Stephanie Valentine, who goes by Glamzilla online, is incredibly enthusiastic about beauty. She relishes the process of finding effective products and learning about their effectiveness. She delights in trying out new items, sharing her initial thoughts with her followers, and exploring intricate details.

The makeup artist and influencer has amassed over a million subscribers on YouTube and Instagram, but her true strength lies in her TikTok content. With 2.7 million followers on the platform, her nomination for the Okay Slay award for fashion and beauty at the 2025 TikTok Awards alongside Katie Fang, Meredith Duxbury, Darcei Giles, and Wisdom Kaye comes as no shock.

We had a conversation with the creator before the awards ceremony to delve into her sources of inspiration, her initial viral experience, and her favorite parts of the online beauty space.

How do you discover inspiration and concepts for your videos and work?

I find inspiration in numerous ways. Whether it’s viewing a video, influenced by a print, or seeking out the latest trends in beauty, I examine product innovations and future possibilities. I assess how formulas can evolve, what I’m looking for, what my audience desires, and what both my past and current selves would appreciate seeing.

It’s always in flux. I’m inspired by a variety of sources because, when seen through the lens of beauty, everything seems stunning.

When you’re lacking motivation or inspiration, what keeps you going?

This is difficult for me. My passion for beauty is genuine. I enjoy testing new formulas and experiencing excitement. This enthusiasm is why many of my videos gain traction. When I stumble upon an incredible beauty formula, I share it. Sometimes, a video can be filmed in just 10 seconds. However, I test countless formulas, experimenting with different liners, lipsticks, and foundations. When something impresses me, it’s an overwhelming feeling. If something doesn’t stir emotions, life feels bland. Good food, reading, and quality time with loved ones uplift me.

Do you recall your first viral post? What was it? How did it impact your content creation approach?

My first viral post occurred in 2016. I noticed MAC on the runway, and freckles were trending. I utilized my Anastasia Beverly Hills brow pencil to create freckles for Instagram, and it exploded.

At that point, I had nearly 3,000 followers, and suddenly it jumped to 25,000 overnight. It was a monumental event for me, marking my first significant viral experience. After that, freckles became widely popular.

My initial TikTok viral video was a lip swatch featuring NYX Shine Loud Liquid Lipstick. It brought back a past trend of transfer-proof lipstick topped with a clear glaze. I showcased it on camera, and TikTok exploded with excitement. The product quickly sold out globally. That was my first TikTok video, but I had been doing one-minute reviews on other platforms for years. TikTok was ideal for me.

How did that viral video alter your approach to content creation?

I was the pioneer of the one-minute review on different platforms. My content has remained consistent. If you look at my earliest videos, you’ll notice everything is still similar. I haven’t shifted my format; I’ve merely enhanced lighting and grown my hair longer. My video style remains unchanged because it’s the format I adore and am passionate about.

It has always stayed consistent.

What does TikTok offer you that these other platforms do not?

TikTok gives me the freedom to be authentic, create my community, and allow people to discover my content without having to promote it. My content centers on connecting with beauty enthusiasts worldwide. If you adore lipstick as much as I do, you’re part of my tribe. That’s the essence of beauty. I’ve made dear friends online with those I haven’t met simply because we share a passion for lipstick. That’s the magic of TikTok.

Your TikTok comments are filled with fans who feel a strong connection to you. How does it feel to be on this side of parasocial relationships?

This is exactly how I felt when I was watching beauty influencers before stepping into this role myself. I related to them because we shared similar interests. In my personal life, lipstick and foundation brought me joy. It was exhilarating to find someone else online who felt the same. Many of my closest friends and colleagues began as my followers.

I respond to every DM and comment. Community matters immensely to me. No matter how popular I become or how many views a video gets, the beauty community is everything because it transformed my life and facilitated my growth.

Can you describe your workflow?

Every day, I browse through all the apps, including Sephora, Ulta, drugstores, Target, Walmart… I check what’s new. If it means driving to the U.S.-Canada border to grab something from Ulta, I’m there. I turn down PR because I want to buy products myself and appreciate their worth as an average consumer.

I shoot around 10 videos each day when trying out formulas, and occasionally, you won’t see them because they don’t measure up. When I share a review, it’s truly a first impression.

The videos tend to go viral because I know how to work with the formula and