In the age of Instagram, influencers and instant gratification, it’s easy to forget that true beauty is so much more than just a pretty picture on a screen.
Beauty lover, skin care junkie and body-positivity enthusiast @emmahoareau is all about lookin’ at things with rose-tinted cheeks ‘n’ rose tinted glasses, and makin’ the most of the world around her.
We chatted with the beauty guru and skinstagrammer about her best tips, tricks and heart-to-heart advice for living a beauty-filled life – inside and out.
What inspired you to become a beauty guru?
It all started when I began working as a beauty editor for a magazine in 2012. Having always been obsessed with images I wanted to create a world of my own to share with others, so I got on Instagram and started shooting more of my own content.
My goal is to create beautiful images that make people feel (rather than just hit like) and to have a community that is as obsessed with skincare as myself. Helping others in one way or another is my goal, always.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Good light, rituals and the promise of learning something new.
What’s your dream job?
I think I have it – I get to create my own world and art and share it with others! It’s interesting to look back sometimes, because the phases I’ve been through remind me how far I’ve come and how much work I’ve put into this. My account has evolved and grown so much!
What inspires your beauty filled content?
So much! I studied history of art at university and grew up in Paris with my mother who was an artist. So all of this has a huge effect on what I find beautiful. Even now I love finding other accounts on Instagram or picking up a wonderful book that makes me think or visiting a new art exhibition. All my thoughts and life experiences inspire me. The people around me. Everything has an effect.
Would you consider yourself a change maker, innovator or go-getter? Why?
I am definitely a go getter – if I want something I will do everything in my power to make it a reality. And if I try everything and it doesn’t work out then I trust that it wasn’t meant to be for me – or not yet anyway. All you can do is give something your all.
Is being a beauty guru a hobby, a hustle or a career for you?
All three. I never thought my blog would be my job and I’m really happy that it is, because I get to share and create like I had always dreamed to. My Instagram is part of that and I’m thankful for it, but it’s not my reason for living.
Top tips for standing out from the crowd as a beauty guru?
Be yourself. It’s so cliché and I remember hearing it when I was starting out and not fully understanding the impact this has on your work. When you’re not trying to be like someone else (or a version of yourself you think is ‘better’) then you immediately feel more comfortable with your work and I believe others can feel that, too.
As a beauty guru in the public eye, how do you deal with negativity on social media?
I’m very lucky and rarely have to deal with it. If there is any I kill them with kindness or try to explain how everyone is entitled to see the world as they wish. Anywhere where there is community and conversation can be positive.
What are your favourite editing apps?
I use Lightroom mostly, to sort out light and pick out certain colours. I’m often asked if I use a certain filter but I believe you have to edit each image individually rather than slap on the same filter to each one.
How do you plan out your feed?
I am very visually obsessed so like my whole feed to work together, too, and go through colour phases within my images. I use an app called Mosaico to make sure it looks how I want it to before I post.
Which creative women, artists or Instagrammers inspire you?
Frida Kahlo, Cindy Sherman and Matisse all have a huge impact on my work.
How do you aim to empower other women?
This was never a conscious thing I wanted to do, but after sharing my self-portraits of my body it became a huge thing and made me realise how rarely we see a normal sized body (with no edits!) on the app.
“Trust your gut. Life is beautiful; you just have to see it.”
What’s your advice for building a personal brand on Instagram?
Be authentic, you can see when you’re trying to be someone else or another version of yourself. You change and so will your brand. I think it’s a good idea to write down what you are about on paper. So what do you love? What’s your niche? What kind of content will you post? And very importantly: what won’t you post.
What are your words of wisdom to empower other women wanting to follow their passion on Instagram?
Have fun doing it! Don’t put pressure on yourself with numbers and follows and all that. It’ll come naturally when you’re creating the right kind of content. Have fun exploring what you want to do and try ways to get that across until something feels right.
What’s next for @emmahoareau?
I am so happy with where I’ve got to. I want to keep creating bigger and better projects for my clients. I’m going to be launching videos soon which is new and exciting! I can’t wait to learn more about this for myself and my brand. I’d also love to do more photography projects.
