Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Laura Richardson @divasanddollsbeauty

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

I am a master cosmetologist in three states. I love everything about the fashion and beauty industry, but my biggest passion is makeup. I attended cosmetology at the young age of fifteen years old. So my love for the industry started at a young age and I would definitely consider it my first love. With that said life does not always work out as we expected and as I was working towards building my own spa I was severely injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. It was a long recovery and sadly my first love had to take a back seat. With the help of encouragement from friends and even strangers I began to reunite with my first love and true calling again. I am currently working with several brands through social media campaigns.As well as am in the process of launching my beauty blog and youtube channel all while being a round the clock caregiver to my mom who is battling a terminal cancer. Sometimes blessing come in the worse disguises because if it were not for these set backs I would not have stumbled upon this new social media wave. I am truly loving this new career path that I am on and it has been the light in my life in such a dark time.

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

My topics of interest include beauty, fashion, lifestyle, inspiration and travel. Since I am a cosmetologist and blogger I post mostly beauty related posts more often than others. I like to post images of new products along with my review. I also post a lot of selfies of original makeup looks that I create with providing a detailed list of the products and brands that I used in that particular look.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

I came up with my Instagram name because I wanted all of my accounts to have the same/similar names for branding purposes , as well as, for my audience to be able to follow me more easily. I came up with the name Divas & Dolls Beauty because I believe all women have a “diva” and a “doll” side to their style as well as their personality. Just depends on which day you are interacting with us. I also liked the concept of doing multiple looks from the same product. For example if I create a look that was too bold for you then no need to worry because I will use that same product and create a “doll” more subtle look for you. That way everyone is included and it also maximizes the products potential usage from the consumers view.

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

The main apps I use when editing photos/ images are Facetune, Afterlight, and Squareready. Facetune is great with makeup looks because colors do not always show up as true to real life color, so you can use the detail feature and make the colors or details more intense. Not only will this help the photo look more realistic as it does in person but it will also grab a consumers attention more so than a dull colored photo. I like to use Afterlight to make the image sharper for detail purposes and to also add contrast. This will help a photo taken on an iPhone look more like a professional photo. Lastly I use Squareready to make sure that my image will fit perfectly for the Instagram layout. This really comes in handy when you have a larger photo that you do not want to crop. This is also where you can add borders if you would like. There are so many great apps out there but I think that using these three you sure to have a professional looking photo as well as a gorgeous Instagram feed!

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

There are soooo many! Far too many to name so lets just start with my top faves. That would have to be Jaclyn Hill, Chrisspy, MakeupShayla, and absolutely can not forget about the stunning Amrezy! There are so many beautiful and talented women out there, but these four take the cake! There are key players in the industry and this is exactly what I am working hard to get to one day!

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

My new obsession that I think that everyone must try would have to be the allnighter foundation by Urban Decay Cosmetics. I am so in love with this foundation. It gives a full coverage, but without looking too made up and cakey. It is just so stunning on the skin and sets beautifully. The best part is the name is giving this product justice I can definitely stay on all night even in the humidity that we have here in the south!

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

My favorite part about being an influencer is being a part of the industry that I love so much! It is one thing to use products, but it is a whole other level when you can make a post and that brand notices you, and gives you feedback or much better makes the changes the consumers want to see. It establishes a relationship with the consumers and the brand. One benefit to the brand is that it takes the guessing work out of the picture. It is now easier than ever to see what your consumers think and want. The best part to me is getting to do Both of the things I love simultaneously which is to work in the beauty industry and take care of my mom, along with real building relationships and friendships with other influencers.

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

My top tips for brands would be to get your audience involved. Instead of just posting a photo about an upcoming launch as them a question, give them a chance to be featured on your page, host a giveaway, get involved in the community or social matters, and lastly change it up. If you always use photo try uploading a video. If a picture is worth 1,000 words than a video has to be worth 100,000!

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

Quality is always the most important thing whether your the brand or the influencer. If you are the brand it is better to launch a well thought out and tested product as oppose to launching a new product because it is the holidays. Also with the influencer it does not matter if you post every day if the content you are posting is not engaging an audience. So quality is without a doubt the most important key.

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

What I like best about partnering with brands is that I get to be part of the community and industry versus just a consumer. I like the relationship! The collaboration of a brand having an idea of the outcome they want and myself having the creative input to help them get there!

Topics:

• DIY & Crafts
• Film, Music & Books
• Hair & Beauty
• Health & Fitness

Country:

United States of America