Meet six experts across beauty fields who are charting their own pioneering paths. 

What does it take to be truly influential in the beauty industry today? Meet six experts across hair, skincare, makeup and fragrance who are charting their own pioneering paths. 

In the age of algorithms, there’s no shortage of beauty experts to turn to for tips and trends. But it’s the professionals who push boundaries and break conventions who really deserve our attention. Here, we showcase the new guard of artists who will be celebrated for years. In fact, you may have seen one of their hair and makeup looks on the runways, attempted one of their signature manicures, or smelled one of their scents—without recognizing the master behind the craft. Find out why their techniques and aesthetics have earned them such clout.

Raoúl Alejandre, makeup artist 

Film has always inspired Raoúl Alejandre’s perspective on beauty. “A lot of my youth involved watching old Mexican cinema and telenovelas, so I always admired the feline-shaped eyes and strong beauty marks of actresses like María Félix, which still influence me today,” he says. “I want to accentuate the features of my muse so they can be the best version of themselves.” Within the past few years, the Los Angeles–based artist has worked with Zendaya, FKA twigs and Anne Hathaway and even served as Valentino 
Beauty’s first global makeup artist. Alejandre’s beauty looks lie somewhere between ethereal and dystopian—while keeping it pared back. He rarely uses heavy lash strips or pounds of blush, instead opting for softer pairings, like pastel iridescent eyes with a glossy Bordeaux lip. “The makeup space is 
filled with saturated, elaborate looks, and I want to go against the grain and do something very minimal,” he says. On the horizon for Alejandre: consulting for brands to launch collections off the ground, including one coming this year. 

Zola Ganzorigt, nail artist  

After immigrating to Los Angeles from Mongolia in 2016 to continue her career in finance, Zola Ganzorigt completed a master’s degree in business administration before taking a sharp career detour: The former  risk analyst went from a graduate student with a side hustle as a manicurist to being Hailey Bieber’s resident nail artist and the creator of the viral “glazed-donut” nails. “It changed my life in the best way,” Ganzorigt says of the beloved design created for Bieber for the 2022 Met Gala. Since then, nail salons have been bombarded with requests for similar “glazed” nail looks, and Ganzorigt is flooded with Instagram messages praising her fresh technique. Now, she works with a handful of celebrities, including Kendall Jenner and Sydney Sweeney, but in a sea of over-the-top nails, she stays true to her love of subtlety. “At 
first, I did acrylics and crazy designs to make money, but when I went full-time, I realized 
my passion was long, healthy, natural nails,” she says.  

Tashana Miles, hairstylist and braider 

Brooklyn-based stylist Tashana Miles, whose twists and braids have been worn by A$AP Rocky and Beyoncé, never leaves a job with a plan. “Once I put the comb in and make the first part, then 
I have an idea of where to go next,” she explains. A perfect example: is when Miles braided model Binx Walton’s first name into her hair for Alexander Wang’s Resort 2019 show, eliciting high praise from the designer, as well as hairstyling legend Guido Palau. “It felt like a new era for hair,” Miles says of the response. “Too often, hair is an afterthought at fashion shows, so I understand where everyone’s excitement came from because this level of braiding is rarely seen.” Her work has since been seen on the runways of Versace and Schiaparelli, and she created the Bantu knots Beyoncé wore in her 2020 visual album, Black Is King. “I see the shift now where beautiful Black hair on runways is the norm, and it feels good knowing I played a large part in it,” Miles says. One of her go-to styling products is 

Joomee Song, facialist 

There is an abundance of skincare tools and treatments, but Los Angeles–based facialist Joomee Song makes the case that healthy skin comes as a result of hands-on techniques. “When I moved to the United States from Japan in my 20s, I noticed the use of aggressive devices and chemicals that compromised the skin’s health and natural immunity,” she says. As the go-to facialist of stars like Lady Gaga and Zendaya, Song uses her hands to “coax out the hidden treasure hiding underneath the skin,” she says of her trademarked technique, Kaika, which uses massage to relieve tension in the face and improve blood flow, the latter being critical in stimulating collagen production. In just 60 minutes, Song can reduce inflammation, boost circulation, and improve radiance with little to no products. “Creams and gadgets
should be used in addition to our hands, not in lieu of,” she says.  

Jerome Epinette, perfumer 

What do Sol de Janeiro’s Cheirosa ’62 scent from its beloved Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and Byredo Bal
d’Afrique have in common? Aside from the two being so iconic (you can recognize them with just a whiff), they are both cut from the same cloth—or at least created by the same nose. French perfumer Jérôme Epinette, the mastermind behind these two scents, plus more than 180 others, has been a principal perfumer at Byredo since 2008 and has crafted bestselling fragrances for buzzy newcomers like Phlur. Yet he has never strayed from his award-winning minimalistic formula. “My signature is contrast, whether that be woods with sweetness or vetiver paired with a gourmand,” Epinette explains. “I don’t aim to please everyone—but to deliver a message through scent that is timeless and will stay on the market for years to come. The shorter the formula, the better.” 

Javon Ford, cosmetic chemist 

In the world of beauty, Javon Ford likens himself to Bill Nye. “He makes science accessible, and just like him, I try to relay information in a digestible way, as if I’m talking to a friend,” he says. The Los Angeles–based chemist turned TikTok star accidentally rose to fame when he posted a video in September 2021 showing the process of making a hyaluronic acid serum. “A lot of the information presented online can be very nuanced, but I don’t want anyone to be afraid of skincare, and that has struck a chord with people,”  Ford explains. Now, he has garnered almost 400,000 followers who tag him in dozens of posts a day to have him weigh in on a new product, break down a buzzy ingredient, or debunk a marketing term.  

This piece originally appeared in the October 2023 issue of Harper's Bazaar US