Okay, real talk—there are soooo many makeup tutorials on YouTube right now, it’s ridiculous! And if you’re just starting out, it’s easy to get completely overwhelmed like, “Where do I even start?” Do you swipe highlighter before or after foundation? What the heck is ‘baking’? Is it a makeup thing or are we literally making cookies? 😂 I got you, bestie! No worries. If you’re ready to dive into the makeup world but don’t know which YouTube channels to binge-watch first, I’ve got you.
I’m going to drop a list of mind-blowing YouTube channels that are perf for makeup beginners. These creators slay hard, but they also break it down so you can go from “I have no clue what I’m doing” to “dang, who’s that gorgeous person in the mirror?” Let’s get into it!
1. NikkieTutorials
If you haven’t heard of NikkieTutorials, girl, are you living under a rock?! Nikkie de Jager is basically the OG beauty YouTuber, and she LOVES to create makeup looks that absolutely slay but are quite beginner-friendly. The way she explains everything? So easy to understand! Like, you’ll actually know why you should apply your foundation with a damp makeup sponge (‘cause duh, better blend).
Plus, Nikkie is just fun to watch. She’s total energy, super relatable, and you feel like you’re chatting with your hilarious bff (who also happens to have flawless makeup at all times). The best part? Her tutorials cater to a wide range of skill levels. So if you’re starting with zero makeup experience, she’s got your back!
Pro Tip: If you’re into full glam (like full-face, Beat with a capital B), then you definitely need her channel on your feed.
2. Michelle Phan
Okay, OG beauty lovers will know Michelle Phan is basically the fairy godmother of YouTube makeup tutorials. Like, she was the blueprint! Even though she took a step back for a bit, her old videos (and some new ones!) are perfect if you’re more into the natural, soft-glam vibes. She makes everything look so simple, and she’s super calming too, tbh. Watch one vid and you’ll be dying to try a winged eyeliner but also, low-key want to meditate 😂
She’s definitely great if you’re just starting with the basics, and she’s into skincare too so you get a double win. A lot of her looks focus on enhancing your natural beauty rather than going too extra. So, if you’re all about that fresh, clean-girl aesthetic, I’d say start with Michelle Phan.
3. Robert Welsh
You’re gonna be obsessed with Robert Welsh! He’s honestly HILARIOUS (I’m not kidding, I have like 50 screenshots of his funny facial expressions in my phone 😂). But real talk, Robert legit has skills. His channel is really fab for beginners because he’s very critical and debunks common makeup myths like a boss.
He takes a very educational approach, and trust me: watching his breakdowns of common makeup “corrections” will instantly level up your game. Like, he’ll teach you when to say goodbye to outdated techniques (cough too much contour) and guide you in applying makeup in ways that actually look good.
Looong story short: Robert is like the best makeup mentor who will also make you laugh the entire time. I mean, what’s not to love?
If you want to avoid looking like a birthday cake (no offense to birthday cakes), watch Robert Welsh.
4. Alissa Ashley
Alissa Ashley’s glow, tho! Seriously, she’s so good at getting that fresh and radiant makeup look—and girl, we ALL need that in our life. Her tutorials are just next level if you’re into dewy, luminous skin. She really focuses on enhancing your natural beauty without piling on product.
Also, Alissa’s tutorials are beginner-friendly without feeling too basic. Like, she’ll show you how to nail that smoky eye and somehow convince you it’s not as hard as you’ve been telling yourself. And for all my fellow POC out there, she knows all about makeup for deeper skin tones. So if you’ve ever struggled with finding the right shade match or how to make sure your foundation isn’t grayish (been there!), she covers that too.
What I LOVE most though? She’s ALWAYS on new trends. So you’ll keep your looks fresh and updated without feeling lost in the makeup scene.
5. RawBeautyKristi
I love RawBeautyKristi! She does more than just makeup tutorials—she keeps it super real about her beauty journey, and that’s wild comforting when you’re feeling like “why can’t I get this shadow blend right?!” I love how she isn’t afraid to say things like, “you’ll get this wrong at first and that’s OKAY!” We ALL mess up eyeshadow sometimes 👀.
Her style? Totally fun and down-to-earth, and she plays with all kinds of looks—from simple everyday makeup to bold and vibrant ones. She makes everything feel manageable, no matter how many products she uses (which sometimes are a lot, but she’s honest about it!). You’ll definitely feel less alone by watching her makeup freakout moments!
Bonus: She tests lots of products so you don’t have to spend forever figuring out what works and what doesn’t.
6. Jackie Aina
Girls with melanin, stand UP! If you have medium to dark skin, you need Jackie Aina in your life. She’s an absolute QUEEN and was one of the first YouTubers to really break down how makeup works for different skin tones. Like honestly, where would we be without her shouting from the rooftops about brands that needed more inclusive shade ranges?
Her vibes are super upbeat—she’s witty, bright, and hilarious aaand won’t hold back on calling out brands and products that aren’t worth your coins (snaps for being REAL). You get major personality plus killer makeup tips in every video. She focuses a lot on achieving flawless skin, so if mastering foundation and concealer is your headache, Jackie’s got you!
Jackie’s also so good at showing how to do color eyeshadow looks that actually pop on darker skin. Trust me, you can’t watch just one video. You’ll be in a Jackie marathon, for sure.
7. Manny MUA
Now, let’s talk about one of my faves: Manny MUA! He’s so much fun on camera, you’ll feel like you’re chilling with your bestie who happens to have mad makeup skills. Manny’s tutorials range from beginner to more advanced, but he definitely has simple glam tutorials that are perfect for beginners who want that flawless finish.
Also, can we take a second to appreciate his personality?! He’s sassy, he’s funny, but also so sweet and positive that you can’t help but vibe with him. His videos perfectly mix entertainment and education so you’ll learn and laugh your way through eyebags, foundation struggles, and everything in between.
Manny’s tutorials on blush placement and eyeshadow blending are solid gold, and you’ll go from clumsy with that fluffy brush to a pro in no time.
Manny MUA’s channel is your go-to for achieving both legit makeup skills and a *major* serotonin boost.
8. James Charles
Okay, sisterrrs!! If you’re feeling bold or want to experiment with more colorful, flex-worthy looks, James Charles is literally here to grab you by the hand and say, “YOU GOT THIS, SIS!” His looks are super artsy and creative—he’s not afraid to go all out. But that doesn’t mean he skips out on teaching you the basics.
He’s got tutorials that will easily walk you through a natural look, and then he’s got crazy good ones with bright colors and incredibly sharp winged liner if you’re feeling extra daring on the weekend.
Be ready for high-energy vibes though! James is all over the place in the best possible way—so if you need someone to pump you up while you learn, this is it!
Pro Tip: His tutorials on brushes and tools are super useful; knowing what brush to use for blending your shadow or applying a perfect highlight can be a game changer.
9. Julia Adams MUA
If you’re more into that aesthetic makeup vibe on IG (you know, the soft, glowing looks that make you look like an IRL fairy), then peep Julia Adams MUA. She’s all about soft glam and radiant skin 😍. Her tutorial style is laid-back, so you don’t feel overwhelmed when following along.
This girl knows how to make neutral tones look BOMB and teaches you how to perfect that subtle glow that’s incredibly popular right now. She has a way of explaining the smallest things, like why blending upward makes a difference for a lifted eye look, and suddenly you’re applying eyeshadow like a pro!
Some Easy Extra Tips for Beginners
If you’re just dipping your toes in, these extra little tips will help you so much:
| Tip | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Watch with a mirror handy | Practice while you watch, so you can pause the video and try it out in real-time. |
| Focus on one area at a time | Don’t try to learn ALL makeup stuff at once—focus on eye makeup first, then move to contouring/foundation, etc. |
| Practice blending, blending, blending! | The biggest makeup game changer is blending eyeshadows, blushes, etc. Practice makes perfect! |
So, hunnay, don’t stress. Watch, learn, and most importantly, have fun with it! Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to these channels ‘cause the knowledge is endless, and they’ll keep you updated on the latest trends, techniques, and all the drama too, lol.
Now it’s your turn! Pop on to YouTube and start practicing. Before you know it, you’ll be showing off your makeup looks like a total pro! Go get glam ✨
