We round up some of the names featured on Instagram in our weekly #SpotOn format – spotlighting talent from all over the world
@SOPH_BUILDS_NAILS
London-based @soph_builds_nails started focusing on nails during the first lockdown in March. Her artistry has quickly developed and she now creates incredible nail sculptures including this fully functional Newton’s cradle, a mini crane, and a cute Fairy liquid bottle (with moving gel) that earned her a place on #SpotOn. “For me, it’s like creating tiny paintings…I used to make little sets and objects for my dolls when I was little, and making these nails really took me back, thinking it’s the perfect doll size,” she says.
@FERNANDA.ACUNA
During lockdown, Santiago, Chile-based artist @fernanda.acuna beagan collaborating with friends @tonot_okfs on a series of “fantastic beings”, mixing digital art with incredible make-up. Looking to hone their own style, Acuña’s otherworldly beings look like the aliens that are due to beam down in the final chapter of 2020.
@SAVOSTYUKMAKEUP
“Sometimes my work can be frightening, and sometimes attractive… make-up gives me possibilities to say and to show what I think,” explains Minsk-based creative @savostyukmakeup. Their eclectic work features glamourous looks as well as SFX mimicking scarification, burns, and lizard faces.
@THE.DEVILS.SEMEN
@the.devils.semen is a stylist and creative director based in Vancouver. After COVID-19 led to them losing their retail job, they began experimenting with nails as a creative output. “I found that nails were something that elevated shoots, so I began making them myself and ended up loving it,” they explain. They’ve now moved into selling their uniquely shaped press on sets that resemble amorphous blobs inside lava lamps – get yourself a pair on their IG account!
@WHOFERDI
Hailing from João Pessoa, Brazil, @whoferdi is a fashion design student, who likes to “use the body and application of unusual materials as an art form”. Their looks use unconvential materials like plastic mesh, googly eyes, or slime, “to show that you don't need much to make art and be who you want to be.”
@BRANDAN.C0M
Based in Orlando, Florida, brandan.c0m started out drawing and painting and then experimented with make-up and fell in love. “Art that people can wear, how cool?!” they say. Their spooky looks take inspiration from vampires, zombies, and are guaranteed to replace your regular sleep paralysis demons.
@MYNAMEISZINZI
Model, poet, and make-up artist @mynameiszinzi loves expressing themselves in every way possible.
@MAADNAILS
@maadnails has been working as a nail artist for the past six years, and their inspiration can come from anywhere; a fabric, a print, or an album cover. “One of my favourites to do is Basquiat,” they explain. “I love his work and it’s really fun to translate these huge paintings to a tiny area.”
@SEANETC
Sydney-based model agent @seanetc taught themselves make-up during quarantine and have since become a working make-up artist. Their eclectic and playful style has been reinterpreted as a number of Instagram filters so you can try them on for size yourself.
@MIABECKHELLING
Soon to be hair and make-up student, lockdown gave @miabeckhelling the chance to experiment more with looks as a form of therapy. Her looks take inspiration from the likes of London-based fashion brand Asai, pixies, and lava lamps.
@BESEY.IMG
“I often develop an idea around usual things that hook to my mind,” explains Saint Petersburg-based make-up artist @besey.img. Her approach uses materials like mesh, paper, netting, and crystals to create intricate looks that pack a punch.
@VLAGINAMUS
Based in Veliky Novgorod, Russia, @vlaginamus likes to work with faces and enjoys using a diverse range of materials, while most looks are usually created spontaneously finding it “the most truthful expression of beauty”.
@PHILLANOIRAUDE
@phillanoiraude – is a make-up artist originally from Slovakia, but based in Prague. While mostly working with the face, this #SpotOn look was inspired by British Vogue’s May 2000 issue, using shells he collected three years ago. “It started with another look with shells on my face, then I tried to figure out more ways to use them.”
@SONYAKUHARENKO
Based in Saint Petersburg, Russia, @sonyakuharenko is a face and body make-up artist, with a deep interest in make-up history and iconic looks in films and fashion. She’s recently began experiementing with SFX make-up to create new textures.
@_BBLONDE__
Originally from Romania, @_bblonde__ has been living in Rome for the past six years now, working as a make-up artist and hairstylist. “I started wearing make-up around the age of 13 because I had severe acne. I got bullied because of it, however make-up helped me be more confident and love myself,” they say.
@2BROKE4AMANICURE
Hailing from Brisbane, Australia, @2broke4amanicure’s background is in user interface and experience design, but they started doing nails as a creative outlet, inspired by TV, movies, old haute couture, and designers they spot on Instagram. Using whatever they can find, their looks go beyond nails to create beautiful hand looks.
@ALLNAILZONME_
@allnailzonme_ is a graphic designer and a self-taught nail artist, based in Geneva. “I’ve always been interested in nail art and I decided to explore this vast world and all its possibilities,” they say.
@SHANNENARTISTRY
Scottish MUA @shannenartistry takes inspiration from the everyday ordinary – think Windows Paint, works of art, earrings, and more – and transforms them into cute, minimal eye looks that are always bright with colour.
@STARDUSTSARA
@stardustsara is a freelance MUA based in Stockholmm, Sweden who loves to draw, craft, read, write and daydream. “I live for picnics in beautiful places and draw energy from nature,” she says. “I want to capture and honour its short lived beauty.” Her looks use flowers, leaves, and other findings in a homage to Mother Nature.
