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28 October 2016 | beautystorebusiness.com Social media can be a brutal place. The comment section below a YouTube video is rife with people expressing their pent- up anger, frustration and, in some cases, hatred. And for those who are baring it all in a video, including makeup artists who put themselves out there with their ever-changing looks, it can be an espe- cially vulnerable platform. Compound that with the fact that a man wearing makeup isn't always accepted or under- stood, and life gets even harder for a male in a female-dominated industry. But for 26-year-old turban-donning glam- azon Patrick Simondac (better known to his legion of fans as Patrick Starrr) he has pushed past the negativity, turning his popular YouTube channel into a place where inner beauty is celebrated just as much as a killer cut crease. Starrr endured his fair share of nega- tivity growing up in Orlando. "It was definitely hard when people stared at me when I worked at the mall wearing full-face makeup," he says. But Starr credits his family's support for his ability to persevere. "It was difficult for them to understand at first," he says. "But now they're so obsessed. I have them cheering me on every day." These days, people stare at Starrr because they recognize his famous face—with or without makeup—that's been gracing his YouTube channel since 2013. "It's surreal. Most of the time it's when I have on my 'look.' More recently, though, I've been getting recognized without makeup. It's truly amazing, and I feel blessed to have such amazing fans," he says. Those fans flock to Starrr's site (to the tune of 2.3 million followers on Instagram and 1.5 million on You- Tube) as much for his flawless makeup tutorials as they do for his messages of acceptance. Starrr's self-proclaimed "makeup is one size fits all" motto has propelled him to role model status for young girls—and boys—everywhere. "My social media is a place for positiv- ity," he says. Starrr's unique ability to connect with fans on a personal level, both on and off camera, has helped him secure partnerships with some of the biggest brands in the beauty industry. "Being business-minded has helped me a ton. When you're working with major cos- metic brands, it's important to articulate your thoughts and ideas for an amazing collaboration and partnership. Compa- nies will respect you and it shows a professional side not normally seen on social media," he says. Recent partnerships with brands such as Formula X for Sephora and Benefit Cosmetics have also made Starrr recognizable at a brick-and-mortar level. "Networking and getting to know people are my favorite parts about collabora- tions. I get to develop friendships and relationships that make these partner- ships so much fun," Starrr says. Ultimately, it's Starrr's social media presence and engagement that has bol- stered his success, and he shares that knowledge with others. As a speaker at VidCon 2016, an event for the creators and viewers of YouTube videos, Starrr reiterated the importance of connecting and being social. "Chat with others on YouTube, make friends and learn! We have to utilize all social media to extend our viewership and social reach," he says. And it all starts with taking a risk, which includes putting yourself out there and opening yourself up to judgment and criticism. "I want my fans to know that life opens up when you do," he says. "We cannot live in fear. We must go after our passions and dreams." "My social media is a place for positivity." "I want my fans to know that life opens up when you do." The Star's the Limit! Patrick Starrr opens up about fame and his business-building collaborations. BEAUTY BASICS Glow big or go home with Starrr's top product staples. Lip Balm: "I love the EOS lip balm because it feels amazing on my lips. Also, it's such a large egg that I can never misplace it or lose it!" SRP: $3.29, evolutionofsmooth.com Concealer: "I am obsessed with the Benefit Cosmetics' Boi-ing Full Coverage Concealer. It has such a flattering peach undertone, which cancels out the blue underneath my eyes. Boi-ing is super full coverage and creamy. I am in the shade No. 2." SRP: $20, benefitcosmetics.com Bronzer: "My favorite bronzers are by MAC and Benefit Cosmetics. I cannot live without the Mineralize Skinfinish. I love using the MAC Dark shade on my cheeks and Benefit's Hoola Matte Bronzer to slim my nose for that perfect contour." SRPs: $33 maccosmetics.com; $29, benefitcosmetics.com t k i m er fe ct c on to ur " Co ob B B C suc underton h a i l Get Connected! PatrickStarrr @PatrickStarrr @PatrickStarrr facebook.com/theepatrickstarrr SRP: $20, om te t