Meet Our 2023 Award-Winning Beauty Pros

The voices behind the formulas, trends, and change we love.

When it comes to beauty awards, the products get all the glory. And while we genuinely love every single ounce of our sudsy, glowy, glittery winners, it's the people behind the curtain that drive formulas, trends, and change. This year, our winners in the Beauty Pro category dedicated their energy (and platforms) to amplifying joy, education, and disruption in the beauty industry. So from the creator of that viral, phallic-shaped lipstick to a board-certified dermatologist cutting through the marketing noise, our winners are all looking around corners to see what's next.

The Creator: Matt Newman

"Matt Newman is making beauty really, really fun again. If you don't know where to begin with haircare or styling, you'll find plenty of delightful, approachable tutorials on Newman's TikTok or Instagram (@mattloveshair). But in between, you'll also find pure joy in Newman's self-expression. There are simply no rules on this page—if you want to use he/him pronouns and also wear a dress to your family's holiday party, there's space for that there. If no one ever taught you how to curl your hair because you were forced into certain gender norms, there's space for that there too. At @mattloveshair, we are seeing a heartbreaking gap filled at the intersection of hair, identity, joy, loss, and everything in between." — Holly Rhue, associate editorial director

The Founder: Julie Schott

"Julie Schott was the beauty director at Elle before quitting her job, moving to L.A., and cofounding five of the industry's most celebrated brands with Brian Bordainick. It's a story that is awe-inspiring when you think about how much goes into creating space for products in an already-oversaturated industry. The first was Starface in 2019, an acne-positive brand that reimagined the pimple patch as cute face decoration. Then Plus, a sustainable body care brand with dissolvable body wash sheets. Followed by Julie, an emergency contractive pill (one that's not hidden behind the counter) available at CVS, Walmart, and Target, as well as online. The fourth, Futurewise, focuses on slugging, a popular skincare step meant to lock in moisture. Finally, the most recent brand to come from Schott's arsenal is Blip, offering FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products.

"The thread between each business is an inherent understanding of Gen Z's needs. It's a lesson in how to create and successfully market to a different generation. Starface and Julie removes taboo from traditionally shameful and anxiety-inducing experiences (like having to ask for Plan B at the pharmacy or feel forced to camouflage your breakouts). Plus puts sustainability at the forefront of its execution in a luxe and shockingly easy way. Blip makes quitting nicotine feel doable and, even more, not scary. Together, there's a consistent through line between each product, and individually, they change the game in their respective categories. So the next time you're in a board meeting with executives asking how to create for and speak to Gen Z, know Julie Schott has done it (and continues to do it) really meaningfully." — Hallie Gould, editor in chief

The Hairstylist: Peter Lux

"Peter Lux has the most incredible skill set when it comes to hair sculpting and styling. He is extremely talented and humble—which is a tall order in our industry. The iconic looks he creates set trends that both professionals and beauty devotees at home can get inspired by, re-create, and reference." — Matt Rez, celebrity hair colorist

The Makeup Artist: Isamaya Ffrench

"It’s hard to put Isamaya Ffrench's genius into words. She is constantly raising the bar of what constitutes as “beauty,” and is never afraid to experiment with the weird and wacky, from her viral animal prosthetics at the Collina Strada F/W 23 show to the, um, provocatively shaped “Lips” lipsticks from her own brand. Despite her penchant for the outlandish, she knows when to pull it all back, and her glowing, glossy, natural-looking skin work is just as captivating as her use of prosthetics and studs. It’s this contrast that makes her feel like the perfect representation of where beauty is at in 2023 and why I’m always looking to her to lead the way." — Bella Cacciatore, news editor

The Nail Artist: Coca Michelle

"Every week, I wonder: “This has to be it. Surely nail art couldn’t possibly get more inventive?” Then, a brilliant nail artist and their talon muse will once again up the ante. And when it comes to nail art innovation, Coca Michelle is at the forefront. The Los Angeles–based, British-born “visual poet” is Megan Thee Stallion’s key nail artist; she’s crafted sets for the rapper inspired by sources like Super Mario, thermal maps, and vintage clocks. The thread that runs through all her work for Megan and other clients (including Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, and Rosalía) is a real sense of joy—a feeling that you don’t have to adhere to any rules with your nail art. Have fun, express yourself, and don’t be afraid to go very, very bold." — Eden Stuart, editor

The Dermatologist: Corey L. Hartman, MD, FAAD

"Corey L. Hartman, MD, FAAD, is a light in the void of fear-mongering skincare creators. Whether it's a sunscreen recall or a controversial ingredient, we turn to Dr. Hartman's expertise. He's always the first to cut through marketing speak and distill complex dermatological concepts into digestible, actionable steps for Byrdie readers and consumers at large. From his content to his patients, Dr. Hartman uses facts—not fear—to fuel his following and bring his expertise to the masses. His word is gold—and it's backed by peer-reviewed studies." — Holly Rhue, associate editorial director

The Esthetician: Raquel Medina-Cleghorn

"Raquel Medina-Cleghorn worked as lead esthetician for Joanna Czech (iconic) before opening a space of her own earlier this year. It was at Joanna Czech where I first experienced her magical hands (and other extremely effective modalities) and then again at Raquel New York in Tribeca. To describe her facials as otherworldly would simply be an understatement, as the results are so good they're almost shocking. She works with various machines and her own massaging fingertips to lift, sculpt, and transform your skin in 60 minutes. With advanced certifications in Dr. Vodder's Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Neolifting Buccal Massage, Gua Sha Facial Fusion, LightStim LED, and ProCell Microchanneling, Medina-Cleghorn is an expert at her craft and one to watch in the industry. If you haven't experienced one of her facials yet, I suggest you stop reading now and book an appointment!" — Hallie Gould, editor in chief

The Formulator: Javon Ford

"Javon Ford is a cosmetic chemist who has become a fan-favorite among beauty lovers on TikTok and Instagram (myself included!). Ford obtained a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Howard University and has worked to develop beauty and personal care products for companies like Éclat Naturals, Elevation Labs, and Cosway Company. He strives to use his platform to help consumers understand what goes into their skincare, hair care, and makeup. His highly informative videos are definitely worth tuning into, as they help to demystify ingredients, debunk myths, and provide clarity on which products actually work." — Olivia Hancock, editor

The Brow Expert: Josh Beeler

"Joshua Beeler is a veteran in the industry, and his skills have only gotten more advanced with each passing day. He knows how to mix the perfect ashy brown for my brows (anything warm will read red against my blonde hair and super-fair complexion) and inky blue-black for my lashes. His skills go far beyond tinting, though, as he also does waxing, lash lifts, and brow lamination at his outpost, Lumena Aesthetics. He's so talented, hyper technical, and extraordinarily fun. I can't make it a month without sitting in his chair and I wouldn't want it any other way." — Hallie Gould, editor in chief

Up Next: These Are the Best Under $35 Products of 2023

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