CoverGirl Brand's First CoverBoy Scores New Bestie ... Katy Perry!!

James Charles made history by becoming the first male face of CoverGirl ... and now he gets to glam it up with Katy Perry for the next year as a fellow brand ambassador.

The 17-year-old makeup artist told us at LAX ... it's an honor for him to not only be CG's first CoverBoy, but to get to work alongside Katy, who is obviously one of his faves. Like, ever.

Check out the vid ... James had a borderline freak-out just trying to describe their first meeting.