16 Brands That Work With Influencers: Inspire Your 2025 Collabs

Key Benefits of Working With Influencers

I spend my days inside the world of influencer marketing, watching IQFluence clients experiment, innovate, and absolutely crush it with their campaigns. I’m not just reading stats or trends — I’m seeing these results play out in real time, from the inside. 

So, here’s the unfiltered scoop on why brands working with influencers (especially those clever brands that collaborate with small influencers on Instagram and TikTok) are winning right now.

• Enhanced Brand Awareness. Influencers = visibility. Like, serious visibility. Did you know 86% of folks have bought something because an influencer suggested it? Yup — it's real. It’s like having a bestie whisper about your brand into thousands of ears. Brands that collaborate with small influencers on Instagram see this in action every single day.

• Precise Targeting. Instead of shouting into the void, influencers speak directly to niche communities. When brands that collaborate with small influencers on TikTok nail this, it’s pure magic. OSEA Malibu crushed it with Venusjcm (around 28k followers) — she’s eco-beauty obsessed, her followers trust her skincare tips, and BOOM! Perfect audience reached.

• Crazy-High Conversion Rates. Real talk, brands working with influencers on Instagram or TikTok get 3–5 times better engagement with micro-influencers than with mega-influencers. Maybelline teamed up with Amina Ayoub (18k followers), and her blush giveaway literally exploded: 1.6k comments and thousands of new followers.

• Trust & Credibility. You trust your friends, right? Same logic here. Puma got soccer star Xavi Simons involved, and his fans bought out their "King Boots" line fast. Why? Because followers feel connected and trust influencers more than polished corporate ads.

• Time Efficiency. Let influencers handle the creativity — your marketing team can finally breathe! I’ve seen brands breathe a huge sigh of relief when influencer campaigns handle themselves. No drama, less stress.

• Social Proof. Gymshark teamed up with Whitney Simmons — one post about their sportswear got 1,300 comments in days. People saw others jumping in, so they jumped in too. That’s how social proof works, friend: Influencer loves it ➡️  followers love it ➡️  your brand loves it!

• Measurable Impact. Influencer marketing isn't guesswork anymore. IQFluence analytics lets brands see what’s really working and tweak campaigns on the fly. It’s all about knowing exactly how every dollar spent translates into results.

Thus, influencer marketing isn’t just hype — it’s legit, proven strategy. And below are the best examples of how brands implements it 👇

Walmart

Walmart is a massive American marketplace that sells everything from household essentials to cosmetics and clothing. The store is one of those brands that collaborate with micro influencers. Walmart’s audience primarily consists of value-conscious shoppers looking for affordable prices on everyday essentials.

Walmart and Gabby Gonta

Gabby Gonta is a home influencer who’s all about unboxing and creative gift ideas on Instagram and TikTok. With 23.2K followers on Instagram, you might think that’s a bit small for a major brand collab — but Walmart clearly didn’t think so.

Why? Because her audience perfectly aligns with theirs: 18+ shoppers hunting for the perfect gifts.

For their partnership, Gabby created a fun, paid video reel showcasing holiday gift ideas like mugs, LEGO sets, a sauce set, and an electric s’mores maker. 

Brands that collaborate with small influencers on Instagram. Image source.

The result? A solid 53.2K views, 359 comments, and engagement numbers that prove micro-influencers can deliver big results.

Amazon

Amazon, a global marketplace, that offers just about everything you can imagine. It’s particularly known for its fashion brand collaborations with influencers, making it a go-to for trend-driven partnerships. Amazon’s audience includes convenience-driven consumers who value fast shipping and competitive pricing. Let’s dive in!👇

Amazon and Hanna Brosh

Hanna Brosh is a lifestyle influencer known for her budget-friendly outfit ideas, helping her audience stay stylish without breaking the bank. With 66.8K followers on Instagram, she’s built a loyal community that trusts her fashion picks. Her content is all about making trendy looks accessible to everyone.

Her audience consists of women aged 27 to 45 who are seeking budget-friendly outfit ideas to stay on trends.

The collaboration took the form of an Instagram Reel with an affiliate marketing approach. Hanna shared a 30% off discount code and actively encouraged her audience to comment, driving both engagement and sales.

Brands that collaborate with micro influencers. Image source.

As a result, the partnership generated strong engagement among Hanna’s followers, driving increased sales, over 350 comments, and 37,000 views. 

After this campaign (March 14), traffic on the product’s page increased by 2 times.

Shein

Shein is a global online fashion retailer known for its affordable and trendy clothing. Its audience consists mostly of Gen Z girls who spy on trends and look for budget-friendly choices. Shein frequently collaborates with micro-influencers to promote its products and engage with diverse audiences.

Shein and Omairys Lantigua

Omairys is a fashion micro influencer based in Boston who loves sharing hauls and outfit inspiration. She’s a frequent partner with Shein and Amazon, bringing her audience the best budget-friendly fashion finds. With trendy content like “get ready with me” videos, styling tips, and must-have hauls, she connects with young people that’s all about staying on top of the latest trends without breaking the bank.

So the Shein partnership was a natural outcome since the audience of both perfectly aligns. Omairys posted a reel with a paid partnership tag where she incorporated affiliate coupons with discounts. In the video she demonstrated different outfits for warm weather ranging from classic to casual style.

Brands that collaborate with small influencers on Instagram. Image source.

The campaign resulted in 152K views and 330 comments, with most people requesting a link to her LTK outfit page, leading to increased traffic to the product pages and sales.. 

Brands that Work with Influencers on Barter

Besides paid partnerships, companies often engage in gifting or bartering, where influencers receive free items in exchange for content featuring the brand tag. Bartering is commonly used by companies that collaborate with small influencers.

Here are some tips on how to define a barter collaboration:

• There is no paid partnership tag or ad disclosure hashtags.

• There are no specific calls to action in the caption; the creator is simply showcasing the product.

Temu

Temu is a major Chinese marketplace that connects consumers with a wide range of products, from fashion and electronics to home goods and beauty items. Known for offering affordable prices and frequent promotions, it attracts primarily budget-conscious, deal-seeking consumers — especially Gen Z and Millennials.

Temu and Bekah Brey

Bekah is an Iowa  lifestyle influencer who creates lifestyle and unboxing content for her audience. With a sharp eye for trends and a commitment to honest reviews, she shares her experiences with everything from fashion must-haves to home essentials.

Her audience consists of Gen Z individuals interested in lifestyle and unboxing content presented in an engaging way. 

The collaboration embraced a UGC (User-Generated Content) approach, using an unboxing TikTok video format to enhance authenticity. With a modest following of 4.5K, Bekah’s review felt more like a genuine recommendation from a friend rather than a sponsored ad.

In the video, Bekah unboxed the barter sofa in her new flat, sharing her first impressions and reactions in real time. She highlighted key aspects such as material quality, comfort, and ease of assembly. By the end of the video, she demonstrated the fully set-up sofa, giving her audience a complete look at how it fits into her flat. 

Brands that collaborate with small influencers on TikTok. Image source.

All in all, this campaign type generated: 

• 530K views, 

• 6,2K likes, 

• more than 1,200 saves and shares, 

• and nearly 300 comments.

Glossier

Glossier is a famous beauty brand that built its empire due to honest reviews of nano and micro bloggers, proving the power of small influencer partnerships. Its audience consists of women with a good income who are into beauty and skincare.

Glossier and @lucyisdewy

Lucy is beauty and skincare UGC content creator with almost 36k followers on Instagram. Her content is built on her personal beauty, self-care recommendations, and beauty hauls.

Her audience consists of young people, mostly women, who are interested in cosmetic products, skincare, and makeup tips. Lucy created an unboxing short video reel showcasing Glossier's lilac blush on her skin. With excellent lighting and video editing, the video looks visually stunning and highly aesthetically pleasing.

Brands that collaborate with small influencers on instagram. Image source.

Just to remind you, Lucy is a micro-influencer with over 35K followers, so the views should typically be around that number. However, the video garnered 1 million views, 348 comments, and more than 1,000 shares and saves. This barter collaboration proves that a successful ad doesn’t always require spending huge amounts on expensive ads or banners.

Fashion brands

Now let’s review some great fashion influencers' examples.

Asos

Asos is a highly popular British fashion and cosmetic brand that sells clothes, accessories, and shoes. It primarily caters to a young, trend-conscious audience, especially women aged 20 to 34.

Asos and Emily Claire

Emily is an outfit and lifestyle content creator who showcases her daily, work, and holiday outfits. Her style is elegant and highly minimalistic, often focusing on neutral tones, clean silhouettes, and timeless pieces. Through her curated content, she inspires her audience with effortlessly chic fashion choices that blend sophistication with simplicity.

Her audience consists of young women who prefer minimalist and casual daily outfits.

Since Emily collaborated with ASOS on a barter basis, she tagged ASOS’s social media page in her carousel post, showcasing an ASOS trench coat, loafers, and skirt. She completed her look with pieces from Arket. This campaign appears natural and subtle, as it simply looks like Emily sharing her daily outfit because of blending two different brands.

Fashion brand collaborations with influencers. Image source.

This post is the most popular on her page bringing 166 comments, over 100k reach,and a 30% increase in organic searches for the trench on the ASOS app,  benefitting both the influencer and the shop.

NAKD

NA-KD is a fashion brand known for its elegant and mostly minimalistic looks. Due to this blend, it attracts both Gen Z and millennials.

NAKD and Emily Claire

The same blogger, Emily, collaborated with NAKD on a gifting basis, showcasing her outfit in a carousel post featuring NAKD’s trousers. She mentioned NAKD’s gifting in her caption, informing her audience, including influencers, about the potential opportunity.

Fashion brands that collaborate with small influencers. Image source.

As a result, this approach generated cost-free ads, encouraging other influencers to collaborate with NAKD and create mutually beneficial UGC content. It also helped the brand reach a wider audience without investing in traditional paid promotions. By leveraging influencer gifting, NAKD fostered authentic brand advocacy, strengthening its presence within the fashion community.

Lulus

Lulus is a vibrant and elegant clothing brand that primarily features pastel colors and soft shades. It caters to fashion-forward shoppers looking for stylish pieces for various occasions, from casual wear to special events. Lulus’ audience consists of young women who love to stand out embracing elegance at the same time.

Lulus and Elizabeth Gardner

Elizabeth Gardner is a lifestyle and fashion influencer with 30k followers on Instagram. She often shares her bright beach and gym outfits, attracting Gen Z who are into comfortable and elegant fashion. Her content also includes styling tips and fitness inspiration, making her a go-to source for trendy yet practical looks.

Elizabeth partnered with Lulus for a paid carousel feed, showcasing various items such as a swimsuit, beach slippers, and a pareo. In the caption, she highlighted how the brand covered all her vacation needs, seamlessly integrating Lulus' pieces into her stylish getaway looks.

Fashion brands that collaborate with small influencers. Image source.

The campaign resulted in a twofold increase in organic searches on the Lulus app, along with over 700 saves and shares of the feed, demonstrating strong engagement and interest from her audience.

Cosmetic Brands: Powerhouses of Influencer Collaborations

Many cosmetic companies that collaborate with influencers see great results. After all, beauty brands are known for authentic product reviews and visual storytelling. Let’s explore some standout examples below.

Maybelline

You know the brand — born in New York, championing individuality, diversity, and basically every skin tone on the planet. It’s a go-to for anyone who loves experimenting with makeup, and I’ve seen first-hand how their influencer game absolutely slaps.

Image source. Brands that collaborate with micro influencers

Maybelline spotted Amina Ayoub, an Egyptian micro influencer whose beauty hauls and real-talk reviews light up Instagram. Her audience? Women hungry for authentic makeup tips and no-BS advice. Maybelline did what smart brands that collaborate with influencers do—they set up a joint giveaway with Amina that was so simple, yet so effective.

Brands collaborating with influencers. Image source.

Amina unboxes three gorgeous shades of Maybelline’s Sunkisser blush (on camera, of course), swatches them on her own skin, and gets her followers hyped. Entry was classic—tag three friends, follow both her and Maybelline, and you’re in. Three lucky winners got the blushes, but honestly? The brand was the real winner here.

Let’s talk numbers (because you know I live for results):

• 1,000+ new followers for both Amina and Maybelline

• 1,600 comments

• 34,000 views

All from a single, perfectly-timed giveaway.

I’ve watched this kind of move from companies that collaborate with small influencers work over and over: it’s a go-to strategy for launches. You generate legit excitement, pump up your reach, and get people buzzing about the product before it even lands in stores. That’s why brands that collaborate with influencers keep coming back to these grassroots, micro-collab tactics—they just work, every single time.

OSEA

You know how some brand-influencer collabs just feel totally effortless and authentic? OSEA is the perfect example. I’ve watched so many IQFluence clients pull this off, but OSEA just nails it.

OSEA’s got that whole serene, ocean-chic energy going on. They’re all about vegan, cruelty-free formulas and the softest pastel branding. The kind of brand where you almost feel calmer just looking at their Instagram. 

And here’s the magic — they don’t chase A-list faces. Instead, they find creators who actually live the lifestyle their audience craves.

Image source.

Enter Venusjcm. She’s not some huge celebrity — she’s a micro-influencer with a genuinely obsessed beauty crowd. What makes her special? She’s got this gift for breaking down skincare routines so they’re not intimidating. Her followers trust her to test the latest launches and share all the juicy details.

Image source. 

So, for OSEA’s new Dream Night Serum and Night Cream, they sent her a package and gave her total freedom to create. She made a carousel post (think: swipe-through, up-close texture shots, her honest reactions, the kind of content that actually makes you want to try it). She even dropped an exclusive 10% discount code.

Image source. 

What happened next is what I see time and time again with brands collaborating with influencers who get their world: the comments blew up — over a hundred people asking about the products, sharing their nighttime routines, and hyping each other up to buy. 

It wasn’t just “nice post”—it was real buzz. You could literally see the trust in action.

Honestly, this is why I tell brands to think smaller and more real. Forget polished ads — this is what moves the needle. OSEA didn’t just buy reach; they created a moment, and their community responded. When you find the right partner, let them work their magic, and show up for their audience? That’s when influencer marketing actually works.

Sephora

Sephora is a global cosmetic giant operating in 35 countries worldwide. Sephora offers different beauty products both online and offline. Its audience consist of ​women aged 18 to 34 who are fashion-forward and technologically savvy.

Sephora and Nicky Alison

Alison is a beauty and haul-focused TikTok influencer with 48K followers. Her audience primarily consists of Gen Z girls who love hauls, gifting ideas, ASMR, and all things girly.

Since Sephora and Alison’s audience highly match, in collaboration with Sephora, Alison launched a giveaway featuring various Sephora boxes and products. To enter, participants had to like and save the video and follow selected accounts.

Brands that collaborate with small influencers on Tiktok. Image source.

The campaign garnered 36.3K likes, nearly 11K comments, over 4K saves, and 600 shares, boosting Alison’s following by 4K+ and generating significant buzz around Sephora.

Fitness & Sport companies 

The fitness and sports industry also frequently hires influencers, making them brand ambassadors. Let’s review some great collaboration examples👇

LuluLemon

Lululemon is a well-known Canadian athletic apparel company that primarily focuses on high-quality activewear for yoga, running, and other fitness activities. It targets sports enthusiasts and professional sportsmen who value comfort and aesthetics

Lululemon and Patty Tapia

Patty Tapia is a healing and yoga coach who shares her lifestyle and daily dance routines. Her audience consists of both professional yogis and amateurs, making them highly loyal to her content.

Patty collaborates with Lululemon through their Ambassador program, often sharing posts, reels, and stories with her followers to showcase her preference for Lululemon’s sports and yoga outfits.

Brands that collaborate with influencers. Image source.

As a result, her posts and videos consistently attract around 30K views and over 50 comments, despite having just 32K followers.  It demonstrates that Lululemon chose the right influencer with a highly engaged and loyal professional community.

Puma

PUMA is a sportswear brand with a long and rich history, known for its innovation and performance-driven designs. Its audience includes professional athletes, sports enthusiasts, and individuals who appreciate both functionality and style.

Puma and Xavi Simons

Xavi Simons is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger. He is known for his technical skills, dribbling, and creativity on the ball. Xavi is also a sports influencer with millions of followers.

Xavi Simons consistently collaborates with PUMA as a brand ambassador. Most recently, this partnership saw him become the face of the "King Boots" collection, a premium line designed specifically for football players. Since Xavi’s audience includes both professional football players and amateurs, the collaboration was a perfect match for driving sales. 

Companies that collaborate with influencers. Image source.

In the second quarter of 2024, PUMA reported a 2.1% currency-adjusted sales increase to €2,117.3 million, with footwear sales rising by 1.6% to €2,278.4 million. Although these figures cannot be solely attributed to the campaigns involving Simons, they suggest a positive impact on PUMA's overall performance.

Gymshark

Gymshark is a highly successful sports brand specializing in gym and fitness apparel for both professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Today, due to its innovative designs, high-performance materials, and strong influencer marketing, Gymshark has built a loyal customer base worldwide.

Gymshark and Whitney Simmons

Whitney Simmons is a popular fitness influencer, and social media personality. She is known for her workout videos, fitness tips, and motivational content that inspires her audience to lead healthier lifestyles.

Whitney Simmons primarily engages with a female audience passionate about sports and fitness, whether for personal interest or professional involvement. 

Whitney became an ambassador for Gymshark's women's line and played a pivotal role in the development of the new Adapt collection. This collection, tailored specifically for women, includes a range of sportswear such as bras and leggings, available in four colors: pink, black, blue, and brown.

Brands that work with influencers. Image source.

Although exact figures aren't publicly disclosed, the success of the collaboration is clear from the high social media engagement and the rapid sell-out of the products, making it a win for both Whitney and Gymshark. The post quickly gathered 1.3k comments and became one of the most successful collaborations in the wellness influencer space.

Food brands

The food industry is full of great influencer collaboration examples. Let’s now take a look at some mega-influencer cases.

Dunkin’

Dunkin’ is an international food chain known for its donuts and beverages. Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ has grown into one of the largest coffee and baked goods chains in the world. It targets a broad and diverse customer base, but mostly Gen Z and millennials.

Charlie D’Amelio and Dunkin

Charlie D’amelio is a social media influencer, dancer, and content creator best known for her viral dance TikTok videos. Currently, her TikTok account has 157.2 million followers.

Charli's audience is Gen Z and TikTok users.

Dunkin’ partnered with Charli D’Amelio, leveraging her massive TikTok following. They created engaging TikTok content, launched her signature drink, “The Charli,” offered exclusive app deals, and sustained interest with a follow-up campaign, “The Charli Remix.”

Brands collaborating with influencers. Image source.

This influencer-product collaboration led to a 57% surge in app downloads and a 45% increase in cold brew sales on launch day, with a sustained 20% boost afterward. While revenue figures weren’t disclosed, Charli reportedly earned over $100K, and the brand saw a huge boost in Gen Z engagement — a clear win for both.

Сoca-Cola

Coca-Cola is a beverage brand with a rich history, known for its iconic drinks that were traditionally not considered healthy. However, with recent innovations and collaborations, such as the one with Gigi Hadid promoting Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, the brand has worked to reposition some of its products as healthier, low-calorie alternatives.

Coca-Cola and Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid is an internationally renowned supermodel and one of the most recognized faces in the fashion industry. Gigi is also a successful life and model influencer with over 77 million followers on Instagram.

Besides her fans, Gigi’s audience consists of health and nutrition-conscious individuals who care about weight and health.

In 2023, Gigi Hadid partnered with Coca-Cola for a global campaign focused on promoting Coca-Cola Zero Sugar. The strategy behind the collaboration was to tap into Gigi's massive reach among fashion-forward and health-conscious consumers. The campaign encouraged UGC content through a global influencer activation, where creators shared posts on the same day to boost visibility and engagement. 

Brands that work with influencers. Image source.

The campaign proved to be highly successful, with significant social media engagement and buzz surrounding the launch. Gigi's post quickly garnered thousands of likes and comments, expanding Coca-Cola's reach among her millions of followers. 

The collaboration resulted in increased brand awareness and sales, positioning the product as a low-calorie, healthy option.

Starbucks

Starbucks is a beverage brand primarily known for its iced coffee beverages. Based in Seattle, Washington, Starbucks has grown into one of the largest coffeehouse chains in the world.

Starbucks and Nia Sioux

Nia Sioux is a dancer, actress, and social media influencer best known for her time on the reality TV show Dance Moms. She has built a strong presence on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where she shares dance videos, lifestyle content, and brand collaborations. 

Nia's followers are predominantly Gen Z and young Millennials, particularly those interested in dance, entertainment, and lifestyle trends. 

The collaboration between Nia Sioux and Starbucks was strategically designed to:

• Leverage her authenticity. Nia has shared her love for Starbucks in the past, making the partnership feel organic.

• Target Gen Z consumers. By using TikTok as the primary platform, Starbucks aimed to connect with a younger audience in an engaging and interactive way.

• Boost brand engagement. Nia announced that she became a brand ambassador and the return of the iced lavender cream oatmilk matcha through a relatable video, encouraging her followers to interact and share their Starbucks moments.

Companies that collaborate with influencers. Image source.

The collaboration positioned Starbucks as a youth-friendly and trendy brand, boosted engagement, gathering more than 230k views for 10 days.

Choose the right influencer for collaboration with IQFluence 

No matter whether you hire a micro or macro influencer, the success of influencer partnerships ultimately depends on audience alignment — it’s the first principle.

Our platform offers the following solutions:

• Filter by location, language, gender, age, and even lookalikes — both for the influencer and their audience.

• Once selected, get instantly analytic reports, including deeper metrics like follower and like growth, audience vetting, and trending content insights.

• Monitor campaigns before, during, and after collaboration.

• Reach out to influencers.

• Get MediaPlan builder reports with key metrics for a 30-day period.

• Export your data in PDF, JSON, CSV, and Google Sheets formats.