KLARSKIN x AMY LAWRENSON
Beauty & Wellness Editor | Consultant | Content Creator | Byrdie, ELLE, Women’s Health
I work in a competitive industry and it's so easy to look at your peers and think I wish I'd done things differently. I'm now in my mid-thirties and reflecting back, I am so thankful for the career I've had to date.
I worked at ELLE for over 7 years and learnt about working on a high profile brand. I soaked up so much beauty knowledge during my time.
At Byrdie I really drilled down into SEO, and learnt about building a brand in a new market, I was much more involved in the financial and commercial sides of the business.
My goal was always to be editor of Vogue magazine but very early on I realised that I love digital - the reward of writing an article and seeing how many people have read it or shopped from it is quite addictive! So it's definitely good to be malleable and realise that it's okay not to still want the dream you had at fourteen.
I've had a couple of mentors during my time, my first boss Melissa Dick at ELLE had such faith in me and really supported my growth - she was so brilliant at leading the website and I really looked up to her as someone I could aspire to be like.
My beauty director at ELLE, Sophie Beresiner really championed me and made me want to be the best I could be, she is one of the most hardworking people I know and I found that really inspiring.
At Women's Health Farrah Storr taught me a lot about writing features in the short time she was my editor before she moved to Cosmopolitan. When I was at Byrdie, the support came from my peers in the UK - you can learn so much from the people around you.
The industry is filled with amazing, talented and incredibly supportive men and women and I am so thankful to be part of it. For anyone wanting to work in this industry: be inquisitive, don't take anything at face value and, if you want to get into beauty beyond makeup, try to really understand what ingredients are doing to the skin. It can be quite science-y but it will make you a much better beauty insider.
Always be polite, work hard and stay in your lane - worry about what you're doing rather than being envious of others.
Envy is a way of letting you know what you want so always take that feeling and dissect it, it will help you channel your efforts towards something positive if you let it.
Don't be arrogant but also know your worth and know when you are being taken for granted or not treated well. I have been in a couple of situations during my career where I have been treated unfairly, it all worked out okay in the end but every so often you need to weigh up being professional and patient with standing up for yourself.
You asked about my current routine. I am a big fan of acid toners like Ren Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic.
My skin is spot-prone so I'm generally more of a fan of layering serums that won't clog but are packed with actives however, I do love Augustinus Bader The Cream, it's pricey but nourishing and boosts skin glow without causing me to breakout. I used the Reforming Liquid for 21 days religiously and my skin was so plump and glowy by the end, I was so incredibly impressed. I'd recommend it to anyone before a special occasion or if their skin needs some TLC.
In terms of make up - glowing skin makes me feel good and It Cosmetics CC+ Illumination is my go-to foundation it never fails me. Generally I keep things quite low-key. ChanelSoleil Tan De Chanel is the best cream bronzer I've ever used, I love Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Taupe on my eyes it's the perfect matte, biscuity colour.
I'm more of a bath person and love a good bath oil - Aromatherapy Associates are the best. I leave my hair to air-dry and am lucky that I don't need too many styling products I use Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner it's great for thicker, frizz-prone hair and sometimes I use Larry KingA Social Life For Your Hair if it's being unruly!
When it comes to perfume I tend to wear Le Labo Santal 33 but have recently been spritzing Frederic MalleCarnal Flower it's a powdery, sultry floral so it's not too girly.
