Pop-Culturalist.com

Leilani Green, a self-taught makeup artist from Hawaii, has rapidly become one of the most rapidly growing beauty content creators in the current market. With a combined following of over 9 million on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube, she’s a rising star in the digital beauty space. Dedicated to connecting the worlds of fashion, beauty, skincare, and lifestyle, Leilani was recently named as one of Forbes‘ Top 50 Creators today. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Leilani about her journey as a content creator, how she encourages her audience to live boldly, and more!

PC: There are so many different facets to your talent and so many paths that you could have taken as a content creator. How did you know that beauty and fashion were your niches?
Leilani: When I started my platform, I grew a following by creating funny skits. People always noticed my makeup and outfits. They would frequently ask me, “How do you do that?” The first beauty-related video I made skyrocketed. It garnered the most likes and views.

I thought, “This is what I’ve been doing since I was a child. Why not show this platform what I truly love doing?” I’ve never looked back since.

PC: You were recently named one of Forbes‘ Top 50 Creators today. Congratulations, by the way. This industry is so competitive. What has been your secret to success? How have you been able to stand out?
Leilani: The way I chose to do things was quite different. It’s incredibly rewarding because I’ve been on social media for years. It’s the first and only job I know. To finally make it on that list is unbelievable.

You’ve seen people who became viral from one video. I’ve been steadily climbing over the years. I believe that’s what sets me apart. It’s surreal to see my name among all those other creators. I’ve finally made it to that list after years of improvement. I’m constantly trying to reinvent myself because people get tired of seeing the same thing. So, every single year, I aim to add something different.

Now, I’m trying to delve more into fashion and enhance the quality of my videos. I feel like it’s finally paying off. Seeing my name on that list was mind-blowing. It reassures me that I’m on the right track.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Leilani: It has to be my older sister. We have a ten-year age gap. Every morning, I would wake up so tired that I could barely open my eyes, but I would watch her complete her entire makeup routine. When she left for school, I would use all her products and go to school with her makeup on. [laughs] She was the only one who saw a future in that. She’s the person who bought me my first laptop. She invested in me and believed in me. If it wasn’t for her and if I hadn’t witnessed her applying makeup, I don’t think I would have had enough self-belief to pursue this. So, it has to be her.

PC: You’ve been such a huge advocate for living an authentic life and being bold. Why has it been so important to you to spread that message to your young audience? What advice would you give to fans who might want to follow a similar path?
Leilani: It’s so easy to conform and go with the flow, but I believe the people who stand out are those who are true to themselves. You can sense if someone is being their unique self just by talking to them. We need unique individuals. The only way to distinguish yourself from the millions and billions of people on Earth is to be your special, unique self. If you want to stand out, do what you want to do and be recognized for doing that. You have to bring something special that nobody else has

PC: You’ve worked with so many cool brands. How do you decide who you want to partner with?
Leilani: In the beginning, I was surprised that brands wanted to work with me, so I was open to trying things. Today, it’s different. I need to test the products to ensure they work because I have a relationship with my audience where they know I collaborate with quality brands.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with Sephora Collection for a few years. I’ve partnered with prominent designer brands. Recently, I collaborated with Paco Romano on their makeup line. They’re a fashion brand, but I’m working with their makeup division. It’s mind-blowing because working with the beauty aspect of a fashion brand is like different worlds colliding.

PC: What’s left on your list to accomplish?
Leilani: I definitely want to create my own product. I’ve had the chance to work with various materials, textures, and colors. I’ve experimented with other products. I would love to have my own unique creation.

To keep up with Leilani, follow her on Instagram and TikTok. Subscribe to her YouTube channel.

Photo Credit: Max Bronner