Claudia Sulewski on CYKLAR, YouTube Beginnings, Skincare Secrets & Acting

Early YouTube Days & Content Evolution

• 💡 Claudia Sulewski began her YouTube journey at 13 years old, initially focusing on beauty and fashion content.
• 🚀 Over 12 years, her content evolved from makeup tutorials to vlogs, including home renovation content with her partner, Finneas O'Connell.
• 🎬 She transitioned to a monthly vlog format to maintain intimacy while setting boundaries, treating each video as a unique storyline.

Teen Vogue & Early Career

• ✨ At 18, Claudia became a YouTube host for Teen Vogue, representing the brand on red carpets and behind-the-scenes shoots.
• 🧠 This experience taught her to trust herself and perform under pressure in new content categories.
• 🌟 Notable interviews included Zendaya and behind-the-scenes work with Victoria Justice.

Launching and Rebranding CYKLAR

• 🎯 Claudia launched her self-care brand, CYKLAR, in late 2023 with a body cream, focusing on performance and multi-sensory experience.
• 💖 The brand name and concept stem from Claudia's personal journey with self-care and overcoming codependency by prioritizing her own well-being.
• 🔄 After a year, CYKLAR underwent a significant brand refresh with a new partner, pivoting based on feedback and business learnings, including adjusting pricing and strategy.
• 💧 The body wash features a multi-oil complex and glycerin for a silky, moisturizing feel post-rinse, a key differentiator in a crowded market.

Skincare, Makeup, and Wellness Routines

• 🧴 Claudia's skincare routine emphasizes hydration and barrier support, using products like Beauty of Joseon's rice water toner and Rhode's Glazing Milk.
• ☀️ She uses a gentle retinol from IOPE and prioritizes sunscreen, noting the challenge of sourcing non-FDA-approved UV filters.
• 💄 Her current makeup routine focuses on skin emphasis, using cream bronzer and blush as coverage, with minimal concealer applied only where needed.
• 🧖‍♀️ In wellness, she engages in cold plunging and sauna sessions, often inspired by her partner, and enjoys hikes and matcha.

Acting Aspirations and Hair Expertise

• 🎭 Claudia is actively pursuing her acting passion, currently in the midst of shooting a new project, emphasizing the need for grace and perseverance in the industry.
• 🎬 She is also exploring directing, inspired by her YouTube roots.
• 💇‍♀️ For hair color, she trusts Matt Rez, known for his expertise in highlights and dimensional color, whom she began seeing when transitioning to blonde.