Five on Five : Get to Know the People Behind Five of Instagram's Most Colorful Beauty Accounts
Welcome to Five on Five, a biweekly column by beauty reporter Devon Abelman featuring the best and brightest of Instagram's vibrant beauty community. Each week, she'll ask five of her favorite accounts to answer five questions, revealing their biggest inspirations, must-have products, and more. Prepare your fingers, folks — you'll want to hit that follow button. And be sure to sure to check out our first Five on Five, too.
I love neon as much now as when I begrudgingly went to laser-tag parties in elementary school. Not the competitive or athletic type, I hated running around, but I loved seeing how my friends' outfits glowed under the black lights. The way blonde hair transformed into a radioactive green fascinated me, too. These days, I get to bask in the fluorescent glory of neon without any physical activity involved, thanks to one of spring's biggest Instagram beauty trends.
Every time one of her posts comes up on my feed, Jessica Jewel, who is also known as @thejesjewel to her 43.8 thousand Instagram followers, convinces me I need to dye my hair a Lite Brite-inspired shade. Mind you, the last and only time I've dyed my hair was in high school when I colored a one-inch section at the back of my head fire-engine red. Charline Bataille, on the other hand, makes me want to book a trip to Montreal to cover my arms and legs in brightly colored tattoos. Her rainbow body art seriously makes me smile whenever I see it.
The most immediately obtainable neon option that's been popping up on my Instagram feed lately has been provided by makeup artists like Buec and Teisha J, though. Their fluorescent eye makeup has motivated me to dip into the most vivid eye shadows I can find, and you should, too. Keep scrolling to find out more about these colorful people in Instagram's beauty community.
1. Jessica Jewel aka @thejesjewel
Who she is: Jewel is a 27-year-old hair stylist from Los Angeles, who brought stunning hair colors like "baby white" and "neon peach" to my attention. Follow her to find out next season's biggest hair-color trend before everyone else.
Who are your biggest beauty inspirations?
"Hairstylists Jen Atkin, Justine Marjan, and Mischa G."
What are your top three must-have beauty products?
"The Amika Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray, Pulp Riot Barcelona Toning Shampoo, and Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Moonstone."
Why is being a part of Instagram's beauty community important to you?
"Interaction and shared excitement with other beauty lovers, as well as collaborative efforts with brands and other artists. From the outside looking in, the beauty community may seem shallow, but it is far from it. There is a lot of love of self-expression and art that isn’t always talked about but it is ever-present."
What beauty trend are you loving right now?
"Glossy eyelids and unruly brows."
What Instagram accounts are you most excited about right now?
"Hairstylist Shannel Mariano (@shannelmariano), colorist @justinanderson, and @maneaddicts."
2. Teisha J aka @teishajenaie
Who she is: The 24-year-old entrepreneur will make you want to change up the way you draw on winged liner with her creative takes on the signature look. Based in the Bay Area, her selfies dedicated to her eye makeup often feature blue skies that will make you wish you were in California, too.
Who are your biggest beauty inspirations?
"Diana Ross, Naomi Campbell, and hot babes from my favorite '90s and '00s cartoons. I am instantly drawn toward attitude and fierceness. I love womxn who unapologetically exude who they are and have the ability to make sure that you never forget it. Same."
What are your top three must-have beauty products?
"Skin-care products are so important! I am thrilled when I find which ones work for me. The Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream is the lightest, most effective moisturizer I’ve ever used. It lasts me a year or more, can be used day and night and makes a good primer for makeup, as well. Rose witch hazel because it takes off all the extra ickies that believe they have the right to my pores. It’s light and refreshing. And Vitamin E oil. I instantly put this on any blemish I have or see forming or any irritated spots. Love it!"
Why is being a part of Instagram's beauty community important to you?
"Self-expression. I like to promote how fun it is to take risks and to not overthink. I effortlessly wear the confidence that my makeup makes me feel. I’ve had gals tell me thanks to my looks they feel confident to be bold with their own makeup — a win. The goal is to spread that confidence and show that no matter how anyone views you or 'beauty' entirely, it doesn’t matter. It’s subjective, and it is your own. Go off for you."
What beauty trend are you loving right now?
"I really love how unafraid people are with their makeup. Limits are being set less and less, and the looks are 100,000,000 percent being served. I dig it."
What Instagram accounts are you most excited about right now?
"Lately, I’ve been super obsessed with nail and jewelry posts for some reason. I keep catching myself following amazing nail techs and handmade jewelry makers."
3. Eric Vaughn a.k.a. @realericvaughn
Who he is: The 28-year-old colorist based in Houston, Texas, is known for his extension makeovers, stunning balayage skills, and the occasional bright dye job.
Who are your biggest beauty inspirations?
"Mary Rector-Gable, the founder of behindthechair.com, has shifted our industry into one where the focus is now on the artists."
What are your top three must-have beauty products?
"Biolage Live R.A.W Acidic Milk Rinse, which is a treatment used after coloring that helps seal the cuticle and balance the pH of hair to promote longer-lasting color. The Unite Maxcontrol Spray is my absolute favorite and go-to hairspray for any and every occasion. It has a great hold factor that’s buildable. Also, Wella Blondor is my absolute go-to lightener. Seriously, I would die if I didn’t have this with me in the salon!"
Why is being a part of Instagram's beauty community important to you?
"It’s important for me to be a part of the beauty community on Instagram because that’s where our generation is seeking inspiration, knowledge, and where every client is looking for their next stylist. If you were to ask almost every client in my chair how they found me, their answer would most likely be Instagram. Instagram has completely changed our industry in the way that your beauty gurus aren’t just the celeb stylists anymore. Trends are coming from all over the place now, and I’d like to be a part of that change."
What beauty trend are you loving right now?
"I don’t know if you’d consider this a trend, but I’m loving that hair color is moving back toward classic highlighting but with a modern twist like shadow rooting. More and more clients are bringing their highlights higher and higher."
What Instagram accounts are you most excited about right now?
"I am absolutely obsessed with the pages of colorists @romeufelipe, @justinandersoncolor, and @brianacisneros. So much amazing work and willingness to share their knowledge."
4. Charline Bataille aka @charlinebataille
Who she is: Bataille is a 27-year-old tattoo artist based in Montreal who is committed to staying weird and seeks to love being ugly. "As much as things are changing, beauty still feels so unattainable for most," she says. "And why the need to be beautiful anyway! I think being ugly is a perfect and subversive way to be — hairy bums, crooked teeth and giant bellies full of stretch marks to the front." On her Instagram, you'll find an immense amount of colorful tattoos that will make you want to book an appointment as soon as possible. The neon designs often have queer themes and represent her personal views on beauty.
Who are your biggest beauty inspirations?
"I am obsessed with 1990s-era Drew Barrymore."
What are your top three must-have beauty products?
"My number-one form of self-care is getting extra-long stiletto fake nails. They make me feel extremely fancy, and they're a good way to ensure a pillow princess lifestyle. The Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks by Kat Von D changed my life forever. I love wearing colorful lipstick, but also love to make out with cuties, and those lipsticks stay on forever. It’s unbelievable. And as a tattoo artist, there is a new product I really recommend: SecondSkin. It’s a queer-owned company, and the product is a magic, breathable bandage that keeps your new tattoos safe as they heal. It is incredible and truly ensures beautiful tattoos."
Why is being a part of Instagram's beauty community important to you?
"I am an oversharer, and I think that being vulnerable online with such a big following can make a difference. I often talk about addiction and being fat, queer, and anxious, and I think that resonates."
What beauty trend you're loving right now?
"It’s a long-lasting trend, but selfies — forever and always. I love that people get to create media and represent themselves how they want to be. I love the agency and the connections selfie culture creates. If you don’t see yourself in the media, create your own. Take and share a million selfies of your best and worst angles. I think self-portraiture for non-normative people is harm reduction. It serves to make sure you exist. You are valid and perfect."
What Instagram accounts are you most excited about right now?
"It’s so hard to pick just a few. I spend my life on Instagram. For fashion, @wantingcollection and @baddiewinkle, and @qpoc.ttt for amazing tattoos by and on people of color with great commentary."
5. Buec aka @buec
Who he is: Known simply as Buec, the 25-year-old makeup artist hails from Los Angeles, but currently calls Nebraska home. Follow him for over-the-top liner looks, his latest nose-art creations, and overall works of art that feature his face.
Who are your biggest beauty inspirations?
"My mom, for sure, Irma Serrano, and Divine."
What are your top three must-have beauty products?
"Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper, Cozzette Infinite Eyeshadows, and Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade."
Why is being a part of Instagram's beauty community important to you?
"I love seeing what everyone creates. I get so excited and happy to see everyone's art."
What beauty trend you're loving right now?
"I'm really loving all the super bright, colorful eyeshadow looks."
What Instagram accounts are you most excited about right now?
"I'm obsessed with makeup artists @esantoinette and @giselle_makeup."
Be sure to check out all our past Five on Five favorites, too.
Read more on the latest Instagram beauty trends:
Meet Five of the Biggest Beauty Geniuses on Instagram Right Now
Inside the "Boy Beat" Makeup Trend That's Polarizing People On Instagram
9 Spring Makeup Trends That Are Already Taking Over Instagram
Now, watch comedian Nicole Byer review weird beauty products:
