For many people, makeup is the difference between a morning brimming with confidence and a morning fielding questions from co-workers on why you look so different. (Spoiler alert: they didn't get a haircut, so you should probably stop asking.)
A smear of lipstick here; a stroke of mascara there; a smudge of foundation everywhere. Sure, it doesn't sound like much but in the right hands, makeup is all it takes to pull off a complete transformation.
But don't take our word for it. Just ask Nichole Richie on what makeup can do after hanging out with YouTube star-turned-artist-extraordinaire, Kandee Johnson.
Aside from the foundations of well... foundation, Johnson shares how makeup isn't about covering up what your momma gave you -- it's about manipulating lights and shadows to show off or hide your features.
And while contouring should be enough for most people (it's worked wonders for Kim Kardashian), that's just scratching the surface of what makeup can do. Just take a look at what these 10 makeup artists can do with their palette and a fresh face.
When she isn't hanging out with celebrities like Conan O'Brien or Nicole Richie, Kandee spends her time transforming herself into other celebs.
If you remember that viral story of adult entertainers without makeup, then this is the artist behind the images just about everyone turned into a slideshow.
The Italian-based makeup artist and portrait painter also has a knack for transformation.
But it's not just ladies who've mastered this art.
According to his Instagram, the TV host and actor spends his time transforming himself into some of Hollywood's leading ladies.
But Ballesteros isn't the only guy with a strong makeup game.
Bonito made his claim to fame with his "American Horror Story" makeup transformations. But he's branched out in the past months.
But not all male makeup artists are one for self-transformations.
The Russian makeup artist has made a name for himself with his ability to leave his customers nearly unrecognizable.
But makeup isn't just for making people pretty. It can also change people into works of art. Literally.
The duo, along with Veronica Ershova, combined makeup, photography and digital imagery to transform 2D images into 3D works of art.
Speaking of art, here's an example of some home-grown talent that draws inspiration from the funny pages.
Not your kind of animation?
The YouTube makeup guru is well-regarded for her take on Disney princesses but tackles plenty of fictional characters with ease.
The U.K.'s Daily Mail wrote about Malone-Guerbaa after she transformed herself into a deer for Christmas.
Did we miss any top-notch makeup artists? Let us know in the comments below!
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