Meet Elle McNamara. Elle launched Bambi Does Beauty in 2016 out of pure love for beauty and since then, has continued to share her less is more approach, work with incredible brands and share her passion and knowledge for the industry. With 36k loyal Instagram followers and a monthly column in Glamour magazine, Elle is one of the best in the biz and someone who continues to create and inspire. In 2018, Elle went on to sign with talent agency, Premier Artists, collaborates with brands such as La Mer, Aveda, Nip & Fab and The Inkey List and has been named by Stylist magazine as the “Inspirational Blogger to Follow in 2018” . When Elle isn’t applying masks or answering her devoted Instagram fan questions, she loves to watch Netflix and spend time with her family.

In today’s conversation, we get the lowdown on how Elle carved her own career path, what is in her current makeup bag, her favourite collaborations and what it feels like to see your face on a double page spread in Cosmopolitan magazine…

AO: “Elle! I can’t explain how excited I am to have you on The GlowDown - it is an honour to have someone on here who loves glossy, glowing skin just as much as me. I guess one could say that you carved your own career path, how long has it been since you launched the Bambi Does Beauty Instagram and how did you get started?”

EN: I moved Bambi over to Instagram around 2017. I was just creating posts and videos everyday, for the fun of it, and I slowly started to get noticed by brands.

AO: “What do you love the most about being a content creator?'“

EN: Being my own boss, and working my own hours!

AO: “And the least?”

EN: The uncertainty, and the (often) tight deadlines.

AO: “How would you say your relationship with Instagram has developed over the years?”

EN: I've always adored Instagram, and still love it just as much as when I started. I love the sense of reward I feel from my followers when posting content then love and helping them with skincare advice in my DMs.

AO: “Since we are on the topic of your beautifully curated Instagram feed, I’d love to hear about some campaigns you have worked on - there have been so many wonderful ones. What would you say is your most memorable collaboration to date or a campaign you are most proud of being involved in?”

EN: My favourite brand collabs are always where they give me the most creative freedom. I really enjoyed working with Aveda on their Sap Moss campaign, I'm an Aveda devotee when it comes to hair colouring and haircare and was completely honoured to shoot with them in their studio at Estèe Lauder HQ.

AO: “I loved your page in Cosmopolitan Magazine's recent ’Skinfluencer’ piece. What was it like being involved in something like that and does it feel surreal seeing your face in such a well known magazine?”

EN: It definitely does! The first time I saw my face in a magazine was back in 2016 when I was just a pipsqueak. I was absolutely elated as you can imagine to be the cover of the skinfluencer piece. My dad has the page memorised...LOL.

AO: “I think it’s time to have the page printed and framed… (if you haven’t already, haha!) Do you / have you ever felt pressure to say ‘yes’ to jobs that come in? Did this change when you signed with talent agency, Premier Models?”

EN: Not at all. I love being in complete control of what I align my brand with. Saying no to jobs that aren't right for you is so valuable, I see this as a career for the rest of my life and I have to make decisions with that in mind.

AO: “Let's talk about your monthly Glamour column. Firstly, what an incredible achievement! Do you have the luxury of choosing what you want to write about? I’m intrigued to know how it works.”

EN: Aww thank you so much! I do and I'm so thankful for that! They are so relaxed and let me decide what and when I write.

AO: “I’d love to know what your relationship was like with beauty growing up? Have you always been into fresh, minimal makeup and taken care of your skin?”

EN: Oooh interestingly, not really! I was rather insecure (as I'm sure we all were) in my teens so I plastered the makeup on to cover my pale skin and to try and change my features. Even up until my university days. It's only as I've gotten older that I've become very comfortable in natural beauty and become passionate about my skincare regime.

AO: “Any advice for someone who is just getting into skincare?”

EN: Only buy one new product at a time, be patient with results (it can often take a month or so for results to show) Do what feels good to your skin.

AO: “We couldn’t not talk about your beautiful glowing skin - please kindly take us through your current routine. Any products you can’t live without, rituals you do daily?”

EN: Thank you! I do love a glow! At the moment my morning routine is:

Cleanse - Using a balmy or soothing oil cleanser like The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm.

Essence - I'm loving the La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra 8 Mist.

Vit C - I adore Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, it absorbs so quick and leaves no irritation!

Hydrating Serum - I have these on rotation but I love the NIOD multi molecular and Murad's Skin Soothing Serum.

Moisturiser - Something like the Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream to give me a glow.

SPF - Glossier Invisible Shield is my fail safe!

In the evening I will double cleanse, and swap my vitamin c and spf for a retinol.

AO: “Skinceuticals CE Ferulic is one of my favourite products too, I am completely obsessed! Onto makeup, if we opened up your makeup bag right now, what would we find?”

EN: Hourglass Illume Sheer Colour Trio (THE best cream bronze and blush!) Becca Cosmetics Liquid Shimmering Skin Perfector, Vichy Dermablend Concealer, Soap Brows.

AO: “What is next for Bambi Does Beauty?”

EN: Doing more of what my followers love to see; my skincare guides, makeup tips and tricks and more organic content as well as partnerships!

AO: Now, for some quick-fire questions…

AO: “Top 3 accounts to follow on Instagram?” 

EN: @laucapon, @reallyree, @peonylim

AO: “Bronzer or blush?” 

EN: Bronzer.

AO: “One brand you always go back to?” 

EN: Oooh that's tough, for me it's more about products I'll always go back to. La Roche Posay's Toleriane Ultra 8 Mist Concentrate.

AO: “What are you watching on TV right now?”

EN: Normal People...the heartache!

AO: “If you could be known for anything you wanted, what would it be?” 

EN: Kindness and creativity. 

You can follow Elle on Instagram (@bambidoesbeauty) where she shares enviable shelfies, beauty tips and tricks and her beautiful face. There are an abundance of stories saved to her highlights where she discusses certain topics / concerns to guide you on your skincare journey!