LESSONS IN LOVE

Nikkie Tutorials (whose real name is Nikkie de Jager) posted her first YouTube beauty tutorial in 2008, at the age of 14. Fourteen years later, she has 13.9 million subscribers, her own makeup line, Nimya, and a fiancé named Dylan she lovingly refers to as her “person until the end of time.” But it hasn’t all been lipstick and falsies. In January of 2020, Nikkie posted a video called “I’m Coming Out,” where she revealed she was trans after being blackmailed by someone who threatened to publicly expose her assigned sex at birth. In April of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic derailed her wedding planning (along with millions of other couples worldwide). That August, Nikkie and Dylan were robbed at gunpoint in their home in the Netherlands. Despite the adversity she has faced, Nikkie’s message—and presence—is overwhelmingly positive and inspiring. She’s looking forward to “living the bridal fantasy” and, like every nearlywed, can’t wait to make it official with the love of her life—in a stunning custom gown and flawless makeup, naturally. Here, she talks how coming out affected her relationship, her wedding plans and her top beauty tips.

SHELLEY BROWN: When did you know that you wanted to marry Dylan?

Dylan is such a great guy and a loving, caring person. I think we were in a relationship for, I don’t know, six months, and everything felt right. I’d never felt that comfortable with a person before. After my previous relationship,