Today we’d like to introduce you to Skyler Mena 8158495.
Hi Skyler Mena; thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
Hello, my name is Skyler. I am a Latina content creator that focuses on lifestyle and beauty. I share my day-to-day life, makeup, and fashion videos on all social media platforms. Growing up, I remember my Abuelita putting on her bright red lipstick and matching bow or my mama curling her hair to start their busy day. Little did I know seeing these small actions would impact me throughout my life. I often wanted to be expressive and feel more confident in middle school. I just needed to figure out how. That was until I became curious about my abuelitas makeup and my mama’s hair tools. The next thing I knew, I spent countless hours watching Youtube videos on how to put on eyeliner and style the little clothes I had. From putting on big hoops to excessive blush, did I look crazy doing so? Absolutely! But I had finally found a hobby where I could express myself, didn’t require much money, and was an escape from the bullying I was dealing with. Fast forward to high school, my passion for makeup resulted in overwhelming peer support. This opened the door to getting asked to do makeup for quinceaneras, proms, and weddings.
I was over the moon that I could do something I truly enjoyed while making a little bit of money. This ultimately led me to upload makeup and “how to” tutorials on Instagram. Shortly after that, I was introduced to a new way of showcasing my talent through an app we all know and love, TikTok. I would create videos reviewing makeup products, voice imitations, and mini-life updates. I slowly built a positive and engaging community as I continued to post. Before I knew it, I was asked permission to be reposted on much larger accounts and hit my first million-viewed video. I was stoked and knew that if other people saw something in me, I also had to!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
With so many creators out there, it can be difficult to stay relevant. I have found that many creators lose their true “why” of starting social media, and I didn’t want to fall into that trap. Another challenge was deciding whether I was focusing on engagement or the number of people I was reaching. Seeing the numbers rise is great, but my true “why” has always been to create an authentic and interactive community. Overall the most difficult challenge for me has been to stay consistent. Juggling college and work can take a toll on my mental health, and ensuring I stay on top of my content can sometimes be difficult to keep up with.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Growing up in a low-income household, I know exactly how It feels to want to fit in or even feel beautiful without the big dollar signs. On my social platform, I share how I create makeup looks using drugstore makeup and where I’ve bought my outfit, whether it was from Goodwill or Platos Closet. It’s about something other than how much it costs or where you got it from but how to properly use and style your purchases. I am currently in the works of producing lengthier videos on Youtube. They will primarily focus on days in my life as a college student and a Latina woman living in her 20 somethings!
We all have different ways of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
A way I define success is when I truly turn my talent and craft into a career.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/skywhy.04?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skyler.mena.5?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@SkylerElaine
Image Credits
Jacquelin Ramirez
