Speedy Spotlight – Rachel, Beauty Queen UK

An interview with Rachel, author of the beauty blog Beauty Queen UK. Rachel spoke to us about setting her own fashion trends, being featured in The Sun newspaper and moving on to vlogging in the coming months. 

Why should people read your blog?
I can’t really make anyone read my blog, but I like to think I am the normal, average everyday 30-something living in London who likes things that most people my age like, the only difference being I like to write about them and share my views. 

I am not strictly a designer label kind of girl, nor just high street. If I like something I like it and if I don’t, I don’t, and am happy to tell you either way.

What makes your blog different? 
I don’t follow any trends whatsoever, be it make-up, clothes or shoes.  I am someone who likes what I like regardless of how fashionable and popular it is.  I also don’t follow any styles of writing and everything that I do choose to write about is done in my own way, my own style and is always honest.

Every now and again I will write a post that doesn’t quite fit in with my blog’s theme, just to show that I can and because it interests me.

What’s your favourite blog and why?  
I actually have two.  

Firstly my husband Steve, who blogs over at www.beautykinguk.co.uk (see the theme there?) and watching his blog evolve and take shape is something I am really proud of – more so because there are not that many male beauty bloggers out there.

Secondly, there is Kimberley from www.kimberleysbeautyblog.co.uk who is amazing, friendly and offers helps and advice when and where I need it.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a blog?
Be yourself and blog because you want to. Try not to worry about your stats too much.  Constantly comparing yourself to others is something I made the mistake of doing and it really got me down and I almost gave it up.  Also, if in doubt, ask someone, one thing I am grateful for is having some good blogger friends from whom I can ask advice if I need it, that in itself is a godsend at times.

How does a good PR work with you?
 Introduce themselves properly in an email (rather than one sent to a group) and gets my name right. I had an email recently which started “Dear Elizabeth”, naturally I wish I was The Queen, but I am not. I also like to be told about the Client/product(s) they represent and what they would like me to do, be it write a review, host a give-away and so on.  It is also nice to know that time has been taken to have a look at your blog.  Some of the PR’s I am lucky to work with always start an email referencing a post I have written, some even offer some good constructive advice which I find really helpful.

What do PRs do that’s bad? I have had quite a few who have never said ‘Thank you’.  Whenever I write a post for them on whichever product I have been sent, I always email them to let them know it is written and up on my blog, or if we have a pre-agreement, I send it to them first before it goes live.  

Blogging is actually quite hard and it is a dedicated hobby. It isn’t a case of getting a product, whether it is bought or sent to you, and then writing a few hundred words, I always use a product for a good few weeks, maybe longer depending on what it is before putting pen to paper to write down my thoughts and the blog post usually evolves over a series of weeks and in one or two cases a few months, which can mean a lot of time and effort and a simple thank you is often a really nice touch.

What was your blogging highlight of 2013?  
I was given the opportunity by Deciem, the creators of the Inhibitif range to try out and test their product of advanced hair-free body serum, which over time means that I don’t have to shave my legs constantly.  Following on from a series of blog posts I did, Deciem asked if they could feature my post in The Sun Newspaper, which it did, and I then appeared on the sleeve of all their packaging for the above product.  As a fairly new blogger at the time, the opportunity given to me was massive and I am so grateful that I was asked – it was and still is such an honour.

What will be big in your blogosphere in 2014?  Vlogging.  The more bloggers I get to know and meet are turning to Youtube/videos as a means of expressing themselves and adding content to their blogs.  Some do it very very well and have attracted millions of subscribers, whilst others are just starting out.  Will I join in, who knows… watch this space.

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