Our Top Makeup Artists for Every Gen Z Subculture

If the terms VSCO Girl, Instagram Baddie and E-Girl just made you stop reading and Google, welcome to the club. In fact, as a 26-year-old, I feel inadequate to write this article. One might say I even feel … old.

We have entered the world of Generation Z. And VSCO Girl, Instagram Baddie and E-Girl are their archetypes. The subcultures they present on social media — their main form of interaction. Essentially, these are the new versions of the Goth Chick and the Basic Girl.

But where did they come from? From a 15-second video. First spotted on TikTok, VSCO Girl — named after the popular photo editing app — quickly rose to popularity for a reason: young girls can connect to it. While my generation might have had flannel scarves, oversized sweaters and Starbucks cups, a VSCO Girl walks around in a Brandy Melville crop-top, high-waisted jeans, wearing Birkenstocks and carrying a Hydro Flask.

The Instagram Baddie (yes, this is the actual term) is known for her makeup. She always looks flawless, and her brows are the definition of perfect. If I had to pull a name out of the air to represent this group, it would be Kylie Jenner. E-Girl, however, is the exact opposite. With elaborate, extremely out there looks, the best comparison that comes to mind is a scene girl. Or anime.

And if we have learned anything about Gen Z (I highly suggest watching “Euphoria” as a crash course in the generation), it is that they take makeup seriously. According to Piper Jaffray’s 37th semi-annual Generation Z survey, 80 percent of teens say they get their beauty tips from influencers.

So, if you are a member of the young generation (or a ripe millennial who just wants to know what is going on), take stock and follow the makeup artists below that are keyed into each Gen Z subculture.

VSCO Girl

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A #PUBLICGLOWJOB to satisfy your needs💦🥟 #glossylids @welovecoco le gel paillette face shimmering gel @tomtakesphotoss @yadavillaret hair by @jonreymanhair assisted by @thefacebykase #namvoglow #dewydumplings #oddlysatisfying

A post shared by NAM VO✨GLOW⚡️💫 (@namvo) on Aug 25, 2019 at 7:20pm PDT

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💛 Beautiful @enga.d 🧡 @glossierplay colour slide in jumbo and nectar and just a touch of stretch concealer over the skin.

A post shared by Katie Jane Hughes (@katiejanehughes) on Apr 19, 2019 at 10:27am PDT

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Buttery skin and glossy eyes 💕two of my favourite things created with two of my favourite brands @temptu and @danessa_myricks !!! Remember when ordering at temptu.com you can use my code ISABELLE15 for 15% off your orders! model @jacenne using of course @temptu Sb foundation in #4 #6 contour deep, white shimmer & pink pear and clementine blush & yellow. @danessa_myricks colourfix 24hr cream in cream brûlée, Kaleidoscope glaze on the eyes lips and cheeks! Thankyou @glamcorofficial for letting us use your booth again XX #makeupartistsworldwide #fiercesociety, #wakeupandmakeup #liptrends #makeupaholic #beautyinspiration #allmodernmakeup #blendwithtrend #temptu #temptupro #nothingisordinary #postitforaesthetic #amazingmakeupart #thebabeface #lunarimakeup #muastars #muaawsome #bestmua #sigmabeauty #topthatpose #sigmapro #perthmua #perthmakeupartist #makeupinsider #instamakeup #instamua

A post shared by Isabelle De Vries (@isabelle.de.vries) on Sep 2, 2019 at 2:21pm PDT

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Finally back in NYC! 😍 Liner: @maccosmetics Dazzlesshadow Liquid shade Stars In My Eyes. Mascara: @revlon So Fierce Mascara. Base: @pacificabeauty Alight Foundation shade 34NL. Lipstick: @diormakeup Dior Addict Lip Glow shade Matte Raspberry. Cheeks: @glossier Cloud Paint shade Puff. Glow: @8facesbeauty Boundless Solid Oil. Highlight: @fleshbeauty Touch Flesh Highlighting Balm in shade Startle.

A post shared by Ash Walker (@walker_ash) on Sep 6, 2019 at 6:01am PDT

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POP OF MINT 💚 @charlotteslawrence #TobiMakeup Hair @laurapolko @siena Head over to @byrdiebeauty to see my Instagram Takeover and how we achieved Charlotte’s look. Hair Colour by @traceycunningham1 Assisted by @kimkpham #NYFW

A post shared by TOBI MAKEUP (@tobimakeup) on Sep 6, 2019 at 6:41pm PDT

E-Girl

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@irnbru pls sponsor me

A post shared by E҉v҉e҉ 🍑 (@eve.frsr) on Aug 12, 2019 at 11:47am PDT

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I worked with the behind-the-scenes crew one day on set and directed these little video clips to showcase the winter formal makeups, applied by @kirinrider and myself. Can’t wait to share more pics of everything + the design backstories! Coming soon soon soon! #euphoriahbo #euphoriahbomakeup #euphoriawinterformal

A post shared by d o n i e l l a d a v y (@donni.davy) on Aug 15, 2019 at 1:28pm PDT

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yes, it did hurt when I fell frm heaven 👼🏻 . . . . . wearing new @sugarpill endless summer collection + loose eyeshadow in silver lake. Hair done by the amazing @mndz_b 🌟❤️

A post shared by olivya 🥀 (@gass.y) on Aug 30, 2019 at 11:36am PDT

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The piiiigment on the new @anastasiabeverlyhills x @alyssaedwards_1 Eyeshadow Palette is just WOW!!! 🤤 Tutorial on it is now live on my channel and linked in bio & story ✨ #ABHxAlyssaEdwards #anastasiabeverlyhills

A post shared by Evelina Forsell (@evelina.forsell) on May 28, 2019 at 11:30am PDT

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bleeeeh! 👅 •fruit blue lenses @uniqso (discount code: anzujaamu)

A post shared by Anzu (@anzujaamu) on Aug 18, 2019 at 9:50am PDT

Instagram Baddies

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EUPHORIA 💞🔮 who else is literally obsessed with the show!? who’s your favorite character? mine are Maddie & Kitten Queen 😂 I had to recreate this look from @alexademie

A post shared by James Charles (@jamescharles) on Aug 12, 2019 at 5:24pm PDT

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hola como estas? me llamo nikita y tu?

A post shared by Mother of Draguns (@nikita_dragun) on Jan 2, 2019 at 12:00pm PST

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Eid Mubarak everyone ! Wave goodbye to another amazing Ramadan, in sha Allah our duas and good deeds are accepted, may that deep connection with Allah remain with us always 💜⁣ ⁣ Ps I have this makeup look using all drugstore products live now, on my YouTube channel 🥰

A post shared by SABINA HANNAN (@sabinahannan) on Jun 3, 2019 at 11:45am PDT

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how many times did you just watch this? Like 7 here lol 🙋🏻‍♂️ @normani last night. We played with alil’ bit of color 🎨♥️ #MakeupByMario @kollincarter @viphair_ashanti

A post shared by MAKEUP BY MARIO (@makeupbymario) on Sep 8, 2019 at 3:38pm PDT

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Do you ever just want to play with color😍 i created this looking using my palette with @colourpopcosmetics Through My Eyes for some pop of emeralds! Also topped it with Sueño De coco and Curvii Lip Gloss and Pencil! *TAP THE PICTURE TO SHOP directly from this post! #iluvsarahii

A post shared by iluvsarahii (@iluvsarahii) on May 14, 2019 at 1:28pm PDT

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