Meet Jaclyn Forbes—a Canadian beauty & lifestyle content creator, and online personality. In just under 5 years, this makeup artist turned YouTube star has garnered over 35 million views! Jaclyn’s content (like SFX Robot Halloween looks, Vegan: What I Eat In A Day, and vlogs) is fun, quirky, and down to earth. It’s no surprise her audience has grown to over 400,000 followers around the world.
Whether she’s hosting the MTV Fashion Feed on the MMVA Red Carpet, or working on her new, ethically made line of tie-dye sweatsuits, this Toronto-based influencer continues to remain authentic and bring us all along on her journey too.
Are you a morning person or an evening person?
I am definitely a morning person! That being said, I do enjoy more of a slow paced morning. I’d rather wake up earlier, and be able to take the first hour or two of the day for myself. I’ll make a nice breakfast, maybe do a workout, and play a podcast while I get ready. The tone of my morning really impacts the rest of my day, so I like to dedicate the extra time to myself!
What are the first 3 things you do in the morning (your morning routine)?
Ugh. I hate that I’m going to say this, but... I check my phone! Usually while in bed, still half asleep, sipping on my water bottle. Then I write in a gratitude journal (it only takes 5 minutes!), and then I head into the kitchen. I’m a huge breakfast enthusiast, so I genuinely enjoy making breakfast each day.
What gives you confidence?
It’s no secret that I am teeth obsessed, so I’m always flossing on-the-go or brushing my teeth. My smile definitely makes me feel confident. I think it goes hand in hand with the feeling that normally comes with it. When I’m smiling, or when I’m truly laughing- you know that kind when you’re belly laughing so hard you can’t catch your breath?- that’s when I feel like the most pure version of myself.
On another note, and please bear with me as this might sound so oddly specific, but the confidence I have wearing a high pony is like non-other. I just love the way it makes me feel! If I’m ever having a down moment, I take the time to give myself a *snatched* high pony, and I swear it makes me feel 10x better!
If you’re comfortable, can you share an insecurity you’ve struggled with in the past and how you grew the confidence to overcome it?
100% the biggest insecurity I’ve struggled with is my skin. I dealt with acne growing up, and it was especially hard as I was posting videos online and felt like it was under a microscope. I had so many damaging thoughts running through my head, and it truly took a hit at my self confidence. I didn’t want anyone to see me and it started to affect my personality.
Eventually, through many dermatologist appointments, and finally deciding to go on medication for it, I started to physically manage my acne. Dealing with the emotional aspect of this experience was a whole other beast. Even years after the acne was gone, I still dealt with this negative voice in my head about my skin. Working on daily practices of gratitude and self love has helped me mentally overcome those insecurities.
What has your relationship with your smile been (have you always loved it? Was there ever a time you hated it *cough* braces *cough*, has it changed as you’ve gotten older?)
Oh, there’s nothing like going through puberty coupled with braces!! Luckily, I think I’ve done a decent job at erasing any photo evidence that those years even existed.
To be honest, I didn’t think too much about my smile growing up and as a child and I loved going to the dentist. Eventually, when I was presented with the option of getting braces, I was genuinely so excited about it. It felt like I was getting a whole new fashion accessory—it seemed so fun! Spoiler: I was wrong. After about one whole week, I decided that I hated braces. Luckily, I didn’t have them on for too long and loved the final results!
Were you using a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush before Brüush?
I WAS USING A MANUAL TOOTHBRUSH MY ENTIRE LIFE!!! Saying that now seems so wild. I don’t know how I didn’t get converted to an electric toothbrush earlier!
It’s one of those things where now, I’ll never be able to go back after switching over! Such a game changer.
What do you love about your Brüush electric toothbrush?
Where do I begin?! First off, my teeth feel so clean. Like… shiny, squeaky clean. It makes me wonder how dirty my teeth were before…
I also love the aesthetic of the toothbrush. Between the fun colours and the overall design, it looks so gorgeous on my countertop. Plus, the charge holds so well! I’m normally always travelling and on-the-go, so the long lasting charge makes it one less thing I have to worry about!
What does self care look like to you?
Self care for me is being in tune with myself and checking in. Every day might be different, but I’d like to think I’m pretty intuitive with what my body needs, both mentally and physically.
There will be days where I know that a long walk outside will make my body feel better, or times when I know I just need to call up an old friend and ramble on. I’ve never been the type of person to feel guilty about dedicating time for myself or my needs, because I know if I don't, I won’t be able to show up and put my best self forward.
Go-to self care staples?
- A good book (I just read Trevor Noah’s ‘Born A Crime’ and I couldn’t put it down!)
- A relaxing bubble bath (I’m always stocked up with LUSH bubble bars!)
- FaceTime!!! I can’t tell you how many times I was overthinking and simply burnt out, and how easily a FaceTime to a friend fixes it.
- Peppermint essential oil! I’ve been obsessed with diffusing it in my house lately.
- My grandma’s chocolate chip cookies! Major comfort food and hits the spot every time (recipe linked here, cause, I gotchu).
What’s something that’s been giving you a reason to smile lately?
My mom! She is truly my best friend and I feel so blessed to have such an incredible relationship with her. Since lockdown, we’ve been able to spend way more time together and it truly makes my heart so full, and my smile extra big!!
Check out Jaclyn's newest video:
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