I Nerd-Out on Beauty Gurus

Because of my ongoing fascination with all things beauty, and more importantly skin care and makeup. I have a few favorite people that I like to turn to on Youtube for great informative videos on makeup application as well as tips on skin care (let’s face it, we’re not getting any younger, am I right?). It is pretty amazing the beauty professionals that are now making videos on a weekly, sometimes daily basis and the product knowledge and application technics are a priceless resource for anyone searching for information on all things beauty. What do I look for in a Youtube beauty vlogger? They must back-up their information with education and knowledge. I find it very important that the people I am getting my beauty information from have a true educational back ground and are able to give me good sound advice from a well informed history in the business. I do not believe taking advice (especially on something that will affect your overall skin and wellbeing) from a novice is a good idea.  I’m also not into the overly “Instagramed” makeup look that seems to have become very popular among some younger makeup fans. 

So to begin lets look at who I turn to for all things skin related and when it comes to skin care my absolute favorite is Caroline Hirons, yes she’s a Brit (one of many in my list) but she actually loves and reviews many American brands that she can’t get in the UK and stocks up on her trips to the US when she can. Caroline has been in the industry for over 30 years and started out working behind the counter and later on becoming a board certified aesthetician. She is witty and frank about her ideas on how to care for your skin and what products to use, and her knowledge of ingredients is amazing. Her blog at https://www.carolinehirons.com is so full of advice that she has it broken up into categories by skin ailment, you can find the answer to just about any skin related question through one of her links and she is constantly reviewing the latest and greatest in skincare so if you need an answer to that weird red spot that just emerged before your hot date or want to know the lowdown on the latest moisturizer head to her page. I especially like her take on acid toners and how important she believes they are to your skin regimen. 

Lets move on to my absolute favorite topic: makeup, and boy do I have several favorite people I love to watch on a regular basis: We’ll start with Monica Blunder– makeup artist to the stars and she features them in her videos (her episode with Rosie Huntington Whitley will make you want to stock up on bronzer)- her easy breezy casual approach to make up has a very laid back California vibe (seeing how she lives in LA) even though she’s originally from Germany. Monica creates very natural glowing healthy skin and makes the process easy with step by step application advice, plus she loves to collaborate with other makeup artists on Youtube and I have found many other artist through her videos.  Then there is Harriet Hadfield of Harry Makes it Up. A professional working makeup artist living in Los Angeles, she is known for the Harry Flick and her eye liner skills are all that. If you need tips on creating mesmerizing eyes this is your girl, she also takes makeup organization to a whole new level and her video showcasing her possible OCD like obsession on how she keeps and organizes her makeup collection is quite impressive, in one of her videos she works with a fashion stylist and creates a couple of festival makeup looks that go with corresponding clothing options that is a very smart way to show how makeup and fashion go hand in hand. 

If you have not heard of the one and only Lisa Elderidge, than run, don’t walk to your computer and binge on her videos. Just her facial message video alone will change your life, and she has recently written an insightful book on the history of makeup called “Face Paint”, calling upon her vast collection of vintage makeup (she has one of the largest collections of original Biba makeup in the world) she provides an intriguing look at the history of makeup through time and sheds light on the secrets behind the iconic looks of each decade, it makes for a great read and not to mention, its a beautiful addition to your coffee table. She even travels to Japan and has exclusive private makeup lessons with Geisha (something the public rarely gets to see); her clout as the leading expert is impressive and ever since she became the creative art director for Lancome you can see her influence on the brands new beautiful collections and products, especially the now iconic Juicy Shakers spin on the original Juicy Tubes gloss that really shows her vintage twist. 

Next we havePixiwoo. These two beautiful sisters have built a makeup brush empire from their collaboration with Real Technics and with over 2 million views on Youtube. And to think it all started from working behind a MAC counter. They are a couple of Youtube pioneers, starting out making videos over 9 years ago and have such an extensive library of videos to choose from. In the early years they made videos in low lighting, probably sitting on their couches at home, but now they are professionally lit and edited masterpieces with product descriptions and in-depth instructions. They also make candid product reviews giving you their expert opinion on weather or not a product is worth your time and money. Have you heard of Tati?  Otherwise know as The Glam Life Guru, a prior makeup artist based in the LA area, she seems to upload more often than anyone else on Youtube (or at least that’s how it seems). She will give you a great rundown on what’s out there in makeup. From the best of drugstore products, to showcasing extremely expensive items that are budget busting indulgences you may never actually buy, but its fascinating to find out if spending more actually gets you more. I always find them interesting, because seriously who is buying a $200 foundation? Tati has also recently created her own brand of skincare supplements called Halo Beauty, and by the looks of her gorgeous skin, I may need to get my hands on a bottle or two! 

Last but certainly not least there is Marlena Stell of Makeup Geek. Marlena got her start as a makeup artist and has developed her own line of cosmetics with a cult following. From eye shadows with names like “Toxic” “Friendzone” and “Venom” she has an edgy vibe and creates very colorful looks, and stays on top of the latest makeup trends. The MUG Instagram is full of amazing eye looks from smokey to vibrant that will inspire you to possibly finally wear the purple eye shadow you bought a few months back but haven’t had the courage to use (you know who you are). With the vast resources easily accessible to consumers no matter if you are a beauty maven or just a beginner, trying to navigate the application of makeup for the first time, you can find just about anything you’re looking for. No longer can you complain that you never learned how to apply makeup, just go to your laptop and type in what your looking for, you will be amazed at what you can find.