Michelle Phan Quiz: How Well Do You Know the Beauty Guru?

Michelle Phan is best known for her groundbreaking beauty tutorials and makeup artistry on YouTube. As one of the earliest creators in the beauty space, she quickly became a pioneer in the online beauty community. Her calming voice, step-by-step makeup tutorials, and emphasis on self-expression helped her amass a massive following and influence the way beauty content is consumed on digital platforms.

Her first viral success came with the video titled “The Perfect Smoky Eye Tutorial,” which showcased her talent for making complex looks simple and achievable. The video resonated with viewers worldwide and catapulted her into the spotlight, solidifying her role as one of the first beauty influencers to go viral through YouTube.

In 2015, Michelle co-founded Em Cosmetics, a makeup brand designed to reflect her personal philosophy of beauty as a form of art and self-expression. The brand emphasizes quality, elegance, and inclusivity, offering products that merge creativity with functionality. Em Cosmetics represents her shift from content creator to entrepreneur in the beauty industry.

Her YouTube channel, titled MichellePhan, has served as the foundation of her career. It features hundreds of beauty tutorials, lifestyle videos, and personal vlogs. With millions of subscribers, the channel helped transform Michelle from a digital creator into a global beauty icon, thanks to her relatable and inspiring content.

By 2014, Michelle Phan had reached a major milestone—10 million subscribers on YouTube—making her one of the platform’s most influential beauty personalities. At a time when YouTube was still developing its identity, her success proved that creators could build powerful brands and businesses through digital content alone.

She is best known within the beauty community for her accessible makeup tutorials, which revolutionized how beauty advice was delivered online. Before influencers became mainstream, Michelle was already teaching viewers how to create looks ranging from natural to glamorous—all from the comfort of their own homes.

Michelle also co-founded Ipsy, a beauty subscription service that delivers curated products to customers monthly. Her vision helped shape Ipsy into one of the most successful beauty box companies, offering a new way for consumers to discover products while supporting the online creator community.

Michelle began her YouTube journey in 2007, when she uploaded her first beauty tutorial. Her videos stood out for their soothing tone, elegant editing, and beginner-friendly advice. As one of the first women to turn YouTube beauty tutorials into a full-time career, she paved the way for today’s influencer-driven beauty industry.

In her tutorials, Michelle often emphasizes confidence, individuality, and self-expression. She believes that makeup isn’t about hiding flaws—it’s about enhancing one’s natural features and expressing personality. Her empowering messages have helped build a loyal audience that values authenticity and creativity.

Beyond YouTube, Michelle expanded her influence through Instagram, where she shares beauty looks, personal stories, and product recommendations. The platform allows her to engage more casually with her followers and to provide real-time updates on her projects and interests, further solidifying her presence in the beauty world.

One of Michelle’s most significant contributions to beauty culture is how she democratized makeup education. Her content made makeup artistry feel accessible to people of all backgrounds, ages, and skill levels. She empowered viewers to experiment, learn, and express themselves without needing professional training.

Her makeup style is often minimalistic and natural, focusing on soft, glowing skin, gentle contouring, and subtle eyeshadow looks. Rather than promoting dramatic transformations, she encourages enhancing one’s unique beauty through gentle, everyday techniques that are practical and wearable.

Michelle collaborated with L'Oréal to launch a makeup line, a significant achievement that bridged the gap between digital creators and traditional beauty corporations. The partnership allowed her to apply her beauty expertise on a larger scale and connect her digital audience with tangible, real-world products.

Her mission for the beauty industry has always been centered around accessibility and inclusivity. Michelle believes that beauty should be fun, affordable, and expressive for everyone. Through both her content and her business ventures, she continues to advocate for diverse representations in makeup and skincare.

YouTube was her first major platform, and it laid the groundwork for her rise to fame. Through consistent, well-edited tutorials and honest storytelling, she built a powerful online presence that extended beyond makeup into entrepreneurship, branding, and motivational speaking.

Michelle’s beauty brand, Em Cosmetics, reflects her artistic sensibility and commitment to self-expression. The brand offers products that cater to all skin tones and preferences, emphasizing flexible, high-quality formulas that can adapt to a wide range of looks—from everyday wear to bold statements—underscoring her belief that makeup is a tool for creativity and empowerment.