James Charles is an American beauty YouTuber, makeup artist, and social media personality who rose to prominence through his viral makeup transformations and tutorials. In 2016, at the age of 17, he became the first male ambassador for CoverGirl, marking a significant moment in the beauty industry. His YouTube channel features makeup tutorials, challenges, collaborations with other creators and celebrities, and his makeup line launches. Known for his catchphrase "Hi Sisters!" and his bold, artistic approach to makeup, James has built a massive following across multiple social media platforms. Beyond YouTube, he has launched his own makeup brand, collaborated with major beauty companies, and appeared in various television shows and events.
Watch James Charles's earnings increase in real-time based on estimated YouTube ad revenue.
Item | Cost | Time to Earn |
---|---|---|
Average US Annual Salary | $68,000 | 7 days, 2 hours, 0 minute, 0 second |
High-End Makeup Collection | $2,000 | 5 hours, 0 minute, 0 second |
Professional Studio Setup | $15,000 | 1 day, 13 hours, 30 minutes, 0 second |
Luxury Apartment (Annual Rent in LA) | $72,000 | 7 days, 12 hours, 0 minute, 0 second |
James Charles began his YouTube journey in December 2015 at the age of 16, initially creating makeup tutorials as a creative outlet. His career took a dramatic turn in 2016 when his senior yearbook photo, which showed him wearing makeup with expertly highlighted cheekbones, went viral. This led to an unprecedented opportunity when CoverGirl named him their first male brand ambassador, breaking significant gender barriers in the beauty industry.
His channel grew exponentially as he developed his distinctive style of tutorials, challenges, and collaborations. In 2018, he launched the "Unleash Your Inner Artist" palette in collaboration with Morphe Cosmetics, which sold out multiple times. His Sister Apparel merchandise line further expanded his business ventures. In 2019, his "Morphe x James Charles" palette broke sales records in the beauty industry, cementing his status as a major influence in makeup.
James's impact extends beyond product launches. He pioneered the concept of beauty challenges on YouTube, creating viral trends like the "Tiny Hands Makeup Challenge" and collaborating with celebrities including Kylie Jenner, Doja Cat, and JoJo Siwa. In 2020, he created and hosted "Instant Influencer," a YouTube Originals competition series searching for the next beauty influencer. Though his career has faced controversies, his resilience has allowed him to maintain a strong presence in the beauty community.
Throughout his career, James has been recognized with numerous awards including two Streamy Awards and a Teen Choice Award. His innovative approach to content creation, business acumen, and boundary-breaking presence in the beauty industry has inspired many aspiring makeup artists, particularly young men, to pursue their passion for beauty regardless of gender norms. Today, he continues to expand his brand through new product launches, collaborations, and evolving content formats across multiple platforms.