Behind the Screens


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We were lucky enough for Lauren Jade, to share her inspirational story with us, a story about using fashion and beauty blogging to combat mental health struggles ❤️ 

Over to you Lauren... 

I remember from a young age watching my mum do her makeup in the mirror and always looking glam. I always used to think to myself that I can't wait for the day I can play around with makeup and fashion and I started slowly getting into my makeup from the age of 16 when I first watched Anastasia
Kingsnorth on YouTube. This was after a long battle with mental health and I still remember on a bad day I would turn on her videos on YouTube and it took my mind away for a while. That is when I saw how fun it was sharing with world about beauty and fashion. 

In 2014 I was inspired to start The Perks Of Being Lou, I started by just sharing my new makeup products and very rapidly realised how many girls out there on Instagram like me who adored sharing what they loved too! It was a whole new world I had discovered, creating content as a career! 

After a few months of discovering the world of Instagram and creating content, I decided to take my page a little more seriously. I had grown a following and wanted to see what I could do with it. I had my first brand reach out to me and I remember how amazing it felt that I had been noticed! From then I knew that is what I wanted to do as a career. I am lucky to have parents that support my choice in career as it's definitely not seen as a "real" job but the industry is still at the start of growing and I believe it will be the future! 

I currently still work full time in the Co-op and I do really enjoy my job. When I'm not at work I'm creating content for brands I dreamed of working with when I first watched Anastasia. I never thought that could be me! I'm currently working with Shein; Superdrug and it's just an amazing feeling!

My next move, I live in Felixstowe and I do love it here, it's a lovely place to grow up in like I did. I must admit I do get some strange looks when I go out to take outfit photos. But that’s ok... I guess people aren’t used to this kind of thing in Felixstowe just yet. 

I have definitely grown a lot of confidence and strangely doing content creating has helped me recover from my mental health struggles so much! I am grateful everyday to wake up and open my
wardrobe to clothing that have been gifted to me! It really is a blessing. I hope one day to go full time and travel to create content for brands.

The best feeling of the job is getting those messages from other girls like me who say I have inspired them to start their journey too. It just goes to show not all social media is toxic!

My goal right now is to keep working hard and see where it takes me!