Interview
Telum Talks To: Bonnie Gillies, Founder / Editor of Oz Beauty Expert
By Kristy Nguyen
What inspired you to launch Oz Beauty Expert?
I have been a makeup artist for 20 years. Oz Beauty Expert initially started as a way to share pictures of my hair and makeup jobs from fashion and TV projects, and talk about what products and techniques I used to achieve the look. The website garnered a strong following of Aussie women over the years who look to me for tips and advice on how to look and feel great themselves. It has now been running for 12 years!
Who is your primary audience?
Everyday Australian women (25 to 45 year-olds) who want to be empowered with beauty skills to look and feel great!
Are there any beauty trends you've noticed this year that have stood out to you?
There are so many great new skin treatments out there - it's been so interesting seeing them and getting to try new technologies and innovations. I've also loved visiting some of the top day spas in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and even internationally. It's always nice to be able to recommend a stunning location for my audience to treat themselves or a friend to a day of pampering!
Do you have any upcoming topics or events you're looking forward to covering?
Our main focus remains on skin treatments, anti-aging, hair trends, spa reviews, as well as the usual "how to" makeup and style content my audience loves.
What advice would you give to PRs hoping to get noticed?
A nice genuine introduction is always a great first step. I find the relationships we used to have with PRs don't exist as much anymore and it's a shame. So many PRs these days come in hard and fast with a transaction proposal along the lines of "Can I send you a moisturiser in return for an article or a social post?". It's an instant turn-off for me.
We receive many products for review - don't make it sound like you value our work, content, and hard-earned following as little as the value of a moisturiser. We need time to trial things first and if the team loves them, we will include them.
I have been a makeup artist for 20 years. Oz Beauty Expert initially started as a way to share pictures of my hair and makeup jobs from fashion and TV projects, and talk about what products and techniques I used to achieve the look. The website garnered a strong following of Aussie women over the years who look to me for tips and advice on how to look and feel great themselves. It has now been running for 12 years!
Who is your primary audience?
Everyday Australian women (25 to 45 year-olds) who want to be empowered with beauty skills to look and feel great!
Are there any beauty trends you've noticed this year that have stood out to you?
There are so many great new skin treatments out there - it's been so interesting seeing them and getting to try new technologies and innovations. I've also loved visiting some of the top day spas in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and even internationally. It's always nice to be able to recommend a stunning location for my audience to treat themselves or a friend to a day of pampering!
Do you have any upcoming topics or events you're looking forward to covering?
Our main focus remains on skin treatments, anti-aging, hair trends, spa reviews, as well as the usual "how to" makeup and style content my audience loves.
What advice would you give to PRs hoping to get noticed?
A nice genuine introduction is always a great first step. I find the relationships we used to have with PRs don't exist as much anymore and it's a shame. So many PRs these days come in hard and fast with a transaction proposal along the lines of "Can I send you a moisturiser in return for an article or a social post?". It's an instant turn-off for me.
We receive many products for review - don't make it sound like you value our work, content, and hard-earned following as little as the value of a moisturiser. We need time to trial things first and if the team loves them, we will include them.
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