About

Leyla McDowell, Liverpool makeup artist

Leyla works from her chair inside Gallagher & Washington in Mossley Hill, doing the thing she posts about every week: making people look at themselves and smile.

Leyla McDowell wearing her own soft glam makeup, photographed in the evening

Behind the chair

Her Instagram bio keeps it simple: Liverpool MUA, appointments, photoshoots, bridal. In practice that means early wedding mornings that start at six, prom seasons, shoot days for brand launches, and a steady stream of clients who come back every time.

Clients on her booking page describe her as a perfectionist, quick in the chair, with makeup that stays flawless all night. More than one has written that they would not go anywhere else.

She also teaches. One to one lessons for people who want to learn their own face, and one and two day courses for those starting their own makeup journey, finished with a certificate she signs herself.

Book with Leyla

"But maybe the best compliment is simply 'I FEEL BEAUTIFUL'"

Leyla, on what a job well done sounds like, on Instagram

The kit

What is in the bag

Leyla is always adding to her kit and tags the brands herself. These are the names from her own posts.

  • Charlotte Tilbury
  • MAC Cosmetics
  • Patrick Ta
  • Haus Labs
  • Makeup by Mario
Portrait of Leyla McDowell with glam makeup and loose waves

Find her in Mossley Hill

Appointments happen at 27 Dovedale Road, Liverpool L18 5EP, inside Gallagher & Washington. In summer she has also taken bookings in Marbella, announced on Instagram for her holiday clients.