We’ve compiled over 150 beauty and makeup quotes from old Hollywood stars, makeup artists, beauty gurus/Youtubers, and celebrities.
Want some inspo? Or just some makeup quotes for Instagram captions?
Keep reading for inspiring, empowering, uplifting, confidence-building, clever, classy, and funny beauty and makeup quotes!
Old Hollywood/Vintage Icon Quotes about Makeup and Beauty
“What red can do for the spirit, it can also do for the face.”
― Sophia Loren
“Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world.”
― Marilyn Monroe
“The most beautiful makeup of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy.”
― Yves Saint Laurent
“Elegance comes from being as beautiful inside as outside.”
― Coco Chanel
“Make-up can only make you look pretty on the outside but it doesn’t help if you’re ugly on the inside. Unless you eat the make-up.”
― Audrey Hepburn
“A smile is the best makeup any girl can wear.”
― Marilyn Monroe
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”
― Audrey Hepburn
“If you’re sad, add more lipstick and attack.”
― Coco Chanel
“The intoxication of rouge is an insidious vintage known to more girls than mere man can ever believe.”
― Dorothy Speare (flapper era)
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
– Ancient Greek Proverb
“Caring about beauty, it is necessary to start with the heart and soul, otherwise no makeup will not help.”
― Coco Chanel
“Any woman can look her best if she feels good in her skin. It’s not a question of clothes or makeup. It’s how she sparkles.”
― Sophia Loren
“Put on some lipstick and pull yourself together.”
― Elizabeth Taylor
“There are no ugly women, only lazy.”
― Coco Chanel
“If you’re going to be two-faced at least make one of them pretty.”
― Marilyn Monroe
“There are more important things than outward appearance. No amount of makeup can cover an ugly personality.”
― Audrey Hepburn
“I will not retire while I’ve still got my legs and my make-up box.”
― Bette Davis
“I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick.”
― Audrey Hepburn
“I don’t understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little – if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that’s the day she has a date with destiny. And it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.”
― Coco Chanel
Makeup Artist Quotes about Makeup and Beauty
“Makeup can make a woman look more beautiful at every age.”
― Francois Nars
“The best thing is to look natural, but it takes makeup to look natural.”
― Calvin Klein
“To me, beauty and makeup and color is like the finishing touch on everything.”
― Marc Jacobs
“Personalized beauty is about each woman being able to create her own makeup routine that complements her coloring and style.”
― Bobbi Brown
“There are no rules when it comes to makeup!”
― Kevyn Aucoin
“Makeup is about balance. When the eye makes a statement, the lips should be quiet.”
― Francois Nars
“Beauty is power, and makeup is something that really enhances that; it’s a woman’s secret.”
― Charlotte Tilbury
“That’s why I began doing makeup in the first place: I was hoping that through helping people see the beauty in themselves, I could try and find it in me.”
― Kevyn Aucoin
“I believe that all women are pretty without makeup, and can be pretty powerful with the right makeup.”
― Bobbi Brown
“Treat your makeup like jewelry for the face. Play with colors, shapes, structure – it can transform you.”
― Francois Nars
“I’m not saying that putting on makeup will change the world or even your life, but it can be a first step in learning things about yourself you may never have discovered otherwise. At worst, you could make a big mess and have a good laugh.”
― Kevyn Aucoin
“Makeup is part of my daily routine. It’s the time in my mornings when I can concentrate on me, and me alone. Giving yourself the kind of attention is so important – and is something that is definitely glossed over by too many women.”
― Kat Von D
“Glowing skin is a result of proper skincare, it means you can wear less makeup and let skin shine through.”
― Michel Coulombe
“Creativity is your best makeup skill, don’t be afraid to experiment.”
― Pat McGrath
“You cannot achieve good makeup without good tools.”
― Francois Nars
“There are endless ways to enhance beauty. You never know when you will find your perfect lipstick – unless you keep experimenting.”
― Pat McGrath
“Beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin.”
― Shu Uemura
“Makeup is the finishing touch, the final accessory.”
― Marc Jacobs
“Every woman deserves a man to ruin her lipstick, not her mascara.”
― Charlotte Tilbury
“The right tools are just as important as the makeup itself.”
― Bobbi Brown
“The brush is an extension of the hand and is a fundamental tool for a makeup artist. And whether he is a professional or an amateur his canvas is the face and/or the body.”
― Dany Sanz (founder of Make Up For Ever)
“Makeup is an extraordinary tool that allows me to share my inspirations, my fantasies, and my vision with the world.”
― Pat McGrath
Celebrity Quotes about Makeup and Beauty
“My main beauty tip is don’t say that negative thing when you look in the mirror. It just isn’t healthy… That lack of beating up on ourselves — that’s my new mantra. Happiness is the best makeup; a smile is better than any lipstick you’ll put on.”
― Drew Barrymore
“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.”
― Gwyneth Paltrow
“Lipstick is really magical. It holds more than a waxy bit of color – it holds the promise of a brilliant smile, a brilliant day, both literally and figuratively.”
― Roberta Gately
“It’s not your makeup but how you are made up.”
― Tapan Ghosh
“I love the confidence that makeup gives me.”
― Tyra Banks
“I don’t wear makeup for others the same way I don’t decorate my house for others. This is my home & everything I do is for me.”
― Amanda Lovelace
“The beauty of a woman is not in her facial makeup but in the kindness of her soul.”
― Debasish Mridha
“Beauty is not about makeup it’s about what it makes you be from within.”
― Amit Abraham
“There’s no better makeup than confidence.”
― Shakira Ripoll
“All the makeup in this world can never cover up an empty brain.”
― Edmond Mbiaka
“Good skin is the best foundation for your makeup.”
― Holland Roden
“Whether I’m wearing lots of makeup or no makeup, I’m always the same person inside.”
― Lady Gaga
“Whenever I don’t have to wear makeup, it’s a good day.”
― Cameron Diaz
“Beauty starts in your head, not in your mirror.”
― Joubert Botha
“The kind of beauty I want most is the hard-to-get kind that comes from within – strength, courage, dignity.”
― Ruby Dee
“I love fashion, and I love changing my style, my hair, my makeup, and everything I’ve done in the past has made me what I am now. Not everyone is going to like what I do, but I look back at everything, and it makes me smile.”
― Victoria Beckham
“Makeup should never be used to hide yourself. It should be used to enhance your natural beauty.”
― Kira Carl
“The only way I’d be caught without makeup is if my radio fell in the bathtub while I was taking a bath and electrocuted me and I was in between makeup at home. I hope my husband would slap a little lipstick on me before he took me to the morgue.”
― Dolly Parton
“I can’t wear a little makeup. I have to wear a lot of makeup or no makeup.”
― Betsey Johnson
“We know grooming is important for people. To get their hair done, to get makeup and things like that – that makes a person feel better.”
― Kenneth Williams
“The makeup is simply an extension of the personality and colors, clothing, makeup all express something.”
― Gene Simmons
“It’s fun to be a woman. It’s fun to flirt and wear makeup and have boobs.”
― Eva Mendes
“It’s all or nothing with my makeup. If I get dressed up, I’ll go to an extreme. I’ll wear foundation, bright blue or bright red lipstick with one of my weird purple wigs.”
― Angelina Jolie
“People often say that ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder,’ and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder. This empowers us to find beauty in places where others have not dared to look, including inside ourselves.”
― Salma Hayek
“I like to make my husband like me more, and he likes it when I’m wearing makeup.”
― Gwen Stefani
“Heels and red lipstick will put the fear of God in people.”
― Dita Von Teese
“I’ve worked with all the best makeup artists, so I’ve picked up loads of advice, but I think the best and simplest is to use eyelash curlers. They really open up your eyes.”
– Kate Moss for i-D UK
“And who’s to say a little mascara doesn’t make you feel more confident when you pop it on and look in the mirror?”
― Christina Aguilera
“We’re just so lucky as women to be able to wear it [makeup]. If you’re having a bad day, you can change that.”
― Gwen Stefani
“Joy is the best makeup. But a little lipstick is a close runner-up.”
― Anne Lamott
“My lifelong obsession with makeup started with watching my mom put her makeup on. I always loved to watch her, and all the funny faces she was making in the mirror. I never understood it until I got older and fell in love with makeup myself and really started becoming obsessed.
The first time I remember having my makeup done was for this beauty pageant that I did in school. I was 15, about to be 16, just before I got signed. I had my full face done for this pageant — my mom actually did my makeup.
And ever since then, ever since I saw foundation on my skin, I could never look at my skin without foundation again. Makeup, it spoiled me.”
― Rihanna
“That’s one of the things I love about makeup. You can change your whole attitude by just doing your eyeliner or lipstick differently.”
― Beyonce
“Glitter is my makeup of choice.”
― Kesha
“I feel beautiful without makeup on, but when I do put makeup on, it just gives me this extra pop.”
― Cardi B
“My lipstick was… the symbol of the new, young career woman and they flashed it across restaurants with each other. It was like being a member of a club.”
– Mary Quant (in reference to the impact of her own lipstick in the 1960s)
Youtuber/Beauty Guru Quotes about Makeup and Beauty
“Makeup is no different than clothes and accessories – it’s embellishments for your face. And it also gives you creative freedom. You get to have that moment in front the mirror every morning and give yourself self-love. You’re making yourself up beautiful, which is essentially self-love.”
― Michelle Phan
“I’ve been noticing a lot lately that girls have been almost ashamed to say that they love makeup. Because nowadays, when you say you love makeup you either do it because you want to look good for boys, you do it because you’re insecure, or you do it because you don’t love yourself.
I feel like in a way, lately, it’s almost a crime to love doing your makeup. I was inspired to show the power of makeup.”
“Remember that true beauty comes from within – from within bottles, jars, compacts, and lipstick tubes.”
“I’ve been a makeup artist since I was 12 and it was always a dream of mine back then to have my own line.
I would spend hours every night recreating looks I saw in my mother’s Cosmo magazines and it was my escape. When you come from a poor background and a family full of alcoholics, you don’t fully understand what that means when you’re a little kid.
I found art and makeup, it changed my life.”
“Makeup is not a mask that covers up your beauty: it’s a weapon that helps you express who you are from the inside.”
― Michelle Phan
“Three months ago, I began posting images of myself without makeup on social media. Over the past few months, I’ve received thousands of messages from people all over the world who suffer or have suffered from acne, an insecurity, or self-confidence issues.
You are beautiful – no matter how flawed you feel, no matter how upset you may be about the way you look or how hard you find it to make friends, or be confident. Believe in yourself, and never let anyone tell you’re not beautiful – not even yourself.”
“Makeup is an art form for me. It’s a form of expression, and it’s such a cool way to get my creative juices flowing.”
– James Charles
“It was something I’ve been interested in since I was a young boy. I always liked looking at magazines and seeing the pretty faces. When I was 20, I started suffering from acne. That experience reminded me of my love for makeup and how I could use it to fix my skin.”
“Growing up with an acne problem was extremely hard for me.
I wanted to be the confident girl.
I found confidence when I found cosmetics. I realized that that I didn’t have to walk around and feel like people were staring at me. I didn’t have to suffer in silence. I didn’t have to suffer at all.
I discovered that by spending a few minutes before leaving the house, putting on a little bit of makeup, I could alter the entire course of my day and how I would feel about myself all day, which bled into every other facet of my life.
Makeup is important because it empowers people. In this life, we should do anything that makes us feel happy, confident, and beautiful, and that is exactly how makeup makes me feel. It enables us to enhance and highlight the aspects of us that we are proud of. It enables us to mask and disguise the parts that we’re not so comfortable with.”
“There are no rules in makeup. If there were, I’d break them anyway.”
– Jaclyn Hill
“Thank god for Redbull and fake eyelashes.”
Related: View more eye makeup quotes here!
“I probably spend six hours on just my mascara. I like to get that “Hi I want to ******* kill you” look.”
― Jeffree Star
“I don’t care if someone makes fun of me, but if someone calls me a mean person or something, I reply. If you don’t like me in makeup, that’s OK. But I would like people to like me as a person.”
― James Charles
Makeup Captions And Inspirational Makeup Quotes And Sayings
“Beauty is about being comfortable in your own skin.”
– Unknown
“Wake up and makeup.”
– Unknown
“Makeup magnifies the beauty that already exists.”
– Unknown
“Don’t let today be a waste of makeup.”
– Unknown
“Even on a bad day, there is always lipstick.”
– Unknown
“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.”
– Unknown
“Glowing skin for the win!”
– Unknown
“Makeup is not a tool meant to make an ugly thing beautiful. It is meant only to magnify the beauty that already exists.”
– Unknown
“A little lipstick never hurts!”
– Unknown
“Makeup: use it to highlight your face. Not hide it.”
– Unknown
“Exfoliate the bad vibes.”
– Unknown
“Makeup is self-confidence applied directly to the face.”
– Unknown
“Confidence: wear it like makeup.”
– Unknown
“Have a fabu-lash Friday.”
– Unknown
“Makeup is art. Beauty is spirit.”
– Unknown
“I like my makeup like I like my people: non-toxic.”
– Unknown
“Keep your lashes long and your standards high.”
– Unknown
“With a good makeup brush, every woman can be an artist.”
– Unknown
“There are no makeup mistakes – only experiments.”
– Unknown
“A glowing woman can help other women glow and still be lit.”
– Unknown
“I don’t wear makeup to feel pretty. I wear it to feel powerful.”
– Unknown
“You glow girl!”
– Unknown
Funny Makeup Quotes and Sayings
Want More Makeup Quotes That Will Make You Smile? Check Out Our Full List Of Funny Makeup Quotes!
“Crying is for plain women. Pretty women go shopping.”
– Oscar Wilde
“If you retain nothing else, always remember the most important rule of beauty, which is: who cares?”
― Tiny Fey
“Eyebrows – the one thing you can get into shape without exercising.”
― Unknown
“To be honest I’m just winging it. My life. My eyeliner. Everything.”
― Unknown
“I came. I saw. I contoured.”
― Unknown
“Blending is my cardio.”
― Unknown
“Too glam to give a damn!”
― Unknown
“Relationship status: emotionally dependent on my brow lady.”
― Unknown
“An SPF a day keeps the wrinkles away!”
― Unknown
“It’s not hoarding if it’s makeup.”
― Unknown
Them: “Wow, you’re blushing!”
Me: “Yeah, it was 30 dollars.”
― Unknown
“The bags under my eyes are Chanel.”
― Unknown
“Life is short. Your lashes shouldn’t be.”
― Unknown
“All things are possible with coffee and mascara.”
― Unknown
“Don’t worry about me, worry about your eyebrows.”
― Unknown
“Life is tough – use a setting spray!”
― Unknown
“Drawing a black line across my eyelids makes me feel 10x better.”
― Unknown
“You can’t buy happiness but you can buy makeup. Which is pretty much the same thing.”
― Unknown
“May your coffee be hot and your eyeliner be even.”
― Unknown
If you can’t see my highlighter from space, I’m not wearing enough.”
― Unknown
Man: “When women wear makeup they’re basically lying to us.”
Me: “I don’t see why I’m being blamed for a man stupid enough to think I have gold sparkly eyelids.”
― Unknown
“The only drama I enjoy is my lashes.”
― Unknown
“If I let you see me without my eyebrows, I must really like you.”
― Unknown
“Sorry I’m late but do you see this makeup?”
― Unknown
“I like makeup more than people.”
― Unknown
“If loving your lashes is a crime we plead guilty.”
― Unknown
“Relax – eyeliner can smell fear.”
― Unknown
“Boys will never understand the struggle of long hair and lip gloss on a windy day.”
― Unknown
“I put concealer on all my problems.”
― Unknown
“A lash and a wink gets you further than you think!”
― Unknown
Did you hear the news about Jefree Star?? I guess he just put out a new makeup collection! Shane Dawson I guess is his partner on this collection. They called the new collection “Conspiracy”. It looks fantastic!
Really inspiring, it even makes me want to start writing about beauty.
Thank you
I’m so glad you liked this post and found some inspo, Khanyisile! 🙂