Beauty Blogger, Lifestyle editor and skincare product developer Elizabeth Dehn of Beauty Bets is a women who does it all, and does so flawlessly. Whether it’s penning a beauty post that somehow inspires you to become a better person, or developing the most delicious smelling coconut scrub you’ve ever tried – Elizabeth exudes beauty from the inside out. Take a peek into her world, and learn a little about how she finds everyday creativity and beauty in the world around her.
Who or what inspires you?
Every woman who loves herself enough to live her truth. You know who you are and you have changed my life! Keep going …
We are big fans of Beauty Bets and how your blog and brand have evolved over the years. What first inspired you to start a blog?
I was a lifestyle editor at a magazine covering style, fashion, beauty and home, but it was beauty/wellness that I couldn’t get enough of. Blogs were becoming a big thing and I thought starting one would serve as my creative outlet. I had a hunch I’d love it but am so grateful for the opportunity to do what I love for a living.
You’re definitely a veteran when it comes to blogging (and beauty blogging in particular), how have you seen blogging evolve over the years – for better or worse?
Blogging has become almost entirely visual, mostly due to social media. I’m a writer and editor by trade so it’s been an adjustment. Now we don’t just tell stories and curate content, which is so much work in itself, but have take photos and create fancy graphics. I worry that no one is reading anything anymore but also believe that in this oversaturated, overstimulating media world we are all craving substance too and there’s nothing like the written word to connect people.
You’re kinda killing it on social media. What has that journey been like, and do you have any tips on growing a social following?
Oh geez, I still have NO IDEA how that happened but Pinterest has been such a happy accident. Like most of us who use it, I love product, décor, recipes and anything beautiful. My editorial background has helped me navigate how to put those together into a visually cohesive package. But my best advice is to be authentic and enthusiastic in what you are pinning, tweeting, instagramming, etc. Followers want to know you and be inspired by you. They can sniff out marketing jargon from a mile away. It’s about having a conversation and creating organic connections.
We love how personal you are on your blog. Have you always shared personal stories, or has this evolved over the past few years? Do you find it hard to balance the public/private parts of your life when you have such a large social following and readership?
Oh thank you! Although I always considered BB a personal blog because, let’s face it, it’s about me and my opinions, but it wasn’t until this year that I made a conscious decision to get truly personal about what is going on in my life and my heart. Those posts—the messy, hard, heart-breaking stuff—have resonated with readers far more than any lip-gloss review. I’m fortunate that my readers are a kind, conscientious and positive community so have never felt exposed or concerned about boundary setting. There’s still plenty I don’t share, mostly because I get tired of listening to myself talk!
What have been some of the most rewarding experiences to come out of Beauty Bets?
I love working with and sharing the stories of indie brands, retailers, spas, etc. They are so inspiring. I also never tire of trying the latest treatments—bird poop facial anyone? More recently I’ve been invited to some pretty amazing spas and exotic places, like Jeju Island, Korea. It’s exciting to see bloggers being taken seriously!
Lets chat about One Love Organics! We’re obsessed with the line – how did you get involved, and what has the experience been like?
I met One Love Organics founder Suzanne LeRoux through writing about her products and swapping industry stories. We really clicked, especially in terms of our commitment to plant-based ingredients and how we view beauty as essential to nurturing yourself and your spirit. Developing the line is a true collaboration and labor of love, from formulating and testing to packaging and design. It took us a year to launch the first two products and this spring we celebrated the release of our sixth, a creamy, pineapple-scented body polish that Anthropologie just picked up so you know it’s good. At the risk of sounding like the total mush that I am, the whole experience has been a dream come true. It never occurred to me that I’d get to create my own skincare line, let alone with a brand that I adore and respect.
What characterizes your line for One Love Organics, and what were you inspired by?
In addition to being all-natural, it’s got to be the best and it’s GOT to work. Efficacy and quality are paramount, partly because I’ve tried it all and it takes a lot to knock my socks off (or change my skin) anymore. Every ingredient we use serves a purpose: it benefits your skin. I’m inspired by scent, texture, packaging and the experience of using products. Most importantly, I need to love what an ingredient or formula does for my skin. There’s a bit of a need for instant gratification in my blood, and you will get that with the line!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Let go of the oars. Culturally, we are taught to try harder, paddle harder— often upstream—to get what we want. So we fight the current of life when really, if you simply surrender to what your soul knows and your higher self wants, your boat will naturally drift downstream to where you need to be. It’s a way of living that try to practice daily, and the only way I know I’ll achieve inner peace.
You love to travel and explore – what are the top 3 places you’d like to visit in the coming years?
I travel to NYC regularly, usually for work, but I’d love to do an art-dedicated trip and take in all of the galleries and museums, especially the Frick.
Bar Harbor, Maine, has always looked so magical and quintessentially New England. I have a thing for sailing and seafood!
Bald Head Island, NC, has become an annual family vacation. It’s the most rejuvenating week of my life, and I couldn’t live without it!
What does being creative mean to you?
Expressing your ideas and sharing your stories, in whatever form they take that’s authentic to you. We are ALL creative in our own way.
Elizabeth Dehn links to follow: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
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