Honest, chic and creative with the ability to ‘capture beauty in everything’. It’s an honour to welcome someones who’s work I have loved for so long onto my interview series. Her work captures a feeling that is portrayed so beautifully through the lens and she’s got the whole of Instagram obsessed. Introducing Emma Hoareau, a self confessed skincare geek, photographer and ocean lover.

After 11 years of finding her way in the digital world, Emma is an expert in her field. Full time blogger and photographer, Emma shares skincare tips, glowy makeup looks, travel diaries, her effortless approach to style and her incredible photography work via her Instagram and blog. More recently, Emma’s started a creative mentorship group, How To By Emma, which is the ultimate space for how to become a successful creative. She’s a champion of the multi-hyphen career and the ultimate girlboss.

In today’s interview, we chatted career, beauty and growth, what it was like growing up in France, how living in three iconic cities influenced her approach to style, how she curated her digital career and some products she couldn’t live without.

AO: “Emma! I couldn’t be more excited to have you as a guest. I’ve admired your work for such a long time so thank you for joining me on The Glowdown. How are you holding up in this strange time and what is keeping inspired right now?” 

EH: Thanks for having me! It’s an odd time, but appreciating the little things.

AO: “Let’s get started with a passion we both share, beauty. What was your first memory of it and what would you say your relationship with beauty was like growing up?”

EH: Honestly I never saw it as a huge interest of mine until I started working in it and then became obsessed! My mother is super minimal in terms of products and barely wears makeup and I always loved that nonchalant approach.

AO: “You’re Parisian-born, spent 2 years in Sydney and now reside in London. How has living in three iconic but very different cities influenced your point of view on style and beauty?”

EH: I think living in different countries really opens up your  perspective and way of seeing style and beauty  - I feel like I’ve tried a few styles (both clothes and beauty) on for size and now have an amalgamation of all 3 that feels right.

AO: “Your perfectly capture the effortlessly chic Parisian style that we all know and love. Has this always been the case or would you say this was influenced by your surroundings/mum or sister as you grew older?” 

EH: I’m the youngest of 5 girls but we all have really different styles. It certainly hasn’t always been the case and I experimented a lot with colour and print in my late teens and early twenties but just never felt quite ‘me’. Now I like feeling powerful and sexy – which to me is the simplest things. Often the simplest are the hardest to get right as it’s all about quality and cut and finding what fits my shape right.

AO: “I think finding your style is all about trial and error, I’m slowly getting there with my own wardrobe… What do you deem to be essential for channeling the 'French girl’ undone look? It’s my favourite”.

EH: I think it’s all about feeling comfortable and not worrying too much. There’s a nonchalance to it and that is what makes it perfectly undone, rather than fretting that something doesn’t look ‘right’.

AO: “What are your key products for achieving your glowy everyday makeup looks we often see on Instagram?”

EH: A glowing primer, a light CC cream and cream blush – never fails!

AO: “I am cream blush obsessed! Since moving into lockdown, working from our homes has become our new norm, which definitely takes some adjusting. Have you introduced any new rituals or routines that are helping you to keep positive and inspired?”

EH: Honestly I’ve always worked from home so it doesn’t feel too different, apart from I don’t go out for meetings anymore. I know I can’t work for 8 hours straight (that’s why I am my own boss) so I let my energy guide me day to day in what I can achieve.

AO: “On the topic of routine, let’s talk about your current skincare regime. What are you enjoying using at the moment? Any new products you’ve been relying on?” 

EH: There  are so many products I love, but right now I’m still really loving the Dermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil for helping with my breakouts. I’m also using lots of niacinamide, especially loving the Dr Dennis Gross Stress Rescue Serum. And for masks the Frank Body Brightening Vitamin C one really impressed me!

AO: “As the queen of skincare ingredients… what are the three must haves in your daily routine? 

EH: Salicylic acid, ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

AO: “The ultimate skincare trio. I’d love to discuss your wonderful digital career… I know you’ve always worked on freelance projects (which is inspiring in itself) but if we go back to the start, where did it all begin for Emma Hoareau? 

EH: I started out writing for magazines when I was at university, and then got offered the job as a beauty editor when I graduated. I always liked writing so continued this when I moved to Sydney a couple years later, but it was then that I realised I wanted my main medium to be images. I’ve had my blog nearly 11 years and so have always shared my imagery and words, and started telling people I was a photographer – and now I am on!

AO: “I love that, a very inspiring journey. Along-side writing for your blog, creating content on instagram and collaborating with brands, you also work as a photographer. How do you manage your different projects and balance your time between the two?”

EH: Honestly it totally depends how much photography work I have  coming in – and it doesn’t always feel different as I’m always shooting for myself anyway.

AO: “What’s your best piece of advice for establishing a ‘work life balance’ for those who are new to freelancing?”

EH: Put your work bits away! It’s so easy to just keep working otherwise, whereas packing them away and then being ‘home’ for your down time is key. I say this but also definitely still work 7 days a week.

AO: “I’m sure there are many that stand out, but what has been your career highlight / proudest moment to date?”

EH: Alexandria Ocasio Cortez following me on Instagram. Like, what!? Close second was art directing a shoot for Chanel a couple years ago – having such an iconic company put their trust in my really made me realise that I was made to do this.

AO: “Wow, both incredible career highlights and so cool that Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is taking skincare tips from you - you’ve made it!”

AO: “How has your creative approach to your work developed over time?”

EH: I spent a long time trying to find my happy place and I think over the past few years with film I really have, shooting analogue to me is sp special and exciting!

AO: “What do you believe to be the future of the beauty industry and how do you see it evolving over the next few years?”

EH: The thing I  love most about beauty is that it’s always evolving as new ingredients and technologies are constantly changing. It’s starting to happen now but I really wish for a beauty industry that created less of an impact on the planet, and it’s encouraging to see lots of brands I love beginning to make their way to zero waste.

AO: “I couldn’t not mention your gIRL series, which I adore. What inspired you to begin that project and would you ever look at taking it further than just a blog feature?”

EH: Thank you! It was an idea I had because I really wanted to shoot more women and so decided to turn the camera on my friends. I hope one day I can create a book from them all.

AO: “As a fellow sun, sea and sand lover, are you ever tempted to move back to Sydney? The weather and ocean is hard to resist!”

EH: If I had the visa, I’d love to! Luckily I have friends there so tend to visit for a month or so every year.

AO: “Lastly, what does 2021 look like for you?”

EH: Right now it feels crazy to hope what may happen next year, but I’ve just launched my mentorship programme which focuses on helping other creatives find success for themselves and it’s been so amazing sharing this side of my work that normally I reserve for friends! I’m really excited to see where it takes me (us!) and go from there. It feels so right.

AO: “I’d love to ask you some quick fire questions…”

EH: Sure!

AO: “Top 3 Instagram accounts to follow?”

EH: @c_l_o @helloartists @condenasty

AO: “One thing you will always do?”

EH: Support others.

AO: “One thing you will never do?”

EH: Wear crocs.

AO: “Currently watching?”

EH: Schitts Creek.

AO: “3 products you always go back to?”

EH: Estée Lauder ANR, Dermalogica Microfoliant and RMS Magic Luminizer.

AO: “One piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?”

EH: Follow your gut.