In a beauty industry that moves at the speed of culture, Breanna Harmon stands out for her precision, poise, and purpose. A New York-based makeup artist with Liberian roots, Harmon represents a new generation of creatives whose work transcends aesthetics, where skin becomes story, and glam becomes language. Her journey is one of intention and excellence, marked by relentless discipline, cultural pride, and an unwavering commitment to craft.
From backstage to center stage, Breanna’s artistry has graced some of the world’s most influential platforms. She has worked with major global artists and creatives, and most notably, toured internationally with Kendrick Lamar, one of the most exacting and visionary performers of our time. In high-pressure environments where every detail matters, Harmon’s work has held up under heat, lights, sweat, and the unblinking eye of the world.
Her recent work includes creating the striking cover look for tennis phenom Vicky Mboko on Rolling Stone Africa, a moment that captures Breanna’s signature balance: elevated glam that still feels deeply authentic. As her career continues to bridge the U.S. and Africa, Breanna Harmon is not only shaping faces, she’s shaping narratives, expanding representation, and proving that African excellence is not emerging; it has always been here.
Below, Breanna Harmon speaks with Rolling Stone Africa about touring with Kendrick Lamar, honoring cultural identity through beauty, navigating a global career, and the legacy she’s building, one brushstroke at a time.
INTERVIEW WITH BREANNA HARMON
(Full spread in the October 2025 issue)
RSA: You’ve recently been on tour with Kendrick Lamar. Can you tell us about what it was like doing makeup for such a high-energy, global tour? How do you approach creating looks that hold up under the lights, sweat, and pressure of live performance?
Breanna Harmon: Going on tour was definitely a defining experience in my career. Seeing firsthand how many people it takes to bring a production of that scale to life was incredible, and I’m so grateful to have played a part in it. Creating and executing the makeup looks for Kendrick’s female dancers, then watching those looks come alive on stage and on the big screens, was surreal. There’s nothing like the feeling of seeing your artistry reach thousands of people each night.
Working with Kendrick personally as his makeup artist for a few shows was an incredible experience. He’s intentional about every detail, and it was truly an honor to be a part of his vision and to be recognized for who I am as an artist. My background in fashion and runway prepared me to work quickly under pressure, which was essential for a tour environment. For live performance specifically, I always start with thorough skin prep and a strong base. That’s what ensures the makeup holds through sweat, lights, and all the intensity of performing. To finish, I layered four different setting sprays to really lock everything in.
RSA: You’re the artist behind tennis champion Vicky Mboko’s striking cover look for this month’s Rolling Stone Africa. What was the vision behind her glam, and how did you bring it to life?
Breanna Harmon: Vicky is incredibly accomplished at such a young age, and I wanted her cover look to reflect that while staying true to her natural youthfulness. From her social media and media appearances, I noticed she typically wears little to no makeup, so I knew this look would be more than she’s used to. My goal was for her to feel beautiful and confident, enhancing her features without masking who she is. I kept the eyeshadow soft, the lashes light, and the overall finish fresh and radiant, creating a full-glam look that still felt like her.
RSA: You’ve worked with a wide range of celebrities, from music to sports. How do you tailor your approach to fit each client’s personality, profession, and brand?
Breanna Harmon: With every client, I start with a consultation before applying any products. I ask about allergies, products they prefer to avoid, the type of look they want, and how often they typically wear makeup. If I know the client ahead of time, I also research their previous appearances and social media to understand their usual style and get a sense of their personality. This helps me tailor a look that’s not only flattering but also authentic to who they are and aligned with their personal brand.
RSA: As someone with roots in Liberia and a career flourishing in both the U.S. and Africa, how does your cultural background influence your creative process?
Breanna Harmon: Growing up with African culture around me, I was surrounded by bold colors, patterns, and a strong sense of personal expression, all of which inspire the way I approach makeup. Living and working in the U.S. has exposed me to global trends, techniques, and styles, which I blend with my cultural perspective to create looks that are fresh, unique, and versatile. My Liberian roots continue to influence my aesthetic today, inspiring me to celebrate African beauty and bring that richness and vibrancy into every look I create.
RSA: There’s a lot of buzz about the underrepresentation of African talent in global beauty. As an African and American makeup artist on the rise, what are your thoughts on that, and how are you changing the narrative?
Breanna Harmon: The beauty industry has long presented barriers and bias toward people of color, including African talent, and it’s something I’ve experienced firsthand. But I’m also seeing the rise of African talent on set and backstage. Many of my colleagues who are on the come-up, like me, have bonded over the fact that so many of us are African. I truly believe that in the next few years, we’ll see more African talent stepping into the spotlight.
I’m grateful that platforms like Rolling Stone Africa exist to highlight young African talent like myself, you are an important part of our story. Rising in the beauty industry isn’t easy, but I see my own progression every day, and I know it’s possible. I also feel a responsibility to uplift others and bring people along with me, because I want to see our talent thrive. We are so talented and creative; we are the blueprint.
RSA: What’s your signature when it comes to makeup? Is there a “Breanna Harmon” touch that people come to expect?
Breanna Harmon: When a client sits in my chair, my favorite step is always skin prep. I see it as the foundation of any great makeup look, and it’s something my clients always appreciate. The process can vary depending on each client’s skin type and concerns, but everyone can expect to feel pampered, it might even put you to sleep.
Beyond the products themselves, I love incorporating a lymphatic drainage massage around the face and down the neck. It feels incredible, stimulates blood flow, and helps promote healthy color and plumpness in the skin. After skin prep, I focus on creating a flawless base. I take the time to carefully address each blemish and imperfection while applying complexion products, ensuring the skin looks natural, seamless, and radiant.
Another signature of mine is the lips. I absolutely love transforming a person’s lips, whether it’s through color, shape, or design. My fascination with lips goes back to when I was a kid and the obsession I had with my Bratz dolls, their perfect cupid’s bows, lip liner, and bold colors always inspired me. That playful love for creating the perfect lip stays with me every time I create a look today.
RSA: The makeup industry is always evolving. Which current beauty trends are you loving, and which ones do you think are overhyped?
Breanna Harmon: I’m really enjoying the resurgence of bold eyeshadow looks, and I’m excited about trends moving toward color in general. At the same time, I do appreciate the “clean girl makeup” trend for its focus on skin, and the emphasis on making makeup look beautiful yet natural, while highlighting the skincare that helps achieve that flawless base. I also think it’s a great trend because it encourages people to pay attention to their skincare and understand how it plays a key role in a flawless makeup application.
RSA: Tour life can be intense. How do you stay inspired, grounded, and creative when you’re constantly on the move with high-profile clients?
Breanna Harmon: My faith in God and the support of my family keep me grounded. Whenever I feel anxious or uninspired, I take a moment to pray, which helps me regain clarity and a level-headed mindset. I draw creativity from everyday life and from the wide range of artists whose work I admire. Simply moving through the world each day is inspiring, there’s so much to see and experience when you step out the front door, and I try to bring that energy into the looks I create.
RSA: You’ve already accomplished so much, but we have to ask: do you see a Breanna Harmon makeup line in the future? What would it look like, and what gap in the market would it fill?
Breanna Harmon: Of course I do. I’ve always dreamed of creating my own makeup line. I want it to be a brand that celebrates individuality and inclusivity, products that empower people to feel confident in their own skin, whether they’re going for a bold, glamorous look or a natural, everyday finish.
I also want my brand to make every consumer feel like a true artist. I want products that inspire people to think, “How else can I use this in an unconventional way?”, to see my products as their tools, paint, and their face as a canvas for whatever they imagine. At the same time, I want to fill a gap in the market for high-quality, versatile products that work beautifully across all skin tones and types while keeping artistry and creativity at the at the forefront.
RSA: What advice do you have for aspiring African makeup artists trying to break into the global beauty industry?
Breanna Harmon: My advice is to never give up and never take no as the final answer. You’ll face countless rejections before you get that one yes, but persistence is key. Constantly create and refine your craft even when no one is watching, create for the sake of creating. Build your portfolio, because you never know when it will open doors to a potential job or client.
Stay true to your art, and never stop learning; there’s always something new to master or improve upon. Invest in yourself to become the best artist you can be. And most importantly, believe in yourself and have confidence. Talent might get you in the door, but confidence and a strong sense of self will help you overcome obstacles.
