If you haven’t heard of James Charles yet, where have you been?
The makeup artist became CoverGirl’sfirst ever CoverBoyin 2016 at the tender age of 17.
Soon, the teen was taking the beauty world by storm.
Charles isn’t just making a name for himself, but also breaking down barriers.
Here’s how he is navigating his new success and looking fierce while doing it.
Hisrenderings of celebsprove that hisdrawing game is strong.
While Charles has been an artist since he was a kid, he hasn’t always experimented with makeup.
“I used to draw portraits of celebrities so I’ve always had a love for beautiful faces.”
His first foray into the world of beauty was actually in hair styling.
Makeup, however, is something he got into by accident.
And it ended up actually looking really, really great.
Soon after, Charles began trying makeup on himself, and the rest is history.
“YouTube videos and practice have taught me all I know,” he toldSeventeen.
Other than that, it’s all been through experimenting and figuring out what works for me!
I have pretty defined features: huge brows, very small eyelids, and a chunky nose.
“The fact that I am the first boy is so cool,” he said.
Charles came out as gay when he was twelve years old, and his parents were immediately accepting.
They were also on board when he told them he wanted to pursue a career in makeup.
“They were like, ‘Oh, you know, we love you no matter what.
Like if you’re trans, it’s possible for you to tell us,'” Charles toldEllen.
While he doesn’t identify as transgender, Charles appreciated his parents’ unconditional support.
His dad went above and beyond so you can help Charles achieve his goals.
“My photos would not be as high quality without my dad,” Charles toldAllure.
A racist tweet almost killed his career
Like many young people, Charles has made some mistakes.
In 2017 he came under fire after posting a tweet that many found offensive.
Charles soon deleted the tasteless tweet and apologized, but many of his fans weren’t satisfied.
“That stereotyping is offensive and not okay.”
“I’m a 17 year old kid,” he said.
I seriously hope that in the future the industry will continue to be more and more diverse."
Could he have a future as a recording artist?
Charles feels like one of those people who is so incredibly multi-talented.
He has graced hisInstagramandYouTubefollowers with some videos of his angelic voice, and we want more.
Charles is also a member of an a capella group called Flashback.
Charles is so used to it that he says his poor vision doesn’t bother him.
“It really doesn’t affect the process that much,” he toldSeventeen.
“My contacts are the same prescription as my regular glasses.
Oh well, I guess beauty truly is pain!”
If anything, his sudden fame has complicated his dating life, rather than making it simpler.
“I’m very bad at talking to boys,” Charles toldSeventeen.
“I’m not that great at it.”
To make matters worse, he now has to deal with people trying to take advantage of his fame.
“I’m like, really?
That’s so annoying.
