Constantly being introduced to a range of exciting up-and-coming beauty bloggers, two that have really captured BD’s attention recently is Beauté Gazette and The Beauté Buzz. Renowned for bringing fun and colour to the world of nails, Nella van Veenendaal’s blog Beauté Gazette delivers a similar style of quirk and cute to the online space, while Lisa Stueckradt’s images are making her blog The Beauté Buzz stand out against the competitors. Here we chat to the two girls about their blogs and what makes them special...
Was it this love of nails that made you decide to launch your own beauty blog?
Prior to starting Beauté Gazette I had contributed to a few publications and have always loved writing. The decision to start Beauté Gazette was because I wanted to have a site that was stylised in a way I wanted to see beauty products. Also, the tone of writing is how I wanted to read about beauty products - not static and bland but with personality, colour and little somethin' somethin' extra.
You've done nail art for some interesting shows and publications. Can you tell me about this?
I have been super lucky and #blessed to collaborate with super talented friends lately. I designed and created the nails for Romance Was Born's MBFWA 2015 show in collaboration with Faby Nail Lacquers, which was a very creatively-proud moment for me. Previously I have created digital and print nail content for Oyster, V magazine and Poppet.
Have there been any standout moments?
After Romance Was Born, I received my first fan art illustration of my nails. It was amazing to see someone interpret my nails into a water colour. I was so touched I cried.
What is your main passion - Beauté Gazette, Nail Polish Addicts Anonymous or doing nail art?
I love having so many different facets to what I do and create. The digital side, which is Beauté Gazette, is amazing because it can be accessed by anyone around the world at any time. It also gives me an outlet for my beauty obsession and justifies my collection of 150+ lipsticks. N.P.A.A is a creative nail service, whether it be someone booking in for rainbow nails on a saturday afternoon at the shop or me filling a creative brief for a show, editorial or digital content.
How do you spread your time between the different roles?
If you love what you are doing, then juggling projects is not easy but you can do it. Over Fashion Week, I survived on four hours of sleep, dark mint chocolate and a Drake soundtrack to create the 24 sets of nails looks which took over 40 hours to create.
How did you get into blogging?
I would flip to the beauty pages of magazines like Dazed, i-D and Nylon, they were always my favourite parts to read and lust over. I thought that there was a gap locally for beauty content that was bright, fun and not so mainstream, that’s why I started Beauté Gazette.
What sets you apart from other bloggers?
I guess I'm not the cookie cutter beauty blogger - I don't have a clue how to blend eyeshadow or contour. I'm not afraid to write a beauty review in a tone that is really relatable and humorous, and if I want to quote an N.W.A song in a mascara review, then I'm going to do it! Also, I can make a damn cute glittery unicorn nail GIF.
What has been the highlight of your career?
Opening Nail Polish Addicts Anonymous. It is a space I created which is a reflection of the brand and my own aesthetics. Whether it is clients booking in for Ken Done nail art to mothers bringing in their three-year-olds for their first mini mani, it gives me the biggest buzz.
Can you tell me a bit about your blog?
My blog, The Beauté Buzz, began back in 2011. It is all about my exploration of the latest and greatest beauty products.
Why did you decide to start a blog?
Through my job I work with a number of cosmetic companies. My role required me to look online to monitor and explore the world of beauty blogging for my clients, and one day I decided I would really love to give this a go.
Do you have another job as well as blogging?
I work in social media and print analytics and monitoring at Mediascape. This job requires me to keep an eye out across all media for mentions of my client's brands and to help analyse any traction their products are receiving in the press. I was also admitted as a solicitor last year and volunteer for a pro bono organisation, The Shopfront, helping homeless and disadvantaged young people in Sydney with criminal law matters. I think I juggle all of these jobs with my blogging because I love each and every one of them for a different reason. I find that blogging is a good release and enables me to express my creative side.
You have some beautiful photography in your blog. Do you believe that images are just as important as what is written?
I think images are very important, the beauty world is a very visual one so pictures are always appreciated by readers. I don't know that they are quite as important as the content, but it would be close.
Do you take the photos yourself?
Unless I am sharing an editorial, I take all the photos myself. While I may not have the most up-to-date technology, I try and keep my pictures minimalistic so they look clean and professional.
What sets your blog apart from the others?
It's hard to distinguish yourself from so many blogs these days. I think I stick to my voice, keep it authentic and try to make my content as unique as possible. It's a learning experience for both me and my readers, so while I like sharing my opinions, sometimes they teach me as well!
