Name: Thania Gonzalez
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Age: 24
A self-described “small-town girl” from rural Texas, Thania Gonzalez (the vlogger behind Thania's Beauty) discovered makeup at an early age. Growing up in an abusive home, makeup was an escape that helped her cope with a stressful environment. She converted the desk in her childhood bedroom into a makeshift vanity table stocked with piles of colorful palettes, lipsticks, and nail polishes. “It was the happiest place on earth,” she recalls. “And no one could tear me away from those 30 minutes of makeup application every single day.”
It was also a shared love of beauty that further strengthened the close bond between Gonzalez and her mother — a makeup enthusiast who was a hairdresser by profession. “My mom was my best friend growing up,” says Gonzalez. “So it only made sense that we did fun, girly things together.” And it's her mother who she credits for helping her cultivate her talent and for giving her the courage to share her gift with others.
“[During my upbringing], I experienced many events where I wish I could have empowered my mother and myself to not be so helpless in the situation,” she says. “This inspired me to begin my YouTube career in order to reach out, inspire women, and teach them that their goals are within reach if they put forth the effort — no matter what situation they're in.”
Now at age 24, Gonzalez’s career is taking off (and quickly). It’s also taken her out of small-town Texas to Dallas, which is the city she now calls home. Four years after launching her YouTube channel, she has produced 300 videos that have garnered over 12 million views. When asked what her signature look is, Gonzalez says, “I love neutral-toned looks with big eyelashes and nude lips.” And there’s certainly plenty of that on her beauty vlog, along with a lot of pink, lace, and frills.
Meet the other recruits:
Rebekah Aladdin, celebrity makeup artist
Kenneth Senegal, YouTube vlogger, HeFlawless
