James Charles: Racing towards success

Holding+a+Morphe+X+James+Charles+pallet%2C+sophomore+Melanie+Montero+De+Leon+is+glad+she+has+one+of+the+sold+out+products.+James+Charles+has+yet+to+restock+these+pallets%2C+but+they+are+planned+to+come+back+sometime+this+year.

Ilene Anthony

Holding a Morphe X James Charles pallet, sophomore Melanie Montero De Leon is glad she has one of the sold out products. James Charles has yet to restock these pallets, but they are planned to come back sometime this year.

Ilene Anthony, Staff Reporter

When you hear the iconic phrase “Hey Sisters,” you think of none other than makeup guru James Charles himself. Lately, Charles has been the talk of the beauty community, which consists of those who consider themselves makeup artists.

 Charles has done the makeup of many stars, including Iggy Azalea, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Liza Koshy, and he has had the opportunity to meet Zendaya, Ellen Degeneres, Katy Perry and so many more. Some of the stars have reached out to him through social media due to the creative looks that he makes which are more colorful and different than what one would usually see. Along with this, Charles has collaborated with Morphe, a makeup brand that he sponsors in each video where he gives discounts on products. Charles also has created a pallet, which launched in November 2018, and sold out within the first 10 minutes of distribution. The Youtube star wanted to give others who did not have the chance of purchasing the pallet the first time a second chance by restocking, and yet again the pallet sold out on the very same day. Along with the pallet, James Charles also has his own merchandise called Sister’s Apparel, which is a variety of sweatshirts, hoodies, joggers, etc.

 Charles created his Youtube channel on December 1, 2015, at the age of 17 where he posted content such as music, creating new makeup looks, doing challenges, vlogs and much more. At the age of just 19, James Charles has over 15 million subscribers and over 1.2 billion views on Youtube. What made Charles well-known in the makeup industry, however, was his debut as the first cover boy for the makeup brand Covergirl. During his interview on Ellen, Charles speaks of how he broke the gender barrier to become a cover boy. It all started off with his high school senior  photo; Charles wanted it retaken and reached out to the photo company. The company obliged and retook Charles’ photo which he then posted on his Instagram. Soon after, Covergirl reached out and offered him to be apart of their So Lashy! mascara commercial.

 Currently, James Charles’ net worth is about 12 million dollars, which is seen as a lot for a 19-year-old. With all of his success recently, Charles purchased his own home in California. Charles tends to have the occasional good and bad publicity, but they are seen as growth from who he was to who he has grown to be today. Sophomore Taylin Fleming said, “James Charles has become one of today’s biggest influencers in the beauty community and has helped many people become comfortable in their own skin, and for that, I am ever so grateful.”