pop stars of the time. “In the ’90s, Steven Meisel had me do a cover and I’ve been working in fashion and with celebrities ever since. Working with such influential people makes what I do influential as well. Seeing the impact that my work has had on trends through the years, through the choices I make, is always validating because it’s evidence that the looks resonate with the public.”
Similarly, Loiz’s interest in makeup grew when she was younger. “I had a family friend who did makeup for Prince in the ’80s,” she says. “I think that stuck with me subconsciously and influenced my love for fashion, hair, and makeup.” From then on, Loiz educated herself on different cultures, skin tones, and trends, and went on to use her skills for commercial and editorial photoshoots, all while adding working with celebrities under her belt. “One of the most validating things is being able to do what makes me happy for a living. That, and cheering on other artists and helping them achieve their goals.”
As for Hart, her love for makeup began while she was still majoring in theatre. “I had the opportunity to assist a friend, who was a celebrity makeup artist, on set. Working with her sold me on pursuing it as a career,” she explains. “I spent years as an assistant and slowly built my own client list.” Now, Hart runs her own TikTok page parallel to her career in beauty, making content that educates viewers on the truth of the industry, its players, as well as its products. “There is a place for everyone online, and I encourage artists and influencers at all levels to make content.”
She adds: “It’s critical for working professionals to have a presence on social media as there is a lot of misinformation circulating out there. Anyone with a camera can sit down and position themselves as an expert, but as a pro artist, I have years of working experience to share in an authentic and honest way.”
Here, the artists predict the beauty trends to come, and distinguish what’s worth trying and what they’re not looking forward to seeing much of.
As we arrive at the second quarter of the year, what trends can our readers expect to see?
KB: The wonderful thing about beauty now is that the rules are gone; it’s all about freedom of expression without judgement. Trends can be fun to partake in, but I find that many are just an extreme approach to a technique, colour, or texture that has always been used. Something I’d like to see more of is natural shades in products as there is an overuse of foundation and concealers that are too ochre or yellow; good luck in finding a match if you have pink in your complexion!
RL: I’m excited to see pastels, florals, and bare, fresh-faced skin for a softer makeup vibe. Dagger liner, heavy mascara, and vinyl textured lips are also trending this year. Along with that, I hope to see pops of colours — especially neons — added to the mix!
CH: I am anticipating some fun makeup trends for the season. The first is a natural finish to the skin; we’ve been seeing a lot of overly-dewy complexions for a bit so I think we will start to see a shift toward more strategic use of highlights in specific places. The second trend I see coming is bold lips; lots of shiny reds and bright pops of colour. I noticed this trend all over the red carpets during awards season. I also think we will continue to see bright washes of colour on the eye, as well as metallics, glitter and rhinestones.
What do you wish to not see much of?
KB: A trend I’d like to see go away is the extreme lash. I love glamour and I love a lash, but what I’m seeing on the street these days is just too much in my opinion. Two-inch lashes are too long for jeans and a T-shirt.
RL: Skinny brows. I loved that look in the ’90s and wore those brows with all my heart, but they never fully grew back to their natural state and I do not wish for that to happen to anyone else.
CH: If I had to pick a trend to skip it would be thin brows as I grew up in the ’90s and my brows never recovered from the over-plucking.
How can our readers keep up with trends?
KB: The best way to track trends is by looking at fashion magazines, and watching what people are wearing on the streets and in nightclubs. Always remember that not all trends are going to fit your lifestyle and personality, or even work with your own face, so don’t force yourself into loving a look you don’t identify with.
RL: By looking at magazines, Pinterest, and runway shows.
CH: Follow what is happening on runways and red carpets; look for repeating choices made by makeup artists — lots of bold lips and blocked-out brows, for example. Runway trends typically end up funnelling into mass trends! Television shows like Euphoria and pop culture have a massive influence on them as well.
What are your beauty essentials for the next quarter?
KB: I’m obsessed with SUUQU cream foundation, which has zero texture and the entire Crème de la Mer skincare line because nothing hydrates and smoothens the skin better. Also, Dark Swan Lashes of Denmark; these extensions, when applied under your lashes, add undetectable thickness and length.
RL: Heavy foundation and contouring have been a thing for quite a while now and I’m ready to move into more softcore makeup. Let’s let our skin breathe for a minute and play up our natural features with minimal contouring, youthful blush, and pastel shades on the eyes and lips.
CH: My beauty essentials are powder bronzers, pink hues, and bold lip shades.
