Currently based in sunny Tampa, FL, Shawnda Woods is a freelance makeup artist who has been growing a following of hair & beauty obsessed fans over on her YouTube channel, QueenGemBeauty. As a rising star on YouTube and a busy freelancer, Shawnda took some time out of her busy schedule to talk to us about her life as a YouTube beauty guru and her dreams for her future.
Read on to be inspired by Shawnda’s story and don’t forget to subscribe to her YouTube channel!
Which do you prefer: Makeup or Hair? Or both?
Both. My first love is makeup, but I love changing my hairstyles because it is a great way to express my style and personality. It runs a close second to makeup.
What is your personal beauty philosophy?
“It’s not about how much it costs… It’s how you apply it.” Which means you don’t have to break the bank to achieve flawless beauty.
What does “true beauty” mean to you?
True beauty is about what is on the inside of a person. It is what shines through you. Not what is on the outside. Outward beauty is only skin deep.
Why did you start vlogging about hair & beauty?
I started vlogging about hair and beauty because I got hooked on YouTube. Everywhere you looked it was beautiful girls doing hair and makeup. As I watched countless videos I began to teach myself how to apply makeup and how to style hair. Watching these girls inspired me to start a channel of my own in order to share my love and passion with the world.
What do you hope to achieve with your YouTube channel?
[To create] a place of positivity and beauty, especially for plus size women. I want my YouTube channel to be a place where women can learn to feel beautiful about themselves — not just on the outside, but on the inside as well.Why do you call your fans: “Gems”?
First, let me say I don’t feel like I have fans. I am just an ordinary girl who fell in love with beauty and decided to share my passion with the world. I chose the name Gemstones aka “Gems” because just like Gemstones they are rare and precious. Each of them come in different shapes, sizes, colors, and backgrounds, and they are unique and genuine just like Gemstones.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
I see myself as an established business woman and owner of a successful YouTube channel, living in my dream home with my husband, and hopefully some little ones.
Visit QueenGemBeauty’s channel here for hair & beauty product reviews, tutorials, & more!