Former Sydney resident and beauty influencer Emma Hoareau has knack for amalgamating some of the best things in life. Blogging with travel, skincare with makeup, London with Sydney, and photography with body positivity. The latter is a recent project of hers and one she's explored with a set of graceful self portraits you can see here.
After 18 month away, Emma is back in The Land Down Under on holiday, and we couldn't let her go again without checking in first. From reestablishing herself in London's creative scene, to some her favourite recent beauty launches, here's what the Lolita Says So founder has been up to and enjoying recently.
What are you most enjoying about being back in Oz?
I love the lifestyle here - the fact that everyone gets up early and goes for a swim or walk before work. And swimming in the ocean everyday is, for me, heaven.
In terms of your business, what was the biggest hurdle you faced when initially moving back to London?
Trying to figure out whether there was a space for me in the industry there. Luckily, I managed to carve out a niche lifestyle product photography business alongside running Lolita Says So with the help of some old contacts and a lot of determination from my end.
Did you notice any changes in your audience behaviour, i.e was there an increase in engagement from your British readers once you were back on home turf?
I've always had mainly British and Australian followers, and it's stayed mostly the same since I've been back.
How have you evolved your content over the past few years and what have been some of your favourite developments?
Definitely my self portraits. So many people know me as a beauty blogger rather than a photographer so I was apprehensive before sharing my series of images back in November. But I can happily say it was the best thing to do as I still get emails about them now and it's spurred me into creating even more of them, and linking it to body positivity.
What do you love most about combining travel with beauty?
That they are two of my favourite things! For me, they're both inherent parts of myself which I love to explore - when I talk about 'beauty' it's not just the latest lipstick launch - it's the idea of beauty, and questioning what we find beautiful and exploring the concept of it in my photographs - a lot of which I do whilst travelling.
Where do you shop for your beauty products…
In Sydney: Mecca
In London: SpaceNK, Liberty and Selfridges
Can you name a couple of your favourite beauty launches over the past year or so?
NARS Longwear radiant foundation, Nuxe huile prodigieuse riche, Elizabeth Arden Superstart sheet mask, Bobbi Brown BB crush and Sisley phyto brow gel.
Who do you enjoy following online?
So many! For beauty I love @sortofobsessed @katiejanehughes @ohuprettythings and @tamirajarrel. For photography and fashion it's @frecklesnur @double3xposure @alwaysjudging @lucywillams02.
Emma is in Australia until early April.
