If you grew up somewhere on that fuzzy line between being born a millennial and a Gen Z like me, it is safe to say that our generation has truly grown up watching the global domination of social media and its infiltration into almost every aspect of our lives. Even if you didn’t, it is so easy to rely on your favorite social media platform for entertainment, advice, relationships, and inspiration, and your favorite beauty influencers for makeup and skincare advice.
Do you need outfit inspo for your upcoming vacay? Turn to Instagram Influencers! Need makeup and hair tutorials for a wedding? Check out your favorite Youtubers! Do you want to explore seemingly obscure beauty and skin hacks? Check your FYP!
Ranging from celebrity makeup artists to amateur, self-taught hair geniuses, beauty influencers are captivating every social media platform, and we’ve compiled a diverse list of some of the most influential.
3. Hyram Yarbro (@skincarebyhyram)
4. Courtney Shields (@courtney_shields)
5. Nikkie de Jager (@nikkietutorials)
6. Mikayla Noguiera (@mikaylajmakeup)
8. Amber Fillerup Clark (@amberfillerup)
9. Patrick Starrr (@patrickstarrr)
10. Desi Perkins (@desiperkins)
13. Shani Darden (@shanidarden)
15. Kathleen Fuentes (@kathleenlights)
As a Kurdish-American beauty and lifestyle influencer, Sazan Hendrix creatively inspires and passionately leads her followers to live happy and fulfilled lives, offering makeup and hair, fashion, and lifestyle tips and tricks. She is known for her voluminous, dreamy hair, and for perfecting the natural, effortless makeup look. She also has a podcast with her husband titled “The Good Life with Stevie and Sazan” that aims to inspire, captivate, and make an impact on its listeners. (The adorable pictures on her Instagram of her babies are just a bonus!)
Filed under the list of “the most iconic girl bosses to date,” Anna X Sitar is not only a genius (she recently graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering before pursuing her masters in film and television production) but a true internet sweetheart and a stunning lifestyle and beauty influencer. She has partnered with brands including Olaplex, Ipsy, Rare Beauty, and Curology on both Instagram and Tik Tok, and is always sharing videos of her “getting ready routines” with her followers. It is safe to say I want to be her best friend and you probably will too.
More commonly known as just “Skincare by Hyram,” skincare specialist Hyram Yarbro and his YouTube turned Tik Tok account has captivated his audience with his clean and honest skincare reviews. He continues to educate his followers on the meanings and impacts of different skincare product ingredients and highlights ideal skincare rituals for a variety of skin moods.
And the moment we were all waiting for… in June 2021, Hyram released his own gentle, non-irritating product line, Selfless by Hyram. Check out their website for Hyram’s ideal skincare ritual and how to incorporate his products at selflessbyhyram.com.
Podcast host, entrepreneur, mom, and self-proclaimed lover of all things beauty, style, and food, Courtney Shields is a co-founder and CCO of Desert Island Beauty Status (DIBS Beauty). Courtney diligently creates gift guides, style guides, easy recipes, and highlights her favorite skincare products (including Tula and Skincueticals!) Her aesthetically pleasing Instagram feed and dreamy Austin, Texas lifestyle are truly addicting.
Nikkie de Jager, commonly known by her screen name Nikkie Tutorials, is a Dutch makeup artist and beauty Youtuber that has been nominated by both Forbes and Teen Choice Awards for a variety of beauty influencer awards. After gaining popularity from her “Power of Makeup” video in 2015, Nikkie has yet to fail in impressing her audience with her artistic makeup talents and humorous, engaging videos.
After three years of behind-the-scenes work, Nikkie is finally releasing her own skincare brand Nimya by NikkieTutorials that includes serums, creams, and a setting spray to keep your skin looking fresh! (I am dying to get my hands on this one!)
You may know her from her distinct Boston accent, her candid tips and tricks, or her exploration of quirky makeup products on Tik Tok, but regardless, Mikayla has a knack for bringing her authenticity and joy to everyone she reaches. Since joining Tik Tok in March 2020 (the true prime time to join Tik Tok), Mikayla has gathered well over 5 million followers and over 28 million views. She attributes her success to her refreshing perspective on life and her unscripted videos.
Mikayla has partnered with Glamlite to produce a makeup collection with stunning colors and 5-star reviews across the board. (Unfortunately, they are sold out across the board as well.)
Since starting YouTube in 2010, Jaclyn Hill has not only perfected her statement smokey-eye look, but partnered with Morphe to create an iconic eyeshadow palette (in addition to creating an also iconic highlighter with BECCA cosmetics.) Since partnering with such large brands, Jaclyn decided to start one of her own. Her line, titled Jaclyn Cosmetics, highlights 100% cruelty-free makeup that includes eye products, lip products, and everything in between. No doubt, Jaclyn should be nominated for a “queen of all beauty influencers” award.
Living the most aesthetically pleasing life in Arizona with her adorable kids, her golden retriever, and her husband, Amber Fillerup Clark is both entrepreneur and mom goals as she manages both of her businesses, Barefoot Blonde hair extensions, and Dae Hair on top of running her beautiful Instagram page and brand partnerships. Dae was launched at the beginning of 2020 and is now found in Sephora stores everywhere. If you have the opportunity to get your hands on these products, you will not be disappointed.
Another original YouTube makeup artist icon, Patrick Starrr is easily identifiable as one of the first “men in makeup.” Intentional, dedicated, and constantly inspiring and empowering his audience, Patrick has partnered with a wide variety of makeup and beauty brands, including NYX and Benefit Cosmetics, as well as interviewing and transforming big-time celebrities like Kim Kardashian West and Katy Perry.
In 2020, Starrr launched his own makeup brand ONE/SIZE, which focuses on “driving kindness and individuality through meaningful connections, profound storytelling, and innovative artistry.” You can find it at Sephoras everywhere or online.
Honestly, it’s Desi’s world, and we’re all just living in it. She’s a girl-boss Mexican-American content creator, beauty influencer, and celebrity makeup artist that has spent the last 12 years building up almost 8 million followers across her Instagram and YouTube.
After launching her own sunglasses brand in July 2020, Desi dropped her own skincare line in early 2021 called Dezi Skin. Her vegan, cruelty-free product line includes skincare products such as Claro Que C (vitamin C) and Dew Me Over refreshing facial mist that match her classy, timeless aesthetic.
Huda Kuttan was nominated by both Time Magazine and Forbes as a top beauty influencer, as well as one of The Richest Self-Made Women. If that doesn’t speak volumes, I don’t know what would! Her makeup line, Huda Beauty offers almost 150 different products including eyeshadow palettes, contour kits, and highlighters.
Additionally, Kuttan has released a skincare line called WISHFUL, and a fragrance line called Kayali. Her philosophy that “true beauty begins with the skin” goes hand in hand with her desire for everyone to feel like themselves without makeup. Not to mention, all of her products are vegan and cruelty, sulfate, and paraben-free.
Guy Tang is an LA-based hairstylist famously known for his unique hair colors, cuts, and styles, as well as being an Olaplex Ambassador and musician (he really is the whole package.) He created his own brand, Mydentity to give everyone the opportunity to express themselves through their customized colors, as well as give people the courage to be themselves. Although this product is only sold directly to licensed professionals, we can soak it all up via the stunning photos on his Instagram.
Shani Darden is a former aspiring actress turned skincare specialist and licensed aesthetician. Working with celebrity clients like Jessica Alba, Darden aims to focus on the “less-is-more” mentality when it comes to skincare. With a results-oriented approach, Darden has sought out simple, yet effective solutions through her own skincare line Shani Darden Skincare. The biggest takeaway from following Darden? Don’t forget to wear your sunscreen!
Rowi Singh is an Australian-born Indian makeup artist that likes to test the makeup limits and pursue bold, colorful looks. Staying true to her aesthetic that “more is more” and to “color to your heart’s content,” Singh inspires and empowers her followers to express themselves in whatever way that looks like. You can check out her podcast called “It’s a Creators World” in which she unpacks how this generation is turning hobbies into legacies by finding our niches and learning to communicate our artistry.
Beauty influencer and entrepreneur Kathleen Fuentes has successfully launched two brands: Lights Laquer, and Lights Label. As a Cuban, Miami-based girl boss, her Latinx-owned brands celebrate diversity through expression. Lights Laquer is a cruelty-free nail polish brand, while Lights Label is an apparel brand that highlights her culture.
It is safe to say I want to be best friends with all of these amazing beauty influencers, but the closest I can get is to just follow them on Instagram and try my best to keep up with their badass entrepreneur and creative lifestyles. And honestly, I’m not complaining!
Written by Morgan Taylor
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