If you're a lover of dewy skin, brushed up brows and going makeup-free over a smokey eye, chances are you've come across @bambidoesbeauty on Instagram. And if you haven't yet, you're welcome.
Elle McNamara is the face, camera-woman, and curator behind the fresh-faced Instagram page. Starting her feed in 2017, she's reached over 20k followers in just a year, so we picked her brains on what led to her Insta-success...
No job ever felt right
Elle talks skincare every day on her feed, but she actually studied fashion at University before going on to work a multitude of jobs.
"I left University and moved to London not really having a career path - I just knew I wanted to live in London", she says.
"I went from receptionist to PA in advertising, to Disney Princess and 'shot girl' in a bar. Bear in mind I don't drink and I'm not a party girl so that was a bit of a nightmare scenario for me!"
Elle admits she just wasn't about the 9-5 life and was even fired from a few jobs.
"I had quite a few 'What the hell am I doing here?' moments that led me to quit and putting all my energy into @bambidoesbeauty."
Choosing Instagram
As a content creator, there are so many platforms to choose from. Elle had originally started with Youtube videos, but says the best (and scariest) decision she ever made was moving her @bambidoesbeauty onto Instagram.
"I was advised to move over by friends who work in PR", says Elle.
"They told me the new generation of bloggers were basing their content on Instagram. People are getting less and less patient with the long YouTube videos, and when Instagram stories happened, that just changed everything!"
A-Z of skincare: your definitive guide to achieving glowing, healthy skinGallery26 PhotosCompared to YouTube, Elle finds Instagram to be far more candid and less of a chore. But she still uses a website as a base for people to learn more about her background.
"I'm also in the process of adding a new feature to my site that I know my Instagram followers will appreciate!", she says.
Stay tuned...
Filters, colour palettes and timing
@bambidoesbeauty has had a strong colour palette and aesthetic right from the start, and the imagery stays true to the 'less is more approach to beauty'.
"When I started, I cited Natalia Vodianova as one of my beauty inspirations", says Elle. "Her ethereal undone look was just beautiful to me and something I wanted to emulate."
"I also read a quote whilst I was studying at uni, "Prettiness is the Enemy of Beauty", and I think that sums up my 'less is more' approach".
This is why when it comes to editing her photos, it takes five minutes tops.
"I don't edit my photos too much, I think that's the @bambidoesbeauty signature really. I still use an Iphone SE for all my images! I cannot wait for that upgrade!"
When she does use a filter, Aden is the one. "I like to use the Aden filter but only slightly. I like my photos to have a warmth to them but still look natural."
As for taking the photos, she says 'shelfies' are the most time consuming, and it can take up to 20 takes to get the right one.
"You have to experiment with angles a little bit more with product photos."
When it comes to her posting strategy, Elle says she still doesn't schedule posts but she favours the evenings because that's when her followers are online.
"I like to space my posts out, not posting too much is the key I think."
Making money, but not compromises
When it comes to monetising her Instagram, Elle says she only starting working commercially and partnering with brands a few months ago.
"I started getting requests from big brands for me to collaborate with them – unpaid", she says. "I was getting to the point of frustration as I had thousands of followers who were a target audience for them and I felt I needed to start earning."
"I went back to one brand and they said they had never paid for sponsored posts before but wanted to work with me so much that the fee was fine. That's when my business brain started to kick into gear!"
While most of her commercial work has come from brands approaching her, Elle says you also have to work hard and put yourself out there.
"Make connections at events, do research on Instagram and email your media pack (like a CV for bloggers!) out to brands you would really want to work with."
The latter part has proved to be key for many Instagrammers alike, and something Elle herself will never compromise on.
"It is so tempting at the start to try and see brands or products through rose tinted glasses and think 'Oh well maybe I could put this angle on the product'...."
"But the bottom line is - working with a brand that is not right for you or your own brand will just lower your credibility. It will also put other brands and potential partners off working with you if you cheapen yourself. In the long run, it is not worth it and you will lose out from it."
Her advice for budding bloggers?
"Stay true to what YOU enjoy, the products you use and not just what's trendy."
Lovers, haters and social media breaks
Instagram can be a mixed bag of positivity and negativity, but for the most part, Elle doesn't experience too much hate.
"YouTube was a breeding ground for negative comments", she says. "I used to get quite a few on there, I'm relieved to say Instagram is nowhere near as negative."
"I had someone recently comment on how I needed to 'fix my eyebrows' so I just replied saying I loved my eyebrows. That's a very tame comment, anything worse gets blocked and I do not engage with them."
I'm a beauty editor and these are the 12 best brow products I swear byGallery11 PhotosAs far as breaks go, Elle says she's yet to take days off from her Instagram, and that even if she's not posting, she's still active.
"It's a business now so I feel all the interaction on it is beneficial", she says.
"Sometimes I have to make a conscious decision to put my phone down, or leave my phone at home if I'm going to walk the dog in order to feel more present."
Elle's top 3 favourite accounts to follow:
1. @topshelfieillustrated
"The first beauty illustrator I noticed on Instagram. She paved the way for the new crop of beauty illustrators on Instagram."
2. @tobimakeup
"I adore her take on makeup artistry. She doesn't lose her models' natural beauty. And gosh do they have it! She works with the likes of Bambi Northwood, Georgia Fowler and Natasha Oakley."
3. @aliceduparq
"Freelance beauty writer, with a penchant for the boujjiest of beauty brands. Look out for cameos from her daughter Poppy; she always puts a smile on my face!"
Can't get enough of dewy skin? Face oils is where it's at...
Face oils and what to know about them, whether you love them or loathe themGallery13 PhotosncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qLjApqauqp2WtKLGyKecZ5ufY8Kse8Crq6KbnJp8o63Mm6BmnJ%2BawG6uxJqsrbFdnru0wMCgqZqlXZius7HEq2SipqSav7e1xLA%3D