Tiktok
From São Paulo to Your FYP: How One Creator Made Makeup Feel Like Home Cooking
If you've ever scrolled through TikTok and stumbled upon a video where someone transforms from bare-faced to runway-ready in under 60 seconds, you've probably encountered the magic of @maria0g8. This Brazilian creator, whose real name is Mari Maria, has built a devoted following by making high-artistry makeup feel accessible and fun. Unlike the perfectly curated feeds of some beauty influencers, Mari's videos often start with her laughing at her own mistakes or casually sipping coffee while blending eyeshadow. There's something refreshing about how she treats makeup not as a rigid formula but as playful self-expression—like that viral clip where she turned leftover pancake batter into a glittery face mask just to prove a point about creativity over perfection.
Mari's content stands out because she genuinely seems to enjoy the process, not just the end result. One of her most popular series features "makeup challenges" where she creates cohesive looks using only drugstore products under $15—proving you don't need a luxury budget to experiment. She'll often narrate her thinking in both Portuguese and English, switching mid-sentence when she can't find the right word, which makes her feel more like a friend than a distant influencer. I remember watching her recreate a haute couture runway look using sticky notes and liquid liner, then casually showing how to tone it down for a casual office setting. That duality—high fashion meets real life—is her secret sauce.
Beyond the brushes and palettes, what makes Mari's channel special is how she's built community. She'll respond to comments asking for advice on covering acne scars with personal tips she learned during her own skincare journey, or share short videos of her morning routine when followers ask how she manages stress. Her fanbase spans continents, with Brazilian teens and American moms bonding over her content in the comments. Last winter, she even organized a digital "makeup swap" where followers sent unused products to be redistributed to those in need—something she didn't heavily promote but quietly documented with genuine emotion.
Unlike many beauty creators who chase trends, Mari has stayed true to her roots while evolving. She launched her own makeup line, Mari Maria Makeup, not with a flashy influencer campaign but through honest testing videos showing how products performed in humid São Paulo weather. When she trialed a mascara that smudged during a downpour, she didn't hide it—she made a blooper reel that got more shares than her polished tutorials. That authenticity is why people trust her; she's not selling an unattainable ideal but showing makeup as a tool for joy, not perfection.
Her journey from local Brazilian creator to international name has been anything but overnight. Mari often shares snippets from her early days—grainy videos filmed in her tiny apartment bathroom—highlighting how much has changed since she first started experimenting with filters. What hasn't changed is her core message: beauty isn't about hiding who you are but celebrating it. Whether she's teaching eyeliner techniques or discussing mental health breaks from social media, there's a warmth in her approach that makes you feel seen, not sold to.
