The Art of Beauty: 5 African Makeup Artists to Follow On Instagram

Makeup is just not for Hollywood stars and high fashion models - women like me and you are taking inspiration from the red carpet and rocking it in our every day lives. Mastering how to apply makeup is damn tricky but it's not impossible. To keep from looking cray, I have been literally stalking all the makeup gurus on my must follow list below.

To go from blah to BAM - read on for my top 5 African make up artists to follow on the gram

1. Jackie Aina is the go to girl when you want to step your makeup game up a notch. The Nigerian beauty has close to a million followers on YouTube but her tutorials make you feel like she hasn't lost touch with her subscribers. She is that awesome.

You wanna shine like a diamond? you gotta get cut like a diamond ⚔💎🔪

A photo posted by Jackie O 🇳🇬🇺🇸 (@jackieaina) on Apr 9, 2016 at 9:50pm PDT

2. Bimpe Onakoya is really one of the best in the makeup. Rarely does an artist move like this but Bimpe blows me away every single time. It's no surprise that she is the Artistic Director for Maybelline New York in Nigeria. Follow her on Instagram for tips from how to go from basic to bomb.

Day1 #TrainingwithBimpe #makeuptraining @maybellinenyng #maybelline #amazingstudents #cacaoit #promuas #obsessed💋

A photo posted by Bimpe Onakoya (Mua) (@bimpeonakoya) on Jan 12, 2016 at 9:43am PST

3. Zimbabwean makeup artist Jackie Mgido is a woman after my own heart. She successfully launched her makeup line Vault cosmetics in Zimbabwe and is now at the forefront of the beauty industry in that region. She has vision. My new go-to shade is Diva lipstain from her line. It's one of the colors that works in the day time but also transitions well into an evening color. So dreamy! Shop Vault Cosmetics here. 

So pretty!!! So proud of @annalorri Mutare artist. Plz tell the world what you used . I see those lips that Lipstain is everything. #mua #vault #pop #vaulted

A photo posted by Vaultcosmeticszim (@vaultcosmeticszim) on Apr 19, 2016 at 3:45pm PDT

4. When it comes to prepping for the big events in your life - Vuyo Varoy is your man. Chances are if you spot a South African celeb looking extra radiant on the red carpet it's the handy work of the makeup maestro.

Bringing Back the Glow | My Passion for beautiful glowing skin. Not perfecting the skin is like building a house with no foundation. Love your Skin 🎨 by @vuyovaroybeauty #makeupbyvuyovaroy #makeupmaestro Celebrity @terrypheto 📷 by @lawrence_vi_vi_vi

A photo posted by Vuyo Varoy ✅ (@vuyovaroy) on Jan 26, 2016 at 3:29am PST

5. I love a natural, barely there look in my everyday life. There's nothing more stunning than makeup that looks like your skin. Kenyan superstar Kangai Mwiti gets that and that's why I am such a fan of her work. Sometimes makeup is just about handling the face with just a light touch.

Ladies!! On April 15th I along with four other amazing women will host Nairobi's first #InfiniteStyle event. This is a Masterclass on the next level as you'll learn all about style and fashion from @conniealuoch and @fromcurveswithlove, hair styling from Maureen of @amadivabeautysalon, fitness and nutrition from @fitkenyangirl, and of course makeup and beauty tips and tricks from me. More details to come but until then, feel free to reserve your spot by following @publicimageafrica for all the deets!!! #styleandfashion #masterclass #yyyaasss

A photo posted by Makeup by Kangai. (@bellesaafrica) on Mar 24, 2016 at 8:06am PDT

Whether you are chilling at home with friends or getting ready for a fun night out: I hope these makeup artists will help you achieve your perfect look. Who are some of your favorites?