Scrolling through the Instagram beauty vortex in search of a makeup artist can sometimes leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed. Eventually, it can all meld into one. But every once in a while, someone comes along to offer a little guidance, a helping hand in the form of a recommendation. 

Whether it be rose-toned hues, smokey browns or a rouge coloured lip, let Gritty Pretty do all of the work for you. Here, we round up four makeup artists and one salon to bookmark. Because isn’t it always about who you know?

What do Delta Goodrem, Anna Heinrich, Nadia Bartel, Jodi Gordon and Rachael Finch have in common? Good genes, obvi, but they’ve also been primped by this Melbourne-based makeup artist. Kisnorbo has worked at Paris, London and New York fashion weeks, behind the scenes on films, music videos and television (on Britain’s Next Top Model, to be exact), and has mastered that dewy, glowy, does-she-have-lightbulbs-under-skin? complexion that we all want (her trick: using cream highlighters, not powders). Oh, and she also does hair, too. We love a double threat.

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If you’re based in Auckland and find yourself in need of a zhuj for that hot date or business dinner, you’re in luck. After consulting on what we were after—natural, sleek hair —she got to work, using O&M and OUAI products and delivering a blow-dry that lasted the weekend and didn’t feel greasy or overworked. Alexandra visited us at home, where, using a combination of Nars, Hourglass and YSL, she produced a glowy-skin-and-chocolate-smoky-eye look that made us feel glam all night. She’s definitely one to keep on speed dial.

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Where do Leederville ladies get their makeovers? We’d love to tell you, but the location of this studio is only revealed once an appointment is made. What can you expect once you get there? Holly offers makeup applications, workshops and private lessons if you’re looking for your next BFF hang activity. Having been scarred by previous appointments (too much powder, people!), we were pleasantly surprised to find that Holly not only listened to what we were after, but proceeded to deliver exactly that, tweaking and adjusting until we looked like us, only much, much better.

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There’s something about being by the water that makes a girl want to pare everything back, ditch the foundation and curling tongs, and just live her best #NoFilter life. For all those other times, there’s Juliet Durham. This Byron Bay-based makeup artist and hairstylist is your one-stop shop for when you want to glam up your beachside beauty look. Whether you’re a bride or a babe, Durham has worked both locally and in London, and specialises in formal and bridal looks that still retain an unfussy vibe.

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With bright, natural light and beautiful surroundings, we knew we would love our visit to White Gold Boutique the minute we stepped inside the eye-catching pink door. Located in the hub of Teneriffe in Brisbane, the cottage was like a beauty heaven—from the dedicated brow room to the glamorous set-up where we had our makeup applied, the experience was luxurious yet still comfortable. The White Gold team were attentive, knowledgeable and highly skilled, and really listened to our desired outcomes for each treatment we experienced, leaving us extremely happy customers. Offering hair colour, cut and style sessions—calling on brand’s such as Kevin Murphy—plus makeup applications, brow touch-ups and lash lifts, it really is the ultimate one-stop beauty shop.

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