Nykita is a trailblazing beauty creator, model, trans advocate, and cofounder of Strands for Trans, a global nonprofit and online database connecting over 7,500 trans- and queer-safe salons to people around the world. With over 1 million followers on TikTok, Nykita has carved out a lane all her own with her signature long-form beauty edu-tainment, tempering 2016 beauty YouTube nastalgia, with near surgical beauty mastery.

From behind the beauty counter to inside your phone, it was her boldness in showing up as unapologetically herself, hilarious, and human that catapulted her into the bookmarked folders of the masses.  Having correct beauty and product opinions didn’t hurt either.

Nykita is known not just for her beauty prowess, but for her commitment to her community. Centering beauty with a conscience, her work sits at the intersection of community, commerce, and culture—reminding us that makeup isn’t just about how you look, but how you see yourself; and how that changes everything.