FAVORITE YOUTUBE CHANNELS

Before 2012, I would have never considered myself an avid watcher of YouTube. If I wanted to watch a quick viral video or a music video from my favorite artist, then I would tune in… but I never felt a need to subscribe to anyone. Towards the end of my freshman year of college, I found myself in a very deep depression. I had gotten exiled from my friend group and I was incredibly homesick. The amount of free time that I had all of a sudden became deafening. I turned to YouTube as a way to cope with my insecurities and ended up finding something that I loved.

YouTube is more than a compilation of “Favorites” videos, “What’s in my handbag” videos or “Vlogs”, it’s a community of millions of people who enjoy watching interesting content. Certain content creators have created this gathering of mass quantities of people looking to enrich their lives. I can’t even count the number of times that my day has been made 1000x better when I see “Alex Garza has posted a new video” or “David Dobrik has posted a new video”. These small moments have become a part of my week that I cherish. I look forward to taking a few minutes or hours out of my day to catch up with people that I consider some of my biggest influences.

These creators have no idea that we (or I) exist beyond a comment here or a “like” there… and that’s OK. I don’t feel an urge to please them like I do people in my real life. It’s a funny thing to meet someone else who loves YouTube as much as you because you both feel an instant bond. You immediately have something to connect over and it’s even better when you’re subscribed to the same channel or have watched a creator’s channel from the beginning.

Below are some of my favorite YouTube channels/creators. I have voluntarily given these people hours, upon hours, of my life… and I don’t regret it. My hope is that you will discover someone new to obsess over or maybe just one more way to relax after a long day. Enjoy!

xx, Stay Basic

1. Alexandrea Garza & her vlog channel Alex & Michael

Alex is the most chic & down to earth girl you’ll ever watch. She has an outgoing personality & a love of pretty things. Alex keeps things *100* with her viewers and isn’t afraid to put certain makeup or clothing to the test. She is constantly inspiring women to take a step out of their comfort zones & try something new. I always finish her videos wanting to try so many different outfit combos or style my hair differently.

In their vlogs, Alex & her husband, Michael, (& their dog Colbie) take you with them as they run errands, decorate their *insanely gorgeous* house, eat lots of yummy food & even just while they’re lounging on their couch. They are the epitome of “couple goals” & are so goofy when relaxed at home. Definitely a must watch.

2. Aspyn & Parker

Another husband & wife vlog channel… just a little wackier. Aspyn & Parker are 20 somethings who are just married and starting their lives in Utah. They spend their time traveling to *INSANE* places (think India, Bora Bora, & the Maldives), taking trips to Target & trying new vegan recipes. They’re the cutest couple ever & a must watch if you love lifestyle & travel videos!

3. blndsundoll4mj & her vlog channel Trisha Paytas

Buckle up kids… the ride is about to get bumpy. Trisha Paytas may not be a household name to you just yet… but she’s about to be. This larger than life blonde is a handful. She’s got a big personality and even bigger boobs (which she’s not afraid to flaunt). Blndsundoll4mj is her more successful main channel, while she also maintains her equally wild, self titled vlog channel. Trisha is known for her over the top sexual trysts but deep down she is a very complex person. I found that while watching her for so many years that she’s honestly just a normal woman looking to turn heads & get a reaction from people.

Trisha likes to get people talking & isn’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers in the process. If you’re not partial to a few mental breakdowns, a lot of skin, & a handful of chicken fingers, head on over to Trisha’s channels. You won’t regret it.

4. Chris Stuckman

For all you fellow weirdos out there, this channel is for you! Chris is a nerd in it’s truest form. He shares an affinity for all things comic books, super heroes & movies. His channel is all about giving comprehensive, spoiler-free movie reviews. Chris’ love for movies, whether they’re good or bad, shows in his reviews and that’s what keeps people coming back. He’s not afraid to give you the technical details on why a certain scene didn’t work or why an actor just wasn’t right for a role. He’s extremely invested in providing you the best possible synopsis for a movie without spoiling any important plot points. A+ *LOL*

5. David Dobrik

This kid should be a household name by now. His videos have been a consistent ray of sunshine within the pile of shit that YouTube has become in the past year. With the flock of Viners to YouTube (RIP Vine), YouTube has been a mecca of sorts for talentless “comedians” who aren’t funny in any video longer than 6 seconds. David is the exception. He has been a pioneer in the “skit” based video surge & has amassed an insane amount of views/subscribers since 2014. Dobrik’s videos are often staged & over the top, but this doesn’t seem to take away from the lightheartedness & authenticity. He has perfected the vlog style video & has produced some of the funniest content I’ve ever seen. A fun fact, all of his videos are 4 minutes & 20 seconds. If that doesn’t make you want to subscribe then you’re probably not someone that I want to be friends with.

6. David Dobrik’s friends

In 100% of David Dobrik’s videos, you will see a handful of equally funny & weird people. These fellow YouTubers make up a second, less funny category that I like to refer to as “David’s friends”. All of David’s friends are Viners that also made the transition to YouTube & have found themselves strapped for content. They have separate channels that chronicle their own lives or show shots from behind the scenes of David’s videos. Basically, there wouldn’t be a David Dobrik if there weren’t this group of misfits. My favorites are “Scotty Sire”, “Zane Hijazi” & “Heath Hussar”. Zane recently made a 100th vlog video that is 10/10 worth watching!

7. HRH Collection

Alex is a successful jewelry designer & a super sassy 30 something who isn’t afraid to give you her opinion… even if you didn’t ask for it. She is THE MOST trendy person you’ll ever meet & you definitely want to meet her. She’s over the top (cue “Ming” her teacup Maltese with a rainbow tail) but in a tasteful, exciting, never dull way. Her videos are vlog style & she can often be seen driving in her Mercedes, drinking the world’s worst coffee (her words, not mine) or sitting on her bedroom floor giving you *dead girl* makeup tips. She is your go-to girl for all things high fashion and is sure to make you DIE laughing with her dry/sarcastic sense of humor.

8. Sarah Belle

Sarah is an OG subscription. She has been on YouTube for a million years but is still killing it. She began her channel with back to school videos, organization tips & fashion look books. Her style has evolved from bright, preppy colors & Lilly shifts to something more western, boho, Free-People vibes. Sarah likes to keep people coming back to her channel with home decor reveals, clothing hauls & makeup tutorials. Her taste has always been very similar to mine so I have been a fan of her’s for quite a while. Be sure to check her out on Instagram because she’s got an aesthetically pleasing vibe going on there too.

9. Ellie & Jared

Although a 2017 addition to my subscriptions, this family has quickly become one of my favorites. Ellie & Jared are a married couple in Utah with 2 ADORABLE boys named Jackson & Calvin. Their daily vlogs consist of fun trips with the fam, spending quality time with their kids & Ellie’s struggle with infertility. The raw content is something that really drew me into this family. They are just so precious and unapologetic when they decide to share personal details with their viewers. Ellie & Jared are a perfect example of a wholesome couple living out an American dream. A must watch for sure.

10. Jake Paul

One thing I can promise you is that Jake Paul’s videos aren’t boring. You will never get bored watching any of his content. This 20 something is BAT SHIT CRAZY… in the best way possible. He is on Disney Channel’s Bizaardvark, he’s the CEO & creator of TeamDom (a social media marketing company), an author and the head runner of one of the most successful channels on YouTube. This kid is killing the game right now. You can expect lots of laughs, cringes, head shaking & gasps of pure shock while watching just one of his videos. He posts daily so there’s never any chance that you’ll miss something interesting at the Team 10 house! #It’sEveryDayBro

11. Jeanine Amapola

This wholesome YouTuber is a recent favorite of mine. She’s a Texas native, in her 20s & has a passion for Christ. She’s into fashion, makeup and working out, which are all things she and I have in common! Through her vlogs, she shares her struggle with staying true to herself (despite temptations within relationships), producing relevant & successful content, & life after college. You can really get a sense of authenticity through her raw, but beautifully shot videos! She’s not trying to be a big production channel & it’s refreshing. Definitely check her out!