Beauty Guru Teni Panosian’s Tips For Makeup Rookies
Teni Panosian is one of our fave beauty gurus, but that’s not all she is. She makes tutorials on her popular af YouTube channel for makeup, hair and home decor – but it doesn’t even stop there.
She also runs her own blog called Miss Maven which covers everything that a girl might need from style to travel.
We talked to Teni about her inspirations and asked her for some of the beauty secrets that you won’t find anywhere else.
When did you first start wearing makeup?
The first time I started wearing makeup was in 8th grade. My mom didn’t want me wearing makeup, so I would sneak it to school and put it on. That was back when the brown lip liner with beige lipstick was [big. It was] embarrassing.
What are some tips you can give to makeup rookies?
Some tips I would give to makeup rookies are to first find a few stable products that really work for you and try not to become overwhelmed because there’s so much out there. Have a good foundation, concealer, and blush to start off with. Once you get comfortable with that, then it’s best to start adding other products here and there.
What new products are you loving at the moment?
The Pat McGrath Skin Fetish is amazing. Definitely my favorite! There’s a lot of good and affordable makeup on on the horizon like the L’Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation which I’m wearing for this shoot. It’s really good! You wouldn’t expect that since it’s a drugstore brand.
What’s your skincare routine?
I don’t keep my skin flawless. It’s definitely temperamental. Overall, a combination of never sleeping with my makeup on, making sure to do my nightly regime, investing in top notch products are key to me. I spend a good 15/20 minutes before bed cleansing, using my creams. Also, giving my skin the time to breathe and choosing to not wear makeup every day.
Do you have any beauty gurus who inspire you?
Oddly enough, I try not to watch other beauty gurus because I want to make sure everything I come up with is authentic and my own. There’s a thin line [between] when you’re inspired and ripping someone off. I don’t want to ever risk doing that. I have friends in the YouTube community that I watch to support and I’ll like their videos. However, for the most part, I try to get my inspiration anywhere else but YouTube.
It’s girl’s night out and you need an eyeliner that’s going to last. Do you go with gel, pencil, or liquid?
I’m a big fan of pencils. Specifically, the 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner by Hourglass. It holds up so well! You can even smudge it out if you want more of a smokey eye look, but it’s so thin that you can make a small line.
What’s the secret to getting voluminous lashes?
I like to start by taking the wand of your mascara and put it at the base of your lashes. Then, you turn the wand against your lashes as you close your eyes. It’ll create friction while combing through your lashes. It makes them stand very tall. Don’t leave your eye open as you put on your mascara. The trick is closing your eye as you use the wand against your lashes.
At the moment, what’s your favorite drugstore product?
There’s a new highlighter called Master Strobing Stick Illuminating Highlighter by Maybelline. That comes in two tones, which are a champagne/pearl tone and more of a bronzier tone. It’s very natural, but it still shows.
What’s a product that you can’t leave without?
It’s the men’s brand Jack Black Lip Balm in chamomile. It smells really good and I always have to have lip balm with me. One time I freaked out because I was driving to Palm Springs with two of my friends which is like a two-hour drive and I thought I didn’t have my lip balm. Luckily, I found it at the bottom of my bag.
What made you want to start making YouTube videos?
A lot of guy friends I had at the time were doing comedy on YouTube and they encouraged me to start making my own videos. Then, once I got a taste of it, I was like “Oh my god, this is what I’ve been waiting for.” I began to love making videos and I’m addicted to it now. There’s so much you can do with video rather than a photo.
What advice can you give to girls who want to make their own beauty tutorials?
The best advice I could give is to be patient. You have to pay your dues and show the YouTube community that you’re serious about it. You have to maintain consistency and not put out a video every few months. Once a week is best to put a new video out. Once people see that, they’ll be committed to your channel. Patience and persistence is key.
How long would you like to continue making YouTube videos for?
A lot people ask me that, actually! They say, “If you were offered a regular series, would you quit making videos?” and I always say, “No!” YouTube is the best. I get to connect with people on such a different level. I want to make videos for as long as possible because it’s my own. It’s not scripted and it’s not someone else’s project. I can do whatever I want in the video and it’s powerful.
Daytime or nighttime makeup?
I enjoy daytime makeup more because it’s minimalist. It’s very natural and simple.
Do you have any future projects in the making?
At the moment, I’m very busy and digital with so many things going on. I’m trying to make the transition of finding the balance between acting and YouTube because I miss it so much. I do enjoy acting!
Photography: Amber Asaly
Styling: Alexis Shefts
