Lauren Luke from South Shields is better known to millions of viewers of video-sharing site YouTube, as Panacea81, handing out on-line tips from her bedroom.

And now the 26-year-old has landed a contract with the UK's leading cosmetic company, Barry M.

Lauren only started her web make-up tutorials last June and already has nearly 38,000 subscribers, making her YouTube's worldwide No 1 make-up guru.

And her videos have received more than eight million hits – with her 'Leona Lewis inspired look' video receiving more than 1.2m views alone.

The mum-of-one, who studies make-up and cosmetics at South Tyneside College one evening a week, creates her videos at home in her bedroom with a basic webcam and a microphone on her PC.

She said: "My sole intention when I started my YouTube tutorials was to help other women like me to feel confident and to look good, whoever they are."

She first came to the attention of Barry M last year after she regularly recommended the company's products.

Barry M's, managing director, Dean Mero, said: "At first we were just chuffed that an independent reviewer like Lauren loved Barry M so much!

"But then, after we watched more of Lauren's videos and spoke to her, we realised just what a fantastic talent she had and what a remarkable and empowering story she has to tell."

Barry M arranged a meeting with Lauren in London and offered her a contract which will help develop her skills and to realise her ambition of becoming a professional make-up artist.

Lauren added: "I've always wanted to be a make-up artist and to make a living from working in the beauty industry. Barry M simply asked me what I needed in terms of support while allowing me to remain at college to gain my qualifications and to work independently.

"Now that I'm working with Barry M there's lots more scope for me – creating tutorials, a blog and Q&A section on the Barry M website, in-store tutorials and help setting up my own website.

"It's a fantastic opportunity."

Mr Mero added: "We wanted to help Lauren to take her talent to the next level while maintaining her independence.

"The last thing we wanted to do was to change her winning formula!

"We love the way Lauren works, mixing and matching different brands. Her independence is crucial.

"We simply wanted Lauren's YouTube success to take her where she wanted to go and to bring her talents to the whole Barry M audience.

"Lauren is a real inspiration to her fans and to young women everywhere. We're simply delighted to be working with her and helping her to further those aims."

You can see Lauren's pages on the Barry M website www.barrym.com or click here.

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