Painted by Esther did Beyoncé’s makeup, but she’s worked with these stars too

Ngozi Edeme, affectionately known as Painted by Esther, has officially added another major name to her growing list of celebrity clients: Beyoncé!

The London-based makeup artist was behind Beyoncé’s beauty look at the Cécred celebration during London Fashion Week, marking the launch of the singer’s haircare brand into Space NK.

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The viral Painted by Esther blush technique — and how to actually do it

For the occasion, Beyoncé wore a soft, romantic makeup look that played into one of Esther’s signature beauty trademarks: blush. Her complexion was paired with brushed-gold smoky eyes, a precisely lined mauve lip with a glossy pink centre and a wash of pastel-pink blush swept upwards towards the cheekbones. The look was finished with dramatic lashes and a tousled, side-swept ponytail by Beyoncé’s longtime hairstylist Neal Farinah.

It’s a fitting collaboration for Esther. She has built her reputation around luminous skin, expressive colour, fluttery lashes and, most notably, intensely pigmented blush that she layers to create a soft, diffused gradient across the cheeks.

Her work has helped push blush from a finishing touch to the focal point of a makeup look, particularly on deeper skin tones. While Esther has never claimed to have invented blush draping or gradient blush, she has become closely associated with popularising her own version of the technique online.

The celebrities Painted by Esther has worked with

Beyoncé

The latest addition to Esther's roster is, of course, Beyoncé. The singer's September 2026 Cécred appearance gave Esther the opportunity to put her signature blush-forward aesthetic on one of the world's most recognisable faces.

Naomi Campbell

Kelly Rowland

The Destiny's Child alum is another name on Esther's roster. Her work with Rowland has become part of the makeup artist's growing portfolio of music-industry clients.

Tyla

Esther has become a key part of Tyla's beauty team, including her colourful APOP* era. Her work for Tyla has leaned into the playful, high-impact makeup that has become synonymous with Esther's artistry.

Doechii

RAYE

Viola Davis

Esther's work extends beyond music artists, with Oscar-winning actor Viola Davis also among her celebrity clients.

Chloe Bailey

Chloe Bailey and Esther have developed a creative relationship. Chloe is a regular collaborator who allows Esther to play with the whimsical, otherworldly aesthetic that has become part of her signature.

Anok Yai

Adut Akech

Gabrielle Union

Cassie

Olandria Carthen

If there is one celebrity collaboration that has been particularly important to Esther's recent rise, it is Olandria Carthen. The Love Island USA alum became closely associated with Esther's signature blush looks, including her appearance on Watch What Happens Live. The pair went on to work together on Olandria's M·A·Czine cover, while Esther also created her makeup for major red-carpet moments including the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party.

Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu

Most recently, Esther was part of the beauty team for a particularly significant editorial moment: Ms Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu's joint portrait for Outlander Magazine.