I knew the name Alix Earle long before she ever scrolled into my FYP. In fact, it was the headlines of mainstream media outlets – ‘You Need To Try Alix Earle’s Viral 10 Minute Makeup Routine’ – that initially alerted me to her rapidly swelling presence on TikTok.
Maybe my algorithmic interests momentarily lay elsewhere (Scandoval peaked at around this time, when I was happily ensconced in a Vanderpump Rules rabbit hole), but programmatic overlords be damned – there was simply no missing Earle.
The generational confines of social media can make genuine crossover success exceedingly tough, especially when you consider the many corners of TikTok that’ve spawned their own micro-celebrities.
Earle, however, suddenly became so prolific on social media that she exploded beyond the platform and suddenly took up residence in my group chats, on my screen and in my inbox as PRs raced to pitch stories that would capitalise on ‘the Alix Earle Effect’, which saw anything she posted instantly sell out.
Curious, after a few weeks I succumbed to the hype. I went to Earle’s TikTok profile prepared to be underwhelmed by yet another blonde, white influencer in her early twenties peddling a beauty routine that could probably only apply to a similar cohort. I was surprised to find that Earle’s GRWM videos were chaotic and for the most part, relatable.
@alixearle A cute little cupcake
♬ original sound – Alix Earle
She readily offered an unfiltered look into her struggles with cystic acne and anxiety and talked through her cosmetic and surgical procedures with refreshing candour, often from inside the messy dorm room she once occupied at college.
There remains a valid discourse at play around who gets to be visibly celebrated online but putting privilege aside, followers of Earle typically cite her sense of humour and raw approach to sharing her life online as the cause of their obsession. Well that, and her advice for nailing a flawless base.
Now a certified fan, I became one of Earle’s more than 6.6 million TikTok followers and subsequently jumped at the opportunity to interview the internet phenomenon for an updated look into her beauty routine.
Alix Earle’s Five-Minute Beauty Routine
As Earle’s followers will attest, the influencer maintains an intense schedule that means she’s often filming her popular GRWM videos in an unconventional setting – such as the time she recalls co-opted the floor of a Mexican airport to do her makeup. “That was the craziest. I was going out right after my flight was landing so I had to make sure I got ready before my flight,” she says.
While Earle is comfortable in her skin, you can bet she’s also streamlined her routine to accommodate a quick turnaround. “For a quick makeup routine I love to apply concealer, bronzer, lip gloss and curl my eyelashes,” she tells ELLE. Her best multi-purpose makeup tip? Rather than mascara, Earle simply adds “some Aquaphor [lip balm]” on top of her curled lashes “to make them pop!”
The busy days do take their toll, which is why Earle prioritises her downtime to recharge. “I think it is super important to get sleep when I have the time. I am on the go often but on the days I have off, I’m laying down and making sure I get rest,” she admits, adding, “Coffee always helps too!”
Alix Earle’s Affordable Beauty Buys
It’s no secret that Earle loves a glowing tan, and her latest obsession is actually an affordable option. “My favourite way to guarantee a flawless tan is by self-tanning and this year I have fallen in love with the Bondi Sands line,” she tells.
“I use the Technocolor Emerald 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam. This specific product allows you to take a quiz to find your perfect shade match for your skin tone. I use the shade emerald and it gives me the perfect glow!” For skin, Earle says she’s been recommending the brand’s Eye Spy Vitamin C Eye Cream to her friends “for getting rid of dark circles”.
Alix Earle On Acne
It’s the topic of one of the videos that really shot her into the social media stratosphere, but Earle says speaking about her acne actually helped to heal her relationship with her skin. “Acne has always been a struggle of mine but opening up about this issue online allows me to realise that this is normal and nobody’s skin is ‘perfect’,” she says.
Earle still admits that she loves to use a beauty filter in some of her videos, but she’s also quick to drop the digital veil to keep things authentic and demonstrate how makeup products really look on her skin.
The 23-year-old still gets frustrated with her acne from time-to-time, but she’s also learned how to adjust her mindset. “I don’t beat myself up when my skin is breaking out anymore,” Earle says, shrugging off the negative thoughts. “I know that it isn’t permanent and that I’m not the only one dealing with breakouts.”
Alix Earle’s Everyday Essentials
You won’t catch Earle without a few choice products that are always stowed safely in her handbag. “I never leave the house without lip liner, lip gloss, a powder puff and setting powder in my purse for touch-ups on the go,” she says. For the latter, she favours the cult Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder.
When she’s travelling, Earle maintains her tried-and-tested regimen as much as she can to prevent any plane-induced skin stress. “I try to stick to my skincare routine as best as possible when travelling,” she says, adding, “On flights I will bring Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta wipes to keep my skin fresh.”
The Best Makeup Tip She’s Ever Gotten
Earle now works with A-list beauty teams when attending events, particularly Patrick Ta, who is the founder of his own eponymous cosmetics line and a highly sought-after makeup artist to the likes of Gigi Hadid, Camila Cabello and Joan Smalls.
Throughout their sessions in the glam chair – which are often documented on Earle’s TikTok – the influencer and host of Hot Mess has garnered a number of makeup tips from Ta. “I have learned a lot from watching [him] do my makeup,” she says. “It’s so hard to pick just one thing, but I would say the biggest tip is applying a little cream over the powder products you use to bring the skin back to life.”
Alix Earle’s Signature Hair-Styling Trick
“I have somehow become the hairstylist of the friend group,” Earle says, referencing the many TikTok videos she’s posted where she’s curling the hair of her friends as they get ready to go out. Through these videos, Earle has become known for her own signature styling technique.
“After their hair is curled, my special trick is having them lean their head back while I spray texture spray and hairspray,” she reveals. “Then I brush my hands through their curls and this allows them to have big voluminous hair that will last all night.”
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