Michelle Phan | Biography

• By Priyanka Das
• Original : April 16, 2025

Who is Michelle Phan?

Michelle Phan, born on April 11, 1987, in Boston, Massachusetts, is a Vietnamese-American beauty pioneer who found fame as one of the first major content creators on YouTube. Launching her channel in 2006, Phan quickly became a leading figure in beauty vlogging, earning nicknames like the "first YouTuber" and the "Beyoncé of the beauty-vlogging world." Her makeup tutorials garnered millions of views, earning her a dedicated following and recognition in the industry. In addition to her online success, Phan co-founded Ipsy, a subscription service valued at $500 million, and she partnered with major beauty brands like Lancôme and L'Oréal to create innovative products.

Despite facing significant obstacles, including a troubled upbringing and intense online criticism, Phan's resilience shines through her journey. Following the breakdown of her first cosmetics line, Em, she stepped back from public life to focus on her mental health. In 2017, she relaunched Em with a refined vision, emphasizing affordability and a more targeted product range. As a savvy entrepreneur and influential figure in the beauty industry, Phan continues to inspire her audience while maneuvering her career behind the scenes, demonstrating that success requires both creativity and self-awareness.

Early Life and Education

Michelle Phan was born on April 11, 1987, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Vietnamese refugee parents. After experiencing a tumultuous childhood marked by her father's absence and her mother's struggles as a nail technician, Phan moved frequently due to financial instability. The family faced evictions regularly, causing a challenging upbringing. Despite these hardships, Phan displayed a creative spirit that would later propel her career. Surrounded by the world of beauty at her mother’s nail salon, she developed an interest in makeup, spending hours reading beauty magazines and teaching herself techniques through books.

Though her mother hoped for her to pursue a career in medicine, Phan ultimately followed her passion for art. She enrolled at the Ringling College of Art and Design in Florida; however, financial constraints led her to drop out after her first semester. In 2005, she began blogging on Xanga, which garnered an audience and laid the groundwork for her future success on YouTube. In 2006, she launched her channel, which quickly gained traction and showcased her talent in makeup artistry, establishing her as a pioneer in the beauty vlogging space.

Makeup Tutorials on YouTube

Michelle Phan launched her YouTube channel in 2006 during her first semester at Ringling College of Art and Design. Her initial foray into beauty vlogging began with a makeup tutorial that quickly captured the attention of viewers, amassing 40,000 views in just one week. This rapid success sparked a significant pivot in her life, as she dropped out of college to dedicate herself fully to her channel. By focusing on consistent content creation, Phan released two videos weekly, which contributed to her meteoric rise on the platform. In a short span, her channel accumulated millions of views, solidifying her status as a pioneer in the beauty vlogging community.

Phan's unique style and innovative approach to makeup tutorials not only showcased her artistry but also connected with an audience hungry for relatable, engaging content. Her celebrity-themed videos, such as tutorials inspired by Barbie and Lady Gaga, garnered millions of views and exemplified her ability to tap into popular culture. As she transitioned to Los Angeles, the fame she achieved allowed her to refine her craft while engaging her rapidly growing fanbase. Through hard work and creativity, Phan redefined online beauty tutorials, inspiring countless aspiring vloggers and becoming a trusted source in the beauty industry.

Ipsy Launch and Partnering With Lancôme and L'Oréal

In 2010, Michelle Phan partnered with Lancôme, becoming a prominent figure in the beauty industry by creating monthly video tutorials that showcased the brand's products. Ironically, before her rise to fame, she was rejected for a sales associate position at a Lancôme counter due to her lack of experience. This collaboration marked a significant turning point in her career, as it provided her with brand endorsements and sharpened her skills in beauty content creation. Phan's engaging tutorials resonated with her growing audience, establishing her as an authority in makeup application and beauty trends.

That same year, Phan launched Ipsy, a subscription service where beauty enthusiasts could receive personalized "glam bags" filled with new products each month for just $10. This innovative model not only catered to the desires of her viewers but also created a sustainable revenue stream for her burgeoning brand. Ipsy quickly gained traction, and by 2015, Forbes valued the company at an astonishing $500 million after securing a $100 million investment. Phan's success with Ipsy allowed her to expand her influence in the beauty community and propel her career further, making her a vital player in the beauty subscription market.

Later Career and Leaving Ipsy

Michelle Phan's later career marked a significant evolution in her journey as an entrepreneur and influencer. After taking a much-needed break from social media in 2016, during which she traveled extensively and reassessed her priorities, Phan returned to the beauty scene with a renewed perspective. In April 2017, she relaunched her cosmetics brand, Em, offering a more focused and accessible lineup of products, including liquid eyeliners and creamy liquid lipsticks. This strategic pivot was a response to the previous challenges she faced, as well as her commitment to creating a brand that resonated with her audience while reflecting her personal vision.

In September 2017, Phan made the bold decision to leave Ipsy, the beauty subscription service she co-founded. This allowed her to dedicate her energies entirely to Em Cosmetics, now operated under her new company, Divinium Labs, LLC. Phan expressed her intent to build a global beauty brand with innovative research and development, emphasizing vertical integration as a key to success. Her departure from Ipsy signified a shift from a highly public persona to focusing on the behind-the-scenes aspects of her business, which aligned more with her values and aspirations in the beauty industry.

Personal Life: Dating and Unknown Relationship Status

Michelle Phan’s personal life has largely been kept private, despite her prominence as a beauty vlogger and entrepreneur. She began a long-distance relationship with Swiss model Dominique Capraro, who gained fame after appearing in one of her YouTube videos titled "My Boyfriend Does My Makeup." Their relationship allowed fans a glimpse into her personal life, although Phan has always been careful about how much she shares online. As she gained more popularity, Phan recognized the need to maintain boundaries and decided to keep her romantic life away from her vlogs and social media.

As of early 2016, Phan mentioned that Capraro was not featured in her videos anymore due to her desire for privacy as she matured. “As I got older, I realized that some aspects of my life I really wanted to keep private,” she explained in an interview. This shift reflects how Phan has adapted to her fame while trying to protect the sanctity of her personal relationships. To date, the current status of her relationship with Capraro remains uncertain, leaving fans to speculate about the couple. Phan's boundary-setting highlights her commitment to her wellbeing amidst the demands of being a public figure.

Net Worth and Earning: $500 million valuation

Michelle Phan's remarkable journey in the beauty industry has culminated in a net worth that has been valued at an impressive $500 million. This valuation primarily stems from her co-founding of Ipsy, a subscription service that delivers personalized beauty products to millions of subscribers each month for just $10. Ipsy has transformed the way consumers interact with beauty brands, offering a unique platform that not only showcases diverse products but also supports emerging beauty influencers and small brands. The $100 million investment Ipsy received further solidified its growth trajectory, allowing Phan's business model to flourish in the highly competitive beauty market.

In addition to Ipsy, Phan's entrepreneurial spirit led her to relaunch her cosmetics line, Em, which failed to make an impact initially due to pricing issues. This venture, however, has since been restructured to cater to her audience's preferences, emphasizing affordable, high-quality products. Phan has also collaborated with major beauty brands like Lancôme and L’Oréal, significantly contributing to her earning potential and reputation as a beauty influencer. Her strategic decisions and resilience in the face of setbacks have positioned her as a formidable force in the beauty industry, further solidifying her legacy as a pioneer and trendsetter.