Anika Sanka
Eva Nguyen's Tiktok page featuring her various video styles
In a world where social media influencers often present a picture-perfect image, Eva Nguyen (25′) breaks the mold. As a student and beauty content creator she has built a dedicated following of 140.3 thousand on TikTok, not by following trends, but by staying unapologetically herself.
What started as a casual pastime quickly turned into a platform for self-expression.
“At first, I just made the account for fun,” Nguyen said. “Then I started doing makeup, getting ready and talking. Eventually, brands reached out, and I started doing collaborations.”
However, unlike many influencers, she avoids a rigid stream of paid promotions, preferring to maintain her creative freedom.
Nguyen’s approach to content creation is refreshingly laid-back. She doesn’t plan posts in advance, instead relying on spontaneity. Her feed is a mix of beauty tutorials, fashion content and funny glimpses into her life. Ironically, her most viral video wasn’t a carefully scripted video— it was a clip of her mom eating, that unexpectedly racked up millions of views.
Despite her success, Nguyen understands the pressures that come with a growing audience.
“When I first started, I was just being my true self,” Nguyen said. “Now, I do have to kind of filter what I say because of the following I’ve gained.”
Still, she refuses to compromise her integrity. If a brand’s collaboration guidelines feel too restrictive or require her to be dishonest, she declines the offer.
Looking ahead, Nguyen sees her influencer experience as more than just a phase. With interests in marketing and business, she views her time on social media as practice toward future career opportunities. Her advice to aspiring influencers?
“Be different. If you’re not, you won’t stand out,” Nguyen said.
With her candid approach and lighthearted content, Nguyen stands out from the traditional influencer stereotype.