An Interview with Hyacinth Girl
This months gold sponsor was the lovely Megan all the way over in New Zealand, a wonderful no nonsense beauty blog. So here is a little bit more about the girl behind the blog:
Tell us about yourself Morgan?
My name's Morgan, I'm 24 and I live in Wellington, New Zealand. I'm the blogger behind Hyacinth Girl! I also do some freelance work, and you can usually find me being a vocal feminist and grump on Twitter.
What got you into blogging?
I had originally pitched a no-nonsense beauty column to my university magazine, but they didn't like it so I shelved the idea. After sitting on it for a while and buying more and more makeup, I decided I needed an outlet to talk about it and started the blog. Originally I thought it might help me save money, but it has turned out the opposite!
Tell us a little more about the Hyacinth Girl?
I'm really big into being candid and honest, and that hasn't changed even as the blog has grown and I've started working with brands. There are a lot of beauty blogs out there but I think it's my personality, humour and honesty that makes Hyacinth Girl unique.
Apart from running Hyacinth Girl what do you get up to?
By day I work full-time in education, which keeps me pretty busy, as well as writing freelance. Wellington has a big food and coffee culture, so I spend a lot of my spare time in cafes with friends, or just sitting with a coffee and writing. I like to be social as much as I can, I think in part because blogging can be such an isolating activity.
What keeps you inspired?
I don't really like the idea of inspiration, as counter-intuitive as that sounds. I try not to read too many other beauty blogs, to stop myself from feeling over-saturated. Frankly, sometimes my inspiration is simply the need to not entirely succumb to depression stupor.
Favourite things about blogging?
Although blogging can be isolating, I have made some really good friends. I also think blogging has made me think more critically about what products I'm using, and I've become more and more interested in the scientific aspect of skincare, right down to specific ingredients.
How is the blogging scene different in New Zealand?
There are a bunch of awesome New Zealand bloggers, and a really strong blogging community. Because our country is fairly small, it's not too hard to have meetups and work together, which I love!
Some of your current favourite things?
I couldn't be a fashion blogger because my personal style is so consistent (and boring!): at the moment, black drapey dresses, and rolled up black jeans and New Balance 420s on casual days.
Beauty-wise at the moment I am loving all of MAC's latest collaborations, especially the Brooke Shields collection! I'm also permanently obsessing over my eyebrows; my current go-to product there is the Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade (along with the rest of the online beauty world).
What is to come on HG in the future?
I'm always focusing on keeping my blog honest and real. For me this year that means talking more openly about mental illness, and making sure that my blog's content is consistent with my feminism. That can be hard when the beauty industry is selling a very strict idea about what is beautiful and how makeup should be worn (and by whom).
