Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Amanda Perry @byamandaperry

1) Tell us a little about yourself. What are you doing now and where do you come from?

Right now? I am sitting on my butt, wearing sweats, having a cup of coffee, answering these questions, and snuggling my dogs while my two year old son takes a nap. Hahahahaha!

For real, though, I am living my dream. I am married to Superman – seriously, he is my “true love’s kiss”- we have an adorable son together who I get to be home with, I get to snuggle dogs whenever I want… I just feel so blessed to have the ability and the time to follow my passions! It just took me a while to admit to myself that they were makeup related.

In middle school I discovered my love for beauty. I loved giving my best friend makeovers (she still lets me to this day). But I didn’t want to conform. I didn’t want to be “just” another cosmetologist. Fast forward past an early high school graduation, massage therapy school, nannying for two families to pay for massage therapy school, and several customer service jobs (I loved them, by the way), and we come to me finally admitting to myself that I just love making people feel beautiful. I moved home, met my now husband, and finally started a cosmetology program. Halfway through my hours I married my husband, moved, and switched schools. As part of the curriculum, we studied makeup. Our makeup instructor, Brittany Troche – who is a complete genius by the way – is the person who watered my seed. After graduating, working at a salon, giving birth to my beautiful son, doing hair from my home, and taking up cello (why not?) my husband asked me what I wanted to do with my life. I was embarrassed. I told him how passionate I am about makeup. I told him I see it as art. I told him I wanted to help people who, like me, struggled finding beauty products that would work with finicky, sensitive skin…but that in the grand scheme of things, I could never be away from my son. I love…LOVE being a mom. He didn’t laugh. He didn’t judge. Instead, he supported and encouraged me. We planned, we saved, we bought some equipment, and after several months I was able to begin my Instagram page. Shortly after, I had everything I needed to start making YouTube videos. I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do ANY of this without my husband.

Going back to the beginning of my Instagram feed, you will find that the pictures aren’t the best and the layout of the page isn’t the cleanest…but I will never delete those posts because they show me how far I’ve come in the months since I started my account.

2) What are your topics of interest? What do you post on Instagram the most?

You know the phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none.”? I’m pretty sure that was coined after me! I have so many interests! Makeup, hair, food, dogs, coffee, music, wine, art, reading, calligraphy…too many to list. I dabble in all of them, but only excel in a few. I guess I have commitment issues! Pretty much my entire Instagram feed, though, is dedicated to makeup. I love looking at beauty related posts! People are ridiculously creative and I get so much inspiration just scrolling through my feed. I secretly wish my page was dedicated to coffee and latte art, though 😉

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

Honestly? My indecisiveness. I refused to be limited to a certain topic by my user name! I knew I wanted my first and last name included so it would feel more personal (already taken, dammit). I knew that I would mainly be posting about makeup on my page – but that topic in itself is so diverse! And what if I wanted to post about food, my dogs, or something totally NOT makeup related?!? What word could I add to my name that would encompass more than one topic? What if I wanted to post a photo of a food, nails, hair (I’m a licensed cosmetologist), or favorite products??? I was clearly overthinking this whole name thing. Then it hit me! Reviews BY Amanda Perry. Nails BY Amanda Perry. Makeup BY Amanda Perry. That simple two letter word was all-encompassing! Name dilemma solved.

4) What are some apps you use to edit your photos? Share with us your photo-editing routine!

If I’m posting a makeup “selfie” (remote shot with my Canon 70D) I go into Snapseed and use the brush tool to brighten the background just a bit (if needed), then do the rest of the editing in Instagram. My favorite filter to use for makeup selfies is Gingham…but only at 20 percent. I just love the slight gray cast it gives while maintaining the true color! Then I go into the editing feature and bump up both the contrast and sharpness by about 10 percent. For all other photos, I edit exclusively in Instagram.

5) Any Instagrammers whom you really like? Which Instagrammer inspires you the most?

I am being one hundred percent honest when I say that I love every single person that I follow on Instagram. If I didn’t like them, I wouldn’t follow them! Every single one inspires me! There are several whose posts I stalk, though…

@stevie.cakes – I have never seen a more BEAUTIFUL page! Every time I look at her posts I want to try something outside my comfort zone. She makes thinking outside the box look effortless! My favorite thing about her, though, is that she is so genuine and just plain nice! She always has something kind to say to anyone who comments on her posts.

@scmakeupartistry – Stevie is one of those people who I just want to hang out with…and I would! If we didn’t live so far away from each other. I have realized being on social media that there are just some people you feel connected to! She has this ability to make a glitter cut-crease or unusual lip color look natural and wearable, and her tutorial videos are awesome! In my head we are the best of friends.

@katelovesmakeup1 – Kate is my go to for an honest review. Any time I see her post about a product I have been thinking about purchasing, I literally stop scrolling and go straight to her blog. She doesn’t sugar coat, she doesn’t cave to pressure, and she always gives her complete and unbiased opinion. If she likes it, she tells you. If she hates it, she tells you. Reviewers with her honesty are hard to come by!

@thetattooedhusband – His page is porn. Everything about coffee fascinates me – the brewing process, the beans, the cups, the smell… He posts these gorgeous photos that are composed to perfection! The lighting, textures, and layouts are so carefully considered. I will literally just sit, stare, shake my head, and go pull out my bialetti moka pot to make myself a cup.

6) If there’s one thing your fellow Instagrammers just gotta try now, what’s it gonna be?

Bruschetta with grilled peaches, goat cheese, and balsamic reduction. Just because that is what I am craving right now. I think about food a lot, okay?

7) What’s your favorite part about being an influencer?

I know it’s cliche, but building relationships with people is my favorite part about being an influencer. The reason I started my YouTube channel and Instagram was to help people find good beauty products that work well…especially for those with super combo and sensitive skin like me! But it has become SO much more than that! Being on social media has allowed me to interact with people who I know I would have never met otherwise…and these people who you share common interests with become your friends!

8) What are some of your top tips to brands for running campaigns? How do you maintain authenticity?

My top tip to brands for running campaigns is to make sure a product is TRULY testable. That sounds simple enough…especially if what you are being sent is an item of clothing or food. It either lasts or fits or it doesn’t. You either like the way it tastes or you don’t. I feel like beauty items can be tricky, though! When I am sent a single-use sample of a foundation or anti-aging product, I simply cannot give an honest opinion on whether or not it works! It also makes it impossible to recommend products for specific skin types or give a review on the lasting power. If beauty brands in particular would be willing to send samples with enough product for multiple uses, it would enable reviewers to REALLY know and promote the product in the campaign. Which leads into…

Authenticity. Consumers sniff out phony influencers like a dog can smell shit! I believe in providing those who follow me with honest, unbiased reviews. I would feel like a horrible, HORRIBLE person if I pushed or promoted a product I didn’t stand behind 100% and influenced people to spend their hard earned money on something I didn’t believe in. Now, I’m aware that (especially in beauty) what works for one won’t necessarily work for another, so I do the best I can to test a product with multiple controls before I give a review. I wouldn’t want someone saying they like a product just because it’s popular or they feel pressured because it’s sponsored or free. Do unto others, right?

9) What would your advice be on the importance of quality and original content?

Now more than ever it is SO important to put out quality content! We live in a world of instant gratification which translates over to social media. People appreciate photos and videos that are thoughtfully composed! Once I decided to reach out to people in the beauty scope of social media, I took several months to save and gather the tools I would need to create good quality content for people to look at and watch. Good lighting and clear photos go a long way! As for originality, I feel like the reason why it is so important is because it gives your followers a chance to really get to know you. I like that I can scroll through my feed and, even if they aren’t included in the picture, know who made the post before looking at their handle. I appreciate a nice shout out to someone else’s work every now and again, but generally the reason why people decide to continue following your account is because they like who YOU are. When you allow someone see you through your own work, it makes them feel more connected.

10) What do you like best about partnering with brands?

I’m going to be perfectly honest here – I am not really all that experienced in brand partnering. That being said, the thing I am most excited for is really getting to know the companies and the people behind them. I think it would be so incredible to talk with the people who are a part of a business – learn about their beginning, struggles, what caused them to really take off and make it big, the inspiration behind their different lines and products… One of the most valuable things to me is the relationships I build and the the things I learn from other people. Brand partnering would pave the way for me to reach a whole new level of connection with my followers. Instead of merely promoting a product, it would allow me to promote a company’s vision and ethics. That would be amazing!

Topics:

• Hair & Beauty

Country:

United States of America