Safiya Nygaard Quiz: Can You Survive the Franken-Beauty Gauntlet?

The term “Franken-lipstick” became iconic after Safiya combined every single lipstick she owned into one. It wasn’t just about chaos—it was about blending shades from across the spectrum to explore beauty experimentation in a wildly engaging way. Her method involved melting all the lipsticks and pouring them into a mold, giving rise to a shade that fans began calling “Franken-lipstick,” drawing from the Frankenstein concept of combining many parts into one. It resonated because it broke away from traditional product reviews and leaned into curiosity and DIY science.

The video “I Mixed Every Foundation Together” went wildly viral and cemented her as a pioneer in beauty experimentation. With millions of views, this video ranked high on YouTube’s trending tab for days and inspired an entire genre of content based on mixing all of a single product category. The appeal lay in the blend of chaos, genuine curiosity, and a science-adjacent process where she tested how brands interact, blend, and oxidize together. The uniqueness of this approach tapped into both beauty enthusiast circles and broader internet curiosity.

Safiya has always leaned into goth-vampire aesthetics, especially when incorporating Halloween themes or DIY transformations. From bat dresses to dark lipstick mixes and haunted scents, her style is distinct but not over-the-top. It’s spooky chic—vampy but accessible—and her audience identifies with that niche blend of cozy + creepy. This theme also bleeds into her collabs and costume experiments, tying in her love for the dramatic and theatrical in a way that’s consistently on-brand without ever feeling performative.

Before going solo, Safiya worked at BuzzFeed, where she became popular through “Ladylike,” a female-driven content series focusing on trying trends and products. Her time there gave her experience in scripting, editing, and presenting on camera, which she later brought into her own channel with even more authenticity. Fans followed her from BuzzFeed because she retained the quirky, curious, and honest tone while gaining full creative control. Her departure also signified a broader trend of creators leaving media conglomerates to pursue independent storytelling.

The “Bad Makeup Science” series revolved around combining all items in a beauty category—lipsticks, foundations, eyeliners—into one product to see what kind of Frankenstein-like result she’d get. It’s both absurd and calculated, reflecting her love for structured chaos. It also challenged beauty industry norms and gave viewers satisfaction in controlled experimentation. Safiya used her platform to show that fun and logic could coexist, and science doesn't have to be boring—especially when it comes with glitter and goo.

Tyler, her fiancé (now husband), is a recurring character and behind-the-scenes presence. He edits, films, and occasionally participates in her chaotic experiments. Their dynamic brings humor and warmth, making the videos feel like a team project rather than a one-woman show. Tyler’s presence also humanizes the content, showing viewers that internet success can involve real relationships and creative collaboration. He’s become a fan favorite, adding meme reactions, goofy commentary, and technical finesse to Safiya’s already engaging content.

Safiya launched her lipstick line with Bite Beauty, a well-known brand for high-quality, edible-ingredient lip products. Their Lip Lab allowed her to customize formulas and shades, which aligned perfectly with her experimental brand. This partnership also stood out because it blended Safiya’s love for hands-on creation with a professional-grade result. The entire process—from color mixing to naming shades—was documented and added transparency and excitement to a beauty launch, making it feel more like a collaborative journey with her fans rather than a typical influencer-brand collab.

“So... that happened.” is one of Safiya’s most meme-able catchphrases. She uses it to punctuate awkward, chaotic, or surprising moments, especially when her projects take a bizarre or unexpected turn. The tone is dry, self-aware, and slightly sarcastic, which fits her video editing style and humor perfectly. This phrase became a Safiya-ism because it acknowledges the absurdity without judgment. It makes viewers feel like co-conspirators in the chaos, which is why it became both endearing and recognizable in her content.

Safiya and Tyler’s “Haunted Library” candle was a fan favorite due to its quirky scent concept—evoking musty books, spooky corners, and dusty shelves. The name itself taps into nostalgic gothic vibes, aligning with her aesthetic while being oddly specific and atmospheric. It wasn’t just about making candles—it was about storytelling through scent. This made it more than a merch drop; it became sensory fan service for those who enjoy eerie, cozy worlds.

Her video titled “I Wore a Bat Dress” became a Halloween classic, where she designed and wore a custom dress with dramatic bat-wing sleeves. It combined fashion DIY with her spooky aesthetic and quirky charm. The series wasn’t just about wearing odd clothes—it documented her creative process, trials, fails, and final success, making the journey fun and relatable. The bat dress now symbolizes her holiday content era, merging cosplay with genuine fashion appreciation.