Over the years, influencer marketing has taken a massive turn and has become one of the most effective and reliable marketing strategies. The main reason is because the consumer prefers influencers over celebrities because it promotes the product/brand's message, provides authentic marketing experience for consumers, and serves as a bridge to the target audience.

We find celebrities often are not a source of inspiration because their lives are vastly different than ours, but rather, because they are often exposed to the same things we're exposed to in society, so they tend to perpetuate certain cultural ideas and values. That doesn't fit our definition of an influencer.

Since influencers are still in their infancy and represent a new world, new beliefs and values, their communities are still forming. Each new community should be supported by someone who understands it better than anyone else.

We met several influencers who have been able to impact communities to help them evolve. We invite you to check out their backgrounds, expertise, and find out why they have been chosen to represent our community.

1. Michelle Phan

We first discovered Michelle Phan thanks to her blog – Queenofgoodness.com – and her YouTube channel.

Michelle started her YouTube channel when she was only 17.

She quickly discovered her knack for makeup and created her first YouTube video while still a teenager. By the time she turned 19, Michelle had over 1 million subscribers.

The success didn't stop there, as Michelle went on to design and launch her own cosmetic brand – Licari London – and create her own makeup line called Mimi Lips.

In 2015, Michelle was recognized as one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People.

In her first interview in seven years, Michelle discussed how her life has been through the years and what she's learned.

2. Lil Mama

Lil Mama is the daughter of rapper and actor Ice-T. The influence of her father has been apparent in her life.

Her first commercial for Mountain Dew went viral, and Lil Mama continued to trend.

In her career as a fashion designer, Lil Mama has collaborated with Juicy Couture and wore dresses designed by The Gap. She's also collaborated with Kimora Lee Simmons, Scott Storch, and Sean Combs and designed a capsule for her denim brand "Lil Mama."

Lil Mama released her first album, "Lil Mama: The Lil Mama Story," in 2011. Her second album, "Girl's Talk," was released in 2013 and made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100.

The title track of the album "Mama Said Knock You Out" was a Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Her second album reached Platinum status.

Lil Mama has won several awards, including "BEST NEW ARTIST" at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. She's also been nominated for a BET Award, a People's Choice Award, a Radio Disney Music Award, a Teen Choice Award, and she's been named one of Rolling Stone's "20 Entertainers to Watch in 2013."

3. Kim Kardashian West

There's a lot of controversy when it comes to Kim Kardashian West's influence on our culture, but in the context of makeup and beauty, she truly represents the modern glamour influencer.

Kim Kardashian West has an estimated net worth of $90 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. She gained popularity in 2008 when a nude photo of her was posted on the internet.

She immediately became one of the most followed women on the internet and has since launched her own cosmetics, clothing, fragrance, and fragrance lines.

Kim is known for launching the first ever fragrance, Kimoji, that sold out in five minutes and earned her $10 million in its first few days, according to CNN.

She's also launched her own magazine, KKW Beauty, and has partnered with Inglot Cosmetics to create a Kimoji collection.

4. Aliza Licht

We came across Aliza Licht via her video on how to apply false lashes.

Aliza is a beauty and cosmetics expert who has a variety of videos on YouTube on how to do makeup and how to achieve a more natural look.

Aliza has over 2 million subscribers and is one of the most-watched beauty experts on YouTube.

5. Miss Jessie's

Just like the Miss Jessie's lip glosses, which launched in 2012, these products and the brand it was created by quickly became very popular.

This company started out by being a social media success, and now it's a multi-million-dollar brand that has become a household name.

The company launched its first product line in 2013, which included a lotion, a hand sanitizer, and a lotion made specifically for eye bags. The products are unique and the brand has a very strong social media presence.

The brand was also acquired by Unilever, one of the largest beauty companies in the world, in 2014.

Famous brands represented by amazing influencers

Get Even Makeup

Just like the Get Even makeup line, the brand launched on social media and has been very successful.

The brand launched a four-piece eye shadow palette in 2016, which has since gone on to sell over 400,000 units. It quickly became one of the biggest eyeshadow palettes in the market, and the company was able to create 10 more palettes in its 2017 collection.

Flamingo Babe

The Flamingo Babe brand has been around since 2011, but the name of the brand didn't come out until the company launched a print campaign in 2017.

What makes the brand stand out is the fact that it's been active in fashion for years, has a strong social media presence, and has an influencer. In the print campaign, the influencer was Chloë Grace Moretz, who has been one of the most successful models to launch a makeup line.

The brand has been successful so far, with their Flamingo Babe Intimate Lip Color range now available in stores across America.

Glossier

Glossier launched its products in 2014, but the name came out much later.

The brand has a lot of loyal fans and was only one of a few makeup lines that were sold at Sephora. It's also the brand that has influenced the success of Rihanna's Fenty makeup line.

The Glossier products are widely recognized and used by famous beauty influencers. Glossier also has a famous winged eye shadow palette in its 2017 collection.

Glossier was named the top women's beauty brand by Cosmopolitan in 2017 and also received the awards of 'Best New Brand' and 'Most Revolutionary Brand' at the 2017 Beauty Inc awards.

This was because of the brand's recent launch of the Thin Glass eyeliner, which has since been sold out in Sephora.