Ngozi Edeme

About

Nigerian celebrity makeup artist and social media personality also known as Painted by Esther and known for her doll like glam and signature gradient blush technique and for sharing celebrity transformations and makeup content on Instagram with over 330,000 followers and on TikTok with over 160,000 followers.

Before fame

She studied fine art before attending the University of Leicester for sociology. She practiced makeup on women around campus and posted the results online before moving to London in 2018 to pursue makeup full time. Her first major job was applying makeup to Drake's tour DJ Tiffany Calver before Ari Lennox became her first celebrity client.

Trivia

Her breakthrough came in 2025 when the pink-blush look she created for Olandria Carthen's Love Island USA reunion press appearances went viral as the "Painted by Esther Blush Trend." She created SZA's makeup for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show and partnered with MAC Cosmetics on Olandria's May 2026 MACzine cover.

Family life

Her mother introduced her to beauty and art by letting her watch her daily makeup routine and buying her dolls whose hair and makeup she could restyle. She was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria before relocating to England with her family.

Associated with

She was recommended to SZA by Gabrielle Union.