Celebrity Makeup Artist Yumi Kaizuka On Working With Lauryn Hill, Kellan Lutz And Miranda McKeon

For almost two decades, New York City-based makeup artist Yumi Kaizuka has worked with some of the most recognizable faces in the entertainment industry, including Lauryn Hill, Kellan Lutz, and Miranda McKeon. She has also collaborated with top brands such as Jones Road Beauty, Sophie Ratner Jewelry, and The South James Agency represents her, and she worked with major fashion labels like Mara Hoffman,Strathberry x SJP, Cole Haan, Naadam and DL1961, as well as campaigns for Puma, Google, DevaCurl and many more.

A History Of Working With The Stars

After arriving in New York from Japan over 18 years ago, Yumi Kaizuka started working with celebrities in 2009. Her first major opportunities included working with tennis player Jelena Jankovic and star Kelly Bensimon early in her career. “It opened doors to working with clients like Leighton Meester and Ewan McGregor,” she said.

Makeup artist Yumi Kaizuka

“Additionally, photographers I collaborated with brought me to events and shoots, leading to opportunities with Kellan Lutz, Lauryn Hill, and her daughter, Selah Marley. I’m deeply appreciative of the trust these professionals placed in me—it’s been a wonderful journey.”

From Red Carpets To Magazine Covers, Kaizuka’s Career Highlights

Some of the most memorable career moments in entertainment include working with Lauryn Hill and her daughter Selah Marley; she gave Selah a striking blue eyeliner look. “Intriguingly, there were two makeup artists booked, but when Ms. Hill wanted a blue liner, I mixed colors to create a peacock blue shade that she loved,” said Kaizuka. “Ms. Hill said, ‘You created the color, you do it,’ and that trust and collaboration made the experience unforgettable.” Kaizuka started doing makeup for a magazine cover in 2010 when she worked on set with Polish supermodel Kasia Struss for ’s 10th-anniversary issue. She presented a smoky eye look to the model wearing a party dress she paired up with a feather boa. “It was just unforgettable,” said Kaizuka. 

Makeup For Red Carpets And Magazine Covers

According to Kaizuka, the distinction between doing makeup for a magazine cover versus an event like the Met Gala is based on the overall vision of a look. “It’s not just about the makeup itself but how it complements other elements such as clothing, hair, the model’s features, and the lighting,” she said. “The objective is to create a look that translates beautifully on camera or screen—it’s less about what you see in person and more about how it appears in photographs.”

Mara Hoffman by makeup artist Yumi Kaizuka

When it comes to red carpet looks, Kaizuka always asks talents what they’re wearing so the makeup matches their look. “Since cameras and flashes are everywhere, it’s essential to ensure the skin doesn’t appear too shiny and the look stays intact all day,” she said.

Get Photo Ready: A Makeup Artist’s Tips For Events 

Having worked with celebrities on red carpets for the Emmy Awards to magazine covers, Kaizuka is an expert when it comes to makeup for the camera. For party guests who want to be photo-ready at events, her makeup tips include focusing on matte finishes for the T-zone on your face, which is the forehead, nose, and chin. “These areas tend to reflect too much light and can appear shiny or white under a camera flash,” said Kaizuka. She also advises using a setting powder to keep these areas matte without losing the natural glow on other parts of the face. “Choose long-wear products for foundation, eyeliner, and lipstick to ensure the makeup lasts throughout the event without touch-ups,” she adds. “Less is more when it comes to shimmer or highlighter—proper placement is key into looking radiant without being overly reflective,” adds Kaizuka.