The internet is awash in beauty how-to’s. But for his instructional YouTube videos, Wayne Goss’ has perfected a combination of innovative expertise and masterful technique, all in a friendly shoot-from-the-hip style that stands apart and has inspired a massive following. At Beautylish, we’ve been obsessing over his tutorials and are delighted to find that the man behind the videos is even lovelier than you’d expect. Goss was kind enough to take time from his busy schedule to answer a few of our burning questions.

B: How did you get into makeup artistry?

[My skin] started to break out when I was around 20. Because I was working I could afford to buy more "high end” products, so off I popped to Clinique, thinking it would be the end of my worries. From Clinique I went to various other high end products, to facials etc… None of them worked. They only irritated my skin further. I was left with red, sore spots under the skin that covered my entire cheek area. What worked in the end was benzoyl peroxide. That cleared my skin and cost me £5! Shocking! Having bad skin was what threw me into makeup—I was obsessed with clear, glowing healthy skin.

B: Your skin looks beautiful now—how did you defeat your blemish issue?

Benzoyl Peroxide, and lots of it. I covered my skin in it—this beat the acne problem. I then reduced the amount I needed over time and moved into a more simple skin care routine. I now use a face wash, Paula’s Choice exfoliator, and Retin-A cream. That’s my routine! Oh, and sunscreen!

B: How was your new career received among friends and family?

They were all supportive. But because I'm a very quiet, private person, I wasn't screaming and shouting it—it wasn't until years later that most of them were like "Oh, you're a makeup artist?" LOL.

B: What's been your biggest challenge in your career thus far?

Finding work! As I mentioned, I was very quiet and didn't promote myself. It was all word-of-mouth. Because I didn't want to go into the "commercial" side of things, it was hard. I set up a business of doing one-on-one makeup for women over 40. Then I moved into bridal.

B: What are some of your favorite shoots, collaborations, or projects?

Working with brides can be challenging. It’s always so sad -- they’re often so stressed on their big day that they miss the joy of what is happening. Brides can be very challenging! Bless ‘em!

B: What kind of feedback are you seeing from the professional beauty community on your videos?

It’s mostly positive. Sure you get haters, but everyone does, and it no longer bothers me. People are inherently good, but sometimes the bad comes out in them!

B: What are your favorite trends for 2013?

Ah, trends! Gotta love ‘em. Designed to make us spend our money! I don't follow trends. I like clean skin, glowing skin. The rest is just nonsense to me.

B: What does your everyday makeup look like?

My everyday makeup is nonexistent! Most people think I plaster it on (because of the tutorials I do on YouTube!). I don't! On a very good day I'll wear Bare Minerals matte foundation. That's it!

B: This question comes from a fantastic Beautylish thread: If you could only use one makeup brand for the rest of your life, what would it be?

That's such a hard question to answer ‘cause so many brands produce amazing products. Recently I reviewed Hourglass Cosmetics and was a bit hasty in my review. I should have waited a good two months before reviewing. At the moment I'm loving them, as they don't contain fragrance, irritants and all the nasties that other brands do. Make Up For Ever is wonderful but DAMN that stuff irritates my nose! Fragrance gives me a headache and it’s the number one cause of skin irritation. So, Hourglass Cosmetics are very appealing to me.

B: What do you like about the YouTube medium?

I think because it’s how we are able to reach a big audience. I was learning makeup through lots of reading and trial and error, and I would have loved an open source like YouTube to explain things. It’s such a wonderful place to share what you love, and of course my subscribers are amazing.

B: In one of your latest videos, you announced that you're getting an eye lift. How did YouTube impact this decision? Was it difficult to decide whether to announce it, or did you feel more empowered to undergo this procedure knowing that you have fans who will be interested in the outcome?

No. I always think it’s best to be honest. Seeing yourself daily in videos—you can become very critical of yourself. I notice things perhaps others wouldn't. I don't have enough loose skin to get a true eye lift and the idea of cutting away skin scares me. I would have used radio frequency which tightens the skin—therefore pulling it tighter. But after a second consultation, I decided against it as it would cost the same amount as getting a laser treatment. So, I'll be getting laser and then film it so everyone can see the way it works and the effects. It's much better to be honest, as people always ask what skin care I use and if you've had something else done that has enhanced your skin it's best to admit it. I've had Botox. I've had IPL for broken veins and I'll be having laser soon.

Interesting note: I'm 34. I don't have any wrinkles but I don't look younger than my years. Aging isn't just about wrinkles, damn it!

B: Do you have any beauty rules?

Hmmmm. I'm not a fan of blusher on the apples of the cheeks (i.e. - smile then apply blush) unless you are very young or have no surface wrinkles. When you stop smiling, the apples of the cheeks lower and the blush ends up nearer the mouth. This is a technique in TV and film to age someone! Yet it’s what we’re always told!

B: A lot of your videos seem to be fixing improper application or offering new ways to do things. You've definitely made me rethink my makeup process! One of the tips that sticks out for me is your advice to use a powder puff for powder, rather than any sort of brush.

I'm old! LOL, 34! So back in the day the puff method was all I knew. The reason it works so well is that it doesn't move the foundation. A brush can move foundation, exposing the skin we've just tried to cover! A puff locks it in place. In the past I've been very overzealous with powder. Matte, matte skin. I'm moving towards precision powdering now, and letting the skin stay "moist" (hate that word!). I'm loving that look at the moment. I think my followers won't even believe it’s me saying that!

B: What does your career ideally look like in 5-10 years? Will you still be in the UK?

I'd love to move to the States. Not because I want fame, but because I want a warmer climate. The UK is cold! I don't have a 10 year plan, I tend to write goals in the now that are within my reach. I'd still like to be making videos, maybe open a studio, and I'd love a very small range of products.

B: What advice do you have for aspiring makeup artists and YouTube vloggers?

Never give up. I worked two jobs while building my makeup career. It wasn't easy, but I never thought of giving up. You love what you love, and I'd never have dreamed I could have such a wonderful career and enjoy what I'm doing. It isn't work when you love it! Work hard. Write your goals down. And be nice. Nice will get you hired time and time again. If someone else is more talented but has an attitude, you'll get booked for being nice and easy to work with. Funny helps too!

As far as YouTube: develop a thick skin. People hate. You gotta deal with it and move on. It takes time to accept that part, but if you enjoy making videos, don't let someone's thoughts distract from the thousands of wonderful comments other people make. People still get to me from time to time, but I just let it pass. I'm very lucky, I have the best subscribers in the world.

Best bit of advice I ever heard regarding haters: Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty but the pig likes it!