Seventeen's YouTube issue shines spotlight on beauty vlogger

For it’s October cover, Seventeen magazine skipped the movie stars and pop singers and featured a YouTube celebrity.

Bethany Mota, 18, has over 7 million subscribers to her style- and beauty-based YouTube channel, Macbarbie07. She’s just one of dozens of influential fashion personalities online, some of whom are really raking in the dough.

“Even now I feel like I’m still figuring things out, and I’m still finding my way through things. When I was going through YouTube and making videos, I didn’t really have anyone to look at like, ‘Okay, this is what I’m going to do.’ It kind of just happened on my own,” Mota tells Seventeen.

Mota’s girl-next-door videos are often personal, sharing her “routines” and tours of her room. From easy hair tutorials to product reviews, she’s got every teen girl’s beauty interests at heart. She also takes topic requests from viewers.

"One of the most crucial parts to building a strong community is being consistent — not just by uploading frequently, but also by responding to comments, tweets, and everything else. It’s important to show your audience that you appreciate their support by always interacting with them," Mota tells Teen Vogue.

"I’m always looking for ways that I can improve what I do based on what I have done in the past," she tells Fashionista. “I think this is a good mindset to have because it allows my content to get better with time. I don’t really focus on trying to stand out. I think that as long as you be yourself, that will happen naturally.”

While Mota might still be “finding her way,” she’s certainly found her audience. In a recent survey by Variety, teens named online personalities as the celebrities they considered the most influential.

Of the 20 biggest stars in teens’ eyes, 10 were YouTube success stories. Mota ranked 19th on the list, just above Leonardo DiCaprio.

Perhaps the most famous beauty “vlogger,” 26-year-old Michelle Phan ranked 17th. Cosmopolitan estimates that Phan, known for her easy-to-follow instructional makeup videos, will bring in $5-million this year, thanks to endorsement deals, ad revenue, a beauty line and her new book.

"I would never want a girl to be the next Michelle Phan," Phan tells Fashionista of the importance of staying true to oneself. “I don’t look at what other people are doing. Everyone has their own voice, their own mark. My style has always been the same: simple, clean, professional videos. Maybe that’s why it resonates. They’re easy to learn, anyone can do it.”

Here are some other YouTube beauty experts worth checking out.

Dulce Tejada

When it comes to sharing beauty secrets, Dulce Tejada, 26, of the channel Dulce Candy, believes that honesty is the best policy for her. Last fall, the married mother-of-one shared, in detail, her personal experience with plastic surgery.

"I was expecting the reaction to be negative, but it was mostly all positive. People were thanking me for opening up," Tejada tells Cosmopolitan.

She refuses to endorse products that she doesn’t actually like.

"I want to be as honest as I can."

Kandee Johnson

Not everyone launches their beauty career online. Kandee Johnson had been a Hollywood makeup artist for nearly a decade when she posted a video titled “How to Clean Make-Up Brushes" five years ago. The video took off, and her vlogging career was born.

Since then, the colourful, upbeat vlogger has earned a following of 1.7 million, has appeared as judge on a Style Network show, and is in better shape financially than she’s ever been.

"I’m doing better now to the point where I’m glad I’m doing this instead of makeup," says the single mother of four. “With makeup, it was feast or famine. I could go three months without any work. [Vlogging] has opened so many more doors.”

Pixiwoo

Wish you could look like Angelina or Cleopatra? Look no further.

The sister duo of Samantha and Nic Chapman help viewers recreate celebrity makeup looks. (And for those of us not quite up to speed on certain makeup techniques, their Basics video series is perfect for beauty newbies.)

Gossmakeupartist

Why not learn from a pro? Wayne Goss has 15 years of experience working in markup artistry and regularly shares his tips and secrets with with 1.7 million subscribers. Learn how to contour, get rid of blackheads, and how to use makeup brushes like a seasoned professional.

Another seasoned makeup artist worth following: Lisa Eldridge. Her recreations of vintage looks are reason alone to subscribe.

Patricia Bright

British Bright breaks down even the most simple of beauty routines, making them accessible to anyone. She treats her viewers like friends, dishing on her impressive shopping hauls and sharing her getting-ready routines.

SunKissAlba

Alba is passionate about health and nutrition — a number of her beauty secrets are related to diet and exercise — and offers plenty of tips for living with naturally curly hair.

Others channels we love: Zoella, Emma Pickles and Miss Glamorazzi.

Who is your favourite beauty vlogger?