Create & Cultivate 100: Beauty: Megan Lytle
THE GLOW UP.
U Love Megz.
For vlogger Megan Lytle, aka ULoveMegz, embracing herself—and her natural hair—has been a lifelong journey. With her (new milestone!) of over 50 million YouTube viewers, Lytle’s mission of harnessing beauty as a means of “self-expression and mental wellness” is far from small. Beloved for her contagious positivity, inspirational tutorials, and real talk, Megz recently surprised followers with the announcement that she was retiring relaxers and celebrating her natural hair. After posting the “big chop” to her channel, Megz told her audience she felt relieved and liberated. “There are a lot of things that happen behind the scenes when it comes to the beauty world and even more when it comes to being an African American influencer,” she says.
Get the full “Megz experience” below.
Name: Megan Lytle
Instagram Handle: @ulovemegz
You've captured the hearts and attention of 40 million women. What do you think it is that draws women to you?
I've actually made a new milestone of catching the love of over 50 million lovies on Youtube alone. Sometimes I wonder to myself why are people watching or what makes someone want to watch me? It's truly a blessing because I never thought that I would be where I am today back when I started late 2009. If I could think of what it might be, I think its because I'm completely myself and I love talking and being a girly girl with all of my homegirl friends online. I don't act like I'm above and beyond anyone because I am just like them because we can relate to one another. I'm their best friend, sister, their auntie, daughter, cousin, etc.
I imagine it's a great feeling. To be able to positively impact the way someone feels about themselves. To help other women feel beautiful...
It's an amazing feeling, and I always get emotional when I think about it. I never intended to have any of what I've gained over the years! I started my channel when I was lost about what I wanted to do with my life and trying to figure things out and to know that I'm helping women all over the world truly warms my heart. While I'm sharing videos about how I'm trying to be my best self, it was rubbing off on those who watch to be their best selves.
What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty means choosing happiness. Being happy with the person you are right now and most of all having a positive attitude! Say if you aren't feeling the best, bettering yourself in some way is beauty to me because we all have to work on that from the inside out.
Do you remember a moment when you first felt beautiful?
I think the first time I TRULY felt beautiful was this year. I always knew I was beautiful but knowing your beautiful and feeling beautiful are two different things. This year I've found my way to happiness within myself and to know that I am the bomb just the way I am. I started doing things that make me feel good about me!
Where do your drive and passion come from?
My drive and passion come from all the love and support from my online beauty homies. Being able to connect and help people all over the world when it comes to beauty drives me to continue and grow and build. They've really encouraged and motivated me during some tough times that they aren't even aware of! The support of my family plays a major role also.
What are your biggest fears about running your brand?
I have no fears. Fear holds you back, and I plan to go all the way to concur my goals for a better me and a better brand. If I fail at something I just dust myself off and try again.
What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t?
It's not all just lipgloss, edge control, and the perfect selfie. It's hard work to continue to stay afloat and on trend with whats going on. There are a lot of things that happen behind the scenes that people would be surprised about when it comes to the beauty world and even more when it comes to being an African American influencer.
IYO-- How can we stay original when we are so saturated with other people's work?
Being yourself makes your content original. When you bring yourself to your content even though it might be the same genre, it already becomes different from someone else's because people watch for mainly YOU. They tune in to get the "Megz" experience.
What about your career makes you feel the most complete?
I feel the most complete when I see that I've helped someone or when I'm told that I gave someone joy by putting them in a happy mood with laughter. That's the biggest reward for me!
If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?
I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!
"Give someone a hug and sing 'oooooh cchhhillllld, things are gonna get easierrrrrr!'"
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At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?
I would say a lot of the confidence that I have gained came from taking a step back and taking time out for myself in my personal life. I'm still learning and growing so much so I would say once you are comfortable and happy with yourself it will spill over into your career.
What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?
I get daily advice from my Dad, and I would say one of the best pieces of advice or what we live by is to never make excuses but to make things happen.
When you hit a big bump in the road, how do you find a new road or a detour?
Honestly, I just figure it out. I feel like with everything that I've ever been through I just stayed positive and figured things out. Things don't always go our way or are always full of sunshine, but those bumps get smooth eventually! Pimples pop, the scare fades away with a little tender love and skincare. That's how I look at it.
What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?
The Five Stairsteps - Ooh Child I scream sing this song all the time and it puts me an inspirational good mood. I sing that really loud when people try to annoy me or when someone else is frustrated or trying to be negative. Give someone a hug and sing "oooooh cchhhillllld, things are gonna get easierrrrrr!" It works!
Photo Credit: @davisfactor
Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai