Meet Kathleen Lights: Cuban Girlpower

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

With more than 2 million followers on Instagram and more than 4 million subscribers on YouTube, Cuban-born video blogger and beauty influencer Kathleen Fuentes (@kathleenlights) triumphs with her nail polish and clothing lines inspired by her Cuban roots, and the superwomen in your life. Don't miss its story.

How and when did your adventure as a beauty influencer start?

I loved watching YouTube tutorials and I've always liked makeup. My husband encouraged me to launch my own [Youtube] channel in January 2013 and now I have more than 4 million followers. I have made it my own brand with international collaborations with brands like ColourPop, Ofra, Briogeo and Morphe.

Where do you think this entrepreneurial streak comes from?

From my mother and my grandmother. My mother has always been interested in fashion and beauty, her makeup bag was always full of MAC stuff! I think my sister and I get our love out of her beauty.

How did you decide to create your own line of nail polishes, Lights Lacquer?

Ever since I was a child I have been completely obsessed with painting my nails. I've always liked expressing myself through enamels, so it made sense. I always had a box under my bed with enamels, with lots of colors. When I was younger, my sister Yvette and I joked about how our dream job would be to name nail polishes. One day, sitting in the kitchen my mother complained about [the quality] of the enamels and my mother said "why don't you create your own nail polish? This is how the adventure began.

And what differentiates your enamels from the rest?

What makes my nail polishes unique is that they are vegan and never tested on animals, something that was incredibly important to me when I started this brand, not only that they were beautiful but also free of certain toxins. I personally select each shade, drawing inspiration from my makeup knowledge, color theories, the world around me, and the Pantone color trends of the season. Also, each color is packed with love. From the warehouse to your door my family is involved in the whole process. The names of each enamel have an inspirational story behind it, such as my favorite TV shows, funny expressions, names of people I love, or suggestions from my fans.

What or who were you inspired by for your GRL PWR collection?

This collection is inspired by strong and powerful women and each color has a story. I also wanted to make sure that my Cuban roots were present and that's why one of my favorite colors is called "Jefa", a creamy sage green inspired by the strong women in my life. I hope that those who wear it feel empowered and inspired.

Do you think the phenomenon of influencers is here to stay?

Absolutely. Yes, the economy of beauty influencers is evolving, it has changed a lot in the last decade! There's a lot of demand for content creation because it's so much easier and more cost effective to get an influencer to create content that it would take companies a lot more time and effort. […] People want to buy products in which others believe and recommend.

What's next for Kathleen Lights?

In addition to launching the new shades, this year I am very focused on something new, I want to expand the brand and create nail accessories like stickers and false nails. I'm also going to relaunch Lights Label, my clothing brand with new clothes and a completely different image.