When did you first become interested in makeup?

I became interested in makeup around the age of eighteen. I originally wanted to be in the fashion industry, but one day my best friend showed me how to create a cat eye with lime green eye shadow and I fell in love! It looked horrible back then, but it sparked the love I now have for makeup. I guess I can thank my bestie Alison for that.

Where do you get your inspiration from for the different looks that you create?

I mainly get my inspiration from my peers, makeup trends, television, fashion shows, and more. Sometimes it could just be me playing around with new products and magically creating a look I love and then sharing it with my viewers.

What are your favourite beauty brands today?

I have so many brands that I love for different reasons and categories. I also feel like they change with time. I love brands like ColourPop, Elf Cosmetics, Covergirl, Buxom, NARS, BH Cosmetics, and the list goes on and on. They each have something, depending on how I want my makeup to look.

Beauty products you can’t live without?

The beauty products I cannot live without are false eyelashes, lip gloss, and highlighter.

What is your beauty mantra?

My beauty mantra is, “Live your life and do what you want! Makeup has no rules.”

How would you describe your style?

I would describe my style as vintage/retro 80’s and 90’s. I am obsessed with those eras. I love me a good one-piece structured jumpsuit with some shoulder pads.

What are your favourite places to shop?

I absolutely love thrifting! You can find so many statement pieces for less and you don’t have to worry about showing up to an event with the same outfit on as someone else. That’s winning in my book!

Some of your favourite brands right now?

Honestly, I’m not that much of a brand person, but if I have to choose, I love me some Moschino and Versace.

What advice can you give to someone trying to develop a personal style?

I would tell them to not think about it so hard. You wear what you like and what makes you happy even if someone doesn’t understand it. Fashion is a form of expression and your feelings can never be wrong.

What three pieces do you think everyone needs to have in their closet?

A denim jacket, a dress that fits and accentuates your body type, and a perfectly tailored blazer.

How did you get your start on YouTube?

Another YouTuber reached out to me and suggested I give it a try since I was so into makeup, and posting my looks. I thought it was a crazy idea and didn’t understand the platform, but I put my fears aside and gave it a try. To my surprise, the viewers loved it — and the rest is history.

What has been one of the biggest challenges of having such a great social media presence?

The biggest challenge I would say is always trying to please everyone. It’s impossible to please everyone, but a lot of us try and end up stressing out because we fail. We all want our supporters to be happy and satisfied, but that’s not always possible.

What would you say was the pivotal moment in your career?

The pivotal moment in my career is when I collaborated with Colourpop Cosmetics to create my own lip colours. I couldn’t believe it! It was very successful, and I ended up doing another one with BH Cosmetics where I created an eye shadow, contour, and highlight palette that is now sold in Ulta, Urban Outfitters, Riley Rose, and a few other stores.

What are your goals for the upcoming year?

I plan on creating my own makeup line. It was such a blessing to be able to collaborate with other makeup companies, but now I feel like I need something of my own.

What advice can you give to someone who wants to pursue a career as a beauty blogger?

Just do it! Don’t think too much about it and have fun while you’re doing it. Makeup should be a fun and happy place where you can get away from reality. Also, make sure you are consistent and stay true to yourself.
 

Follow Raye: @itsmyrayeraye

For more beauty tips & tricks sign up to our mailing list:

[pum_sub_form name_field_type=”fullname” label_name=”Name” label_email=”Email” label_submit=”Subscribe” placeholder_name=”Name” placeholder_email=”Email” form_layout=”block” form_alignment=”center” form_style=”default” privacy_consent_enabled=”yes” privacy_consent_label=”Notify me about related content and special offers.” privacy_consent_type=”radio” privacy_consent_radio_layout=”inline” privacy_consent_yes_label=”Yes” privacy_consent_no_label=”No” privacy_usage_text=”If you opt in above we use this information send related content, discounts and other special offers.”]