With over 3 million followers and 200 million likes on TikTok, Natalie Violette, known to her fans as @NatViolette, is not just another beauty content creator—she’s a pioneer. In a digital world overflowing with makeup tutorials and fashion hauls, Natalie stands out with her innovative “challenge” videos, where she uses unconventional tools and materials to craft stunning makeup looks. Whether it’s applying foundation with a toothbrush or crafting an entire face using only lipstick, Natalie’s content is a testament to her creativity and skill.
What makes Natalie truly unique is her ability to turn everyday items into beauty essentials. Imagine using UNO cards as makeup applicators or creating a look entirely out of candy—these are just a few examples of the inventive challenges that have captivated her audience. Natalie’s adventurous spirit and expert understanding of skincare and makeup allow her to transform unlikely materials, such as rhinestones, ice, Play-Doh, or chalk, into tools of the trade. Each challenge is executed with the precision of an artist and the expertise of a licensed esthetician, resulting in looks that are as daring as they are inspiring.
Natalie’s love affair with beauty and fashion began at an early age. She started her career as a model at just 14, where she absorbed tips and tricks from makeup artists on set. Her passion for fashion blossomed in high school as she began sharing her outfits on Instagram, quickly catching the attention of emerging brands. Her first major breakthrough came when Forever 21 reposted her content, catapulting her into the spotlight and giving her the confidence to explore the worlds of beauty and fashion on TikTok.
Natalie’s innovative approach and engaging personality have not gone unnoticed. She has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the beauty industry, including Fashion Nova, MAC, Urban Decay, L’Oreal, and e.l.f. Her ability to blend insightful tips with visually captivating content has made her a sought-after influencer in the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape.
When she’s not creating content for her millions of followers, Natalie enjoys a quieter side of life in Connecticut. She finds solace in baking and cherishes the moments spent with her three dogs, who often make cameo appearances in her posts. This personal touch adds a relatable and endearing aspect to her brand, endearing her even more to her fans.
In a recent interview with StarCentral Magazine, Natalie shared insights into her journey as an influencer. She spoke about the challenges and triumphs she’s faced, her love for pushing creative boundaries, and her commitment to staying true to herself in a constantly evolving industry.
Your challenge videos often feature unconventional tools and materials for applying makeup. What inspired you to start creating these types of videos, and how do you come up with new ideas for your challenges?
The inspiration behind creating these types of videos is actually a full-circle moment for me! When I was younger, I used to play with my mum’s makeup all the time. I can still remember the nostalgic smells of her foundation and setting powders. My first challenge was doing a full face using my mum’s makeup. It felt like I was seven years old all over again! From there, the challenge suggestions came flooding in—each one crazier than the last. My followers come up with most of my challenge ideas; they are so creative and outlandish, and I love it.
As a licensed esthetician, how do you ensure that the products and techniques you showcase in your videos are safe and beneficial for your audience’s skin?
As an esthetician, I have a deep understanding of skin analysis and ingredients. I make sure that any product I recommend is safe for the skin. I’m always learning, so if I come across a product I’m unfamiliar with, I thoroughly research it first!
With the constant evolution of beauty trends on social media, what do you think will be the biggest beauty trends for Summer and Fall 2024?
For Summer, blush is all the rage! Two-toned blush is a big trend, whether it’s mixing a lighter blush shade with a deeper tone or the growing sunset blush trend, which involves combining orange and hot pink blush and topping it with a gold highlight! As for Fall, I think metallics will be a big trend. I can see it being applied on the eyes as well as the lips, becoming the ultimate showstopper! I can also see ’90s grunge making a comeback in the Fall with smudged eyeliner and bold, dark lips.
Your videos have a very interactive and engaging nature. How do you think this interactivity has contributed to your success on TikTok and other social media platforms?
I truly enjoy engaging with my followers. They inspire me and provide constructive criticism, which helps me grow as a creator. They also help me keep up with current trends. It’s a funny dynamic because this is a group of people I feel so connected to yet have never met! They’re like my online besties; I always want them to know that.
You’ve partnered with many well-known brands, such as MAC, L’Oreal, and Urban Decay. How do you choose which brands to collaborate with, and what do you look for in a brand partnership?
When choosing brands to partner with, I usually start by asking myself, “Is this a brand I genuinely love?” From there, I get an idea of what the brand wants me to promote, and I like to try the product before making a full decision to collaborate. I am very honest with my followers and always want to maintain that trust. When it comes time to collaborate, I look for brands that value authenticity. I love working with brands that appreciate and incorporate my challenges into the content.
Starting your modeling career at a young age, how did your experiences on set with professional makeup artists influence your current approach to beauty and content creation?
When I was in the modeling industry, I often had my makeup done professionally on set. I was so interested in the products the makeup artists would use and couldn’t help but ask them about every step! It always excited me to see them so passionate about their profession, and it made me realize I had the same passion! Once I really started my makeup journey, I loved watching YouTube beauty influencers. I would talk to my mirror as if it were an audience while I did my makeup. It was such a key moment for me—I knew that being a beauty content creator was the career path I wanted to take, and now here we are!
Viral TikTok beauty trends come and go quickly. How do you balance staying on top of these trends while also maintaining your unique style and creativity?
I feel like TikTok beauty trends come and go so fast that sometimes I mix two together and come up with a whole new trend without even trying—hahaha. Beauty trends on TikTok happen so quickly they don’t even get a chance to settle before the next one comes out, so I like to keep my content unique to me and separate myself from the masses.
You enjoy baking and spending time with your dogs when you’re not creating content. How do these hobbies help you maintain balance in your busy life as an influencer, and do they ever influence your content creation?
It’s funny that you mention it. I’m with my dog Bruno so much that I had him make a celebrity guest appearance in a few of my videos. He just recently helped me pick out a full face of makeup, and he made me dirty, which I found very rude since I was feeding him treats!