BBC / Wall to WallGlow Up series 5 contestants: Meet the new MUAs
Glow Up is returning for series 5 with new host Leomie Anderson and a new line-up of young make-up artists.
It’s time to dust off those make-up brushes: Glow Up series five is coming to BBC Three this May, with 10 new make-up artists (MUAs) looking to become Britain’s Next Make-Up Star.
The Glow Up series five contestants are not the only thing that’s new to series five. Leomie Anderson is joining the show as host, bringing supermodel glamour to the Glow Up studios.
Glamour, however, is just one thing that the series five MUAs will have to perfect. The 10 contestants will have to master every make-up style to impress judges Val Garland and Dominic Skinner.
Before the Glow Up cast bring out their brushes, here’s everything you need to know about our MUAs – and what to expect from them in the creative briefs.
Axel (he/they)
How it started: Axel started experimenting with make-up as a teen. At that time, they were heavily inspired by creature design and got obsessed with turning themselves into monsters.
How it’s going: Now 27 years old, Axel is a computer arts student in Dundee. They love drag and transforming themselves into interdimensional beings.
Howard (he/him)
How it started: Howard grew up in Malaysia. Watching his mother put on her make-up inspired him to get into beauty. His parents, however, were worried he would never be able to make a career out of it.
How it’s going: He moved to London to study hospitality management, but quickly realised glamour was his true passion. At 30-years-old, he dreams of creating immaculate model looks and magazine cover-ready make-up.
Keiran (he/they)
How it started: At 13, Keiran realised they wanted to be an MUA. Two years later, watching RuPaul’s Drag Race made them realise the power of expressing their femininity.
How it’s going: At 23, Keiran is an award-winning hairstylist in Cheshire, but is joining Glow Up to prove they are as talented with a make-up brush as they are with a hairbrush.
Morgan (she/her)
How it started: After COVID cancelled her college course, Morgan decided to teach herself make-up after being inspired by the world of superheroes and the supernatural.
How it’s going: Despite being only 19, Durham-based Morgan has her own business as a freelance make-up artist. She might do everything for her business, but that does not stop her being a perfectionist.
On-May (she/her)
How it started: Glasgow's On-May got into make-up after watching the video for Michael Jackson’s Thriller and seeing a fellow school pupil’s perfect eyeliner.
How it’s going: This mixture of Halloween horror and flawless glamour sums up On-May’s style perfectly. The 21-year-old works as a retail make-up artist, but also loves creating out-there characters based on what she’s learning in her film and TV make-up course.
Roo (they/them)
How it started: Roo is the child of parents who worked in the theatre, so art and performance run in their blood. This led them to study fine art at university.
How it’s going: While studying, Roo realised fine art wasn’t their true passion. Make-up allowed Roo, 24, to discover their self-described “strange” and “wacky” sides – and led to them creating a drag king alter ego.
Saphron (she/her)
How it started: As a child in Essex, Saphron had a troubled relationship with her skin, with acne that would flare up when she got anxious.
How it’s going: 23-year-old Saphron now works part-time as a make-up artist who has learnt to embrace their skin. When not working with clients and on film sets, she works as a pizza delivery driver.
Sarah (she/her)
How it started: Growing up in a family of three brothers in Manchester, Sarah learnt the power of make-up to help her be confident and stand out.
How it’s going: Sarah, 25, studied biomedical science but found it was not for her. This led to a pivot to becoming a freelance MUA who loves to work in a “very diverse” set of styles.
Taisha (she/her)
How it started: Taisha’s journey to becoming an MUA started at 16, when her brother bought her a make-up pallette for her birthday. This led to her working as a counter make-up artist.
How it’s going: In 2020, Taisha lost her brother to cancer, and around the same time lost her job. The London resident was about to quit make-up, but decided to continue to honour her brother.
Wezley (he/him)
How it started: Wezley started wearing make-up at a young age, not caring what his fellow residents of Weston-Super-Mare thought of him. He went on to study hair and make-up at college.
How it’s going: 20-year-old Wezley is a freelance make-up artist, with a client list that includes multiple glamour models. He joins the Glow Up contestant line-up with a dream of creating his own make-up line.
