From TikTok To Times Square: Viral Influencer Daus Mendoza Is Redefining Beauty

From TikTok breakout to Times Square billboard alongside Selena Gomez, Daus Mendoza is proving beauty isn’t just evolving, it’s expanding. 

With powerhouse partnerships like Rare Beauty, Kylie Cosmetics, Cover Girl, and Sephora, a million-dollar product launch, the influencer proudly owning his title is turning followers into a movement and making beauty for everyone. 

Mendoza, who rose to popularity on TikTok and has gone on to partner with some top beauty brands has also released his own DTC waist trainer that earned him more than $1 million in sales in less than a month. 

One of his most visible partnerships was with Rare Beauty where he was featured alongside Selena Gomez on a billboard in Times Square for the launch of the brand’s Soft Pinch Liquid Contour. And let’s not forget about partnering with ONE/SIZE Beauty, founded by Patrick Starrr, to be part of a campaign with the message that “beauty is for everyone.” 

When asked about being “the face of a new generation of beauty,” Mendoza said, “I’m just glad to be able to be Latino and gay and be part of the new generation’s faces of beauty,” he told The Blast exclusively. “We need to see more diversity. I’m tired of seeing the same faces.” 

Mendoza was inspired to start posting beauty content on TikTok by the social media community and said, “how beautiful it was to build a community of supporters.” 

He added that he loves his supporters and never really paid attention to just how big his platform has gotten. Through it all, it’s important for him to maintain his authenticity, especially when working with major brands. 

“It’s not that hard to maintain authenticity, you just have to be honest and be yourself,” he said. “The hard part is getting past hateful people that think your authenticity is different.” 

One thing he keeps in mind as an influencer is that he needs to “actually influence.” He said being an influencer means being someone that people want to be like or set trends that others will want to follow.

“Or overall, just wear things people then wear after you,” he continued. “It’s an influence you have on people that’s what an influencer is.” 

When asked his thoughts on how the beauty industry has evolved in terms of inclusivity and representation, Mendoza said he feels it’s “done a poor job at evolving.” 

“I think it’s done the opposite. Brands used to be very gay friendly and now it feels like we’re moving back in time,” he shared. “Very few brands are as inclusive when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community nowadays.” 

He further said he would love to see more “Latin and gay people” in the beauty space, and “more boys.” 

“Because boys are in the beauty space too, no matter how much brands leave us out,” he added. “We’re here too.” 

He hopes the message of visibility is spoken louder and more often.

"Visibility means everything to LGBTQ+ people today. I need people to speak up more," he said. "It feels like being an ally was a trend that people don't care about anymore, and it feels like we're falling back to old habits from before 2020 which is not okay. Speak up and be loud and proud."

While chatting about his many amazing brand partnerships, Mendoza told The Blast that being the only male creator featured in the Rare Beauty campaign alongside Selena Gomez was a moment that “meant everything to me.” 

“Being the only boy there was not only a strong message, but a message behind a message in my opinion. I was the only boy. Which is the issue. There could have been more,” he said. “It feels like there’s so many other boys in the beauty space that also deserve opportunities like this but aren’t getting them, which is so frustrating. I know how it feels and I know how hard this space is.” 

He added that while this experience was “amazing and beautiful” for him, and that he was “truly so lucky to be the only boy there,” he wishes that there was more boy representation.

Seeing himself on a billboard in NYC’s Times Square was also another amazing moment for him. 

“This was a dream. It didn’t feel real, and to this day I look back and it just doesn’t feel real,” he shared. “I’m so beyond grateful to have achieved this so early in my career.” 

When choosing to partner with a brand, Mendoza makes sure loyalty is front and center. He said that he’s loyal to the brands he works with and he wants that in return. 

“Work with me because you love me and my content and my work,” he said. “Not because I’m just someone that can bring you sales.” 

What’s next for the influencer who’s already achieved so much? He said “big things” are coming!

“I’m working on my own shapewear brand, where shapewear meets fashion,” he said. “I’m very excited for this. I want the brand to be inclusive to everyone from sizes 4XS to 6XL and colors black to pink. I want to have it all. This brand will be confident, inclusive, and snatching.”

He’s also hoping to do a fan meet-and-greet in the near future because he hasn’t done one yet and he loves to meet and speak with his fans in person.  

Mendoza's message to young creators who are watching his journey is about not giving up.

"I hope they don't give up. And don't let people get in the way of being honest and true to yourself," he shared. "And to remember, being honest and real is not to be mean. That's authentic. Some people are just too stubborn to see that."

Another message he freely shares often is about giving back to the community.

"Giving back is so important to me because my community gives so much to me. I wouldn't be saying this now if it wasn't for them, so giving back to my community means a lot," Mendoza said. "I'm always doing the best I can, from giving my supporters the best tips, the most honest reviews, and giveaways, of course."