Tess Christine of TessChristine123: Beauty Blogger of the Moment
If you're looking for celebrity-inspired tutorials, Tess Christine's YouTube channel is your perfect destination—she's recreated looks for almost the entire cast of Pretty Little Liars! She even makes recreating looks from Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato seem simple with easy-to-follow instructions. In addition to makeup, this beauty guru is a pro at styling hair. She's made videos on everything from the basics of teasing to braided looks perfect for school. And speaking of classes, she has an array of tutorials on the subject. You can watch her typical morning beauty routine, try her makeup and hair suggestions for a school dance, or pick up skincare tips that will help keep your face blemish-free, even under the stresses of the school year.
Photo: courtesy of Tess Christine1/5Where do you get ideas or inspiration for your tutorials?
For my videos, I love to pull inspiration from magazines and celebrities. Some of my favorite videos to do are my "get the look" videos. It’s fun to recreate the hair and makeup of people you admire and look up to. I live in Minnesota and it’s really fun to pull inspiration from the changing colors and climates. If I’m out of ideas, I always listen to my viewers. Seeing how excited they get when I do their video request is so rewarding for me.
Who are a few of your favorite beauty gurus and why do you love their channels?
Tanya Burr, of Pixi2woo, is the most talented makeup artist I’ve ever seen. Her makeup tutorials are amazing and I learn so much from her. Plus, she’s such a sweet a likable person. Andrea, of Andreaschoice, is one of my favorites because she’s so funny. I love her DIY videos—she’s so creative! Zoe, of Zoella280390, doesn’t cover too much hair and makeup, but I love seeing what fashion choices she makes because she tends to dress in a more daring way than I do.
2/5Learn this guru's secrets to success and which other beauty vloggers she loves to watch.
Photo: courtesy of Tess Christine3/5When and why did you first decide to start your channel?
Elle and Blair Fowler were having a giveaway on their channel so, to enter, I made a quick styling video and posted it. I received some comments saying I should start posting more videos. I'd been watching beauty gurus on YouTube for a while and had always thought about starting one, but the comments encouraged me, and I started my channel in April of 2011.
What's your beauty philosophy?
I believe that makeup should be worn to enhance one's beauty, not to make someone beautiful. Showing your personality through what you wear or how you do your hair is a way to show your creativity and truly feel confident with yourself. If learning a new hairstyle or makeup trick adds a little boost of confidence for someone, I don't see anything wrong with that. Something I don't want young girls to take from my channel is that makeup, hair, and outfits are the only important things. It's what's on the inside that really matters!
Photo: courtesy of Tess Christine4/5What's your favorite hairstyle to create?
Definitely something involving a curling iron. I love curling my hair, especially in loose waves. I also love the big fishtail braid. It's my go-to quick hairstyle.
Do you have advice for a reader that wants to start a channel?
Make sure it's something you really want to do. There will be negativity on the Internet, so if you don't love it, dealing with that will be ten times harder. It's important not to let people get to you. Be who you are, stay positive, and you and your channel will shine.
Photo: courtesy of Tess Christine5/5What's in your makeup bag right now?
The makeup products I always try to keep in my purse are a powder, a lip balm, and whichever lip product I'm wearing that day. I have oily skin, so a powder is something I always have just in case, but lip balm is a necessity in Minnesota where the weather can get into the negative degrees! For a daily lip color, I love the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains. They last so long and are way easier to manage than a lipstick.
What three beauty products do you find yourself buying over and over again?
NARS Bronzer in Laguna is definitely my favorite product to give my skin that bronzy glow. I love Maybelline Falsies Mascara so much because it doesn't make my lashes clump together and the curved wand is perfect for making my eyelashes appear fuller. I also repurchase the Clean & Clear Morning Burst cleanser. I love using this in the mornings because it's so refreshing, it smells good, and it keeps my skin clear!
