Uncover the 10 Best Makeup Experts on YouTube You Can’t Ignore

10 Best YouTube Makeup Artists You Should Follow

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

While some love to wear makeup, some don’t. Quite a lot of times you would find a meme, making fun of the ones belonging to the prior category. To all of them, we would like to say, “STOP JUDGING WOMEN!” It’s a matter of choice and there’s nothing to shy away from. You would be surprised to know that a lot of them are earning their daily bread today by sharing hacks to nail the latest makeup trend. Okay, we agree that it’s not quite the year for experimenting with new looks. But with the gloom all around, a little makeup and a brief selfie session for your Instagram might make you feel good for a change. Also, with so much time, you might make up your mind on perfecting your skills and launch your makeup tutorial channel someday.

No matter what summoned you to this write-up today, find here some of the best YouTube makeup artists you must have heard before. Cut short the troubles of filtering through a whole list of them as we have compiled it on your behalf. So, without beating around the bush, let’s proceed.

• Part 1: Top 10 YouTube Makeup Artists
• Part 2: How to Prepare Before Making Your First Makeup Video?

Top 10 YouTube Makeup Artists

Here’s a rundown of our shortlisted ones in no particular order.

1. Rachel Claire Levin

This internet personality is widely known for her YouTube channel RCLBeauty101. A native of Philadelphia, who joined this channel on Dec 14, 2010, has successfully amassed 14.6M subscribers from all over the world. And why not? After all, her channel features diverse videos on life hacks, skits, comedy, and associated things besides DIY makeup tutorials. As of July 2020, the YouTube channel has already gathered 3.71 billion video views, indicating how quickly she’s reaching out to people seeking beauty advice.

2. Jeffree Star

Jeffree Star, who is renowned on YouTube as ‘jeffreestar’, is a multi-talented internet personality. This fashion-obsessed influencer had embarked on his journey as a makeup artist on February 15, 2006. Since then, he has been creating and sharing videos on collabs, life, music, reviews, and makeup of course. His channel has been immensely popular and has amassed 17.4M subscribers with video views soaring to over 2.35 billion. You would be surprised to know that he’s also the founder of Jeffree Star Cosmetics, which was launched in November 2014. Sharing beauty tips and tutorials have risen on his channel ever since the very onset of his company.

3. Nikkie de Jager

And how can we ever forget about the Dutch beauty vlogger, who owns a YouTube channel by the name NikkieTutorials? She’s a YouTube sensation with about 13.5M subscribers and over 1.33 billion views. Success touched her feet in 2015 when she released “The Power of Makeup” YouTube video and inspired people to disclose theirs with and without makeup faces. Her channel features stars like Drew Barrymore and Kim Kardashian, all of which have together contributed to the popularity of her YouTube channel.

4. Wayne Goss

The YouTube channel of Wayne Goss is all about beauty tips to improve makeup skills, honest reviews on brands, and a guide for all those aspiring to be a makeup artist. What launched on August 5, 2008, today enjoys 3.79M subscribers and over 508 million video views. The best part about watching makeup tutorials on his channel is that he breaks down even the most complicated looks into easy and manageable segments, simplifying the learning for all.

5. Desi Perkins

Desi Perkins’ humble entry into the YouTube community happened on August 18, 2013, when she posted a tutorial titled ‘Soft Warm Sultry Eye’ and since then she’s been taking over the channel by storm. A specialist in wedding, party and casual makeup styles, her rise to fame was mostly due to two of her videos ‘Husband Does My Makeup’ and ‘Eyebrow Tutorial’. Today she captures the attention of almost 3.34M subscribers and 250M views.

6. Zoe Elizebeth Sugg

Also known by Zoella, the YouTube channel of Zoe Sugg was an outcome of her success as a blogger, which prompted her to initiate her career and join YouTube on September 4, 2012. Ever since she has ingrained her position among the top beauty influencers and internet fashionistas. Her collaboration with some of the best beauty brands like ColourPop has further facilitated her to rise to loftier heights of success. Today, her YouTube channel enjoys 4.81M subscribers and over 870M views.

7. Tati Westbrook

She’s a gorgeous, successful beauty influencer and an OG beauty YouTuber, who stepped on board on November 8, 2010. Makeup lovers shall find tutorials, life vlogs, unbiased product reviews, and makeup challenges on her channel, which was renamed ‘Tati’ from ‘GlamLifeGuru’ on November 7, 2010. She also shares tips on Drugstore & Luxury Beauty Products on two days of the week. All this and much more has helped her win a staggering 9.28M subscribers and 1.4 billion views on YouTube.

8. Michelle Phan

Calling her simply an entrepreneur and a voice actress would be an understatement because she’s a notable YouTuber and an American makeup artist, who joined the YouTube community on July 9, 2006. Her YouTube channel ‘Michelle Phan’ features a repertoire of transformative beauty tutorials and reviews on beauty products. She might have gone on a break for 3 long years between 2016 and 2019 but has still managed to earn 8.89M subscribers and 1.03 billion views. Watch her videos to learn about essential beauty tips.

9. Bunny Meyer

This paranormal experience sharer turned YouTube makeup artist, invaded the platform on December 3, 2010, under the channel grav3yardgirl. Her jovial personality and quirks are a reason why viewers, otherwise addressed as the ‘Swamp Family’ love to visit her channel. Apart from teaching unusual beauty makeup hacks, she posts reviews on cosmetic products. Her bizarre approach and successful collaboration with Tarte Cosmetics have helped this Swamp Queen to amass 8.35M subscribers and 1.56 billion views on YouTube.

10. Huda Kattan

One of the best YouTube makeup artists you must have heard is Huda Kattan, an Iraqi-American YouTuber, who has her line of cosmetic products under the brand name Huda Beauty. Besides being a founder and CEO of the company, she features beauty hacks and DIY makeup tutorials on her YouTube channel by the same name. Her influence on people with beauty tips has helped her to win 4.04M subscribers and 175M views. If you are feeling bored at home, check out this at-home beauty solution featuring a DIY Eyelash Extension Hack from the video above.

How to Prepare Before Making Your First Makeup Video?

We assume all this must have stimulated the hidden desire in you to film your first makeup video. There’s nothing to get nervous about when you have expert tips on how to shoot a perfect makeup tutorial:

1. Make sure you sit facing a window from where the sun is shining through so that it provides a soft natural glow to your face.
2. Ensure there’s a continuous stream of light, which hardly flickers or distorts. Set up a ring light to mimic the natural light.
3. To justify the colors of your work and make them pop on your skin, surround yourself with LED luminosity attached with reflectors to disperse the rays evenly throughout the room. This shall keep away the shadows from swallowing you.
4. Assure quality audio by upgrading to camera mics or simply switch to a reliable audio software for getting the work done.
5. Edit out the awkward moments from the shoot, add interesting transitions and effects by narrowing down to a reliable video editing software. Filmora can be a wonderful tool to fine-tune your video, add endless effects, remove background noise (if any) and provide you with full 4K support. And the best thing about it is that it’s free for beginners!

Custom Your Makeup Videos with Excellent Video Editing Tool

Wrapping Up

All you have to do is subscribe to the channels of all the compiled YouTube makeup artists for real-time updates. Believe it or not, but they have inspired many to launch their own YouTube channels and share a fresh perspective with the viewers. Of them, quite a few have already been a hit among the audience. Remember, there are many struggling to perfect their looks and hunting for beauty hacks. If you can cater to them through easy-to-follow makeup tutorials, then you can be a ‘star’ in the world of the Internet. And someday, you will probably make us proud while writing about you in the columns of our articles.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

While some love to wear makeup, some don’t. Quite a lot of times you would find a meme, making fun of the ones belonging to the prior category. To all of them, we would like to say, “STOP JUDGING WOMEN!” It’s a matter of choice and there’s nothing to shy away from. You would be surprised to know that a lot of them are earning their daily bread today by sharing hacks to nail the latest makeup trend. Okay, we agree that it’s not quite the year for experimenting with new looks. But with the gloom all around, a little makeup and a brief selfie session for your Instagram might make you feel good for a change. Also, with so much time, you might make up your mind on perfecting your skills and launch your makeup tutorial channel someday.

No matter what summoned you to this write-up today, find here some of the best YouTube makeup artists you must have heard before. Cut short the troubles of filtering through a whole list of them as we have compiled it on your behalf. So, without beating around the bush, let’s proceed.

• Part 1: Top 10 YouTube Makeup Artists
• Part 2: How to Prepare Before Making Your First Makeup Video?

Top 10 YouTube Makeup Artists

Here’s a rundown of our shortlisted ones in no particular order.

1. Rachel Claire Levin

This internet personality is widely known for her YouTube channel RCLBeauty101. A native of Philadelphia, who joined this channel on Dec 14, 2010, has successfully amassed 14.6M subscribers from all over the world. And why not? After all, her channel features diverse videos on life hacks, skits, comedy, and associated things besides DIY makeup tutorials. As of July 2020, the YouTube channel has already gathered 3.71 billion video views, indicating how quickly she’s reaching out to people seeking beauty advice.

2. Jeffree Star

Jeffree Star, who is renowned on YouTube as ‘jeffreestar’, is a multi-talented internet personality. This fashion-obsessed influencer had embarked on his journey as a makeup artist on February 15, 2006. Since then, he has been creating and sharing videos on collabs, life, music, reviews, and makeup of course. His channel has been immensely popular and has amassed 17.4M subscribers with video views soaring to over 2.35 billion. You would be surprised to know that he’s also the founder of Jeffree Star Cosmetics, which was launched in November 2014. Sharing beauty tips and tutorials have risen on his channel ever since the very onset of his company.

3. Nikkie de Jager

And how can we ever forget about the Dutch beauty vlogger, who owns a YouTube channel by the name NikkieTutorials? She’s a YouTube sensation with about 13.5M subscribers and over 1.33 billion views. Success touched her feet in 2015 when she released “The Power of Makeup” YouTube video and inspired people to disclose theirs with and without makeup faces. Her channel features stars like Drew Barrymore and Kim Kardashian, all of which have together contributed to the popularity of her YouTube channel.

4. Wayne Goss

The YouTube channel of Wayne Goss is all about beauty tips to improve makeup skills, honest reviews on brands, and a guide for all those aspiring to be a makeup artist. What launched on August 5, 2008, today enjoys 3.79M subscribers and over 508 million video views. The best part about watching makeup tutorials on his channel is that he breaks down even the most complicated looks into easy and manageable segments, simplifying the learning for all.

5. Desi Perkins

Desi Perkins’ humble entry into the YouTube community happened on August 18, 2013, when she posted a tutorial titled ‘Soft Warm Sultry Eye’ and since then she’s been taking over the channel by storm. A specialist in wedding, party and casual makeup styles, her rise to fame was mostly due to two of her videos ‘Husband Does My Makeup’ and ‘Eyebrow Tutorial’. Today she captures the attention of almost 3.34M subscribers and 250M views.

6. Zoe Elizebeth Sugg

Also known by Zoella, the YouTube channel of Zoe Sugg was an outcome of her success as a blogger, which prompted her to initiate her career and join YouTube on September 4, 2012. Ever since she has ingrained her position among the top beauty influencers and internet fashionistas. Her collaboration with some of the best beauty brands like ColourPop has further facilitated her to rise to loftier heights of success. Today, her YouTube channel enjoys 4.81M subscribers and over 870M views.

7. Tati Westbrook

She’s a gorgeous, successful beauty influencer and an OG beauty YouTuber, who stepped on board on November 8, 2010. Makeup lovers shall find tutorials, life vlogs, unbiased product reviews, and makeup challenges on her channel, which was renamed ‘Tati’ from ‘GlamLifeGuru’ on November 7, 2010. She also shares tips on Drugstore & Luxury Beauty Products on two days of the week. All this and much more has helped her win a staggering 9.28M subscribers and 1.4 billion views on YouTube.

8. Michelle Phan

Calling her simply an entrepreneur and a voice actress would be an understatement because she’s a notable YouTuber and an American makeup artist, who joined the YouTube community on July 9, 2006. Her YouTube channel ‘Michelle Phan’ features a repertoire of transformative beauty tutorials and reviews on beauty products. She might have gone on a break for 3 long years between 2016 and 2019 but has still managed to earn 8.89M subscribers and 1.03 billion views. Watch her videos to learn about essential beauty tips.

9. Bunny Meyer

This paranormal experience sharer turned YouTube makeup artist, invaded the platform on December 3, 2010, under the channel grav3yardgirl. Her jovial personality and quirks are a reason why viewers, otherwise addressed as the ‘Swamp Family’ love to visit her channel. Apart from teaching unusual beauty makeup hacks, she posts reviews on cosmetic products. Her bizarre approach and successful collaboration with Tarte Cosmetics have helped this Swamp Queen to amass 8.35M subscribers and 1.56 billion views on YouTube.

10. Huda Kattan

One of the best YouTube makeup artists you must have heard is Huda Kattan, an Iraqi-American YouTuber, who has her line of cosmetic products under the brand name Huda Beauty. Besides being a founder and CEO of the company, she features beauty hacks and DIY makeup tutorials on her YouTube channel by the same name. Her influence on people with beauty tips has helped her to win 4.04M subscribers and 175M views. If you are feeling bored at home, check out this at-home beauty solution featuring a DIY Eyelash Extension Hack from the video above.

How to Prepare Before Making Your First Makeup Video?

We assume all this must have stimulated the hidden desire in you to film your first makeup video. There’s nothing to get nervous about when you have expert tips on how to shoot a perfect makeup tutorial:

1. Make sure you sit facing a window from where the sun is shining through so that it provides a soft natural glow to your face.
2. Ensure there’s a continuous stream of light, which hardly flickers or distorts. Set up a ring light to mimic the natural light.
3. To justify the colors of your work and make them pop on your skin, surround yourself with LED luminosity attached with reflectors to disperse the rays evenly throughout the room. This shall keep away the shadows from swallowing you.
4. Assure quality audio by upgrading to camera mics or simply switch to a reliable audio software for getting the work done.
5. Edit out the awkward moments from the shoot, add interesting transitions and effects by narrowing down to a reliable video editing software. Filmora can be a wonderful tool to fine-tune your video, add endless effects, remove background noise (if any) and provide you with full 4K support. And the best thing about it is that it’s free for beginners!

Custom Your Makeup Videos with Excellent Video Editing Tool

Wrapping Up

All you have to do is subscribe to the channels of all the compiled YouTube makeup artists for real-time updates. Believe it or not, but they have inspired many to launch their own YouTube channels and share a fresh perspective with the viewers. Of them, quite a few have already been a hit among the audience. Remember, there are many struggling to perfect their looks and hunting for beauty hacks. If you can cater to them through easy-to-follow makeup tutorials, then you can be a ‘star’ in the world of the Internet. And someday, you will probably make us proud while writing about you in the columns of our articles.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

While some love to wear makeup, some don’t. Quite a lot of times you would find a meme, making fun of the ones belonging to the prior category. To all of them, we would like to say, “STOP JUDGING WOMEN!” It’s a matter of choice and there’s nothing to shy away from. You would be surprised to know that a lot of them are earning their daily bread today by sharing hacks to nail the latest makeup trend. Okay, we agree that it’s not quite the year for experimenting with new looks. But with the gloom all around, a little makeup and a brief selfie session for your Instagram might make you feel good for a change. Also, with so much time, you might make up your mind on perfecting your skills and launch your makeup tutorial channel someday.

No matter what summoned you to this write-up today, find here some of the best YouTube makeup artists you must have heard before. Cut short the troubles of filtering through a whole list of them as we have compiled it on your behalf. So, without beating around the bush, let’s proceed.

• Part 1: Top 10 YouTube Makeup Artists
• Part 2: How to Prepare Before Making Your First Makeup Video?

Top 10 YouTube Makeup Artists

Here’s a rundown of our shortlisted ones in no particular order.

1. Rachel Claire Levin

This internet personality is widely known for her YouTube channel RCLBeauty101. A native of Philadelphia, who joined this channel on Dec 14, 2010, has successfully amassed 14.6M subscribers from all over the world. And why not? After all, her channel features diverse videos on life hacks, skits, comedy, and associated things besides DIY makeup tutorials. As of July 2020, the YouTube channel has already gathered 3.71 billion video views, indicating how quickly she’s reaching out to people seeking beauty advice.

2. Jeffree Star

Jeffree Star, who is renowned on YouTube as ‘jeffreestar’, is a multi-talented internet personality. This fashion-obsessed influencer had embarked on his journey as a makeup artist on February 15, 2006. Since then, he has been creating and sharing videos on collabs, life, music, reviews, and makeup of course. His channel has been immensely popular and has amassed 17.4M subscribers with video views soaring to over 2.35 billion. You would be surprised to know that he’s also the founder of Jeffree Star Cosmetics, which was launched in November 2014. Sharing beauty tips and tutorials have risen on his channel ever since the very onset of his company.

3. Nikkie de Jager

And how can we ever forget about the Dutch beauty vlogger, who owns a YouTube channel by the name NikkieTutorials? She’s a YouTube sensation with about 13.5M subscribers and over 1.33 billion views. Success touched her feet in 2015 when she released “The Power of Makeup” YouTube video and inspired people to disclose theirs with and without makeup faces. Her channel features stars like Drew Barrymore and Kim Kardashian, all of which have together contributed to the popularity of her YouTube channel.

4. Wayne Goss

The YouTube channel of Wayne Goss is all about beauty tips to improve makeup skills, honest reviews on brands, and a guide for all those aspiring to be a makeup artist. What launched on August 5, 2008, today enjoys 3.79M subscribers and over 508 million video views. The best part about watching makeup tutorials on his channel is that he breaks down even the most complicated looks into easy and manageable segments, simplifying the learning for all.

5. Desi Perkins

Desi Perkins’ humble entry into the YouTube community happened on August 18, 2013, when she posted a tutorial titled ‘Soft Warm Sultry Eye’ and since then she’s been taking over the channel by storm. A specialist in wedding, party and casual makeup styles, her rise to fame was mostly due to two of her videos ‘Husband Does My Makeup’ and ‘Eyebrow Tutorial’. Today she captures the attention of almost 3.34M subscribers and 250M views.

6. Zoe Elizebeth Sugg

Also known by Zoella, the YouTube channel of Zoe Sugg was an outcome of her success as a blogger, which prompted her to initiate her career and join YouTube on September 4, 2012. Ever since she has ingrained her position among the top beauty influencers and internet fashionistas. Her collaboration with some of the best beauty brands like ColourPop has further facilitated her to rise to loftier heights of success. Today, her YouTube channel enjoys 4.81M subscribers and over 870M views.

7. Tati Westbrook

She’s a gorgeous, successful beauty influencer and an OG beauty YouTuber, who stepped on board on November 8, 2010. Makeup lovers shall find tutorials, life vlogs, unbiased product reviews, and makeup challenges on her channel, which was renamed ‘Tati’ from ‘GlamLifeGuru’ on November 7, 2010. She also shares tips on Drugstore & Luxury Beauty Products on two days of the week. All this and much more has helped her win a staggering 9.28M subscribers and 1.4 billion views on YouTube.

8. Michelle Phan

Calling her simply an entrepreneur and a voice actress would be an understatement because she’s a notable YouTuber and an American makeup artist, who joined the YouTube community on July 9, 2006. Her YouTube channel ‘Michelle Phan’ features a repertoire of transformative beauty tutorials and reviews on beauty products. She might have gone on a break for 3 long years between 2016 and 2019 but has still managed to earn 8.89M subscribers and 1.03 billion views. Watch her videos to learn about essential beauty tips.

9. Bunny Meyer

This paranormal experience sharer turned YouTube makeup artist, invaded the platform on December 3, 2010, under the channel grav3yardgirl. Her jovial personality and quirks are a reason why viewers, otherwise addressed as the ‘Swamp Family’ love to visit her channel. Apart from teaching unusual beauty makeup hacks, she posts reviews on cosmetic products. Her bizarre approach and successful collaboration with Tarte Cosmetics have helped this Swamp Queen to amass 8.35M subscribers and 1.56 billion views on YouTube.

10. Huda Kattan

One of the best YouTube makeup artists you must have heard is Huda Kattan, an Iraqi-American YouTuber, who has her line of cosmetic products under the brand name Huda Beauty. Besides being a founder and CEO of the company, she features beauty hacks and DIY makeup tutorials on her YouTube channel by the same name. Her influence on people with beauty tips has helped her to win 4.04M subscribers and 175M views. If you are feeling bored at home, check out this at-home beauty solution featuring a DIY Eyelash Extension Hack from the video above.

How to Prepare Before Making Your First Makeup Video?

We assume all this must have stimulated the hidden desire in you to film your first makeup video. There’s nothing to get nervous about when you have expert tips on how to shoot a perfect makeup tutorial:

1. Make sure you sit facing a window from where the sun is shining through so that it provides a soft natural glow to your face.
2. Ensure there’s a continuous stream of light, which hardly flickers or distorts. Set up a ring light to mimic the natural light.
3. To justify the colors of your work and make them pop on your skin, surround yourself with LED luminosity attached with reflectors to disperse the rays evenly throughout the room. This shall keep away the shadows from swallowing you.
4. Assure quality audio by upgrading to camera mics or simply switch to a reliable audio software for getting the work done.
5. Edit out the awkward moments from the shoot, add interesting transitions and effects by narrowing down to a reliable video editing software. Filmora can be a wonderful tool to fine-tune your video, add endless effects, remove background noise (if any) and provide you with full 4K support. And the best thing about it is that it’s free for beginners!

Custom Your Makeup Videos with Excellent Video Editing Tool

Wrapping Up

All you have to do is subscribe to the channels of all the compiled YouTube makeup artists for real-time updates. Believe it or not, but they have inspired many to launch their own YouTube channels and share a fresh perspective with the viewers. Of them, quite a few have already been a hit among the audience. Remember, there are many struggling to perfect their looks and hunting for beauty hacks. If you can cater to them through easy-to-follow makeup tutorials, then you can be a ‘star’ in the world of the Internet. And someday, you will probably make us proud while writing about you in the columns of our articles.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

While some love to wear makeup, some don’t. Quite a lot of times you would find a meme, making fun of the ones belonging to the prior category. To all of them, we would like to say, “STOP JUDGING WOMEN!” It’s a matter of choice and there’s nothing to shy away from. You would be surprised to know that a lot of them are earning their daily bread today by sharing hacks to nail the latest makeup trend. Okay, we agree that it’s not quite the year for experimenting with new looks. But with the gloom all around, a little makeup and a brief selfie session for your Instagram might make you feel good for a change. Also, with so much time, you might make up your mind on perfecting your skills and launch your makeup tutorial channel someday.

No matter what summoned you to this write-up today, find here some of the best YouTube makeup artists you must have heard before. Cut short the troubles of filtering through a whole list of them as we have compiled it on your behalf. So, without beating around the bush, let’s proceed.

• Part 1: Top 10 YouTube Makeup Artists
• Part 2: How to Prepare Before Making Your First Makeup Video?

Top 10 YouTube Makeup Artists

Here’s a rundown of our shortlisted ones in no particular order.

1. Rachel Claire Levin

This internet personality is widely known for her YouTube channel RCLBeauty101. A native of Philadelphia, who joined this channel on Dec 14, 2010, has successfully amassed 14.6M subscribers from all over the world. And why not? After all, her channel features diverse videos on life hacks, skits, comedy, and associated things besides DIY makeup tutorials. As of July 2020, the YouTube channel has already gathered 3.71 billion video views, indicating how quickly she’s reaching out to people seeking beauty advice.

2. Jeffree Star

Jeffree Star, who is renowned on YouTube as ‘jeffreestar’, is a multi-talented internet personality. This fashion-obsessed influencer had embarked on his journey as a makeup artist on February 15, 2006. Since then, he has been creating and sharing videos on collabs, life, music, reviews, and makeup of course. His channel has been immensely popular and has amassed 17.4M subscribers with video views soaring to over 2.35 billion. You would be surprised to know that he’s also the founder of Jeffree Star Cosmetics, which was launched in November 2014. Sharing beauty tips and tutorials have risen on his channel ever since the very onset of his company.

3. Nikkie de Jager

And how can we ever forget about the Dutch beauty vlogger, who owns a YouTube channel by the name NikkieTutorials? She’s a YouTube sensation with about 13.5M subscribers and over 1.33 billion views. Success touched her feet in 2015 when she released “The Power of Makeup” YouTube video and inspired people to disclose theirs with and without makeup faces. Her channel features stars like Drew Barrymore and Kim Kardashian, all of which have together contributed to the popularity of her YouTube channel.

4. Wayne Goss

The YouTube channel of Wayne Goss is all about beauty tips to improve makeup skills, honest reviews on brands, and a guide for all those aspiring to be a makeup artist. What launched on August 5, 2008, today enjoys 3.79M subscribers and over 508 million video views. The best part about watching makeup tutorials on his channel is that he breaks down even the most complicated looks into easy and manageable segments, simplifying the learning for all.

5. Desi Perkins

Desi Perkins’ humble entry into the YouTube community happened on August 18, 2013, when she posted a tutorial titled ‘Soft Warm Sultry Eye’ and since then she’s been taking over the channel by storm. A specialist in wedding, party and casual makeup styles, her rise to fame was mostly due to two of her videos ‘Husband Does My Makeup’ and ‘Eyebrow Tutorial’. Today she captures the attention of almost 3.34M subscribers and 250M views.

6. Zoe Elizebeth Sugg

Also known by Zoella, the YouTube channel of Zoe Sugg was an outcome of her success as a blogger, which prompted her to initiate her career and join YouTube on September 4, 2012. Ever since she has ingrained her position among the top beauty influencers and internet fashionistas. Her collaboration with some of the best beauty brands like ColourPop has further facilitated her to rise to loftier heights of success. Today, her YouTube channel enjoys 4.81M subscribers and over 870M views.

7. Tati Westbrook

She’s a gorgeous, successful beauty influencer and an OG beauty YouTuber, who stepped on board on November 8, 2010. Makeup lovers shall find tutorials, life vlogs, unbiased product reviews, and makeup challenges on her channel, which was renamed ‘Tati’ from ‘GlamLifeGuru’ on November 7, 2010. She also shares tips on Drugstore & Luxury Beauty Products on two days of the week. All this and much more has helped her win a staggering 9.28M subscribers and 1.4 billion views on YouTube.

8. Michelle Phan

Calling her simply an entrepreneur and a voice actress would be an understatement because she’s a notable YouTuber and an American makeup artist, who joined the YouTube community on July 9, 2006. Her YouTube channel ‘Michelle Phan’ features a repertoire of transformative beauty tutorials and reviews on beauty products. She might have gone on a break for 3 long years between 2016 and 2019 but has still managed to earn 8.89M subscribers and 1.03 billion views. Watch her videos to learn about essential beauty tips.

9. Bunny Meyer

This paranormal experience sharer turned YouTube makeup artist, invaded the platform on December 3, 2010, under the channel grav3yardgirl. Her jovial personality and quirks are a reason why viewers, otherwise addressed as the ‘Swamp Family’ love to visit her channel. Apart from teaching unusual beauty makeup hacks, she posts reviews on cosmetic products. Her bizarre approach and successful collaboration with Tarte Cosmetics have helped this Swamp Queen to amass 8.35M subscribers and 1.56 billion views on YouTube.

10. Huda Kattan

One of the best YouTube makeup artists you must have heard is Huda Kattan, an Iraqi-American YouTuber, who has her line of cosmetic products under the brand name Huda Beauty. Besides being a founder and CEO of the company, she features beauty hacks and DIY makeup tutorials on her YouTube channel by the same name. Her influence on people with beauty tips has helped her to win 4.04M subscribers and 175M views. If you are feeling bored at home, check out this at-home beauty solution featuring a DIY Eyelash Extension Hack from the video above.

How to Prepare Before Making Your First Makeup Video?

We assume all this must have stimulated the hidden desire in you to film your first makeup video. There’s nothing to get nervous about when you have expert tips on how to shoot a perfect makeup tutorial:

1. Make sure you sit facing a window from where the sun is shining through so that it provides a soft natural glow to your face.
2. Ensure there’s a continuous stream of light, which hardly flickers or distorts. Set up a ring light to mimic the natural light.
3. To justify the colors of your work and make them pop on your skin, surround yourself with LED luminosity attached with reflectors to disperse the rays evenly throughout the room. This shall keep away the shadows from swallowing you.
4. Assure quality audio by upgrading to camera mics or simply switch to a reliable audio software for getting the work done.
5. Edit out the awkward moments from the shoot, add interesting transitions and effects by narrowing down to a reliable video editing software. Filmora can be a wonderful tool to fine-tune your video, add endless effects, remove background noise (if any) and provide you with full 4K support. And the best thing about it is that it’s free for beginners!

Custom Your Makeup Videos with Excellent Video Editing Tool

Wrapping Up

All you have to do is subscribe to the channels of all the compiled YouTube makeup artists for real-time updates. Believe it or not, but they have inspired many to launch their own YouTube channels and share a fresh perspective with the viewers. Of them, quite a few have already been a hit among the audience. Remember, there are many struggling to perfect their looks and hunting for beauty hacks. If you can cater to them through easy-to-follow makeup tutorials, then you can be a ‘star’ in the world of the Internet. And someday, you will probably make us proud while writing about you in the columns of our articles.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Mastering the Art of Video Production: Initial Setup

Essential YouTube Equipment For Starting Your Channel - What Do You Really Need?

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

Check out our most updated guide on this topic: YouTube Equipment Starter Guide For Beginners .

The first thing to make sure of before starting a YouTube channel is having all that you need to record and upload high-quality videos regularly. That doesn’t mean you have to take out a loan and spend thousands to purchase a brand new camera and all other gadgets that professional filmmakers use.

The smartest way to get started is to go through a list of necessary equipment for YouTube and check whether or not you already own some of it. Once your channel starts growing, you can then start thinking about whether you want to invest in upgraded equipment. Here is a quick overview of all items that you need to start entertaining your online audience and gaining subscribers to your YouTube channel:

• Your YouTube Camera
• Microphones and Audio
• Lighting Gear for YouTube
• Tripods and Camera Stands
• Smartphone Camera Gear

YouTube Cameras

The short version: Use whatever you already have, even if it’s your phone or webcam. It’s nice to have sharp, fine-tuned, 4K footage, but viewers will forgive lower visual quality if your content is good.

The long version: You will need a camera, but there are a lot of different devices you can use including DSLRs, point and shoots, webcams, and your smartphone.

Your choice of camera will have a tremendous impact on the visual quality of your content and might drive your decisions regarding other pieces of equipment. However, you shouldn’t feel obliged to work with a top-notch camera from day one, especially since cheaper options can produce great results if used the right way.

On one end of the spectrum, you have basic smartphone cameras and web cameras, which are easy to come by and simple to operate. These days, high-end phones come equipped with quite powerful cameras that are more than sufficient for the needs of the average YouTuber. Better webcams can also do the job, although high-performance webcam models can get pretty expensive too. It is probably wise to resist the urge to start broadcasting with the built-in camera in your laptop and at least get a webcam or use your phone, but your computer’s camera is still always an option. Not having a better camera should never stop you from making YouTube videos.

If you already have a DSLR camera then it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with it. You have far more freedom to adjust the settings and achieve a professional look for your videos with a DSLR, but that does mean it’ll take some time to become an expert at using it. Ultra-high resolution is not required for YouTube, but it certainly won’t hurt to have additional sharpness and more detail in the scene. If you’re shopping for a DSLR, look for one with a flip screen that allows you to quickly check what your viewers see.

YouTube Microphone and Audio

The short version: Audio quality is extremely important. If you can buy either a new camera or an external microphone, but not both, it might be better to go for the microphone. Click here for advice on upping your audio quality without an external microphone.

The long version: Sound capturing is every bit as important for your success as your video feed. In fact, poor audio can be even more damaging to your subscriber count than grainy video, since people won’t spend their time listening to something they have to put effort into understanding.

Again, most YouTube video makers have a limited budget at their disposal, so professional microphones are mostly off the table. However, investing in a directional microphone (‘shotgun mic’) that can pick up your voice clearly and without background noise is certainly a smart move. Such microphones can be pointed towards you while you speak, and since most YouTubers sit still while doing their shows there won’t be too much need for in-session adjustments.

If you’re not ready to invest in a shotgun mic, you can also find very inexpensive (often under $20) LAV mics. These small microphones can be pinned to your shirt, which allows them to record very clear dialogue because they’re so close to your mouth.

Lights for YouTube

The short version: You need as much light as you can get. Lighting kits can be affordable on Amazon, but you can also achieve a great look using daylight/windows and ‘daylight’ lightbulbs.

The long version: If you’ve ever tried to make a video indoors, you already know that it’s necessary to have additional light. Often just filming with the normal lights in a room will cause your footage to look dark and grainy, and possibly be tinted orange. To overcome these problems you need to increase the amount of light you have available.

Sometimes, it is enough to film near windows and/or bring more household lamps into your filming area. For any household lamps or lighting fixtures you use, make sure to put in white or ‘daylight’ lightbulbs instead of using the orange/tungsten bulbs that you might have for everyday use (this is how you avoid tinting things orange).

If you have the budget available to get some lighting equipment, you can find softbox lights or LED panel lights available fairly inexpensively online. Softbox lights are great because they provide even, diffused, light.

Another useful piece of lighting equipment to have is a reflector. A reflector is usually a piece of white, silver, or gold fabric stretched over a frame. You can use it to bounce light from one light source back towards yourself (this is a great way to fill shadows cast by your main light). Reflectors tend to be inexpensive, but you can also use white cardboard or tinfoil in place of purchasing a reflector.

Tripods and Camera Stands

The short version: You need something to hold your camera. If you mostly film in your own home that can be a desk or a stack of books, but if you make a lot of videos while you’re on the go you probably need a tripod or gimbal. Heavier cameras need heavier tripods.

The long version: While handheld cameras can deliver solid results for vloggers and casual streamers, viewers do expect reasonably stable footage. For many types of videos, the camera needs to be completely still and flatly positioned on a horizontal plane. Tripods and camera stands can cost very little, so it’s a good idea to look into getting some kind of stabilizer.

When you are choosing a tripod, pay attention to how much it weighs. If the camera that needs to be mounted on it is very heavy (like some DSLR models), you want to ensure that the structure itself weighs enough not to be easily tipped over. Too thin tripods can put your camera at risk, and that’s the last thing you want. Smaller cameras such as GoPros are more flexible in this regard and can be placed on a wider range of tripods.

Even if you are using a phone or a webcam to record YouTube videos, you should consider mounting the device on a stable stand. It is possible to find mini tripods ideal for smartphones for as little as $10. These tripods are small enough to carry in your pocket, so you will be prepared to start making a video no matter where your adventures take you. If you are using a web camera, you should attach it to the stand so that it won’t move accidentally after you touch the surface it is placed on.

Smartphone Camera Gear

The short version: There’s a lot of gear out there designed with smartphone photos and videos in mind, including clip-on lenses, tripod mounts, phone-mounted LED lights, and inexpensive microphones that plug into the audio jack.

The long version: Recording your videos with a mobile phone can be a good decision. It all depends on the phone you have and the range of add-ons and apps that you complement it with. Almost every high-end model released in the past five years can shoot videos in 1080p or higher. Some can even produce 4K footage. If you perfect your smartphone filming technique, your YouTube videos could look as if they were made with pro equipment.

On the flip side, smartphone cameras typically perform poorly in low light. It is possible to download an app that lets you play around with settings to overcome this, but a phone-mounted LED light is probably a better solution. An external microphone might also be a necessity, but there are some good (inexpensive) options that can simply be plugged in through the headphone jack.

Another common downside of smartphone cameras is that most of them use digital zoom, which is vastly inferior to optical zoom. If you intend to shoot anything that’s further away than a few feet, you need a clip-on lens that goes on top of the built-in camera. This inexpensive device will give you a lot of freedom to work in space, and allow you to make spectacular shots even without high-end YouTube equipment.

Equipment with Easy-to-Use Video Editor

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

Check out our most updated guide on this topic: YouTube Equipment Starter Guide For Beginners .

The first thing to make sure of before starting a YouTube channel is having all that you need to record and upload high-quality videos regularly. That doesn’t mean you have to take out a loan and spend thousands to purchase a brand new camera and all other gadgets that professional filmmakers use.

The smartest way to get started is to go through a list of necessary equipment for YouTube and check whether or not you already own some of it. Once your channel starts growing, you can then start thinking about whether you want to invest in upgraded equipment. Here is a quick overview of all items that you need to start entertaining your online audience and gaining subscribers to your YouTube channel:

• Your YouTube Camera
• Microphones and Audio
• Lighting Gear for YouTube
• Tripods and Camera Stands
• Smartphone Camera Gear

YouTube Cameras

The short version: Use whatever you already have, even if it’s your phone or webcam. It’s nice to have sharp, fine-tuned, 4K footage, but viewers will forgive lower visual quality if your content is good.

The long version: You will need a camera, but there are a lot of different devices you can use including DSLRs, point and shoots, webcams, and your smartphone.

Your choice of camera will have a tremendous impact on the visual quality of your content and might drive your decisions regarding other pieces of equipment. However, you shouldn’t feel obliged to work with a top-notch camera from day one, especially since cheaper options can produce great results if used the right way.

On one end of the spectrum, you have basic smartphone cameras and web cameras, which are easy to come by and simple to operate. These days, high-end phones come equipped with quite powerful cameras that are more than sufficient for the needs of the average YouTuber. Better webcams can also do the job, although high-performance webcam models can get pretty expensive too. It is probably wise to resist the urge to start broadcasting with the built-in camera in your laptop and at least get a webcam or use your phone, but your computer’s camera is still always an option. Not having a better camera should never stop you from making YouTube videos.

If you already have a DSLR camera then it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with it. You have far more freedom to adjust the settings and achieve a professional look for your videos with a DSLR, but that does mean it’ll take some time to become an expert at using it. Ultra-high resolution is not required for YouTube, but it certainly won’t hurt to have additional sharpness and more detail in the scene. If you’re shopping for a DSLR, look for one with a flip screen that allows you to quickly check what your viewers see.

YouTube Microphone and Audio

The short version: Audio quality is extremely important. If you can buy either a new camera or an external microphone, but not both, it might be better to go for the microphone. Click here for advice on upping your audio quality without an external microphone.

The long version: Sound capturing is every bit as important for your success as your video feed. In fact, poor audio can be even more damaging to your subscriber count than grainy video, since people won’t spend their time listening to something they have to put effort into understanding.

Again, most YouTube video makers have a limited budget at their disposal, so professional microphones are mostly off the table. However, investing in a directional microphone (‘shotgun mic’) that can pick up your voice clearly and without background noise is certainly a smart move. Such microphones can be pointed towards you while you speak, and since most YouTubers sit still while doing their shows there won’t be too much need for in-session adjustments.

If you’re not ready to invest in a shotgun mic, you can also find very inexpensive (often under $20) LAV mics. These small microphones can be pinned to your shirt, which allows them to record very clear dialogue because they’re so close to your mouth.

Lights for YouTube

The short version: You need as much light as you can get. Lighting kits can be affordable on Amazon, but you can also achieve a great look using daylight/windows and ‘daylight’ lightbulbs.

The long version: If you’ve ever tried to make a video indoors, you already know that it’s necessary to have additional light. Often just filming with the normal lights in a room will cause your footage to look dark and grainy, and possibly be tinted orange. To overcome these problems you need to increase the amount of light you have available.

Sometimes, it is enough to film near windows and/or bring more household lamps into your filming area. For any household lamps or lighting fixtures you use, make sure to put in white or ‘daylight’ lightbulbs instead of using the orange/tungsten bulbs that you might have for everyday use (this is how you avoid tinting things orange).

If you have the budget available to get some lighting equipment, you can find softbox lights or LED panel lights available fairly inexpensively online. Softbox lights are great because they provide even, diffused, light.

Another useful piece of lighting equipment to have is a reflector. A reflector is usually a piece of white, silver, or gold fabric stretched over a frame. You can use it to bounce light from one light source back towards yourself (this is a great way to fill shadows cast by your main light). Reflectors tend to be inexpensive, but you can also use white cardboard or tinfoil in place of purchasing a reflector.

Tripods and Camera Stands

The short version: You need something to hold your camera. If you mostly film in your own home that can be a desk or a stack of books, but if you make a lot of videos while you’re on the go you probably need a tripod or gimbal. Heavier cameras need heavier tripods.

The long version: While handheld cameras can deliver solid results for vloggers and casual streamers, viewers do expect reasonably stable footage. For many types of videos, the camera needs to be completely still and flatly positioned on a horizontal plane. Tripods and camera stands can cost very little, so it’s a good idea to look into getting some kind of stabilizer.

When you are choosing a tripod, pay attention to how much it weighs. If the camera that needs to be mounted on it is very heavy (like some DSLR models), you want to ensure that the structure itself weighs enough not to be easily tipped over. Too thin tripods can put your camera at risk, and that’s the last thing you want. Smaller cameras such as GoPros are more flexible in this regard and can be placed on a wider range of tripods.

Even if you are using a phone or a webcam to record YouTube videos, you should consider mounting the device on a stable stand. It is possible to find mini tripods ideal for smartphones for as little as $10. These tripods are small enough to carry in your pocket, so you will be prepared to start making a video no matter where your adventures take you. If you are using a web camera, you should attach it to the stand so that it won’t move accidentally after you touch the surface it is placed on.

Smartphone Camera Gear

The short version: There’s a lot of gear out there designed with smartphone photos and videos in mind, including clip-on lenses, tripod mounts, phone-mounted LED lights, and inexpensive microphones that plug into the audio jack.

The long version: Recording your videos with a mobile phone can be a good decision. It all depends on the phone you have and the range of add-ons and apps that you complement it with. Almost every high-end model released in the past five years can shoot videos in 1080p or higher. Some can even produce 4K footage. If you perfect your smartphone filming technique, your YouTube videos could look as if they were made with pro equipment.

On the flip side, smartphone cameras typically perform poorly in low light. It is possible to download an app that lets you play around with settings to overcome this, but a phone-mounted LED light is probably a better solution. An external microphone might also be a necessity, but there are some good (inexpensive) options that can simply be plugged in through the headphone jack.

Another common downside of smartphone cameras is that most of them use digital zoom, which is vastly inferior to optical zoom. If you intend to shoot anything that’s further away than a few feet, you need a clip-on lens that goes on top of the built-in camera. This inexpensive device will give you a lot of freedom to work in space, and allow you to make spectacular shots even without high-end YouTube equipment.

Equipment with Easy-to-Use Video Editor

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

Check out our most updated guide on this topic: YouTube Equipment Starter Guide For Beginners .

The first thing to make sure of before starting a YouTube channel is having all that you need to record and upload high-quality videos regularly. That doesn’t mean you have to take out a loan and spend thousands to purchase a brand new camera and all other gadgets that professional filmmakers use.

The smartest way to get started is to go through a list of necessary equipment for YouTube and check whether or not you already own some of it. Once your channel starts growing, you can then start thinking about whether you want to invest in upgraded equipment. Here is a quick overview of all items that you need to start entertaining your online audience and gaining subscribers to your YouTube channel:

• Your YouTube Camera
• Microphones and Audio
• Lighting Gear for YouTube
• Tripods and Camera Stands
• Smartphone Camera Gear

YouTube Cameras

The short version: Use whatever you already have, even if it’s your phone or webcam. It’s nice to have sharp, fine-tuned, 4K footage, but viewers will forgive lower visual quality if your content is good.

The long version: You will need a camera, but there are a lot of different devices you can use including DSLRs, point and shoots, webcams, and your smartphone.

Your choice of camera will have a tremendous impact on the visual quality of your content and might drive your decisions regarding other pieces of equipment. However, you shouldn’t feel obliged to work with a top-notch camera from day one, especially since cheaper options can produce great results if used the right way.

On one end of the spectrum, you have basic smartphone cameras and web cameras, which are easy to come by and simple to operate. These days, high-end phones come equipped with quite powerful cameras that are more than sufficient for the needs of the average YouTuber. Better webcams can also do the job, although high-performance webcam models can get pretty expensive too. It is probably wise to resist the urge to start broadcasting with the built-in camera in your laptop and at least get a webcam or use your phone, but your computer’s camera is still always an option. Not having a better camera should never stop you from making YouTube videos.

If you already have a DSLR camera then it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with it. You have far more freedom to adjust the settings and achieve a professional look for your videos with a DSLR, but that does mean it’ll take some time to become an expert at using it. Ultra-high resolution is not required for YouTube, but it certainly won’t hurt to have additional sharpness and more detail in the scene. If you’re shopping for a DSLR, look for one with a flip screen that allows you to quickly check what your viewers see.

YouTube Microphone and Audio

The short version: Audio quality is extremely important. If you can buy either a new camera or an external microphone, but not both, it might be better to go for the microphone. Click here for advice on upping your audio quality without an external microphone.

The long version: Sound capturing is every bit as important for your success as your video feed. In fact, poor audio can be even more damaging to your subscriber count than grainy video, since people won’t spend their time listening to something they have to put effort into understanding.

Again, most YouTube video makers have a limited budget at their disposal, so professional microphones are mostly off the table. However, investing in a directional microphone (‘shotgun mic’) that can pick up your voice clearly and without background noise is certainly a smart move. Such microphones can be pointed towards you while you speak, and since most YouTubers sit still while doing their shows there won’t be too much need for in-session adjustments.

If you’re not ready to invest in a shotgun mic, you can also find very inexpensive (often under $20) LAV mics. These small microphones can be pinned to your shirt, which allows them to record very clear dialogue because they’re so close to your mouth.

Lights for YouTube

The short version: You need as much light as you can get. Lighting kits can be affordable on Amazon, but you can also achieve a great look using daylight/windows and ‘daylight’ lightbulbs.

The long version: If you’ve ever tried to make a video indoors, you already know that it’s necessary to have additional light. Often just filming with the normal lights in a room will cause your footage to look dark and grainy, and possibly be tinted orange. To overcome these problems you need to increase the amount of light you have available.

Sometimes, it is enough to film near windows and/or bring more household lamps into your filming area. For any household lamps or lighting fixtures you use, make sure to put in white or ‘daylight’ lightbulbs instead of using the orange/tungsten bulbs that you might have for everyday use (this is how you avoid tinting things orange).

If you have the budget available to get some lighting equipment, you can find softbox lights or LED panel lights available fairly inexpensively online. Softbox lights are great because they provide even, diffused, light.

Another useful piece of lighting equipment to have is a reflector. A reflector is usually a piece of white, silver, or gold fabric stretched over a frame. You can use it to bounce light from one light source back towards yourself (this is a great way to fill shadows cast by your main light). Reflectors tend to be inexpensive, but you can also use white cardboard or tinfoil in place of purchasing a reflector.

Tripods and Camera Stands

The short version: You need something to hold your camera. If you mostly film in your own home that can be a desk or a stack of books, but if you make a lot of videos while you’re on the go you probably need a tripod or gimbal. Heavier cameras need heavier tripods.

The long version: While handheld cameras can deliver solid results for vloggers and casual streamers, viewers do expect reasonably stable footage. For many types of videos, the camera needs to be completely still and flatly positioned on a horizontal plane. Tripods and camera stands can cost very little, so it’s a good idea to look into getting some kind of stabilizer.

When you are choosing a tripod, pay attention to how much it weighs. If the camera that needs to be mounted on it is very heavy (like some DSLR models), you want to ensure that the structure itself weighs enough not to be easily tipped over. Too thin tripods can put your camera at risk, and that’s the last thing you want. Smaller cameras such as GoPros are more flexible in this regard and can be placed on a wider range of tripods.

Even if you are using a phone or a webcam to record YouTube videos, you should consider mounting the device on a stable stand. It is possible to find mini tripods ideal for smartphones for as little as $10. These tripods are small enough to carry in your pocket, so you will be prepared to start making a video no matter where your adventures take you. If you are using a web camera, you should attach it to the stand so that it won’t move accidentally after you touch the surface it is placed on.

Smartphone Camera Gear

The short version: There’s a lot of gear out there designed with smartphone photos and videos in mind, including clip-on lenses, tripod mounts, phone-mounted LED lights, and inexpensive microphones that plug into the audio jack.

The long version: Recording your videos with a mobile phone can be a good decision. It all depends on the phone you have and the range of add-ons and apps that you complement it with. Almost every high-end model released in the past five years can shoot videos in 1080p or higher. Some can even produce 4K footage. If you perfect your smartphone filming technique, your YouTube videos could look as if they were made with pro equipment.

On the flip side, smartphone cameras typically perform poorly in low light. It is possible to download an app that lets you play around with settings to overcome this, but a phone-mounted LED light is probably a better solution. An external microphone might also be a necessity, but there are some good (inexpensive) options that can simply be plugged in through the headphone jack.

Another common downside of smartphone cameras is that most of them use digital zoom, which is vastly inferior to optical zoom. If you intend to shoot anything that’s further away than a few feet, you need a clip-on lens that goes on top of the built-in camera. This inexpensive device will give you a lot of freedom to work in space, and allow you to make spectacular shots even without high-end YouTube equipment.

Equipment with Easy-to-Use Video Editor

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

Check out our most updated guide on this topic: YouTube Equipment Starter Guide For Beginners .

The first thing to make sure of before starting a YouTube channel is having all that you need to record and upload high-quality videos regularly. That doesn’t mean you have to take out a loan and spend thousands to purchase a brand new camera and all other gadgets that professional filmmakers use.

The smartest way to get started is to go through a list of necessary equipment for YouTube and check whether or not you already own some of it. Once your channel starts growing, you can then start thinking about whether you want to invest in upgraded equipment. Here is a quick overview of all items that you need to start entertaining your online audience and gaining subscribers to your YouTube channel:

• Your YouTube Camera
• Microphones and Audio
• Lighting Gear for YouTube
• Tripods and Camera Stands
• Smartphone Camera Gear

YouTube Cameras

The short version: Use whatever you already have, even if it’s your phone or webcam. It’s nice to have sharp, fine-tuned, 4K footage, but viewers will forgive lower visual quality if your content is good.

The long version: You will need a camera, but there are a lot of different devices you can use including DSLRs, point and shoots, webcams, and your smartphone.

Your choice of camera will have a tremendous impact on the visual quality of your content and might drive your decisions regarding other pieces of equipment. However, you shouldn’t feel obliged to work with a top-notch camera from day one, especially since cheaper options can produce great results if used the right way.

On one end of the spectrum, you have basic smartphone cameras and web cameras, which are easy to come by and simple to operate. These days, high-end phones come equipped with quite powerful cameras that are more than sufficient for the needs of the average YouTuber. Better webcams can also do the job, although high-performance webcam models can get pretty expensive too. It is probably wise to resist the urge to start broadcasting with the built-in camera in your laptop and at least get a webcam or use your phone, but your computer’s camera is still always an option. Not having a better camera should never stop you from making YouTube videos.

If you already have a DSLR camera then it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with it. You have far more freedom to adjust the settings and achieve a professional look for your videos with a DSLR, but that does mean it’ll take some time to become an expert at using it. Ultra-high resolution is not required for YouTube, but it certainly won’t hurt to have additional sharpness and more detail in the scene. If you’re shopping for a DSLR, look for one with a flip screen that allows you to quickly check what your viewers see.

YouTube Microphone and Audio

The short version: Audio quality is extremely important. If you can buy either a new camera or an external microphone, but not both, it might be better to go for the microphone. Click here for advice on upping your audio quality without an external microphone.

The long version: Sound capturing is every bit as important for your success as your video feed. In fact, poor audio can be even more damaging to your subscriber count than grainy video, since people won’t spend their time listening to something they have to put effort into understanding.

Again, most YouTube video makers have a limited budget at their disposal, so professional microphones are mostly off the table. However, investing in a directional microphone (‘shotgun mic’) that can pick up your voice clearly and without background noise is certainly a smart move. Such microphones can be pointed towards you while you speak, and since most YouTubers sit still while doing their shows there won’t be too much need for in-session adjustments.

If you’re not ready to invest in a shotgun mic, you can also find very inexpensive (often under $20) LAV mics. These small microphones can be pinned to your shirt, which allows them to record very clear dialogue because they’re so close to your mouth.

Lights for YouTube

The short version: You need as much light as you can get. Lighting kits can be affordable on Amazon, but you can also achieve a great look using daylight/windows and ‘daylight’ lightbulbs.

The long version: If you’ve ever tried to make a video indoors, you already know that it’s necessary to have additional light. Often just filming with the normal lights in a room will cause your footage to look dark and grainy, and possibly be tinted orange. To overcome these problems you need to increase the amount of light you have available.

Sometimes, it is enough to film near windows and/or bring more household lamps into your filming area. For any household lamps or lighting fixtures you use, make sure to put in white or ‘daylight’ lightbulbs instead of using the orange/tungsten bulbs that you might have for everyday use (this is how you avoid tinting things orange).

If you have the budget available to get some lighting equipment, you can find softbox lights or LED panel lights available fairly inexpensively online. Softbox lights are great because they provide even, diffused, light.

Another useful piece of lighting equipment to have is a reflector. A reflector is usually a piece of white, silver, or gold fabric stretched over a frame. You can use it to bounce light from one light source back towards yourself (this is a great way to fill shadows cast by your main light). Reflectors tend to be inexpensive, but you can also use white cardboard or tinfoil in place of purchasing a reflector.

Tripods and Camera Stands

The short version: You need something to hold your camera. If you mostly film in your own home that can be a desk or a stack of books, but if you make a lot of videos while you’re on the go you probably need a tripod or gimbal. Heavier cameras need heavier tripods.

The long version: While handheld cameras can deliver solid results for vloggers and casual streamers, viewers do expect reasonably stable footage. For many types of videos, the camera needs to be completely still and flatly positioned on a horizontal plane. Tripods and camera stands can cost very little, so it’s a good idea to look into getting some kind of stabilizer.

When you are choosing a tripod, pay attention to how much it weighs. If the camera that needs to be mounted on it is very heavy (like some DSLR models), you want to ensure that the structure itself weighs enough not to be easily tipped over. Too thin tripods can put your camera at risk, and that’s the last thing you want. Smaller cameras such as GoPros are more flexible in this regard and can be placed on a wider range of tripods.

Even if you are using a phone or a webcam to record YouTube videos, you should consider mounting the device on a stable stand. It is possible to find mini tripods ideal for smartphones for as little as $10. These tripods are small enough to carry in your pocket, so you will be prepared to start making a video no matter where your adventures take you. If you are using a web camera, you should attach it to the stand so that it won’t move accidentally after you touch the surface it is placed on.

Smartphone Camera Gear

The short version: There’s a lot of gear out there designed with smartphone photos and videos in mind, including clip-on lenses, tripod mounts, phone-mounted LED lights, and inexpensive microphones that plug into the audio jack.

The long version: Recording your videos with a mobile phone can be a good decision. It all depends on the phone you have and the range of add-ons and apps that you complement it with. Almost every high-end model released in the past five years can shoot videos in 1080p or higher. Some can even produce 4K footage. If you perfect your smartphone filming technique, your YouTube videos could look as if they were made with pro equipment.

On the flip side, smartphone cameras typically perform poorly in low light. It is possible to download an app that lets you play around with settings to overcome this, but a phone-mounted LED light is probably a better solution. An external microphone might also be a necessity, but there are some good (inexpensive) options that can simply be plugged in through the headphone jack.

Another common downside of smartphone cameras is that most of them use digital zoom, which is vastly inferior to optical zoom. If you intend to shoot anything that’s further away than a few feet, you need a clip-on lens that goes on top of the built-in camera. This inexpensive device will give you a lot of freedom to work in space, and allow you to make spectacular shots even without high-end YouTube equipment.

Equipment with Easy-to-Use Video Editor

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett