Reggie Wells, a renowned makeup artist to the stars has passed away at the age of 76.
On Monday, January 8, Fox Baltimore reporter Keith Daniels announced the news in a heartfelt Twitter post. The family of the Emmy-winning MUA confirmed Wells died at his home in Baltimore that morning from a long-term illness.
“Emmy Award-winning makeup artist Reggie Wells has died. He was @Oprah’s makeup artist for close to three decades,” Daniels wrote. “According to family, Wells died early Monday morning here in his hometown of Baltimore. “He was so loved, so talented,” said one sister. Wells was 76.”
Wells was best known as Oprah Winfrey’s long-time makeup artist for 30 years. He would frequently appear on her daytime talk show as a guest. Other A-listers Wells serviced included Beyoncé, Halle Berry, and former first lady Michelle Obama.
Passionate about his craft, the Maryland Institute College of Art graduate also enjoyed “beating” the faces of senior members of a retirement community in his hometown, the Baltimore Banner reported.
His talents took him all around the world to countries like South Africa, Australia, and the Middle East. Art was always at the forefront of his career, with Wells getting his start as an art teacher in Baltimore in the mid-1970s before moving to New York City, where he pursued his dream of becoming a makeup artist.
Once in the Big Apple, Wells perfected his craft by working at makeup counters before catching the attention of a fashion editor and going on to work for the likes of Glamour, Life and Harper’s Bazaar magazines. It was during his time at Essence magazine where he worked on models and celebrities that graced more than 100 covers.
His work at Essence is what led him to Oprah and other A-list Black female entertainers. In 1995, Wells won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Makeup and was nominated four additional times after.
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