University of Bolton YouTuber impresses millions with makeup looks

Natasha Jane Wood, 28, posts special effects makeup looks and beauty hacks to her social media platforms.

She also posts artistic looks that reflect her struggles with mental health and autism.

The Darweb-born woman, who launched her social media career in 2020, has three million followers on TikTok and 2.9m subscribers on YouTube.

She said: “It is a bit of a shock to see how many followers I have accumulated over the years. When I first started I never thought I would be where I am today.

“My YouTube subscribers have taken off completely and it has grown so quickly – this has been a little bit scary but it is also very rewarding”.

Darwen TikTok star and makeup artist Natasha Jane Wood (Image: Natasha Jane Wood)

Natasha learned some of her skills while studying special effects makeup for film and television, at the University of Bolton.

She studied there for a year and learned some essential skills.

She said: “I needed a creative outlet in the pandemic.

"I have always liked makeup and at the time I was studying special effects makeup at university.

“I needed somewhere to [practice] the things I was learning.

“I can work in my studio and create a living just with these videos. It’s crazy to think that I can make a great wage just from these creative videos."

Natasha, who used to work as a hairdresser and a Warren James employee, said the first videos to ‘go viral’ were her ‘Disney characters gone wrong’ series, which shows the dark side of the franchise where princesses do not live happily ever after.

@natashajanewood Twisted Disney comeback! 💜 Part 1! #disney #makeup #fyp ♬ Mad Hatter - Tik Tok,Melanie Martinez

Natasha said some looks can take hours to complete. One look where she transformed herself into Marvel antihero, Venom, took around 14 hours.

@natashajanewood VENOM SFX 🖤 i think ive improved! Video IB @Hollie Brooks #venom #fyp ♬ Venom - Music From The Motion Picture - Eminem

Her most viewed video on YouTube, which has amassed 99m views on the platform to date, is her transformation into Jim Carrey character The Mask.

@natashajanewood I look like a pea…The Mask 👀 #themask #fyp #sfxmakeup ♬ original sound - amy 🦇

She said: “I have had to answer the door in some horrendous looks. I don’t think the [postal workers] are phased by it anymore.”

Natasha also focuses on some more serious artistic looks that reflect her struggle with mental health.

They also reflect how she has come to terms with autism, which she was only diagnosed with last year.

@natashajanewood Makeup inspired by BPD 🫶🏻 #fyp ♬ she knows - favsoundds

She said: “I do a lot of looks surrounding mental health as I am autistic and have had a lot of struggle in my life.

“I do a lot of looks surrounding anxiety. The looks explain how I am feeling through art.

“These looks are my favourites as I get so many messages from people saying this is how they feel and thanking me for speaking. .

“A lot of people online put out a ‘perfect’ image and it’s easy to compare yourself.

“Its nice to bring people back to reality and explain that it is okay to feel like that".

Natasha’s social media career has given her amazing opportunities, including the chance to work with the team behind horror franchise Scream ahead of its latest movie release.

While Natasha loves her dream job she say there are some downsides to being in the public eye.

She said: “Kids who know who I am post letters through my front door. It is a strange thing to get used to but it’s very rewarding.

“Kids who know who I am post letters through my front door. It is a strange thing to get used to but it’s very rewarding.

“However, there are downsides to every career. This is amazing and I am grateful for it but there is a lot of pressure on me.

“The pressure can eat away at you and it’s easy to compare yourself to other people online. You burn yourself out and talk down to yourself, thinking every look has to be perfect.

“I find it hard to leave the house without makeup on as I feel like I have to look exactly like my videos.

“I am grateful that I get invited to social events but being autistic I really struggle with them."

Natasha wants to launch her own makeup brand one day and encourages everyone to pursue their dreams.

The former St Cuthberts Primary School pupil said: “One day I would like to have my own makeup brand that I can launch for myself.

"I just need to keep going with it and see what opportunities come with it.

“I am proud to put Darwen on the map and make a name for myself [as a Darrener]. No one seems to recognise our accent and many think I am Irish!

“Most of the big creators are from big cities like Manchester or London and here I am, from little Darwen.

“It doesn’t matter where you come from. You can do anything if you set your mind to it”.