6 beauty TikTokers you need to know 2023
The latest rising creators taking over your FYP.
With so many beauty TikTokers to get your glam tips from, who do you turn to? From showing off bright and bold looks à la Euphoria, to sharing new, undiscovered ways to use beauty products, there’s no doubt TikTok has become the new beauty Mecca. But the platform wouldn’t be able to claim that status without the many creators who enliven it. Very Good Light chose the most impactful influencers of the moment to see what’s behind the method to their beautiful madness.
Koosha is a skincare, beauty, and grooming content creator based out of Los Angeles who inspires his audience to celebrate and enhance their natural beauty. So much so that he’s amassed over 20 million views across TikTok in the past year. Through engaging product reviews, transformations, and skincare tips, he challenges traditional standards in the beauty industry and wants to inspire others to express themselves through their beauty and self-care rituals.
How would you like to see the beauty universe change to become more inclusive and how will you facilitate that through your content?
This is such an important topic because the beauty industry has made a ton of progress and yet there is still so much work to be done in expanding the horizons of inclusion in the industry. Representation is key in not only building a community as a creator but also in building a community as a brand. As a creator, I really push myself to lean into what makes me different and in turn, creates the strongest bond between me and my community.
What is your favorite beauty product or trend out there right now?
I have been loving the trend of more raw and organic vlogs and ‘get ready with me’ content that allows seamless product integration into a format that feels relatable. Nothing inspires me to use a product like a recommendation from a friend or content that does not feel overproduced.
For my favorite beauty product, hands down Nars complexion products. Something about their line has magic in it, especially the concealers. I swear the soft matte pot concealer is like an eraser for your face!
Who are some of your favorite beauty content creators?
I’m so inspired by a range of creators from the OG YouTube era to the new TikTok creator community. I get so much creative inspiration from creators like Monet Mcmichael, Jackie Aina, Susan Yara, Sonia Valencia, and Amy Chang to name a few.
Kenn is an Ormac City-based beauty creator who shows off everyday makeup looks for men, democratizing the space through his helpful videos. He blends minimalism with simple tips and tricks for those who want to get into the makeup world but may not know where to begin. Kenn hopes to continue trailblazing in the beauty community with his dynamic content.
How would you like to see the beauty universe change to become more inclusive and how will you facilitate that through your content?
I think it has to start with including men when advertising products and really just encouraging and educating people that guys can do it too.
What is your favorite beauty product or trend out there right now?
My favorite product will always be a good bronzer and illuminator!
Who are some of your favorite beauty content creators?
Zak is a London-based beauty creator who dove into tutorials during the pandemic and has been a name to watch in the community ever since. He creates content that emphasizes natural, genderless beauty. On why he began creating his content, he shares: “I wanted to be a voice for the other 13-year-old boys who also wear makeup — my content is for everyone.”
How would you like to see the beauty universe change to become more inclusive and how will you facilitate that through your content?
The ‘beauty universe’ is constantly changing and progressing which is great to see, especially when it comes to inclusivity with skin ranges; however, the lack of underrepresentation of men wearing makeup is definitely something that needs to be changed. As someone who is proud and confident in their own skin, walking into a shop and seeing only women in beauty campaigns does sometimes make me question if I’m shopping in the right place. But then I remember makeup is for everyone and makeup was originally made for men anyway. I’d love to see more campaigns with men.
What is your favorite beauty product or trend out there right now?
It’s hard to pinpoint my one favorite holy-grail product; however, I love love love the MC1 moisturizer from Dr. Barbara Sturm because it is literally me in a bottle. My favorite trend is mixing your moisturizer with a bronzing glow serum — maybe that’s because I’m getting ready for summer. My least favorite beauty trend is the pink under-eye trend.
Who are some of your favorite beauty content creators?
I watch a lot of beauty content creators and some of my favorites are Darcey Angel, Chris Grave, Caress, Danielle, and more.
Being a South Indian Malayali, Milan is really proud of her culture and always finds ways to incorporate it into her everyday looks. The Houston, Texas-based fashion and beauty content creator aims to heighten representation, while also familiarizing people with her heritage. But she also expresses she never wants to be confined to one box or expectation. Milan shares that she has always loved playing with makeup and experimenting with fashion choices since she was nine years old — so this platform just came naturally to her.
How would you like to see the beauty universe change to become more inclusive and how will you facilitate that through your content?
I’m happy to see more South Asian people being represented but, of course, I’d love for us to not be put in a box as, ‘She’s an Indian creator,’ but rather, ‘She’s a creator who happens to be Indian as well.’ There is more to people than their culture. People have other characteristics and I would love for individuals to not be tokenized. I plan to facilitate this simply by continuing to expand the scope of my page. I don’t just do content about my culture; I do all sorts of makeup looks, ranging from every day to avant-garde. I do it all because I don’t like being put in a box.
What is your favorite beauty product or trend out there right now?
I think overall, there’s this trend of not being a trend and I’m so here for it. It’s about just experimenting on your own and calling that a trend. For example, @aliyahsinterlude1 on TikTok has created ‘Aliyahcore,’ which is her personal style and I’ve been loving her take on fashion. Some products I’ve been loving are, of course, the Rare Beauty liquid blushes (can never get enough of that) and the Fenty Heat Gloss Bombs are perfect for brown-skinned girls. I also love drawing on fake beauty marks.
Who are some of your favorite beauty content creators?
I’m loving Golloria, Mei Pang, and Kali Ledger. Deepica Mutyala is another Desi creator and founder of the brand Live Tinted who continues to represent South Asian people well. These creators and more continue to help others and have good energies that keep me coming back for more!
If Whitney’s flawless skin and effortless makeup looks aren’t enough to keep you hooked, her tutorials and glam hacks are filmed in such an artistic style that each video makes you want to keep scrolling. Her makeup takes on a natural focus that prioritizes one’s natural beauty. Whitney is currently living between NYC and Los Angeles. She was inspired to join in on the beauty content fun while also being inspired to go natural (from relaxed hair) — the timing all aligned and she started her Youtube to share her natural hair journey and progressively expanded into platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
How would you like to see the beauty universe change to become more inclusive and how will you facilitate that through your content?
For me, it's showing people how easy, effortless, and fun makeup can be beyond what brands deliver or advertise. Hopefully, starting my own beauty brand in the future will open the beauty space to more inclusivity. I'm always sharing what works for me, for people that look like me, or have similar skin types, like acne-prone or oily skin.
What is your favorite beauty product or trend out there right now?
I have so many favorite beauty products so I always have a range to choose from that could work for me and those that watch my videos. When it comes to beauty trends, I don’t pay them much mind, only because my makeup looks and overall content rely heavily on who I am and what I like at the moment. I really root for individuality and listening to your own inner compass and not the world.
Who are some of your favorite beauty content creators?
I wish I could say I watch other beauty content creators — if I'm not filming and posting content myself, I'm scrolling through social media to watch dog videos that make me cry or laugh after a long day of work. It's a lot to create and post content consistently so I do my best to find something that will take my mind off my world of beauty.
Vanessa is an adventurous creator who blends digestible makeup content with fun references to trending movies and comics. Her looks range from easily re-creatable to almost professional-level executions. The Queens, NYC-based beauty aficionado got into beauty content creation after being initially inspired by tutorials on YouTube back in 2014. She quickly became obsessed with the idea of creating makeup looks. But she doesn’t just recreate what is trending – Vanessa always creates looks in her own distinct way.
How would you like to see the beauty universe change to become more inclusive and how will you facilitate that through your content?
I want the beauty universe to take creators of color seriously, with support for their content, and paid partnerships with brands — the whole nine yards. Especially Black women in this community who set trends and standards that the beauty industry forgets they started. I love collaborating with other creators and helping each other out with content ideas & concepts. It really feels like a long-distance sisterhood. I strive to support Black, Brown, and AAPI creators who deserve more spotlight than they are regularly given. It’s something that’s super important to me because seeing yourself on billboards, on the big screen, or just even making a big influence is something very special and most of us didn’t have that growing up. It affects your confidence in everything and the beauty industry is super impactful on the youth — so I hope it manages to keep the underrepresented in mind.
What is your favorite beauty product or trend out there right now?
My favorite beauty trend right now is thin brows. I love the way it looks on everybody, seriously! I love having thick brows personally, but thin brows emphasize certain makeup, such as editorial looks.
Who are some of your favorite beauty content creators?
My favorite beauty content creators are truly amazing. I have a whole list but I’ll narrow down the people I look to for inspiration or just straight up to enjoy their content for what it is. Please check them out if you haven’t already!! — May Akhtar, Antoinette, Isabelle Ikpeme, Monet Mcmichael, Naezrah, and many more.