Who I Follow: Kiki Ismail

He's worked with the world's top models, designers and magazines. But who does the makeup king scroll through on Instagram?

Staff Writer VIEW ALL ARTICLES BY Staff Writer

Date
20/06/2015 10:29

Ahmed Ismail, aka Kiki, has been slaying the makeup scene in Cairo for the past few months. Hot off the heels of a stint in New York, where he worked with the likes of, ahem, Care Delevigne and Stella McCartney, the makeup magician has been making waves in our city, working with everyone from model maven Tara Emad to bridal couture queen Yasmine Yeya, and documenting his cosmetic travels on his Instagram @kikiismailmakeup all the while. But when he’s not busy posting images of his transformed subjects, what accounts does he religiously check out on Instagram?

@worldmcqueen & @viviennewestwoodofficial - First of all, two of my all time inspirational fashion gods Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood!

Models wearing tattoo embroidered tailoring at the Alexander McQueen SS16 show #LCM

A photo posted by Alexander McQueen (@worldmcqueen) on Jun 16, 2015 at 9:43am PDT

Our UNISEX rebel gang has gatecrashed the @another_man party! #VivienneWestwoodBespoke #UNISEX #AnotherMan10Years #VivienneWestwood #KateMoss

A photo posted by Vivienne Westwood (@viviennewestwoodofficial) on Jun 15, 2015 at 3:49pm PDT

@adurasova - Anastasia Durasova is not only my friend, but the key makeup artist on a lot of huge shoots and we've done some amazingly artistic body paint work together. I love her to the moon and back.

#tbt really really old work of mine with @yuliagorbachenko #Makeup #creativemakeup #black #magenta #yellow

A photo posted by Anastasia Durasova (@adurasova) on May 30, 2015 at 6:35am PDT

@patmcgrathreal - Pat Macgrath is one of the most influential makeup artists in the world and she is the key makeup artist for some of the big-time crazy shows.

#LOVE!! 💙💚💛💜 #FashionFlashback to @VogueItalia January 2004 #Photographed by #Legendary #StevenMeisel featuring the #Divine #StellaTennant 💄💋 #MakeupByPatMcGrath, #Hair by @GuidoPalau and #Styled by @Ozwolf 💥💥 #Vogue #Editorial #Fashion #Beauty #MakeupObsession #MakeupArt #TeamPatMcGrath 💘

A photo posted by Pat McGrath (@patmcgrathreal) on Jun 3, 2015 at 10:27am PDT

@Sjblife - All you need to know is that Sir John is Queen B's (Beyoncé) makeup artist. And let me tell you, she never stops dancing on stage - I always wonder how the makeup lasts!

#BKxSJ #FBF #Melbourne #DownUnder

A photo posted by Sir John (@sjblife) on Jun 12, 2015 at 4:35am PDT

@Itsmatin - He's Meryl Streep and Angelina Jolie's favourite makeup artist. Not only that, but he is a very sweet, helpful, and down to earth person. He's also the founder of Afghan Hands (afghanhands.org) which helps disadvantaged women in Afghanistan gain their independence, get an education and make liveable wages.

R O S A R I O shot by the amazing @joshuajordan1 for #Grazia magazine. Makeup #Matinmakeup hair @torrentfernando #hairbyfernandotorrent #RosariDawson #light #beauty #makeup @TataHarper skin and nourishing oil @mywilla #willa priming moisturizer foundation and concealer (I'm OBSESSED with this), @dior eye primer in peach and Petal 001 blush (my FAVE), @anastasiabeverlyhills brows and contour pallet and @lauramercier lip color Pêche and faux lash mascara in black.

A photo posted by Matin (@itsmatin) on Jun 15, 2015 at 4:24pm PDT

@Madonna - How could I leave out Madonna!? Regardless of her bad history and her current bad music, she's still the number one inspirational icon for everyone...Or it is just me?

Bitches you have to stop putting cigarettes in my mouth! I don't smoke!! But i might start if this video doesn't come out soon! 😓 bitch what? #bitchimmadonna

A photo posted by Madonna (@madonna) on Jun 16, 2015 at 12:47am PDT

@Sherihanofficial - When I was a kid, she was my window to art; her costumes, her dance routines, everything. When I lived abroad I'd always show her Fawazeer to everyone! She is the ultimate Egyptian diva.

♥️#sherihan #egypt #photooftheday

A photo posted by Sherihan El Shalakany شريهان (@sherihanofficial) on Jun 10, 2015 at 2:41am PDT

@voguemagazine - I like to keep myself fashionably connected to whatever is happening out there and there is no better place to keep yourself updated than Vogue.

Whether your idea of the perfect bride is tons of tulle or an unconventional pantsuit, we've got everything you need to pull off the perfect summer wedding at http://vogue.cm/wedd. Photo by Steven Klein, Vogue, January 2012.

A photo posted by Vogue (@voguemagazine) on Jun 16, 2015 at 10:16am PDT

@cairoscene - Last but not least, CairoScene's Instagram. Really, though! Instagram for me is a source of information and connections and no one can do it better here in Egypt than CairoScene and MO4. Love you guys!

#SceneFashion: Once again, #designers and sisters @okhtein have delved into their cultural roots and added their own twist to create #wearable #art with their new collection #WeavingWaves, seeking their inspiration from the #motherland. Go to #thecairoscene.online's Fashion section for the full article.

A photo posted by CairoScene (@cairoscene) on Jun 16, 2015 at 1:37am PDT