Ever wanted to have the glamorous look of a Barbie doll, or maybe an anime inspired look? Its easy when you follow Michelle Phan’s makeup tutorials online. She has a video for every look possible, and each is as charming creative as the next.

Michelle Phan’s beginnings came from a childhood spent being thrifty. When she was five and costume less on Halloween amidst princesses in yellow ball gowns, Phan was resourceful even as kid… she paints and makes a paper plate into a lion mask. Now twenty two years old, and an art student at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, she has become a self made Youtube sensation. Her channel boasts of close to 11 million views, with at least 300,000 subscribers. Most of Phan’s videos are of makeup tutorials that highlight looks that range from fantastical to the lowkey such as her Summer Sunset Eyes tutorial.

But what’s really golden in her channel is her section on DIY Beauty, which has videos on handy tips like how to save by using the most out of your lipgloss. Or her equally informative video clip on how to stretch that favorite pair of Louboutins into a perfect fit with just ice. While her foray into online videos gave her the opportunity for a profitable partnership with Youtube, it also has led her into developing her own line of skincare products called IQQU.

Her inspiration behind the tedious videomaking? Michelle says that her dream is:

“To help women empower themselves with this art, makeup. Believe it or not, you can transform your life with one lipstick. Women have stronger careers, future and self esteem when they feel confident.”

Who would think that this petite girl with a soft voice is actually a self professed video game freak? This Vietnamese American lass is definitely defining what it means to be confident and empowered, even if its one makeup video at a time.

View more of Michelle’s videos on her Youtube.

Photos courtesy of Vuong Nguyun and Michelle Phan
Some information courtesy of Tampa Bay.