FROM THE POWDER ROOM
YouTube star Natasha Afzal on the biz and how she keeps herself as perfect as her online persona.
Natasha Afzal, or Tashy as she’s famously known from her Beauty with Tashy channel, has 162k followers on Instagram and close to 100k subscribers on YouTube. No small feat, considering the 26-year-old only started to dabble in make-up recently. Today, she’s a go-to resource for beauty enthusiasts from around the world on get-gorgeous tips and tricks. So whether she’s demonstrating 10 ways to perfect heatless hairstyles (more than 750k views to date) or doing a step-by-step tutorial for a pop-art-inspired Halloween look, this is one name to which you’ll want to click subscribe.
YouTube vs Reality—what’s your take?
I’ll admit, sometimes YouTube can create unrealistic expectations of beauty. It’s important to take into account that cameras and great lighting can mask certain imperfections, and it’s completely normal to have visible texture on your skin.
How did your affinity for beauty come about?
I was a late bloomer when it came to make-up. It wasn’t until I was in my 20s that I started experimenting. Growing up, my mother placed emphasis on the importance of grooming. She’d always say, “Looking good is the birth right of every woman.” I used to love watching her get her hair done and doll herself up. I remember thinking, “I just can’t wait to grow up and be like mummy!”
What are the biggest challenges of being a YouTuber?
I’d definitely say the technical aspect. There’s so much more to it than just sitting down and turning on the camera. You have to think about your settings, lighting, backdrop, audio, staying in focus (which can be difficult if you film alone, like myself ), and then there’s post-production, which is something I had to learn from scratch.
Real talk: How long does it actually take for you to get your make-up on?
Mascara application takes me forever. I can do a full face of make-up in seven minutes or so but it probably takes me a good five minutes for mascara alone. I just have this need to get them even and perfect, which is exactly why I love getting lash extensions.