(Photo: Jenna Wakani)
Almost half a million fans subscribe to beauty blogger Melissa Merk’s YouTube channel for her popular GRWM series, fashion hauls, healthy meals and other unfiltered snippets of her life. Her most popular tutorials have reached over a million views and hundreds of thousands follow along for apartment tours, dog walks and outdoor adventures. The 23-year-old Vancouverite has built a loyal following simply by being the. most. chill. YouTube phenom in the business.
Merk uploaded her first video back in 2008, at age 15, and joined the YouTube Partner Program three years later. Realizing there was a real audience for her fun, relatable video content, and that she could make more money from her hobby than from her part-time job, she quit her gig (see ya, Boston Pizza!) and pursued her passion full-time. Now, she’s set to grow her brand across her many social platforms, especially Instagram.
With impossibly big blue eyes, sky-high cheekbones and that enviable year-round summer glow, Merk has attracted an Instagram following over 70,000 strong, making way for new business opportunities on her favourite app.
Her laid-back West Coast vibe makes beauty blogging look way easy, but a massive social media presence takes work, even for an influencer as cool and casual as Merk. FLARE tagged along as she created a typical beauty look for her Instagram on a recent visit to The Six and broke down what’s really involved in a beauty star’s selfie.
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(Photo: Jenna Wakani)
Selfie by the Numbers
40 minutes applying makeup
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Mara Vezeau -Integrated communication and medical relations leader, Vichy Laboratories Canada
Melissa Merk’s Selfie Tips
Regrettably, we don’t all have the time and resources (or patience, TBH) to recreate such involved looks on the reg, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still slay our selfie game. The beauty guru rounded up her best tips to cover up those sleepless nights, hide blemishes and breakouts, and keep you ready for your close-up anywhere, anytime.
Skincare
Merk says the most important step for a photo-ready look is to create the perfect canvas with flawless skin. Every morning, she washes and hydrates her face with a lightweight moisturizer. At night, she deep cleans with a spin brush and cleanser, then adds hydrating eye product and breakout treatment. For acne care, Merk reaches for a drying spot treatment to help zap blemishes while she sleeps. She also works facemasks into her routine: “I use a lot of charcoal detox masks. I also have a collagen one that’s really moisturizing that I like to apply after.” Who even needs a filter?
Quick fix
If you’re strapped for time, remember this: clear skin, full brows, can’t lose! “I like to just even out skin tones, so foundation and concealer are a must. So are good lashes and eyebrows,” she explains, recalling the best beauty advice she received in her over-plucking youth: “Leave your eyebrows alone!”
Light
Flattering light is the real MVP of every successful selfie, and Merk is all about that soft, natural lighting. “I have a couple windows in my house that are kind of frosted and translucent, so I take lots of selfies by the diffused window light,” she says.
Editing
As for digital re-touching? “Ya, I do it,” Merk admits. “I was just watching something with Khloe Kardashian and she said she always uses Facetune. People think celebrities are so perfect, but most of them edit their photos.” Just don’t overdo it, she warns. Merk smooths out her face and brightens her eyes on Facetune, but she avoids the fake, airbrushed look. Then, she runs her photos through VSCO for a subtle filter with warm tones.
Look for other tips on vichy.ca.
*Details at Vichy.ca
The post Melissa Merk on How to Slay Your Selfie Game appeared first on Flare.