Top 10 Most Followed PMU Artists and Permanent Makeup Influencers on Instagram (2026)
In today's beauty industry, influence travels faster than ever. A single post can inspire thousands of artists, introduce new techniques across continents, and connect professionals from different cultures, languages, and backgrounds. Instagram has become more than a social platform — it is a global stage where permanent makeup professionals share their artistry, education, and vision with the world.
This ranking highlights ten of the most followed figures in the global PMU community. The list is based primarily on publicly visible Instagram follower counts and focuses on individual professionals whose content is closely related to permanent makeup, micropigmentation, and microblading.
It is important to note that this ranking is not intended to measure artistic skill, professional achievements, educational impact, industry contributions, or business success. The permanent makeup industry is filled with exceptional artists, educators, researchers, judges, innovators, and business leaders whose influence extends far beyond social media metrics.
The global PMU community continues to grow rapidly, and follower counts change every day. While every effort has been made to verify the information presented, some professionals may have been unintentionally omitted, particularly from regions where industry leaders are more active on local platforms or where publicly available information is limited. This list should therefore be viewed as an editorial snapshot of some of the most followed PMU professionals on Instagram in 2026 based on information available at the time of publication.
Whether they are educators shaping the next generation of artists, innovators introducing new techniques, or creators inspiring millions through their work, each professional featured in this ranking has contributed to the visibility and growth of permanent makeup on a global scale.
Editorial Note: This ranking is based on publicly visible Instagram follower counts at the time of publication. Follower numbers may change over time. While every effort has been made to identify and verify the most followed PMU professionals worldwide, some accounts may have been unintentionally omitted due to regional platform differences, language barriers, limited public visibility, or rapidly changing follower counts. Instagram profile screenshots are used for editorial and informational purposes only. All trademarks, profile images, and content remain the property of their respective owners.
The Ranking
From internationally recognized educators and academy founders to artists whose work reaches hundreds of thousands of followers around the world, these professionals represent some of the most visible names in today's PMU industry.
Starting from number ten, here are the most followed PMU artists and permanent makeup influencers on Instagram in 2026.
#10 Sviatoslav Otchenash
~ 264,000 Followers
Instagram: @sviatoslavotchenash
Country: Estonia
Sviatoslav Otchenash is one of the most recognizable names in the global permanent makeup industry. Through Sviato Academy, international educational programs, and a strong social media presence, he has built one of the largest personal audiences among PMU professionals worldwide. Originally coming from an artistic and tattooing background, he later focused on permanent makeup education and developed training programs that have reached artists across Europe, Asia, North America, and Latin America. Today, his work extends far beyond social media, with an international network of students, educators, and industry events. His combination of education, professional expertise, and global visibility has made him one of the most followed and influential figures in the PMU community.
#9 Nadia Afanaseva
~ 319,000 Followers
Instagram: @nadia_afanaseva
Country: United States
Nadia Afanaseva is one of the most recognized permanent makeup educators in the United States. Originally from Russia and now based in New York, she is the founder of Eye Design New York and Eye Design University, where she has trained thousands of beauty professionals in permanent makeup and related disciplines. Nadia is known for developing her proprietary Nanoblading 11:11 technique and for her extensive educational work within the global PMU community. Over the years, she has served as an international speaker and competition judge, including appearances at major industry events such as WULOP. Through her training programs, professional product lines, celebrity clientele, and strong social media presence, she has built one of the largest audiences among PMU educators worldwide.
#8 Thi Ngo
~ 327,000 Followers
Instagram: @teebrowlash
Country: United States
Thi Ngo, widely known as Tee, is a permanent makeup artist, educator, and founder of Teebrowlash LLC, a PMU studio and academy based in Florida. With more than a decade of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in ombré powder brows, nano hairstrokes, combo brows, lip blush, eyeliner, and color correction procedures. Beyond her work with clients, Thi has built a strong educational platform through training programs and mentorship for aspiring PMU artists. Her combination of technical expertise, educational content, and consistent social media presence has helped her develop one of the largest audiences among PMU professionals worldwide. Today, her Instagram account is among the most followed PMU-focused profiles in the industry, attracting artists and beauty professionals from across the globe.
#7 James Olaya
~ 365,000 Followers
Instagram: @jamesolaya
Country: Brazil
James Olaya is a leading figure in Latin American micropigmentation education and one of the most followed PMU professionals on Instagram worldwide. A biomedical specialist, micropigmentation artist, educator, and international speaker, he is the founder and CEO of James Olaya Beauty & Academy in Brazil. Known for his artistic approach to eyebrow and lip micropigmentation, he developed the Free Hand Technique and has earned recognition through numerous national and international industry awards. Beyond his work as an artist, James serves as an international master trainer and has contributed to the professional development of PMU artists through educational programs, conferences, and scientific coordination of industry events. His combination of education, innovation, and strong social media presence has made him one of the most recognizable names in the global PMU community.
#6 Lulu Siciliano
~ 373,000 Followers
Instagram: @siciliano.lulu
Country: United States
Lulu Siciliano is one of the most influential figures in the global permanent makeup industry. Originally from Ukraine and now based in Miami, Florida, she is known not only as a PMU artist and educator, but also as a business leader whose work has helped shape the modern cosmetic tattoo industry. She co-founded Microbeau International, one of the most recognized manufacturers of permanent makeup devices, and created the Evenflo Colours pigment line, widely used by PMU professionals around the world. Through Status PMU Academy, international conferences, educational programs, and industry judging roles, Lulu has contributed to the training and development of artists across multiple continents. Combined with her strong social media presence, these achievements have established her as one of the most followed and recognizable personalities in the global PMU community.
#5 Zara Yuldasheva
~ 373,000 Followers
Instagram: @zara_eyebrows
Country: Uzbekistan
Zara Yuldasheva is one of the leading permanent makeup educators in Central Asia and one of the most followed PMU professionals on Instagram worldwide. Based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, she has built an international reputation through her educational programs, signature techniques, and extensive work as a trainer and speaker. Over the years, Zara has trained hundreds of artists and developed several proprietary PMU methods, including her widely known Velvet Effect brow technique. Her appearances at international industry events, educational conferences, and PMU championships have further expanded her influence beyond her home region. Through a combination of technical expertise, innovation, and a strong social media presence, Zara has become one of the most recognizable figures in the global PMU community and a leading representative of the industry in Central Asia.
#4 Emil İlhamoğlu
~ 410,000 Followers
Instagram: @emililhamoglu
Country: Azerbaijan
Emil İlhamoğlu is an internationally known PMU educator and trainer in the Caucasus region and one of the most followed PMU professionals on Instagram worldwide. Based in Azerbaijan, he gained international recognition through his work with PhiAcademy and the development of the NanoBrows PMU technique, which helped establish his reputation among artists across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Over the years, Emil has conducted seminars, workshops, and masterclasses in multiple countries, training PMU professionals and sharing his expertise in brow micropigmentation. His combination of artistic background, technical innovation, educational activities, and strong social media presence has made him one of the most recognizable names in the global PMU community and one of the most influential PMU educators in his region.
#3 Haley Wight
~ 604,000 Followers
Instagram: @cosmobyhaley
Country: United States
Haley Wight represents a new generation of beauty creators who successfully expanded their careers into permanent makeup and cosmetic tattooing. After building a large audience through beauty education and digital content, she became a professionally trained PMU artist and entrepreneur. Today, she co-owns DAELA Scottsdale, a permanent makeup studio in Arizona, where she specializes in brows, lip blush, and cosmetic tattoo procedures. By combining beauty education, artistry, and entrepreneurship, Haley has built one of the largest audiences among PMU professionals on Instagram and remains one of the most visible figures in the industry today.
#2 Branko Babic
~ 1,100,000 Followers
Instagram: @branko_babic_phiacademy
Country: Serbia
Branko Babic is one of the most influential figures in the history of permanent makeup and microblading. As the founder of PhiAcademy and creator of the PhiBrows method, he helped transform eyebrow micropigmentation into a global educational movement that has reached artists in more than 160 countries. Through a combination of innovative training systems, proprietary products, digital tools, and international educational programs, he built what is widely recognized as one of the largest beauty academies in the world. Beyond his role as an educator and entrepreneur, Branko has become one of the most recognizable public faces of the PMU industry, inspiring thousands of artists through education, business leadership, and personal development. With more than one million Instagram followers, he remains one of the most followed and influential personalities in the global PMU community.
#1 Alan Spadone
~ 1,700,000 Followers
Instagram: @alanspadone
Country: Brazil
Alan Spadone is one of the most followed and recognizable figures in the global permanent makeup industry. Based in Brazil, he is the founder of AS Academy, one of the largest micropigmentation education organizations in Latin America, and has trained tens of thousands of professionals through his educational programs and international events. With a background in marketing and entrepreneurship, Alan built a business ecosystem that extends beyond training to include professional products, equipment, and beauty-related ventures. Over the years, he has become a prominent international speaker, educator, and advocate for professional development within the PMU industry. Supported by one of the largest Instagram audiences in the field, Alan Spadone currently holds the top position in our ranking of the most followed PMU artists and permanent makeup influencers on Instagram in 2026.
Conclusion
The permanent makeup industry continues to evolve at an extraordinary pace, and social media remains one of the most powerful tools connecting artists, educators, brands, and clients around the world. The professionals featured in this ranking represent different countries, backgrounds, techniques, and approaches, yet all have succeeded in building remarkable audiences within the global PMU community.
While follower count is only one measure of visibility, it offers a unique snapshot of how artists and educators are engaging with audiences in today's digital landscape. Behind every account featured in this ranking are years of work, education, innovation, and dedication to the profession.
As the industry continues to grow, new names will undoubtedly emerge, audiences will change, and future rankings may look very different. For now, these ten professionals stand among the most followed PMU artists and permanent makeup influencers on Instagram in 2026.
At PULSE PMU, we believe that social media numbers tell only part of the story. Behind every profile featured in this ranking is a unique journey, a distinct artistic vision, and a contribution to the ongoing growth of the permanent makeup industry. Whether through education, innovation, entrepreneurship, or artistry, each individual has played a role in shaping the global PMU community we know today.
Top 10 PMU Influencers Overview
Rank | Artist | Country | Instagram Followers |
Alan Spadone | Brazil | ~ 1 700 000 | |
Branko Babic | Serbia | ~ 1 100 000 | |
Haley Wight | United States | ~ 604 000 | |
Emil İlhamoğlu | Azerbaijan | ~ 410 000 | |
Zara Yuldasheva | Uzbekistan | ~ 373 000 | |
Lulu Siciliano | United States | ~ 373 000 | |
James Olaya | Brazil | ~ 365 000 | |
Thi Ngo | United States | ~ 327 000 | |
Nadia Afanaseva | United States | ~ 319 000 | |
Sviatoslav Otchenash | Estonia | ~ 264 000 |
Methodology & Disclaimer
This ranking was compiled by the editorial team of PULSE PMU using publicly visible Instagram follower counts available at the time of publication. The ranking reflects follower numbers only and does not evaluate artistic skill, professional qualifications, educational impact, business success, industry contributions, or overall influence.
While every effort has been made to identify and verify the most followed PMU professionals worldwide, some accounts may have been unintentionally omitted due to regional platform differences, language barriers, limited public visibility, or rapidly changing follower counts.
Biographical information presented in this article was compiled from publicly available sources, including official websites, professional profiles, interviews, conference materials, and social media accounts. While every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information, PULSE PMU cannot guarantee that all details are complete, current, or free from error.
The information presented reflects the editorial research and opinion of PULSE PMU at the time of publication and should not be considered a definitive or exhaustive ranking of all permanent makeup professionals worldwide.
PULSE PMU welcomes corrections and updates from featured professionals and industry representatives if new or more accurate information becomes available after publication.
#PMU #PermanentMakeup #PMUArtists #PermanentMakeupArtists #PMUInfluencers #Microblading #Micropigmentation #PMUEducation #PMUCommunity #BeautyIndustry #CosmeticTattoo #InstagramInfluencers #PMURanking #TopPMUArtists #PMUNews
Publication date: June 22, 2026
By Sergey Yakovlev
Comments