Shanygne's Truth

Tell me about yourself.

Shanygne: My name is Shanygne Maurice and I’m a 24-year-old blogger and YouTuber. In 2014, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was working a crazy job and I had no one to talk to; I couldn’t talk to my family because they were dealing, and my friends didn’t get it. I was depressed, so I started a blog giving my beauty opinion on new launches. It took off, and people asked me to transition to YouTube. My [first] video received over 30,000 views in one month, so I kept going.

I’m a very big sports fan. I got my degree in PR, started at the Yankees CUNY Athletics, working with Madison Square Garden. I was working in sports, but during my first year on YouTube, [I gained] 20,000 subscribers, so I passed on sports and went full time with Youtube.

How did you grow so fast?

Shanygne: I kinda forgot about the blog. I started YouTube on a whim, and I got really into it. I do hope to get back to the blog. The sudden success is due to the lack of women who look like me. I am a very dark skinned woman, and people forget how dark I am . . . people forget that there are darker women. People want to see someone who can review 520 Lancôme and 450 in Fenty. My subscribers want to see someone who looks like them. I am also outspoken—that drew people in. I’m in an industry where I am usually left out. People love a dark-skinned woman who is unapologetically outspoken. I speak up for a lot of underserved groups when brands make it seem like makeup is not for everyone.

What are your beauty struggles?

Shanygne: I just turned 24, so skincare has become more of a focus. I used to struggle with hyperpigmentation around my jaw, and I am dealing with textured skin on my cheeks. I used to have acne-prone skin. I recommend everyone use a vitamin C serum and hyaluronic acid. I have a sensitive skin so I keep a strict skin care routine that includes a cleanser, toner, rosehip oil, and a night cream. In the morning, I use a cleanser, moisturizer, and primer if I am wearing makeup, but if not just moisturizer. I have combo-oily, sensitive skin. It’s really hard for me to find a serum that helps with my skin issues. Most serums are for acne or fine lines and wrinkles. When I go to Sephora and tell them my skin problems, the products they recommend don’t work for me. Most of my subscriber's comment always complaining about hyperpigmentation.

What have you encountered that others do not?

Shanygne: I did a video reading my mean comments. I was called the n-word; I had comments about my hair being fake. That’s the main focus of the negativity I get. I get it from non-black people, but also from black people as well. I get comments about trying to lighten my skin tone. Being a black woman on YouTube is hard, but there are so many positives. People say things like, “It’s great to have someone listen and speak up for us. I can find shades because of you. I go off your recommendations.” There are two sides of the story. If I could use my platform for anything, I would say that these comments do nothing to me. I am in a place of self-love and getting to the point of loving yourself. There are so many people out there who aren’t in that space. I want to help people get to self-love as well.  People think once you hit a certain amount of followers you are no longer human.

What’s a piece of advice you have received?

Shanygne: The best piece of advice came from a realtor actually [laughs]. He said he deals with people who always want more or what they can’t have. People focus on what they want, rather than what they have. People who aren’t happy with themselves– they front for other people. People spend so much time wanting what others have and don’t take time to better themselves. I have been guilty of that in the past, but when I started focusing on myself, I started progressing.

What’s your self-care routine?

Shanygne: Recently, part of my routine is taking a step back and disconnecting from the world. When you are a blogger or YouTuber, you are always working. You can’t check out. You are always a target. Sometimes, I go a whole day without electronics. Social media gets to you. I posted a video a couple months ago telling my followers that I wasn’t in the right mental space. I get stressed out and let things pile on. Now, I try to express my emotions as they come in. Disconnecting has been really great for me. I have also started working out. I read a devotional every morning before I do anything that day. Hopefully what I learn in the devotional helps me go through the day.

What’s your favorite song right now?

Shanygne: I don’t really listen to music from the last decade. I am stuck in the 90’s. I listen to music from 1997 to 2005 RnB and rap. Nelly, Ciara, Keri Hilson . . . that’s what you can find me listening to. I’m not here for mumble rap or satanic rap. My life theme song is Juvenile’s “Back That Ass Up.” [laughs] I am so stuck in the 90’s.

Keep up with Shanygne on her journey:

Instagram: @yagirltoomuch
YouTube: @shanygnemaurice
Twitter: @yagirltoomuch