Beauty Guru Hanh Bui on Creating a Successful YouTube Channel and her Must-Have Products
Hanh Bui, or ahanhbarbie34 to her YouTube followers, started her channel just four years ago and now has almost one hundred and fifty thousand followers and nearly thirty three million video views. She creates tutorials on everything from intricate braids to glittery smoky eye makeup, all while keeping her followers up-to-date on her daily life. Hanh reveals what it takes to create and maintain a successful YouTube channel and the products she's loving right now.
1/6Hanh spills on how she managed to get a degree in biology, maintain a YouTube channel with thousands of followers, hang with friends, and stay on top of the latest beauty news.
Photo: courtesy of Hanh Bui2/6When and why did you first decide to start your blog?
I started making YouTube videos about four years ago out of boredom. I enjoy the creativity involved with video production and it gives me a strange sense of relaxation and satisfaction.
What is your beauty philosophy?
Beauty isn't just skin deep. You have to love and take care of yourself from the inside out and remember that outward beauty is fleeting. I believe in being kind to yourself and to others. That will remain with you until the end.
Photo: courtesy of Hanh Bui3/6Where do you get ideas or inspiration for your tutorials?
I get inspiration from things I experience throughout the day, whether it's from a piece of jewelry that I love or a random song I hear on the radio. I notice the minor details in life. The smallest things can have the biggest impact.
Besides vlogging, what's a typical day like for you?
I just graduated from the University of Illinois in Chicago with a degree in biology and have plans to go to graduate school. Right now, I'm busy prepping for the GRE's and researching potential graduate schools to continue my studies.
Photo: courtesy of Hanh Bui4/6Do you have advice for readers that would like to start a channel?
Stay true to yourself! You'll get critics despite the amount of hard work you put into your videos. Some may give you constructive criticism while others are just mean-spirited. You just have to remember that you are who you are—and don't forget to have fun!
What beauty product would you want with you if you were stranded on a deserted island?
Sunscreen! Specifically, Coppertone Sport SPF 100. I have a fear of premature skin aging.
Photo: courtesy of Hanh Bui5/6What are the hardest tutorials to film and why?
Hair tutorials where I have to angle the camera to the back of my head are difficult because sometimes it isn't angled correctly or it's out of focus.
How do you balance school, a social life and your channel?
Good time management helps me juggle school, YouTube, a social life, but education has always been my main priority. There have been times where my social life is nonexistent due to exams or labs, so my YouTube channel is more of a hobby during my downtime and I get to hang out with my friends more during the summer.
Photo: courtesy of Hanh Bui6/6What three beauty products do you find yourself buying over and over again?
H2O Sea Results Overnight Perfecting Peel, Lancôme Paris Définicils Mascara, and Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner.
What is your favorite hairstyle to create?
Boho beach waves simply from putting my hair into a high bun overnight.
