It’s no secret that some of our past favorite queer makeup gurus have been seriously problematic (we’re looking at you, James Charles).
So, we rounded up a few *awesome* LGBTQ+ beauty Instagrammers that you should follow instead. Check out our list below.
1. Bretman Rock (@bretmanrock)
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Bretman has 12 million followers on Instagram but he still doesn’t get the recognition he deserves on a worldwide scale. I’ve followed him from the beginning and he’s one of the few influencers whose personality hasn’t changed with fame. He’s humble, hilarious, super proud of his Filipino heritage, and is unproblematic. Honestly, he’s been doing this for years and has managed to stay out of the drama. He is who he is, which is why his followers love him.
You can follow Bretman here.
2. Lauren Elyse(@laur_elyse)
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Ugh, I adore this woman with all my heart and soul. Her Instagram feed is such a dream to look at. I’m not even exaggerating. The Chicago-based queer influencer was diagnosed with vitiligo, a skin pigmentation disease, when she was younger. In most of her looks, she highlights her patches with makeup.
You can follow Lauren here.
3. Jordan Liberty (@jordanliberty)
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“Substance > Influence.” That’s the first thing you see on Jordan’s page, and it says a lot about his artistry. He has to be one of my favorite makeup artists right now. As a makeup artist myself, I go to his page daily to check out any new tips and techniques. What I love most is that none of his looks can fall into the category of “Instagram makeup.” They’re the perfect amount of glam without doing too much. Every single look he creates is flawless. If you’re a working makeup artist, you definitely have to check him out.
You can follow Jordan here.
4. Mei Pang (@meicrosoft)
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Pang came on my radar a few months ago when one of her videos popped up on my Twitter feed. From the moment the video started, I was in awe. Her looks seem intricate but they’re actually super easy to emulate, kind of like a lazy way to fake a flawless look. Plus, her down-to-earth attitude is something that many can vibe with.
You can follow Mei here.
5. Deon (@itsdeon)
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The blend honey, the blend! I thought my blending game was on point, but Deon makes me look like an amateur. He only has 6,000 followers and I don’t understand why he doesn’t have more. Colorful eyeshadows can be scary to use but I love that Deon uses them at every chance he gets. He shows that with practice, bright colors can be tamed.
You can follow Deon here.
Did I miss any of your favorite LGBTQ+ influencers? Of course, there are thousands of talented LGBTQ+ influencers out there, but check this talented bunch out when you’re looking for someone new. And remember, we choose who we follow, even if the talent is there, let’s try not to make problematic, negative people famous.
