As the official gatekeepers of what’s trending on TikTok, Gen Z beauty creators of color are breaking their way onto the influencer scene with everything from cloud skin and pink concealer hacks to clean girl makeup.
Fighting for the space they deserve among a sea of successful white influencers, these creators are making a name for themselves, emerging as successful wielders of what beauty means in 2023. They are the representation that young people of color have longed for in the beauty space, from redefining how we use different beauty products to challenging traditional standards.
Here are 10 Gen Z beauty influencers of color to follow this year:
Monet McMichael
@monetmcmichael these pimples better start paying MF RENTTT – anyways chile – my everyday glam routine 💕🕊️🐰🫧 GRWM
Ahnesti “Monet” McMichael, who goes by the TikTok moniker @monetmcmichael, heads this new generation of beauty authorities in the creator economy. The beauty, lifestyle and fashion social media influencer has over 3 million followers on TikTok and over 735,000 followers on Instagram. The New Jersey native reels viewers into her “Get Ready With Me” videos (GRWMs) and vlogs about her life. Most recently, the 23-year-old Afro-Latina showed off collaborations with Aerie, Mac Cosmetics and Revolve, where she wore featured pieces for their festival.
Cynthia Victor
@shawtysin
This Sri Lankan beauty influencer has over 1 million TikTok followers and 223,000 followers on Instagram, creating content in both English and Tamil under the name @Shawtysin. The Canadian native now hails from Trenton, New Jersey, where she is a makeup artist and beauty, fashion and lifestyle influencer “trying to teach the world…with lessons of self-love and confidence,” according to Collabstr. She is also known for her lip-sync, comedy content and plus-size modeling endeavors. Her recent collaborations include Juvia’s Place, Wet n Wild and Milk Makeup.
Golloria George
@golloria Ep. 12 The Darkest Shade Series: Urban Decay was a big slay. I felt so decieved by the other companies undertones lol. #makeup #beauty
Texas native Golloria George is a TikTok star known for her vlog-style videos, OOTDs and makeup and lifestyle content. Branded under the name @golloria, the 21-year-old blew up on TikTok last year after testing products for inclusivity with what she coined her “Darkest Shades” series. This proud dark-skinned Black influencer boasts more than a million followers on TikTok and more than 300,000 subscribers on YouTube. You can see her collaborations across social media, from being a proud Fenty girlie and Sephora Squad member to a Saie Beauty partner.
Jools Annie Marie
@joolieannie
This trans, plus-size woman of color is a newer creator on the block, and she’s taken the influencer world by storm with her chatty GRWMs, fiery clap backs to haters, realistic beauty reviews and transparent brand sponsorships. @joolieannie is a former Texas Roadhouse server who quit her job to create content full-time just last year. She now has nearly 900,000 followers on TikTok. Her recent collaborations include One Size by Patrick Star, Urban Decay and KVD Beauty.
Sean Anthony
@seananthonyv life is good indeed ☁️🫶🏼 #beauty #selenagomez #beautytok #seananthony #rarebeauty
Asian LGBTQ+ beauty creator @seananthonyv has nearly 860,000 followers that tune in to his consistent product reviews, unboxing hauls and tutorial videos. The 24-year-old Filipino makeup artist joined TikTok in December 2019, ever since creating “high quality, lighthearted and entertaining content,” according to Collabstr. The Canadian native’s partnerships with Makeup Forever and Rare Beauty have garnered tens of thousands of views.
Rocio Soria
@rocio.roses Thank you for all your support throughout my journey. I am forever grateful🙏🏼💝 #makeup #milanixrocioroses #milanicosmetics #beauty #makeupvideos #grwmilani #affordablemakeup #drugstoremakeup #walmartmakeupfinds #milani #holidaymakeuplook #holidaybeauty #rocioroses
Washington native Rocio Soria is “your money-saving bestie” on TikTok, inspiring a following of 1.7 million followers on TikTok and 206,000 on Instagram. The Latina makeup guru and cosmetic expert has made headlines for her “lifesaving” makeup tips and tricks. Since March 2020, the 25-year-old star has posted her favorite drugstore dupes, reviewed product lines and shared makeup tutorials. The former Ulta employee has partnered with Makeup Forever, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and L’Oreal Paris.
Darius Hall
@poorlildarkbxy Damn I’m pretty 🤭
The Chicago native is well-known on the clock app for his honest reviews of viral products on dark skin to his 277,000 followers. The 26-year-old is a loud proponent of inclusivity in the beauty industry regarding complexion products. @poorlildarkbxy has also been vocal about calling out the influencer industry for the disparity in PR gifting that makes it difficult for creators of color like them to break through. The LGBTQ+ TikToker, who goes by Dee Thee IMVU Avatar, has brand sponsorships with Elli J Beauty, Freck Beauty and Juvia’s Place.
Aysha Harun
@aysha_harun Getting ready for Iftar with @maccosmetics Hyper Real Skincare Serumizer + Skin Canvas Balm which gives me all the glow and hydration a girl needs & is the perfect base for makeup! Other Products Used: Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 MAC Studio Fix 24-Hour Smooth Wear Concealer Powder Blush: Burnt Pepper Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray MACStack Mascara Lip Pencil in Chestnut Matte Lipstick in Taupe #MACPartner #MacHyperReal #MACSkinArtistry
Black Muslim creator Aysha Harun is a Los Angeles-based Ethiopian-Canadian TikToker and YouTube vlogger with a following of nearly 381,000 TikTokers. The proud hijabi frequently speaks on inclusivity and diversity through all aspects of her lifestyle content, from beauty and fashion to health and wellness. The Ethiopian influencer gives viewers everything from mini vlogs of days in her life to de-influencing videos appraising fans on what not to buy. The 27-year-old also has long-term ambassadorships with brands like Nivea, First Aid Beauty, Bobbi Brown and more.
Hira Mustafa
@lookwhoshira My fave eye look so far #grwm #receptionlook #valima #pakistani #desi #wedding #outfit
♬ Say So (Instrumental Version) [Originally Performed by Doja Cat] – Elliot Van Coup
Known on TikTok as @lookwhoshira, the Pakistani influencer provides everything from hair content, outfits of the day (OOTDs), skin care tips, beauty GRWMs and vlogs about her life as a law student. The Muslim creator has previously spoken out against TikTok’s beauty filters and how they affected her mental health to bring awareness to how the impact of filters bleeds into reality. The New York City-based 26-year-old works with brands like Dove, Hero Cosmetics and ColourPop, which she advertises to nearly 250,000 followers.
Kali Ledger
@kali.ledger How to GLOW UP 101 ✨ ~ not to say natural beauty isn’t enough, but I like to max out my avatar from time to time ~ ✨ 1. Brows Look at the structure, the way the hair flows, and then emphasize what you like. longer brows also open up the eye area a lot more! @nablacosmetics Brow Pen @anastasiabeverlyhills Brow Freeze 2. Lips A little bit of plump + only overlining in the center of the lips = 10/10 but realistic & undetectable @nablacosmetics viper lip plumper @toofaced lipliner (retractable pens always has sharp ends!) 3. Acne & Spots activ pimple = mole dark spot/hyperpigmentation = cluster of freckles @nablacosmetics frecklemaker 4. Eyes Brow colored liner looks supernatural in all lighting conditons. A lash curler has the same round curve that eye balls have so they are great for a quick precise look @clio_official Extreme Gelpresso Pencil Liner @lhcosmetics lash Curler @artistcouture palette @kaleidosmakeup gifted highlighter @anastasiabeverlyhills Pro pencil 5. Skin Instead of layering why not just get shade that do it all? Why foundation + contour, when foundations with neutral tones exist. You are using one layer of product LESS and that LESS is flawLESS, because it’s not creating more texture @milkmakeup flex foundation as contour @saiebeauty starglow luminizier + @kevynaucoin skin enhancer concealer 6. FLUSH This bl00dy step is important! want to look like you are in perfect health? glass stain lip tint. all over the cheeks and lips @florasis.official jade shine liquid lipstick 7. Set…but don’t set everything if you are setting your makeup, think about the amount you need to lighten shadows and to add additional coverage. You don’t need to add more coverage to an area that is already perfectly covered. if you want something against oily skin: 1. skincare 2. silicone matte primer (like the @youthforia one!) I only used: @charlottetilbury undereye pigmented powder because with adjusted nutrition and a gentle and SIMPLE skinroutine I actually am not so oily or dry anymore! ~ 🤍 comment 🤍 if you read this far and know that I appriciate youuuuuu
Kali Ledger is known for close-up aesthetic makeup videos shared with 1.1 million TikTok followers and her portrait-style photography photos. The 24-year-old digital creator is a proud Black Lives Matter activist. The German-born creator showcases different kinds of makeup styles and skin care content. The Black makeup artist has posted ads with big-name partners like Gucci Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury and Tatcha.