Nicole Guerriero is a beautiful, hilarious, sassy and genuine beauty vlogger. You immediately pick up on all of these qualities from watching any one of her hundreds of videos on YouTube. She covers everything from hair tutorials, make-up tutorials, shopping hauls, product reviews to having her boyfriend attempt to do her makeup on camera and everything inbetween. With more than a million subscribers and a personality unmatched in the YouTube vlogging world, I was beyond thrilled to interview Nicole and ask her some questions everyone is dying to know.
LD: Let’s start at the beginning, how did you get started on YouTube & what was your first video of?
Nicole: I was always told my hair and make-up looked good. I looked on YouTube and saw girls making tutorials. I thought to myself, “I can do that.” So I made a video. I think my first video was an ELF [a popular make-up brand] haul because haul videos are easy and you get to buy stuff!
LD: At what point did you realize that people were loving your videos and that you were becoming widely popular as a beauty vlogger?
Nicole: At first I didn’t think people were going to follow me and I almost stopped making videos but then I hit 40,000 subscribers and it gave me the motivation to keep making videos! Hitting 1,000 was definitely a BIG signal, too!
LD: You know the ins and outs of beauty, but how did you learn all of the editing and production details that go along with making and producing these videos?
Nicole: [Watching videos on] YouTube.
LD: Tell us what really goes into a video, from the idea to planning, to filming, editing and getting it up on YouTube. Is it a lot of time and effort?
Nicole: Oh my goodness, SO much goes into a video. LOTS of thinking about filming ideas. Then the actual filming and editing is very time consuming. Lots of time and effort goes into filming, editing…etc. I can spend anywhere from 30 to 60 hours a week filming and I am constantly thinking about filming ideas. Although they say, “If you love what you do you, you don’t work a day in your life.”
LD: Without getting into details, at what point does YouTube start paying you to produce videos? Does it depend on views, subscribers or comments?
Nicole: It’s a complicated subject, but it does definitely depend on views, subscribers and other things.
LD: Are you friends with the other beauty vloggers or is there a sense of competitiveness among the other popular ladies?
Nicole: A select few. No, I do not feel a sense of competitiveness, I am confident enough in myself to not worry about what others think.
LD: What are the beauty conventions like? Seeing so many girls waiting in line to meet you, does it sometimes feel surreal?
Nicole: It’s FUN! I love seeing all my “creepers.” Besides doing what I love, getting to meet my girls… and boys… is the BEST!
LD: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Still on YouTube? Maybe starting your own line of beauty products? Or maybe in an entirely different field?
Nicole: Five-… 10-… 15-year-plans are not my style. Though I hope I am still filming and having the chance to inspire people somehow.
LD: What would your advice be to our readers that are starting from scratch, the girl that wears Chap Stick and blush but wants to experiment more with makeup and glamour?
Nicole: Go for it! Check out some tutorials, buy some stuff and just experiment. There is nothing you can’t take off with make-up remover.
LD: What is one quote that inspired you to follow your dreams and that keeps you on track on days you maybe feel off or uninspired?
Nicole: “Don’t quit your day dream!”
Nicole Guerriero in a flash:
Favorite book: The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
Makeup product you absolutely couldn’t live without: Benefits, Porefessional
Who inspires you: My mom
Favorite video you’ve made: When Jeremy did my make-up, we just had so much fun filming that video together.
Hair up or hair down: Depends. Up for everyday things and running around, down for more fun and formal occasions.
Favorite store: FOREVER21
Favorite TV show: I’ve got a several, Game of Thrones and Shameless just to name a couple.
Cats or Dogs: Cats
