Judges: Marie Claire US Makeup Awards

Hannah Baxter is the Beauty Director at Marie Claire. She has previously held roles at The Zoe Report, Coveteur, and Bust Magazine, covering beauty, wellness, fashion, and lifestyle. Her writing has appeared in Harper's Bazaar, Allure, The Cut, Elle, InStyle, Glamour, Air Mail, Vogue, Architectural Digest, Byrdie, Nylon and more. She is also the founder of Anxiety Beer, a bi-monthly newsletter about the intersection of culture and mental health. In her spare time you can catch her reading too many overdue library books, thrifting, or hanging with her hairless cat, Norman. You can find her on Instagram and TikTok @hannahbaxward.

Samantha Holender is the Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.

Amrita Mehta is a South Asian makeup artist who first discovered her passion for beauty on YouTube. A Bay Area-born biology graduate, she turned her love for makeup into a career, training under icons like Kabuki, Patrick Ta, & Pat McGrath. Known for her “pretty with a twist” style, Amrita blends classic glam with bold, experimental elements. Her innovative use of color & ability to create radiant, flawless skin across all tones have made her a sought-after name in celebrity, beauty, fashion, commercial, & editorial work. Instagram @makeupbyamrita

Bringing his background in fashion to the foreground of beauty, Billie-Gene is an industry
innovator with a style all his own. Billie-Gene’s approach to Makeup ends a fresh aesthetic that renews and revitalizes everything we think of in beauty. Now living in New York City, the Maryland native’s dynamic display of beauty and talent has awarded him a star-studded roster. His talent has built a clientele for himself that includes the likes of Kerry Washington, Chrissy Metz, Omari Hardwick and Winnie Harlow. With such a star-studded roster under his belt, Billie-Gene shows no signs of stopping as he continues to make his mark. Instagram @ Billieegene

Born in Hollywood, an LA native, Dominique Lerma is a Celebrity Makeup Artist and Beauty Expert with a lifelong passion for fashion, renowned for her skin-focused approach. Starting at just 15, she began perfecting her craft, offering makeup services from her bedside. Her expertise has led to major collaborations with global brands like Urban Decay, Too Faced, Gucci and Osea Malibu. Her work has graced publications including Elle Bulgaria, Architectural Digest and Vogue Italia. She is a contributing beauty expert with features in Marie Claire, Teen Vogue, Byrdie Beauty. She’s dedicated to sustainable beauty practices while championing clean and cruelty-free beauty. Instagram @dominique_lerma

Celebrity nail artist & lifestyle creator, Iram Shelton, has amassed a huge social media following, owing to her enviable lifestyle content and stylish nail posts. Her aesthetic has led to endless press features and has made Iram an in-demand artist in the UK, working across London & Paris Fashion Week, Cannes Film Festival, BAFTAs, BFAs. Her industry recognition has led to over 200,000 followers & work across globally recognized brands such as Chanel, Armani Beauty, Lancôme, GHD, Gucci, OPI, Essie & clientele including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Cara Delevigne, Heidi Klum & Nicola Peltz-Beckham to name a few. Instagram @iramshelton

Jaleesa Jaikaran is a Makeup Artist, Content Creator. Hailing from Trinidad & now based in New York, her love for color and glowy skin is a sentiment of her Caribbean upbringing. She primarily works with brands on campaigns, content creation & sharing the stories of beauty industry insiders via her podcast, The Life of a Makeup Artist.
Jaleesa can be found in front & behind the camera working with the likes of Elle, Essence, Instyle, and Teen Vogue magazines while creating for brands like MAC Cosmetics, Coach, Shiseido, Lancome, ULTA Beauty to name a few. Instagram @jaleesajaikaran

Makeup Artist & Beauty Educator, Jonet Williamson began her journey in the beauty industry nearly 20 years ago as a retail makeup artist. Since then, her work has been featured in commercial campaigns, editorials, and tv productions. As an adolescent she spent many years in gifted art painting murals, mastering color theory, and learning textures. From paint brushes to makeup brushes, she’s used those same skills to solidify her style as a beauty pro. When she’s not working on set Jonet works closely with brands creating educational assets and lends her professional insight during phases of product development. Instagram @JonetWMakeup

Keita Moore is a true master of his craft, with a passion for transforming faces into stunning works of art. Whether on the red carpet, in music videos, or at high-profile press events, Keita's skillful artistry shines through, leaving a lasting impression on everyone he works with. Among his extensive list of celebrity clients are some of the most iconic figures in the entertainment industry, including Janelle Monae, Kelly Rowland, Nicole Scherzinger, Iman, and Taraji P. Henson. With his unparalleled skill and unwavering dedication to his craft, Keita Moore continues to push boundaries and inspire others with his innovative approach to makeup. Instagram @ kilprity

Natalie Dresher is a highly sought-after makeup artist based in Miami and NYC, with over 10 years of experience in makeup artistry. Her impressive client roster includes notable names such as Remi Bader, Serena Kerrigan, Dylan Mulvaney, Jess Vestal, Gia Guidice, and more.
Natalie's expertise has been recognized by leading makeup brands where she has served as the lead artist for influencer and editor-focused events and activations.
In addition to her work with influencers and celebrities, Natalie has showcased her talent backstage at NYFW and Miami Swim Week for prestigious high-fashion brands. Instagram @nataliedresher

Saisha Beecham is a renowned celebrity makeup artist, hairstylist, groomer, barber, and body painter with over 20 years of experience. Her work has graced prestigious covers such as GQ, Vanity Fair, and Vogue, and she's collaborated with icons like Usher, Taraji P. Henson, Yara Shahidi, and the late Chadwick Boseman. Her dedication to perfection and passion for artistry continue to inspire, making her a sought-after talent in the beauty and entertainment industries. Instagram @saishabeecham

Los Angeles-based makeup artist Sean Harris has cultivated his signature style of beauty through his understanding of the importance of a clean canvas. His immaculate artistry is evident on the faces of celebrities such as Lori Harvey, Laura Harrier, Justine Skye, Gabby Douglas, Lala Anthony, Sierra Capri, and Kristen Noel Crawley to name a few. Sean’s work graces the pages of several magazines such as Vogue Italia, Paper, and Flaunt Magazine, and is featured in campaigns such as Adidas, Ivy Park, KNC Beauty, and Bailey’s Irish Cream. Instagram @seanharrismakeup

Vincent Oquendo is a multifaceted makeup artist and media personality known for being as creative as he is charismatic. With over two decades of experience, Vincent’s work has graced the faces of countless celebrities such as Ariana Debose, Nicole Richie, Jessica Biel, Kiernan Shipka, and Yara Shahidi amongst many others. His artistry blends bold, editorial styles with a focus on enhancing natural beauty, earning him recognition throughout the beauty, fashion, and entertainment industries. Vincent’s passion, attention to detail, and natural presence both on and off camera have also allowed him to collaborate with world-renowned brands across disciplines. Instagram @makeupvincent