INTERVIEW | MAKEUP SAVVY

Let me take you back to last month, I started a blogger series where I interview successful fellow bloggers (last month was the lovely London Beauty Queen) in the hopes of uncovering some of the secrets to their success, and you know, a bit about them too :)  Well, this instalment I have none other than the lovely Fee from Makeup Savvy - the very blogger that created the iconic #bbloggers hashtag!!!!

1.  Can you remember what first inspired you to start blogging?
I first got inspired to blog about interiors when doing up my first house and I would seek out inspiration from blogs like Madeby Girl and Design Sponge. But after my house was complete the blog dwindled and that's when I discovered beauty blogs and videos! I mainly read Lipglossiping at the time and thought "I could do that!" so I did!

2.  How did you feel when you published your first blog post?
I actually mentioned Charlotte from Lipglossiping in my first blog post and must have tweeted or commented on a blog post, as she left me my first ever comment!! So I remember feeling pretty elated at that. 

3.  Have you ever thought about venturing into YouTube?
I have but it's always been with the thought of money in mind and not that I think I'd enjoy it. Which is why I don't think I'll ever do it as you need to have some passion behind what you're doing. The reason I don't think I would enjoy it mainly stems from reading the comments on beauty bloggers videos I love and seeing such negative and often dumb statements like "I don't like your hair" or "You were so paid to do this video - unsubscribed". I think comments like that, if I got them, would grate on me majorally! Also I'm quite self-conscious as it is and would hate watching myself back to edit the videos, though I'm sure I'd get use to it!

4.  What do you love most about blogging?
Without a doubt the photography! I took a year course in Photography at college and loved it back then but really couldn't see a use for it other than as a hobby. Now I get to do it most days and be as creative as I want. I love how a blog post looks with bright, put together photos. 

5.  What would you say is the best moment your blog has brought you so far?
Oh, that is a tough one as I'm not really one for putting myself forward for things or taking opportunities; I just love the day-to-day feel of blogging. But seeing my name and blog in a few magazines now has been pretty great! I'm sure I will keep the magazines I've been featured in forever!

6.  What do you find your most popular content to be?
At the moment we seem to be going through a 'blog tips' trend where every blogger and their instagram-worthy pet has something to say about blogging and how it should be done. I actually love this and I'm so glad that they are my most read posts. However makeup storage posts or collections will forever be my most popular posts.

7.  If you hadn't found blogging, what job would you see yourself doing?
It would have to be something creative and probably self-employed. I'd like to think it would be in interior design as I did dabble in it before blogging and loved it. That, or a Prop Stylist!

8.  Is there one tool or platform that's really helped you grow your blog?
For me it's been a mix of everything - being active on Twitter, getting 'pinned' on Pinterest and being featured on different websites/blogs. But Bloglovin' in the past few years has really grown my readership. I don't really have any tips on how to gain a lot of followers on there but if you haven't claimed your blog, then do! 

9.  Just for fun - tell us something most people don't know about you.
Another tricky one! Not overly interesting but a few years ago I taught myself to remember things really well. So if someone gave me a list of say 40 objects I'd be able to remember them in the correct order and even recite the list backwards a few days later. It's only really handy for shopping lists and phone numbers though!

10.  Lastly, what are your top 3 tips to new bloggers looking to make their marque?
Pick a blog name/url that will grow with you. Be consistant with how much you blog - even if it's once or twice a week, keep it up. Get to know other bloggers by leaving blog comments (no spamming!) and on Twitter or Facebook. 

Don't forget to head over and say hi to Fee and thank her for her lovely interview - thanks Fee!!!! And how amazing is it that she taught herself to remember things so well!
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INTERVIEW | London Beauty Queen

Welcome to the first in a series where I interview successful bloggers that we all know and love, to find out a little more about them, and pick their brains for helpful blogging and youtubing tips! Today I'm kicking things off by interviewing the lovely Hayley from London Beauty Queen.

1.  Can you remember what first inspired you to start blogging?

I’d worked within the industry for years, having done everything from developing new products and writing the backs of shampoo bottles, to running press and tv campaigns while looking after in-store marketing. I became aware of blogs in late 2009 and after deciding to take a new direction in my career started one of my own to keep my toe in the water of the industry. I quickly realised I loved beauty too much to not work within it somehow, so the blog became somewhat of an obsession!

2.  How did you feel when you published your first blog post?

I can’t really remember, but I don’t think it was a big deal as I never expected anybody to read it! I can remember one of my mates reading it and leaving comments on every post, just to make me feel loved… It took a long time for anyone to start visiting the site or leaving feedback. 

3.  Have you ever thought about venturing into YouTube?

I have dabbled in YouTube and about once a year I get the urge to film videos (last summer I even bought myself a fancy new camera specifically for filming,) but I find it hard to maintain. Filming and editing videos is so time consuming, plus I find it much harder to think of ideas that haven’t already been done a thousand times before. YouTube is a whole different beast to blogging; you need a specific skill set and the patience of a saint. I do keep meaning to get more into it, but there’s always something else more of a priority! 

4.  What do you love most about blogging?

The interaction I get with readers, undoubtedly. If it wasn’t for the comments, Twitter feedback and genuine love for what I do, I wouldn’t still be doing it five years later. I also love the freedom it’s given me to carve my own career path and be my own boss, working with brands in creative ways and trying new things every day of the week. 

5.  What would you say is the best moment your blog has brought you so far?

There’s not one specific moment, but I’ve been able to do some incredible things. From interviewing Rita Ora and Cate Blanchett, to attending the MTV Awards and flying to exotic locations. My proudest moment will be on April 12th this year - the day LBQ turns five! 

6.  What do you find your most popular type of content to be?

It’s always the conversational or debate posts that encourage feedback from readers, or discuss something controversial. I recently wrote an open letter to MAC about their lacklustre collections which was incredibly popular, but my commentary on the blogging world also does well too. Reviews still feature on the site, but they’re not what brings in the new readers or excites current ones.

7.  If you hadn't found blogging, what job would you see yourself doing?

Before I took the site full time in 2013 I was working in brand and social media management for one of the world’s largest marketing agencies; I would probably be doing the same thing, maybe with different clients, but definitely in social media. I do still dabble in consultancy and that side of things, working with brands and PR agencies to develop a social strategy and help them manage their social channels. 

8.  Is there one tool or platform that's really helped you grow your blog?

Twitter has been a huge tool for me, as it allows me to reach new people every day. The possibilities are endless, so you just ahem to run with it and see what happens. 

9.  Just for fun - tell us something most of your readers might not know about you.

There’s probably not a lot people don’t know as I’m a bit of an over-sharer, but you’d probably be surprised as to how ‘un-girly’ I am. I hate pink, anything with sparkles or love hearts; I’m much more masculine in my tastes and my office is filled with Sci-Fi memorabilia! 

10.  Lastly, what are your top 3 tips to new bloggers looking to make their marque?

Be patient: Rome wasn’t built in a day. Too many expect to be the next big thing overnight and it just doesn’t happen that way, especially now. Carve a niche: try and do something a little differently and don’t just copy what you *think* is a magic formula. Network: it’s all about who you know and not what you know. 

I'm sure you'll join me in saying a big thank you to Hayley for taking the time out of her busy schedule to take part :)

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