With so much inspiration to draw from, makeup artist Booya chooses to pull hers from something much more than something that can be seen, but instead something that is felt. This makeup artist creates looks based on Biblical inspiration.

While others may opt to keep their personal faith and professional job separated, Booya celebrates it and has chosen to completely lean into it, creating some of her most inspired looks yet. “Artists inspire one another and in my journey as a makeup artist who also happens to be a Christian, I’m very inspired by the Creation and storytelling of God. When I do Gospel Makeup, I get to reflect on His Beauty while creating beauty which gives me much satisfaction.” In addition, she has expressed that she uses her faith as a tool of self-expression in her craft and in turn finds a more meaningful purpose. “I find deeper meaning in what I do through storytelling. With beauty or cosmetics as my medium, I strive to be a makeup artist that creates looks that are both pleasing to the eyes and the soul.”

Creation-inspired makeup

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When I do Gospel Makeup, I get to reflect on His Beauty while creating beauty which gives me much satisfaction.

Her love of artistry was not accidental. The makeup artist has familial ties with it through her mother who is also a lover and creator of art and the person who taught her about giving back to the community. She shares, “My mom and I are visual artists who have a heart for teaching. So we used to host summer art workshops in the format of the Creation story where students learn the basics of shading, landscaping, or portraiture.”

Swipe through the gallery below to check out some of Booya’s most inspired work:

Fiery Furnace-Inspired Makeup - “This look was made to remind believers that troubles (fire) that come their way won’t burn them because God is with them in the fire. He uses the fire to light up His children (Hebrew boys) to guide those who are lost (Nebuchadnezzar) back to Him.” Reference: Daniel 3

Fiery Furnace-Inspired Makeup

Matthew 6:24-34-Inspired Makeup - “If God takes care of the flowers and the birds in the sky, how much more with us - His children? If our earthly, imperfect parents are able to give us good gifts, how much more will our Heavenly and perfect Father give us?”

Matthew 6:24-34-Inspired Makeup

Salt & Light-Inspired Makeup - “Salt in the ancient Hebrew times was exchanged by two people to honor a lifelong bond of friendship. It is also a preserving agent and was considered to be highly valuable in the days of old. The Most High God wants to have this friendship with us. Great as He is, He doesn’t want us to be intimidated by His might and shy away from having a relationship with Him. He wants to hold our hands, have long conversations, and treat us to scrumptious meals because He’s a good good friend and good friends light you up because they add value (life) to you. This friendship with God (salt) ignites the light in us to point the lost back to Him so they may have that friendship as well.”

Salt & Light-Inspired Makeup

'Oceans' Worship Song-Inspired Makeup - “The go-to pick-me-up songs would have to be Oceans of Hillsong United. I created this look when everything seemed so helpless and overwhelming. I’m reminded that when I feel drowned out, my Heavenly Father will draw me out from the waters or part seas for me because He loves me.”

Creation-Inspired Makeup - “When my faith journey was rekindled, I decided in my heart to give back the teaching baton to the Artist and let Him teach me His ways this time. To commemorate that decision, I made my first Gospel Makeup, Creation: Let There Be Light. A full circle moment in my faith and artistic journey—the artist who taught art in the format of Creation is now being taught by the Creator of Creation Himself.”

Pastor Dharius Daniels Preaching-Inspired Makeup - “Sometimes, God leads us to a place where we don’t want to grow without interference from many outside opinions. These places of growth are our “cocoons”. A time of seclusion where it’s just us and God, receiving nutrients only from Him so He can strengthen and grow our wings so we may be able to do things in the air (our purpose) as butterflies, things caterpillars can’t do.”

Photos courtesy of Booya and @gospelmakeup

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