Nikkie de Jager

Introduction

Nikkie de Jager, better known by her online alias NikkieTutorials, is a Dutch makeup artist and beauty influencer who has taken the beauty industry by storm. With a YouTube career spanning over a decade, she is recognized for her artistry, creativity, and transparency, inspiring millions across the globe. Her rise to fame has been marked by talent, resilience, and a commitment to authenticity. This profile explores her childhood, career struggles, breakthrough moments, and her personal life, alongside some lesser-known facts.

Childhood and Education

Nikkie de Jager was born on March 2, 1994, in Wageningen, Netherlands. She grew up in a supportive household and was passionate about beauty and makeup from a young age. Unlike many beauty influencers, Nikkie did not start with a traditional makeup education. Instead, she began experimenting with makeup at home, using her creativity and curiosity to self-teach various techniques.

Nikkie first discovered her love for makeup when she was 14, after watching the reality show The Hills and being inspired by the star Lauren Conrad’s makeup looks. This fascination with makeup led her to YouTube, where she initially consumed beauty content before deciding to create her own.

Early Struggles

Nikkie started her YouTube channel in 2008 when she was just 14 years old. However, breaking into the beauty industry wasn’t easy for her. In the early years, YouTube was far less saturated with beauty content, and it took time for her to build a substantial following. As a young girl, she often faced criticism for her appearance and interests, and navigating the online world as an adolescent was difficult.

One of her significant struggles was growing up as a transgender woman. Though she initially kept this part of her identity private, she faced personal challenges while dealing with societal expectations and norms.

First Major Breakthrough

Nikkie’s first major breakthrough came in 2015 with her video titled The Power of Makeup. In the video, she applied makeup to only half of her face, showcasing the transformative power of cosmetics and promoting the message that makeup can be a form of self-expression rather than something to hide insecurities. This video went viral, garnering millions of views and launching Nikkie into the spotlight as a prominent beauty influencer.

Brands and publications began to take notice of her work, and she quickly became a household name in the beauty community. Her collaboration with major beauty brands such as Too Faced further propelled her into the mainstream.

Famous Content and Achievements

Nikkie has become known for her in-depth makeup tutorials, collaborations with other influencers, and celebrity guests on her YouTube channel. Her makeup looks, ranging from everyday glam to intricate and artistic creations, have earned her a loyal following of over 14 million subscribers. Some of her most popular videos include collaborations with stars like Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, and Jessie J.

Apart from her YouTube success, Nikkie has achieved several milestones in her career:

Collaborations: Nikkie has collaborated with notable beauty brands, creating her own makeup products, including a highlighter palette with OFRA Cosmetics and a special edition eye-shadow palette with Beauty Bay.
Awards: In 2017, she won the YouTube Guru Award at the Shorty Awards and the Choice Fashion/Beauty Web Star Award at the Teen Choice Awards.
Coming Out Video: In January 2020, Nikkie came out as transgender in a heartfelt YouTube video titled I’m Coming Out. The video was widely praised for its honesty and has over 38 million views. Following this, she became an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, using her platform to promote inclusivity and positivity.

Personal Life

Nikkie’s personal life has been under public scrutiny, especially after her 2020 coming-out video. She revealed that she transitioned as a teenager but kept it private due to fears of judgment and backlash. Her decision to share her story with the world was met with an overwhelming amount of support from fans, celebrities, and fellow influencers.

Nikkie is engaged to her longtime partner Dylan Drossaers, and the couple often shares glimpses of their life together on social media. In her spare time, Nikkie enjoys spending time with family and friends, and she remains a proud advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

Interesting and Hidden Facts

Self-Taught Makeup Artist: Nikkie is entirely self-taught, with no formal makeup education. Her techniques come from years of practice, dedication, and experimentation.
She Almost Quit YouTube: Nikkie has admitted that there were moments early in her career when she considered giving up on YouTube due to slow growth and challenges.
Her Height: Nikkie is notably tall, standing at 6’2″, which she has talked about openly, embracing it as part of her identity.
Philanthropy: Nikkie has used her platform for numerous charitable causes, especially those centered around LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity in the beauty industry.
Her Coming Out Was Forced: While Nikkie had intended to come out on her own terms, she revealed that she was blackmailed by someone threatening to expose her story. Her video was a courageous step toward reclaiming her narrative.

Conclusion

Nikkie de Jager’s journey from a self-taught teenage makeup enthusiast to an internationally recognized beauty mogul is a testament to her resilience, creativity, and passion for the art of makeup. She has transformed the way makeup is perceived, using her platform not just to share beauty tips but also to inspire and advocate for authenticity and acceptance. Her story continues to resonate with millions of fans worldwide, proving that embracing one’s true self can lead to incredible success.