James Charles, born on May 23, 1999, is a celebrated makeup artist and beautician. He started a YouTube channel while still living in his hometown of Bethlehem in New York where he constantly posted videos of himself doing makeup tutorials. He broke the boundaries in 2016 after becoming the first male brand ambassador for the cosmetics brand CoverGirl. This was a result of someone sharing one of his makeup tutorial videos, which went viral on social media. After that, in 2020, he directed, co-produced, and hosted “Instant Influencer” the YouTube Originals reality competition. He has also worked with Morphe Cosmetics to release a makeup line and is a recipient of so many awards acknowledging his work on social media. He has also had his share of controversies but has always stayed true to his work. We are so happy to be celebrating him today.
Fast Facts
Birth date:
May 23, 1999
Age:
24 years, 11 months
Zodiac Sign:
Gemini
Background
James Charles is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to social media influence. Throughout his career as a makeup artist, he has managed to amass a huge following and establish his name in the beauty industry. Charles was born on May 23, 1999, in Bethlehem, New York. His father is Skip Dickson, who is a contractor, and his mother is Christine Dickson. He went to Bethlehem Central High School. He experienced bullying in school but developed a thick skin and did not let it phase him. After graduating from school in 2017, he started doing amateur makeup and hairstyling. Through experience, he perfected his skill and afterward started doing it on girls around his hometown. His resilience paid off eventually.He launched his YouTube channel in December 2015 and immediately the following year, a video of his went viral. In the video, he was reshooting his senior portrait with a ring light and makeup on. In the same year, he became the first male brand ambassador for CoverGirl, a beauty products brand. Taking advantage of his growing popularity, in 2018, he began a clothing line dubbed, Sisters Apparel and a makeup collection also dubbed, Sisters Collection. This was in collaboration with Morphe Cosmetics. In 2019, his popularity reached its peak and it was evident in his visit to Birmingham in the United Kingdom, where the launching of Morphe Cosmetics’ second store was taking place. In the same year, he worked with the Australian rapper, Iggy Azalea on her single, ‘Sally Walker,’ doing her makeup for the music video.In 2020, he co-produced, directed, and hosted, “Instant Influencer,” the YouTube Originals reality competition show, and premiered its first season. The show was awarded Show of the Year at the 10th Streamy Awards. In late 2020, he was featured in the social media personality Larray’s single titled, ‘Canceled,’ and in 2021, he sang the cover of ‘Drivers License.’ Charles came out to his parents as gay at the age of 12. When he was asked about his sexuality, he answered that he was confident in himself and his gender identity. He has also been involved in negative press and for a very long time had a feud with Tati Westbrook. His career continues to thrive regardless.
Career timeline
James Charles starts his YouTube channel, posting makeup tutorials.
A tweet of him reshooting his senior portrait with a ring light and makeup goes viral.
Charles becomes the brand ambassador for the cosmetics brand, CoverGirl.
He launches his line of clothing, Sisters Apparel, and his line of makeup, Sisters Collection.
He works with Australian rapper, Iggy Azalea, doing her makeup on her “Sally Walker” music video.
Charles co-produces, directs, and hosts “Instant Influencer,” which is a YouTube Originals reality competition show.
James Charles FAQs
Is Jame Charles a role model?
According to Charles, “I try so hard to stay a positive role model. It’s sad to say, but you get used to it after a while, and I have very thick skin, so I can take it. I’m having fun; I’m being myself; I’m doing what I love. That’s all that matters.”
Who is James Charles's target audience?
His audience is heavily Generation Z, with 56.9% of his followers being aged 18 to 24, according to CreatorIQ data.
What are James Charles's goals?
Charles said he hopes that in the near future, there won’t be “a conversation anymore” about males in the beauty world, “that people just accept it.” “I want to be a role model for everybody no matter what age, size, where they come from, or color.
5 Surprising Facts
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He is legally blind
Despite his amazing work doing makeup, James Charles is legally blind but says his contacts give him good eyesight just the same.
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His basement was his studio
When he was starting his career, his father helped him transform their basement into his makeup studio.
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He lost a million followers once
He was and still is the first person ever to lose a million followers in a single day.
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He did a makeover with Kylie Jenner
His makeover video with Kylie Jenner broke the internet putting into consideration the huge following that Jenner has.
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He has an eyeshadow palette with Morphe
He worked with Morphe to produce and release his own eyeshadow palette that has all the colors he prefers to use.
Why We Love James Charles
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He is remorseful
At one point during his feud with Tati Westbrook, he apologized for his shortcomings. We love a person that can put aside their pride and admit when they’re wrong.
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He is confident
Charles has a confident personality and that has helped him in life. While he was being bullied in school because of his identity, he developed a thick skin and was able to move on from that. When the press also asked about him being gay, he stated that he is confident and happy with his identity.
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He loves people
Charles is a people person and it shows in his work and the life he leads. He loves people and people love him right back. Despite the few fallouts he has had, he is close to the people he has good relationships with. He has worked with so many celebrities and has formed so many friendships throughout his career. His massive following is also a testament to his likeability.
James Charles’s birthday dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | May 23 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | May 23 | Thursday |
| 2025 | May 23 | Friday |
| 2026 | May 23 | Saturday |
| 2027 | May 23 | Sunday |
