Beauty Guru MakeupatMidnight Shares Her Best YouTube Tips
As a college student with a concentration in the sciences, it's no surprise that Alisha of MakeupatMidnight takes a very logical approach to beauty. She loves to know exactly what's in her products and how different formulas function on her skin. Naturally this mindset applies to her YouTube channel, too—she carefully decides what videos to film based on what she knows her viewers will want to watch. Smart!
Keep reading for the inside scoop on how she's grown her channel into an empire.
1/5Want more viewers? This blogger can help.
Photo: courtesy of Kim James Photography2/5When did you first decide to become a beauty blogger?
I would play around with video editing using some footage from my dance performances or even home movies, but I began filming beauty-related videos when I started high school. I was just learning about hair and makeup myself from watching other gurus I found inspiring. The first tutorial I made was for a friend who always asked me how to put her hair in a bun for ballet class, and I thought it might be helpful for her if I filmed a video about how to do it!
What's your beauty philosophy?
It may sound cliché, but my philosophy is that beauty comes from the inside. At the end of the day nothing is more attractive than someone who is confident, positive, and ambitious.
Photo: courtesy of Kim James Photography3/5What inspires you?
Pinterest! I get motivated to research a look or technique that I’m interested in.
Which blogs and vlogs are you currently loving?
I watch so many channels it’s hard to only pick a few! I’m a huge fan of GossMakeupArtist because he shares so many unique tips and tricks about makeup that I learn something new and useful every single time I watch one of his videos. I also enjoy watching EmilyNoel83. She does an outstanding job of reviewing beauty products. Whenever I’m considering buying a product I often head to her channel first to see if she’s talked about it. And a couple of beauty blogs that I love reading regularly are The Beauty Brains and Brightest Bulb in the Box. Both analyze beauty products from a critical-thinking and scientific standpoint, and offer legitimate explanations that can debunk beauty myths and false product claims. As a university science student I really look up to and trust these bloggers.
Photo: courtesy of Samuel U. of Iconic Images4/5What was the most challenging tutorial you've filmed?
The one where I demonstrate different-colored contact lenses in my eyes. I thought it would make an interesting video for anyone who was considering buying them and wanted to know what the different colors would look like on someone. It was really difficult to keep switching the contacts in and out of my eyes, especially without a mirror! Quite a few times times I would mess up my makeup in between takes or my eyes would get irritated and watery.
What's your advice for a reader who would like to start a channel or grow her audience?
Take your time preparing for each video. Plan out your ideas, try to film with a good quality camera, and do your best to create nice lighting. And a great tip is to ask your friends what kind of videos they'd search for on YouTube because your friends are likely in the same demographic as your target audience!
Photo: courtesy of Kim James Photography5/5What’s in your makeup bag?
It’s pretty empty because over the past few days I’ve been heading to the beach to take advantage of the beautiful spring weather we’ve been having! There’s some Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer, Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm, NYX White Eyeliner Pencil, L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara, lipgloss, and of course some sunscreen!
