Makeup artist Paul Starr, who worked with celebrities including Angelina Jolie, Mariah Carey and Renée Zellweger, has been found dead in his Los Angeles apartment.

According to US Magazine, Starr was found after neighbours alerted authorities, when he had not been seen for a number of days.

The 48-year-old's body was found after his door was broken down. The cause of death is unknown.

Starr had worked in the make-up industry for over two decades, including film and fashion work for clients ranging from Jean Paul Gaultier to Dolce & Gabbana, and had won praise from Hollywood's elite.

Angelina Jolie wrote in his book 'Paul Starr on Beauty: Conversations with Thirty Celebrated Women': "During the time we have spent in the make up chair, we talked about everything but the photo shoot; global issues, babies, human rights."

Jennifer Garner testified in the book: "Paul Starr has this uncanny ability to look at a face and see what it needs. He's done my face a thousand times and never repeated a look.

"I have never felt more like the best version of myself than when Paul has made me up."