Meet Gabrielle Houghton: Master Makeup Artist & Teacher
Gabrielle Houghton is modern beauty with a little extra magic: polished, creative, and always finding inspiration in the everyday 🪄
An award winning makeup artist and the 2025 Viva NZ Makeup Artist of the Year, she has built a platform where luxury beauty meets real life glow ups, wrapped in thoughtful education and her signature elevated style ✨
Whether she is road tripping across Aotearoa for bridal bookings, hosting sold out masterclasses, or helping her followers level up their everyday routines, Gabby is all about making beauty feel accessible, aspirational, and genuinely enjoyable 🫶
What kind of content do you create and why do you enjoy it?
I create predominantly beauty content, and I love doing that because I'm a makeup artist! Content is another way I can reach more people and teach them something about makeup and improve their lives in a small way.
Along the way, I also love sharing more about my life, travels with my husband, and becoming a mum!
Especially since becoming a mum, social media has been so helpful for me. I'm quickly realising that there's no way anyone tackles motherhood without their community. Content has allowed me to find an online community of women who give me advice. It's such a special opportunity!
Congratulations on winning the 2025 Viva NZ Makeup Artist of the Year! Where does your passion
for beauty and makeup come from?
Winning the Viva NZ Makeup Artist of the year was one of the craziest experiences of my whole life and career. It was so special!
My passion for makeup and beauty comes from – first, it's the creativity. Getting to create something that didn't exist before.
Second, what has kept me in it is seeing the way it can make people feel. How people can attack their day with so much more confidence because they now know the perfect way to apply concealer for them where it's not going to crease or look cakey. It's a little thing, but it's so rewarding.
You run an EPIC masterclass with some friends and are a skilled educator. What do you enjoy
about teaching and how does it fill your cup?
That's happening in May this year with three of my friends! Teaching is one of my favourite things. There's nothing more rewarding than visually watching someone improve and getting the skill that they didn't have before. Seeing the confidence that gives people, there’s nothing that makes me happier.
I've been doing makeup for nearly 15 years, and I've definitely learned a thing or two along the way. So being able to pass it on and kind of feels like my duty at this point.
“Seeing the confidence that [beauty] gives people, there’s nothing that makes me happier.” - Gabby
How would you describe your makeup and fashion style?
I would describe my makeup style as very clean. It's very heavily inspired by colour theory. I'm a real subscriber of colour seasons (analysis) – you know that TikTok trend?
I'm heavily inspired by eastern makeup, my style sits right in-between East and West. I think the perfect makeup is right in the middle of those two styles combined.
My fashion style has always been a little bit androgynous. I love pants and a blazer! At the moment, I'm kind of going through like a fashion evolution. I'm interested to see if and how my fashion changes when I become a mum.
What does health and wellness mean to you?
Health and wellness means everything to me. I am such a big believer in moving your body, getting outside in the sun. Investing in your relationships – for me, seeing my family and spending time with my family is so important and that is what makes me feel the healthiest.
I recently bought a walking pad and it's been the most amazing thing. I love Pilates, love a supplement, love a fun drink. I really prioritise sleep too!
Having the ability and energy to prioritise my health and wellness while I've been pregnant has been such a blessing.
“Especially since becoming a mum, social media has been so helpful for me.” - Gabby
To see more of Gabrielle, visit her on social media or check out her talent page.
