From MySpace to a Makeup Empire
A MySpace star. A music career. A global cosmetics brand.
Jeffree Star grew up in Southern California.
He was born Jeffrey Lynn Steininger Jr. on November 15, 1985.
His early years were marked by loss.
His father died by suicide when Jeffree was six.
He lived with his mother, Marra Shubyann Lindstrom Steininger.
He also spent time with his grandparents.
The family lived in Orange County.
Jeffree attended Pacifica High School in Garden Grove.
He graduated in 2002.
He did not attend college.
He moved to Los Angeles after high school.
He chased a career in entertainment.
Early Life and Family
Jeffree’s childhood was shaped by his father’s death.
He was raised mainly by his mother.
Grandparents played a big role in his upbringing.
He learned to be independent early.
Hometown and School
Orange County was his home base.
Garden Grove’s Pacifica High School was where he studied.
He finished high school in 2002.
He began experimenting with makeup while in school.
He wore makeup to class.
His style drew attention from peers.
First Jobs and Makeup Experience
Jeffree moved to Los Angeles to find work.
He did modeling gigs.
He recorded electropop music.
He performed at the Warped Tour.
He used a fake ID to enter nightclubs.
Club owners hired him to do makeup for celebrities.
He worked at retail makeup counters.
He did makeup for weddings, fashion shoots and music videos.
Music and Public Appearances
Jeffree built a MySpace following in the mid‑2000s.
He released several electropop songs.
He toured with other acts.
He appeared publicly with other musicians.
His online fame helped him launch a YouTube channel.
He posted makeup tutorials and reviews.
Founding Jeffree Star Cosmetics
In 2014 Jeffree started Jeffree Star Cosmetics.
He used his life savings to fund the brand.
The first products were three vegan liquid lipsticks.
All three shades sold out in minutes.
The brand sold directly to fans online.
It never took outside investment.
Jeffree and Jeff Cohen co‑own the company.
Revenue once topped $100 million.
By 2025 estimates fell to about $7 million.
The company stayed private and made no acquisitions.
Controversies and Current Work
Jeffree has faced many public accusations.
He denies claims of sexual assault and violence.
His team reportedly paid hush money to one accuser.
He apologized for past racist slurs.
Morphe ended its partnership with him in 2020.
His brand fought copyright lawsuits.
A 2024 settlement addressed California Proposition 65 warnings.
Jeffree now runs a yak ranch in Wyoming.
He sells yak meat, leather and breeding stock.
He also partners with other brands, such as Clarins USA in 2026.
He supports the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the National Eating Disorders Association.
He describes himself as “just open and very me.”
Jeffree Star remains a polarizing figure.
His story shows how early internet fame can become a global business.
It also shows how controversy can follow success.
Founding Story
Jeffree Star started Jeffree Star Cosmetics in 2014.
He used his life savings after his music career fell.
The brand was built as a direct‑to‑consumer e‑commerce store.
He wanted a vegan, cruelty‑free line.
He focused on Velour liquid lipsticks at launch.
First Products and Early Customers
The first launch had three lipstick shades.
All three sold out within minutes.
Fans bought the shades online.
The quick sell‑out gave Jeffree cash to add more products.
Early Struggles
Jeffree had no outside money.
He never raised external funding.
He also faced backlash for past racist comments.
The backlash hurt sales for a time.
Key Turning Points
In 2017 Jeffree appeared at RuPaul’s DragCon with Raja Gemini.
The event gave huge exposure to his brand.
That year he added eyeshadow palettes and highlighters.
His YouTube channel also grew fast, driving more sales.
Growth with Real Numbers
Revenue once hit about $100 million a year.
By 2025 estimates fell to $7 million.
Jeffree co‑owns the company with Jeff Cohen.
The brand sells worldwide online.
In 2021 a physical store opened in Casper, Wyoming.
Funding, IPO, and Acquisitions
Jeffree never took outside investment.
The company has no IPO.
It has made no acquisitions.
All growth came from sales and Jeffree’s own money.
Recent Moves and Partnerships
In May 2026 Jeffree partnered with Clarins USA.
He also runs a yak ranch in Wyoming.
The ranch sells meat, leather, and breeding stock.
He still creates content, now about ranch life.
Summary
Jeffree Star turned online fame into a cosmetics empire.
He built the brand with his own savings.
He faced public backlash and legal issues.
The brand grew to huge sales, then fell sharply.
No outside investors helped the rise.
Today the company remains private and Jeffree runs it from Wyoming.
Setbacks
Jeffree Star grew up in Orange County.
His father died when he was six.
He lived with his mother and grandparents.
He left high school in 2002 and moved to Los Angeles.
He tried music and modeling to earn money.
His music career fell apart by 2014.
He spent his life savings on a new brand.
The launch sold out quickly, but later sales fell.
Annual revenue dropped from about $100 million to $7 million by 2025.
Criticism and Controversies
Star has been accused of sexual assault.
He says the claims are false.
His team paid $45,000 to silence one accuser.
He used racist slurs in the past.
He later apologized for those remarks.
Morphe cut ties with him in 2020.
His brand faced copyright lawsuits.
In 2024 he settled a Proposition 65 warning case.
Recent Changes
Star added a vegan, cruelty‑free line of lipsticks in 2014.
He kept the company private and never took outside money.
In 2024 he began working on better product warnings.
In 2025 he partnered with Clarins USA.
He now posts more ranch life than makeup tutorials.
His Wyoming ranch sells yak meat and leather.
He still runs Jeffree Star Cosmetics from Wyoming.
Where He Is in 2026
Jeffree Star lives in Casper, Wyoming.
He runs a yak ranch called Star Yak Ranch.
He still owns Jeffree Star Cosmetics.
The brand makes about $7 million a year.
He co‑owns the company with Jeff Cohen.
He supports the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
He also backs the National Eating Disorders Association.
He says he is “just open and very me.”
Why the story matters
Jeffree Star shows how internet fame can become a real business.
He also shows that bad choices can hurt a brand.
His story teaches that transparency matters.
It reminds young creators to think before they speak.
It proves that a brand can survive controversy.
Success is built on both talent and responsibility.
The Record
Born: November 15 1985, Los Angeles County
Founded: Jeffree Star Cosmetics (2014)
Revenue 2025: $7 million (estimate)