If you’re as obsessed with watching makeup tutorials on YouTube as we are then you’ve no doubt heard of Nikkie de Jager (aka @NikkieTutorials!). Since posting her first makeup tutorial on YouTube in 2008 she’s gained a loyal following for her empowering and educational videos that encourage her followers to express themselves and experiment with beauty.
We caught up with the OG beauty YouTuber to chat her with her about her beauty journey, her favourite products, and just how she broke into beauty.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
I wanted to be a veterinary assistant.
What inspired you to start creating beauty content online?
In short, I watched an episode of The Hills on MTV and literally looked up how you could look like the girls. I ran into a tutorial of Sandy Gold and after a while decided to start creating my own tutorials.
What does your day-to-day entail?
Brainstorming about video ideas, business meetings, recording, researching makeup, and my day-to-day walk with the dogs.
What are some common misconceptions people have about your job?
That filming a new video takes just one hour and that’s it. Way much work goes into a video as I still do everything myself…
What is the best part of your job?
That I get to inspire and help other people with what I love doing most, playing with makeup.
What has been the most surreal moment of your career so far?
When I came out of the closet and everyone accepted me and didn’t look at me differently. I received so many kind messages from all over the world, a moment I could never ever forget.
What do you consider to have been the key to your success?
I always wanted to create a safe place for people to be themselves. A distraction for everyone who needed that. That world full of Glow Babies is the foundation of my success.
How do you escape and feel good after a stressful day?
I play with makeup as an escapism of day to day life, watch an episode or RuPaul’s Drag Race and cuddle with my dogs, or spend time with friends and family (you would be amazed how good I am at UNO!). I also spend time finding new artists for my Instagram takeovers.
What tips do you have to protect your mental health?
Put your phone down and enjoy life some more. My public life is mainly online but I love to go offline and be in the moment. I’ve also learned that expressing your feelings to loved ones helps to calm your mind down.
What advice would you give to someone who’s comparing their online life to others’ “success”?
First and foremost, don’t compare ever. Everybody is unique and what may work for one doesn’t for the other. What someone decides to share online doesn’t always have to be the complete picture. However even if it is truly that, just don’t compare. Live your life and follow your own path.
What’s your top piece of makeup advice?
Never go without a glow.
What are your favourite beauty products?
