TikTok sensation Chelsea Keta’s make-up artistry is more than just skin deep – it’s a bold celebration of self-expression. 

If there is such a thing as a real-life shapeshifter, then make-up artist and body painter Chelsea Keta surely fits the bill: her most popular post on TikTok, in which she transformed herself into Marvel Comics villain Mystique during the #WipeItDown trend, has amassed more than 30 million views. 

With almost 378K followers (on TikTok alone), make-up is about far more than beauty for Chelsea (aka @slimgirlsupreme): it is a form of self-expression as vital as breathing.  

“I love everything about creating, beauty, pushing the boundaries and expressing myself,” she says. “Everyone should have the freedom to be creative. It allows me to meet and surround myself with like-minded people who have similar passions and interests. Being true to myself has also allowed me to build and be within a community, which is very important.” 

Online success didn’t happen for Chelsea overnight, though. She has grown her online presence diligently for more than a decade. Her journey to TikTok superstardom started when she began to apply some of the make-up tutorials she was exposed to. In 2016, she posted her first Halloween look, and in 2018 she began her popular series #HalloweenWithSlim. 

@slimgirlsupreme Can’t do spooky season without me doing #halloweenmakeup ♬ original sound – user6141013131857

“I began to take make-up more seriously as I started working on clients, and decided to be a content creator that focuses on more creative, fun and intriguing looks. Body painting became my ‘thing’ as my interest in cosplay grew, but I could not afford or find the costumes I wanted in South Africa, so I started body painting and posting my favourite characters.” 

Chelsea’s mission has morphed from finding her own freedom of expression to helping others to do the same: “I am focused on instilling confidence in anyone who needs it, particularly people who look like me and love the same things that I do, such as seeing more black girls and boys getting into cosplay and dressing up as their favourite anime or gaming character, doing more alternative make-up or using make-up to share and express themselves. 

For Chelsea, “discovering yourself” means “continuously learning about yourself, your values, your needs and wants, what excites you, and what will give you purpose. Having a purpose and striving towards it will truly enrich your life. As you discover yourself, you become a beacon for others.”