These Are Popular Beauty Vloggers' First-Ever YouTube Videos

Fun fact about yours truly: Watching YouTube was actually one of my very first forays into the world of beauty and to this day, I'm still obsessed. It all started one summer when I was sick and bedridden, desperately trying to find a distraction from my pity party. (Spoiler alert: The distraction ended up being the beauty community on YouTube, which funnily enough, I can't recall for the life of me how I found.)

That first weekend, I didn't even leave my room to eat, unable to tear my eyes from the seemingly endless channels of tutorials and reviews created by regular girls like me. I was enamored with it all — the makeup, the chatting, and the newfound connection I felt with these people of the Internet who happened to feel as passionately about beauty as I did.

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Fast forward to 2017 and you'll find that the YouTube world is a completely different landscape. Vloggers who once had a measly 2,000 followers now are world-renowned influencers, globe-trotting and collaborating with major makeup brands — low-key making millions right before our eyes. And I'm elated to witness all of their hard-earned success — I really am! — but I'd be lying if I said I didn't sometimes miss the no-frill vlogs of the early aughts, where editing was subpar at best and it was usually just as basic as someone chatting about makeup in their bedroom. (Looking at you, Ingrid Nilsen!)

So to serve you some prime YouTube nostalgia — because it can't be only me, right? — I took a little jaunt down memory lane and nailed down my favorite YouTubers' first videos ever. (And boy are they priceless.) So whether you're brand-new to the whole YouTube bandwagon or, like me and have been invested for eons, I suggest stopping whatever you're doing, grabbing a cup of tea, and tuning in to the OG videos below, because trust me when I tell you this #content doesn't disappoint.

I found Tampa-based makeup artist Jaclyn Hill late into my YouTube obsession, but as soon as I stumbled upon her channel, I was hooked. Even when she first started out, her talent was seriously impressive and I spent hours trying to recreate her glamorous looks, including this Kim K-inspired one. I never did quite get to her level of perfection, but she's still one of my favorites to watch.

Nikkie Tutorials

This first video that Nikkie of NikkieTutorials (who now boasts a whopping 7 million subscribers, BTW) was shot nine years ago and honestly couldn't be more adorable — not to mention representative of what YouTube looked like back then. No one really knew what they were doing, but that was the norm and everyone was in it together. (If only Nikkie could have seen where she is today.)

Cydnee Black

Let me tell you, Cydnee Black's tutorials are nothing short of perfection, and her first was no exception. The blue-eyed beauty chose a sweet and simple "get ready with me" video, which I have a soft spot for because it allows you to really see inside the vlogger's world — the products they use, the techniques they employ, and what makes them and their channel unique.

Even after 10 freaking years, Michelle Phan is still one of the baddest beauty vloggers in the game. She's amassed so many subscribers (nearly 9 million at this point) because of her relatability, easy-to-follow tutorials, and unmatched editing style. Her first one, on the other hand, is totally bare bones and quite honestly makes me feel all the feels.

Ellarie

I came across Ellarie's channel shortly after she started it three years ago, and haven't stopped watching it since. She never fails to create swoon-worthy, ultra-glam looks, but her real talent is managing to make them seem easy for everyone. Her first video is clearly more edited and comprehensive than her later work, which just goes to show how YouTube has evolved over the years.

Patricia Bright

Patricia Bright is unique in that she flawlessly marries comedy and beauty content. She's animated, hilarious, and speaks to her followers as if they're her best friends. Her very first video wasn't even beauty-related — it was a blurry travel vlog — but it's worth checking out to catch a glimpse of her personality.

Ingrid Nilsen

Ah, Ingrid. I have a soft spot for "Missglamorazzi," as her channel was called back in the day. She was the first YouTuber I ever watched and I've stuck with her through the years. I cried when she cried during her emotional coming out video, which is high-key embarrassing but also illustrates just how attached you can get to people you've never met. Totally normal!

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