Dani Austin

Since its claim to fame in 2005, YouTube has been one of the most used websites on the Internet. College students are constantly on YouTube whether we are watching music videos, viral videos (we all saw the twerking girl catch on fire right?), or how-to videos on anything and everything; YouTube is there when procrastination kicks in. As much as YouTube may be a part of our everyday life, for some people like UT Junior Dani Austin it is their second life!  

Despite already having over 100,000 subscribers Dani Austin began her career as a Beauty Guru on YouTube only last January over Christmas break. Like so many great ideas, Dani decided to create her YouTube channel out of boredom. “I was driving home for break and I remember saying “Lord give me something to do!” as she knew her nights wouldn’t be as eventful at home as at UT. As a result, Dani explains, “my brother Landon encouraged me to start making videos,” she says. “I pretty much had a YouTube mentor,” she admits as her brother Landon also has a popular YouTube channel for his music with over 144,000 subscribers! Dani got her start on YouTube featuring in her brother’s videos. This is when she got her first glimpse of YouTube fame, “randomly because of it I would have 100 friend requests from strangers,” she laughs. 

Creating a YouTube was way out of Dani’s comfort zone for a girl who “hates taking selfies,” she says. But with the encouragement and help of her brother Dani posted a “New Years Outfits OOTD (“Outfits of the Day” for those that aren’t as social media fashion savvy!)” as her first video. Dani kept her videos from her friends for a while, “they kind of just found out by themselves after about a month and a half,” she says, “they kind of noticed something was up when I started getting a thousand likes on my Instagram photos.” Which would make a lot of people question what the heck their friend was up to?

In some ways it seems that YouTube has completely transformed Dani’s life. Suddenly her time became even harder to manage, “YouTube is pretty much a full time job!” she exclaimed. With tens of thousands of viewers YouTubers have the pressure of pleasing their subscribers with consistent and well-edited videos, and if they don’t they are told so in the sometimes harsh comments. “I can easily spend a good six hours on a short five minute look book video,” Dani confessed. What makes all of this added stress worth it are her wonderful viewers and the opportunities YouTube has allowed her to take part in. 

This summer Dani was able to go to LA and intern at Big Frame a Digital Media Company, as well as work with YouTube Space as a part of their Beauty Lab along with other beauty gurus. With the other Beauty Lab gurus she came up with six videos and got to play and use all of the state of the art filming equipment, it ended up being one big YouTube workshop! Basically a Candy Land for the YouTube obsessed, how ideal! But what sets her amazing summer over the edge was getting to work with Seventeen Magazine, which lets face it, is a dream of so many of ours. 

After spending all of this time working on her channel, Dani has decided to change her direction in life. Originally an Exercise Science major, Dani is now applying to the communication school to branch into advertising and PR. If one thing is for sure it’s that Dani has a very exciting future ahead of her since she’s only getting started! She isn’t sure where exactly YouTube is going to take her but she wants her channel to grow and mature with her. “I think after college I’ll end up doing more lifestyle videos,” she says looking to YouTubers like NikkiPhillippi as examples. Ultimately she would like to work with a magazine, but despite the many connections she has made in both LA and NYC she wants to stay in beautiful Texas and I can’t blame her! 

As such a positive young role model to her 71,000 subscribers it’s no wonder Dani Austin is one of UT’s Campus Celebs. She’s an inspiration to any girl that you can achieve whatever you want with a little drive and the courage to get out of your comfort zone. 

Here are a few of Dani’s favorite beauty tips while dealing with our best friend… the Austin heat!

1. Argan Oil- Considering that this heat makes us frizzy haired girls look like Anne Hathaway before the makeover in Princess Diaries Dani recommends using this oil on the tips of your hair to help fight against frizz. 

2. Cold Water- Dani says she always rinses her hair with cold water after she found out that it helps seal your hair cuticles and fight against damage done by the heat. 

3. Shimmer- Dani doesn’t like to go to class with a lot of makeup on considering she ends up sweating it off like most of us on our 20 minute hike to class, so instead she uses a little bit of shimmer on her cheek bones to make her look more awake.

4. Vitamins- Dani stresses the importance of taking your vitamins to keep your body in the best condition, the heat can really wear you out so you want your body to be as charged as possible. 

5. Protein- Dani notes that many people don’t realize how important it is to stay fueled with protein during the days when you walking around in the heat, it makes a big difference!

Dani’s Favorite YouTubers: Check these gorgeous ladies out next time you are looking for a makeup tutorial or fashion inspiration!

1. NikkiPhillippi

2. MissGlamorazzi

3. Zoella

4. SparklieBarbieXO

5. Evelina