Let’s be real for a second. We’ve all been there—staring at a vanity mirror with a sponge in one hand and a palette that cost way too much in the other, feeling absolutely lost. That’s usually when you realize that following a makeup tutorial with Nikkie (Nikkie de Jager) isn't just about painting your face. It’s a whole vibe. It's therapy, honestly. Nikkie has been the undisputed queen of "Power of Makeup" for over a decade, and even with the constant churn of TikTok trends and AI-generated beauty influencers, her approach to a "full beat" remains the gold standard for anyone who actually wants to learn the craft.
She doesn't just slap on some shimmer. She explains the why behind the what.
The High-Coverage Reality Check
Most people think they can just swipe on foundation and look like a filtered Instagram post. They're wrong. When you sit down for a makeup tutorial with Nikkie, the first thing you notice is the skin prep. It’s intense. Nikkie has famously struggled with skin redness and texture, which makes her advice actually useful for regular humans who don't have a permanent ring light following them around. She often leans into heavy-duty primers, like the (now legendary) Nivea Men After Shave Balm era or her more recent obsession with gripping primers that make your skin feel like a literal piece of Velcro.
It's about the canvas. If the canvas is dry or patchy, your $60 foundation is going to look like cake batter by noon. Nikkie’s technique often involves "stippling" rather than rubbing. If you rub, you’re just moving the pigment around. If you press, you’re marrying the product to your skin.
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Why Her "Power of Makeup" Philosophy Still Matters
Remember 2015? That was the year the world went nuts over her viral video showing half a face with makeup and half without. People were triggered. They called it "catfishing." But Nikkie’s point—which she still hammers home in every makeup tutorial with Nikkie today—is that makeup is a choice, not a mask for insecurity.
In a world obsessed with "clean girl" aesthetics and "no-makeup makeup," Nikkie is a breath of fresh air because she’s unapologetically loud. She likes glitter. She likes a cut crease that could literally slice bread. There’s something deeply empowering about watching a 6-foot-something Dutch woman tell you that it’s okay to wear three layers of concealer if that’s what makes you feel like a badass.
The Evolution of the "Nikkie Glow"
The highlight. Oh, the highlight. If there’s one thing Nikkie de Jager is synonymous with, it’s a cheekbone that can be seen from the International Space Station. But here’s the nuance most people miss: she doesn’t just dump shimmer on her face.
In a typical makeup tutorial with Nikkie, she uses a layering technique. She might start with a liquid luminizer under the foundation, then a cream highlight on the high points, and then set it with a powder. It sounds like a lot because it is. But the result isn't just a streak of silver on your face; it’s a multidimensional glow that moves with the light.
- Tip 1: Use a damp sponge to press your highlight into the skin after applying. This takes away that "powdery" look.
- Fact: Nikkie’s collaboration with OFRA (the "Rodeo Drive" shade) remains one of the highest-selling influencer collabs in history because it was formulated to avoid that weird grey cast on fair skin.
- The Nuance: She often warns against putting highlight on areas with large pores. Shimmer acts like a magnifying glass for texture. If you have breakouts on your cheeks, keep the shimmer on the very top of the bone and leave the rest matte.
Dealing with the Cut Crease Struggle
If you’ve ever tried to do a cut crease, you’ve probably ended up looking like a raccoon that got into a fight with a box of crayons. It’s hard. Nikkie makes it look easy because of her brush discipline. She uses tiny, precise brushes. Most beginners use brushes that are way too big for their eye shape.
In a makeup tutorial with Nikkie, she often uses a P.Louise base or a very thick concealer to "cut" the lid. The secret is looking down into a mirror, not straight ahead. This allows you to see the natural fold of your eye. You have to be patient. You can’t rush a cut crease. You have to "stamp" the color on, then blend the edges with a clean brush. Honestly, if you aren't using at least four different brushes for one eye look, you're probably not getting that Nikkie-level gradient.
The Business of Being Nikkie
It’s not all just eyeshadow and jokes. Nikkie’s journey—from a teenager in the Netherlands to a global superstar who hosted Eurovision and interviewed Adele—is a masterclass in brand longevity. She survived the "BeautyGuru Dramageddon" eras by staying out of the mud and focusing on the artistry.
Her brand, Nimya, wasn't just a generic private-label cash grab. It focused on the "set-up"—the prep and the finish. This reflects her actual philosophy: makeup is a process. It’s a ritual. When you follow a makeup tutorial with Nikkie, you’re participating in a routine that she’s spent nearly 20 years perfecting. She knows which ingredients pill when mixed and which foundations oxidize after three hours. That’s the kind of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) that Google loves, but more importantly, it’s what keeps her viewers loyal.
Common Misconceptions About the Nikkie Look
- It’s too much for everyday. Look, if you’re going to the grocery store, maybe you don't need a full-glam wing. But Nikkie’s techniques—like "baking" under the eyes—are actually incredibly useful for people with oily skin or those attending long events like weddings.
- You need expensive products. Actually, Nikkie frequently uses drugstore brands. She’s a huge fan of Maybelline and NYX. The technique matters 10x more than the price tag on the bottle.
- It only works on her face shape. Nikkie has a very specific, beautiful canvas, but her placement of contour is universal. She teaches you to find your own bone structure, not just copy hers.
Real Talk: The Learning Curve
Let’s be honest. You are going to fail the first five times you try to emulate a makeup tutorial with Nikkie. Your eyeliner will be crooked. Your lashes will lift at the corners. Nikkie herself has thousands of hours of practice. The key is her mantra: "It's just makeup. At the end of the day, you can wash it off."
That mindset shifts makeup from a stressful chore into a creative outlet. It removes the fear of "messing up." If you mess up, you just get a makeup wipe and try again.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Look
If you're ready to dive into your next session, don't just hit play and hope for the best.
- Lighting is everything. If you’re applying makeup in a dark bathroom, it’s going to look crazy once you step outside. Get near a window or get a decent LED mirror.
- Invest in a good set of "pencil" brushes. These are the small, pointy ones. They are the only way to get that detailed shadow work that Nikkie is famous for.
- Don't skip the setting spray. But don't just mist it; drench your face. Then, take a sponge and lightly press it in. This "locks" the layers together so they don't sit on top of each other.
- Blend until your arm hurts. And then blend for another two minutes. Harsh lines are the enemy of a professional-looking tutorial.
Next time you open a makeup tutorial with Nikkie, pay attention to her hand pressure. Notice how she holds the brush at the end of the handle for a light blend and closer to the bristles for intense pigment. These small, technical nuances are what separate a "meh" look from a "wow" look. Start by mastering one feature—maybe just the brows or just the contour—before trying to do a full-blown Nikkie transformation in one go. Consistency beats intensity every single time.
Check your expiration dates on your cream products before you start, grab a drink, and remember that even Nikkie had to start with a single, blurry YouTube video back in 2008. Practice isn't just a suggestion; it's the only way to actually get better.