Like many people my age, I go on YouTube daily to keep me busy as I cook/clean, to help me fall asleep, for music and so much more. With the endless stream of videos, it can be difficult to find something new and interesting. This is what I recommend in a variety of genres and what I’ve been watching lately!
- Gaming: Northernlion
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I’ve been watching fellow Canadian Northernlion’s gaming videos for close to six years now (starting around the same time I started university). He covers a large array of games and game genres, but his indisputable claim to fame is easily his “Binding of Isaac” series. It sparked my own love for the game and to date, I’ve played close to 1500 hours. When players think of the series, Northernlion is definitely on most people’s mind. He hosts his own group stream, the Northernlion Live Super Show, with some of his fellow YouTubers and his wife Kate LovelyMomo. Kate is also on YouTube showcasing her musical abilities, gaming videos and their adorable cats, Tomo and Ryuka.
- Skin care: Hyram
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My embarrassing confession is that I didn’t have a skin care routine. I just used a random face wash in the shower once a day and rarely moisturized. And then I “met” Hyram and his videos have changed my skin and life! He offers reviews and gives “the real tea” on popular skin care companies, as well as reacts to and drags different routines. To add to his credibility, he’s a skin care specialist (please note, not a dermatologist) so he really understands what he’s talking about. I personally love his sass and ability to call things as they are. Instead of making boring informative videos, Hyram takes the time to make his videos entertaining and personal. You really feel like he’s your friend, which I really respect and appreciate.
- Makeup: Abby Williamson
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Another confession is that I don’t even wear makeup that often, but Abby Williamson is so entertaining that I often watch her videos as I paint, cook or relax. She rants a lot more than a typical beauty YouTuber, but that’s what I love. My favorite videos of hers are the anti-hauls, where she combats consumerism by showcasing what she doesn’t need, so she’s not going to buy it. Her reasoning behind everything is absolutely hilarious and brings me up to date with makeup gossip. She also has an entire playlist of rants, which is even funnier to me. Abby isn’t afraid to mince words and is truly entertaining.
- Food: Bon Appétit
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For whatever reason, I love watching cooking videos while I eat. I always have. One of my favorite cooking channels is easily Bon Appétit. With a variety of series, you’re bound to find something you love. Lately, I’ve been binge watching “Reverse Engineering,” in which supertaster Chris Morocco is allowed to taste, touch and smell a meal, but cannot see it. He then has to recreate the dish using those senses, and the final product is judged and graded. The channel has so many inside jokes that make me crack up and make viewers feel like they’re part of the crew. Some out of context examples include: wourder, some pep, day three curse, skirt steak and DELANY! Beyond their series, they also have plain videos that demonstrate how to make a recipe, such as cheesecake and spicy chicken katsu sandwiches. This channel isn’t exclusively for experienced home cooks; many of the recipes are beginner-friendly and the chefs go over so many details that even “difficult” recipes can be tackled.
- Music: Meg Myers
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When I was in high school, I had a shirt that read “music is what feelings sound like” and Meg Myers’s music fits that statement perfectly. I very rarely veer out of my music comfort bubble; 99% of my music on my phone is what I’ve listened to for years. Late last semester during the dreaded time crunch, I took a chance and listened to YouTube’s suggested music playlist for me. A large portion of the songs were by Meg Myers, and I fell in love. Cheery music is wonderful, but sometimes, you just need raw emotions through a song. We all have difficult days, and Meg’s music helps me along during those times. They also have such interesting meanings, often to do with breakups and difficult relationships. I’m not going through either, but sometimes I feel like I have a difficult relationship with myself. Her music helps me move along past those tough days by accurately voicing my feelings.
This is only a fraction of what I’ve been watching, but comprises the bulk of my viewing/listening time. These videos offer me everything from entertainment to musical therapy. What have you been watching? Be sure to tag us @hcyorku and let us know!