Are there any videos with positive messages, polite language, and beginner techniques?
Dear Beauty Editor,
I have a preteen who loves beauty videos on YouTube, but I want to make sure the messaging is positive and the language appropriate. Do you have any suggestions of channels for her to watch?
—Abby
There’s no shortage of beauty content on YouTube, but to help your preteen navigate the morass, I think you need to talk to her about what kind of videos she likes and why she’s watching them. I’ll offer my suggestions below, but they’re all based on the assumption that she’s watching so she can learn how to apply makeup to create looks that would be appropriate for her to wear outside the house (if you allow it). But that’s just one subgenre of beauty video.
Your preteen may be more interested in watching product hauls or organizing videos because they help her relax. Or maybe she thinks of beauty as an artistic hobby and likes to play with different looks (including fantasy and special-effects makeup) on herself or friends. It’s also possible she’s just watching for entertainment and chooses creators who happen to have some makeup reviews and GRWM vlogs in their mix. If she’s watching for any of these reasons, she may be bored with the suggestions below — so keep that in mind.
A few things to note about this list: First, know that I tried (and failed) to find suggestions for you on YouTube Kids. I just don’t think the average 9-to-12-year-old will be satisfied with the beauty content there; most of it is corny and juvenile and simply not aspirational enough for today’s preteen. Second, I’ve watched hours of videos from the creators below and I think most of their content is PG with the occasional PG-13 reference or word in the mix. I can’t guarantee, however, that their values align with what you think is appropriate. (And I haven’t watched all of their content, so it’s possible I missed something offensive in their back catalogue.) So watch a few videos for yourself before you recommend any of these channels to your preteen.
Alexandra Anele
Alexandra Anele has the skills of a professional makeup artist but the attitude of your chill best friend who happens to know more than you but never condescends. When she talks about blush placement, there’s no implication that she’s doing it to “fix” her face — and no assumption that you, the viewer, want or need to fix yours. She also admits when she doesn’t know something and encourages viewers to question her techniques and learn what works best for them. On very rare occasions, Anele may curse or drop a word like shizz into her content, but it’s never vulgar and probably nothing your preteen hasn’t heard before.
Playlist to check out: Dude
Haley Kim
Haley Kim’s channel has an underlying message of self-acceptance that never feels cheesy. When sharing concealer tips, she starts by reminding viewers that “flawless skin is unachievable in real life” — an important message that’s lost on most other content creators. Her aesthetic is natural and subtle, so the tutorials feel like a good starting place for beginners and preteens. Plus, she makes a point of featuring models and friends with different skin tones and types, and she’ll always point out when a tip or trick may not work for people who don’t look like her.
Playlist to check out: Basic Makeup 101
Ale Jay
Ale Jay is not a professional makeup artist by trade, so viewers will feel they’re on a learning journey with her and the finished looks are never too complicated. Her straightforward style doesn’t leave much room for jokes or commentary. Still, it’s great for preteens: You won’t catch her insulting other creators or sharing age-inappropriate stories while blending her foundation. She also uses a lot of drugstore products and inexpensive brands, so younger viewers with a limited budget for makeup supplies won’t feel left out.
Playlist to check out: Beginners Makeup
Denitslava Makeup
You don’t need to wear makeup or own beauty products to enjoy Denitslava Makeup’s sweet and goofy channel. Her videos have quick cuts and sound effects to keep younger viewers engaged, and her spritelike energy is infectious. When she’s showcasing how to do a particular makeup look, she often uses animations and diagrams to demonstrate techniques, and she keeps up a running commentary that focuses on the feel-good aspects of beauty. This is the rare creator who can say something like “My eyebrows exaggerate my expressions, and I like that” without seeming twee or inauthentic — truly a feat.
Playlist to check out: Denitslava Makeup Tutorials
Maya Galore
Maya Galore’s content has evolved from beauty-tutorial videos to more of a lifestyle vlog, but her attitude remains the same: positive, patient, and always real. The finished looks on her channel lean toward a glam aesthetic and may not be appropriate for a preteen to wear to school, but let’s be honest: Contouring, highlighting, and applying fake lashes are fun. She makes all the “babes” watching feel as if they’re part of her community and never disrespects herself or others (that may not seem like a big deal, but it’s surprisingly hard to find on YouTube). One thing to note: She has had plastic surgery and is open about it on her channel, so if that topic isn’t something you want to discuss with your preteen just yet, consider yourself warned.
Playlist to check out: Makeup for Beginners
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