TLBG Meets...

What better way to launch TLBG than with an interview from one of our favourite beauty bloggers? We've been chatting to Hayley from the award winning blog London Beauty Queen on beauty, blogging and lipstick!
We’re big fans of LBQ, but for those who might not be avid readers, tell us a little about you and your blog…

I’m Hayley, the founder of www.londonbeautyqueen.com and a beauty addict that’s worked in the beauty industry for more years than I care to mention. I write about everything beauty and wellbeing related, reviewing new launches, providing top tips and discussing controversial topics within the blogosphere. I don’t mince my words and I’m not afraid to be brutally honest.

What inspired you to start blogging about beauty?

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!

How did you come up with the name London Beauty Queen?

It was a spur of the moment decision. I wanted it to be obvious what I was writing about, reflect my location, and not be dependent upon me individually – having worked within branding for years I applied what I’d learned to do something a bit different.

How did you turn your passion into a career?

I worked on the blog part time as a hobby for over three years before making the transition into doing it full time. It was never an active decision, but something that just started to generate more income the more time I spent on it; eventually it became clear that I needed to make the leap and try it. If I failed I would’ve gone back to employment, but luckily it worked out quite well!

What’s your skin type and do you have any skin concerns?

My skin type is ‘normal’ – if anyone’s can ever be normal. I don’t have any specific skin concerns, but now I’m in my 30’s I’ve started to pay extra attention to my routine and making sure I look after my skin as much as possible. Prevention is better than cure.

Which one beauty product could you not live without?

There’s not any one product in particular, but I couldn’t live without a lip balm of some description. I hate the feeling of non-lubricated lips! I always have at least two lip balms in my bag and apply about 100 times a day.

What’s your favourite lipstick colour?

Red is a classic shade that I do love to rock occasionally, but I’m really into deep berry tones and powerful purples – they’re surprisingly fabulous.

What’s your guilty beauty pleasure?

I love covering myself from head to toe in treatments and slipping into a bath. Face mask, hair mask, body mask… If you can’t indulge every so often what’s the point!

What’s been the most rewarding thing about blogging?

It’s amazing to know I make a difference to other people; having that relationship with my readers is second to none. I love the fact I can provide a recommendation that makes a huge difference to someone – be it a new mascara, tips on applying lipstick to give them confidence or a face cream that helps reduce their problem areas. If it wasn’t for the interaction I don’t think I would be as passionate about running a blog as I am.

What advice would you give to aspiring beauty bloggers?

Be prepared to spend time building a platform through hard work and dedication. Success doesn’t happen overnight and you shouldn’t feel like a failure if your door isn’t being knocked down by brands after three months. Enjoy it.

You can visit The London Beauty Queen Blog here or find her over on Twitter @LBQBlog.