The best beauty influencers to follow for some major inspo in 2023

Social media can get a bad rap, but for every cray-cray tweet there's lots to love – like the legion of beauty influencers and experts who are using their platforms to guide, inspire, encourage, and entertain when it comes to next-level make-up ideas, or intricate hairstyles or dermatologist secrets and viral nail art designs.

In fact, beauty influencers have opened up the once covert world of behind-the-scenes beauty to make it inclusive and accessible to anyone with Instagram, TikTok or other social platforms. Want to know how Kim Kardashian achieves the perfect Pamela Anderson udpo? Her hair stylist Chris Appleton has posted tutorials with step-by-steps. Want to know what shade of nail polish JLo wore on her wedding day? Her nail artist, Tom Bachik gave an up close guided tour of the shades and designs on his Instagram. Equally, if you're bored of your everyday liner and want some new ideas of ways to spice it up there's a whole squad of beauty enthusiasts generating TikTok's most viral trends. As for skincare (possibly the most elitist strand in the beauty arsenal), where once it might have cost you to hear a derm's take on everything from rosehip oil to retinol, now the pros are out in force dispensing advice in a few swipes of your phone. 

So, to tap into all of that insider intel here are some of our favourite beauty influencers to follow in 2023.

HAIR

Rather than just one account, Mane Addicts (the brainchild of celebrity hairstylist and GLAMO)UR columnist, Jen Atkin), curates the best of hair from hundreds of creators so its a great way to find new accounts to inspire you.

Our fave mane man for choppy, textured hair, Sal Salcedo is the scissors behind some of our favourite shag cuts, wolf cuts, French bobs and voluminous layers.

There's not a hairstyle that Eris hasn't tried, from locs and braids to mullets, pixie cuts, space buns, bantu knots, curls, coils and waves at every different lengths.

Not only does Andrew work with most of Hollywood (JLo, the entire Kardashian fam, Megan Fox, Mariah Carey etc), and he shares his delicious inspo to his Instagram, he's also given fans access to the exact products he uses thanks to creating his own brand with products ranging around £10 on Boots.

Patrick Wilson is a hair magician, drastically switching up his clients looks thanks to wigs, hair pieces and tactical styling (see: the faux pixie cut he created for Bridgerton star, Charithra Chandran). And he's known for creating luxurious-looking strands.

Hannah Mussette is our curly girl crush, but she's no stranger to mixing things up with braids, buns and everything in between.

Dom's signature is big, beautiful hair from glossy mermaid waves to fluffy '70s texture, his page is pure catnip.

If you want to get ahead on hair trends, Tom's predictions are bang on. Each season he fills us in on the headliners to watch out for (he's previously given us expensive blonde, bottleneck bangs and Botticelli waves) and in between he talks followers through the styles and products to know.

The stylist behind some of the biggest celeb hair moments, Chris consistently posts inspo from his A-list clients alongside tutorials of how to get the look. He and Kim helped to bring back the Pamela Anderson updo which is having a second wave. 

Lesley offers up some of the prettiest hair inspo whether its sculptural braids, cute ponytails or cared for curls, and she also shares the products she rates to keep her hair in perfect condition. Plus, when she's not giving us hair inspo she shares her makeup and skincare crushes, too.

The talent behind some of the dreamiest nonchalant waves, messy buns and pretty ponytails. Perfect for every occasion from a lazy day to a wedding day.

Anisa has a knack for taking intricate-looking hairstyles and making them easy with loads of tutorials for elevating your hair game.

Makeup

Nikki's makeup looks hit every time and she's carved a niche for her modern retro takes on '60s liners and coquette eyes and cheeks.

If there's a viral makeup trend happening on TikTok, chances are Hayley's helped to coin it, or jumped in early with her own cute rendition. If you want to stay ahead of the pack she's a good one to follow for trending lewks. 

An OG makeup influencer, Shayla's been posted flawless selfies and makeup tutorials since Instagram hit it big and she remains consistent with product reviews, recommendations and try-ons. Plus (lucky for us) her interests have grown with her following so you can also catch a little fashion and lifestyle while you're at it.

Danielle is a beauty chameleon, if she isn't metamorphosing herself into Harry Styles, Bellatrix Lestrange or Dua Lipa via her elite makeup skills, she's serving up viral TikTok beauty trends, plus all the inspo you need to freshen up your makeup game.

Arguably TikTok's biggest British beauty influencer, Abby's ability to transform herself into any character (our favourite being Rosalie from Twilight) is honestly insane. She sets trends and has her finger on the pulse when it comes to what beauty moment is about to go stratospheric, plus she's collaborated with Morphe on her own makeup collection and, killed it as a GLAMOUR covergirl. 

Steph's cute girl next door style offers wearable ways to keep your makeup cute and interesting. Who knew a two-tone black and pink floating graphic liner could look that good?

Ash has a whole host of celebrity clients including Ariana Grande, Khloe Kardashian, Shay Mitchell and more and her aesthetic is very much classic, but with a fierce twist.

Mary's clients include Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, JLo and Addison Rae, her makeup is timeless but still fresh and fun. 

Hung has a knack of making colourful smoky eyes look effortless. We're off to pick up a purple eyeshadow palette. His celeb clients include Selena Gomez, Laura Harrier, Simone Ashley, Florence Pugh and Gisele. 

If you're looking for graphic eye makeup and next-level glowy skin, James is your guy. His Instagram grid is non-stop makeup goals.

Famous for her #dewydumpling glow, Nam takes fresh, silky, sheeny skin to the next level, focusing on an ethereal base that sets the tone for the rest of her makeup. (If you need a highligter recommendation, Nam's your gal). 

NAILS

Melanie's designs manage to blend “classic” “cute" and “fun” perfectly. The shape is immaculate and as for designs, you'll find everything from remixed Frenchies, to colour-pop tips and all-out bold colour. We love.

Edgy, inventive, beautifully executed and bang on trend, Michelle will steer you in the right direction when it comes to nailing the mani of the moment. We love the flame motif  and chrome accents that have become a bit of her signature.

Classic designs with a modern twist, Iram is a go-to for mani minimalists who want something interesting but still elegant.

When it comes to execution, Jools gets full marks. We've never seen classic shades look so good. Those cuticles wow.

Harriet has made a niche for herself with her famously perfect micro Frenchies and teensy bursts of neon brights. It's grown-up and classic but cute and fun at the same time.

Betina is an artist, her canvas just so happens to be her fingernails. She's created everything from teensy seascapes and intricate butterflies to everyday objects like crinkle crisps and fried eggs. Plus she's not short on cool-girl mani ideas either.

Zola is the woman behind Hailey Bieber's viral glazed donut nails, and she's given us stunning remixes too such as the glazed brownie mani and glazed candy cane mani. We'll be keeping an eye on the renditions she serves up for spring.

Tom Bachik has an megawatt celebrity roster, counting JLo, Selena Gomez, Margot Robbie, Camila Cabello and Hailee Steinfeld as clients. He was even responsible for Jen's wedding-day mani (twice).

Imarni's cool and inventive designs keep up on our toes. Some of our favourite mani trends? Matte nails and cut-outs. 

Park's motto is as far away from “less is more” as can be. She's not just a nail artist, she's a nail sculpter and her K-beauty smash hits have been the reference for many of the manis that go stratospheric on TikTok. Whether she's creating 3D gummy bear nails, paper clip nails, lipstick shaped nails or window pane nails, one thing her designs always do is make a statement.

SKINCARE

Dr Ejikeme's expertise are endless, after graduating from Bristol University, she trained at Imperial College Trust hospitals in London, then took on America completing a fellowship at the Ivy League University of Columbia and gaining board certification from the New York Medical College before rounding things out with a masters in aesthetic medicine and Queen Mary back in the UK (where she graduated with the highest distinction in her class). Suffice to say, she knows what she's talking about when it comes to skincare, and she shares that knowledge on her social platforms. Yay.

Although he's not an expert, Hyram is a bona fide skin enthusiast whose built up his own repertoire when it comes to rating and recommending products (of which he's tried gazillions). 

Armed with a bachelors degree in medicine from the University of Liverpool Medical School and a course in massage and skincare from the London School of Beauty and Makeup Dr Ewoma is a great person to know when it comes to skincare recommendations. Her Instagram and TikTok videos talk through need-to-know ingredients and the skincare trends she'd sign off on.

Better known by Derm Doctor on TikTok and Doctorly on Instagram, Dr Shah is a board-certified dermatologist with a viral following thanks to his informative videos.

Board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, Dr Portela created his Instagram and TikTok platforms as a perfect destinations to brush up on easy derm tips and recommendations.

Dr Anjali is a cosmetic dermatologist on London's prestigious Harley Street. She hosts weekly Instagram lives where you can steer the conversation and get the answers you need.

After experiencing a biased industry, skincare expert and aesthetician, Dija Ayodele, created change with the formation of The Black Skin Directory, a little black book of all the experts properly cognisant in the needs of skin of colour. Her clinic offers tailored treatments for all skin types and tones and she shares her knowledge on her platforms, too.

Dr Kemi is an NHS junior doctor on her way to becoming a dermatologist, she has the perfect mix of insider knowledge and her finger on the pulse when it comes to skincare ingredients, trends and advice.

For more from GLAMOUR's Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk