If I’m not working on my own blog, I like to spend some time reading someone else’s or watching a Youtube tutorial (or 10). Reading blogs is a great way to find out about new products, trends, beauty hacks, or up and coming brands. These beauty blogs & Youtube Channels have been so much fun to read/watch and I’ve learned so much from other perspectives when applying my makeup. I know how much learning from various resources helped me, so I’m sharing some of my favorites with you.
Beauty Blogs Worth Reading
Slashed Beauty
Slashed Beauty is a one-stop-shop beauty resource. One of the blog’s main focuses is helping you look great without hurting your wallet too much, but there are all kinds of content on Slashed Beauty. Miranda Mendelson shares beauty reviews tutorials, news about sales and discounts, blogging tips and so much more. I discovered Slashed Beauty in the summer of 2018 and check back at least once a week for new content, although I’m always hoping for product reviews from brands that have been on my wishlist. Since Miranda is also a Youtuber, she frequently embeds her Youtube videos right in her blog posts to make them even more helpful to you.
My favorite Slashed Beauty blog posts include:
BH Cosmetics Royal Affair Collection Review: After I read this particular post, I added the Royal Affair eyeshadow palette to my wish list and purchased it soon after. I was already a fan of BH Cosmetics so I was leaning toward buying the palette. However, the clear photo and simple yet in-depth description convinced me to give it a try. I haven’t used this palette often since I bought, but I do love the shade selection and pigmentation of the colors every time I play with it.
iPhone X: The Best Smartphone For Influencers?: As a blogger, I appreciate it when others in the industry share tips and tricks to succeed with your blog. One of the reasons I love blogging so much is because it is like a community, we’re all helping each other become better bloggers. This was one of the more helpful blogging tips for photos posts I’ve read in a while, even though it’s over a year old. If you’re a blogger especially a beauty blogger looking for tips to take your blog photos and you have an iPhone check out this post.
Jasmine Maria:
Jasmine Maria is a beauty, fashion, and lifestyle blog run by Makeup artist Jasmine Maria. She writes makeup reviews, shares brand favorites, and fashion tips among other topics. I don’t remember when I first discovered this blog, but in the past few months, I’ve started reading it weekly again. One of my favorite aspects of this blog is her images in her reviews, she’s detailed and the swatches are clear so you definitely have an idea of what the product will look like.
My favorite Jasmine Maria blog posts are:
L’Oreal Infallible Matte Lip Crayon: I’ve discovered through trial and error that liquid lipsticks were easier for me to apply than other forms, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not going to work to improve my skill and technique. L’Oreal is a great drugstore brand so when I first read about this product on Jasmine’s blog and the positive review for the product I added to my shopping list. Jasmine writes reviews where you can easily see the information that will help you decide if you want to try the products, including swatches where applicable.
Urban Decay X Game Of Thrones: I’m not a Game Of Thrones fan and with the series finished I just don’t see a reason to start watching it now. However, several of my friends and family members watched the show so I wanted to at least check out the collection. Jasmine shares a complete view of the collection, including swatches of all the products as well as two makeup looks you can create with the products. I love the design of the eyeshadow palette. Since I’m not a true fan I would only purchase the eyeshadow palette and glide on eye pencils.
The Best of e.l.f. Cosmetics: e.l.f cosmetics is an affordable beauty brand that has been growing on me more and more since last year. I used to only purchase brushes since they were around 3 dollars each. All of the brand’s products are similarly priced, in this best of roundup Jasmine talks about everything from primers to concealers to makeup tools. She briefly shares her experience with each item on the list. This list has short descriptions, but everything you’d need for a makeup look and a great place to check when putting together an affordable makeup bag full of necessary tools.
5 Go-To Hair Scarf Styles: I was never really much into doing more with my hair than simple easy to go styles, it was just too time-consuming and my hands would get tired, that being said: I’ve recently gotten into wearing hair accessories. I blame it on the spring casual look some of the accessories give me. When I read this, I immediately started thinking of other styles I’d be able to use a hair scarf, which styles I’d be able to do on my own, and which ones I’d need help with. Jasmine’s post was fun to read and fun to try out so I could play with the styles.
Style Sprinter
Style Sprinter is a beauty and lifestyle blog run by Katya Bychkova. Style Sprinter’s focuses on educating readers on makeup and skincare products. Although the blog’s main focus is on all things beauty Katya also shared fashion, travel, and lifestyle tips. I discovered this blog in late 2017 and would periodically tune back in to read a few articles in my spare time. One of my favorite aspects of this blog is the tutorials, I still have to practice before I’m able to do some of the looks on my own, but this blog is definitely worth adding to your list for makeup inspiration and great tutorials.
** At the time of writing and publishing this post, there hasn’t been any content published on the blog. I don’t if that means that there won’t be any in the future or if Style Sprinter’s just not creating any new content right now. If the content at some point is no longer accessible, I’ll update this post, but I added her blog because Katya has amazing content about makeup and skincare tips.”
My favorite posts from Style Sprinter include:
Harley Quinn Makeup Tutorial: I know Halloween is months away, but I love this look, being able to recreate it has become a makeup goal of mine lol. I included this post in the roundup because it’s a fun look for Halloween and there’s a step by step pictogram that makes it easy to know if you’re on the right track with your re-creation.
Best Skincare Gift Sets of 2019: One of the roundups posted for 2019, this post talks about various skincare products at different price points. These skincare products cover everything from lip balms and lip masks to hand lotions and of course face masks. While I’m not sure these holiday sets are still available for purchase, this list and other similar posts on this blog will give you a starting to create your skincare routine if you don’t already have one or help decide whether to add/replace products if you do.
Youtube Channels You Should Be Watching
Youtube is another great way to learn about makeup products, get tutorials and makeup tips tp improve your skills and so much more. I’m sharing a few of my go-to youtube channels for when I’m working on a new skill or technique or just practicing.
Patricia Bright: I had to start the list off with one of my favorites, Patricia Bright. She is a Beauty Youtuber/Author who shares makeup and skincare tips, inspiration for makeup looks and product reviews, as well as beauty and fashion hacks. Although she does several videos about beauty and fashion topics, she doesn’t shy away from having real conversations either. She often talks about knowing your worth and being happy with where you are in life, diving further into these topics with her book Heart & Hustle. Some of my favorite videos from her channel include swatches and product reviews.
Related: Two Beauty Influencers Turned Authors Whose Books You Need To Read
Brianna Fox: I discovered this channel in late 2019 when I was searching for tips on applying eye makeup, which you know I struggle with if you’ve been following the blog. I found this channel and have repeatedly watched some of her videos on Youtube and Instagram. She goes into such great detail in her tutorial videos that I feel like I know what to do I just have to get my hands on-board with the process. If you’ve ever found a Youtube video that you loved and wanted to see more videos on that topic, but didn’t want to search through the videos then definitely check out Brianna’s channel, especially for eye makeup tutorials.
Jackie Aina: I love watching Jackie’s videos simply because of her energy. From fun makeup videos like tutorials and product reviews to lifestyle videos, you can tell she’s having fun. The tutorial videos on this channel are easy to follow and range from soft-to full glam with a little more towards the latter in my opinion. I’d also recommend this channel if you’re a dark-skinned girl like me because Jackie makes sure to address things like product suggestions and pigmentation for certain products for our skin tones.
These beauty blogs & Youtube channels have helped me learn new techniques and figure out other ones that I could change a little to work for me and my capabilities. One of my favorite things about social media and the beauty community is how we can all learn from each other. We can try simple tips or work on learning a new makeup application technique. In addition to learning a new makeup tip or two, I’m always inspired by the looks that I see so I hope that these blogs and youtube channels not only help you with your makeup practice, but inspire you to keep creating looks and honing your skills as well.
Do you read a beauty blog or watch a beauty youtube channel that you think should be added to this list? Let me know in the comments below.
~Kimberly
