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With more than 469,000 views per month and a recent video garnering over 650,000 views, it's clear that Ruby Golani is set to be the next big thing when it comes to Australian vloggers. To find out more about Golani, we chatted to the 20-year-old Sydney-sider about how she got started in vlogging, the secret to her success, and her latest exciting .
How did you get started in the beauty industry?
I was helping a friend out with his photography and he asked me to be his model/guinea pig. In 2012, we did some beauty shots and he posted them on the internet. A few days later, the photos had received a lot of views and interest from other photographers and make-up artists. After this, I attended some photo shoots and found myself becoming more interested in what was in the make-up artist’s kit than the actual shoot. At this point, I was signed to an agency, however, I’m not particularly tall and knew modeling wouldn’t take me far - so I found myself a different hobby.
At the time, I was also working for a promotions agency specialising in fragrance and cosmetics. I would go into David Jones and MYER as a beauty consultant and would help the beauty counters meet their KPIs. After many job offers, I accepted a beauty consultant role in MYER whilst still studying medical science at university. I worked at MYER for about a year before resigning to focus on my education and my blog. What I loved most about being a beauty consultant was getting to meet different women and hear their stories about how make-up and skincare made them feel. I was inspired and I wanted to inspire, which is what ignited a fire in me.
How long have you been blogging for?
I have been blogging and vlogging for a little over a year now. I created my blog www.RubyGolani.com in January 2013. In March 2013, I created my YouTube channel - YouTube.com/RubyGolani.
What made you decide to be a blogger?
I have always wanted to develop a platform in which women can be empowered, inspired and simply made happy by. I wanted to create an environment where women of all ages and cultures could get beauty tips, be entertained and forget about their daily stresses.
Why do you think your blog has received such success?
I am not exactly sure, but I told myself from the very beginning that I will always be myself. Early on, I was open and honest about my personal struggles with acne - I guess a lot of my viewers appreciated that and could relate to it. I always create a variety of high quality make-up tutorials. Not only do I recreate celebrity looks, I also create realistic and wearable looks that everyday women use and appreciate.
How did you grow your number of followers?
I upload at least once a week and I use a variety of products ranging from drugstore and more affordable brands to high end. It’s important to cater for different budgets and to mix products up.
Do you blog for a living or do you have another job?
I am happy to say that after only a year of blogging, I have made this my career.
Can you describe your average day?
Besides walking my dog, studying and hitting the gym, no day ever is really the same for me. I do have a schedule for my videos and I work hard on the quality of my content and the production of my make-up tutorials, but I’m always out of my office meeting new people. I attend meetings, PR events and product launches.
Have you always had a passion for beauty?
I have always had a passion for the arts and helping people, and make-up artistry for me goes hand-in-hand with that.
What is your number one tip to brands wanting to work with beauty bloggers?
It’s very important that brands have a proper budget in place for beauty bloggers and vloggers. Brands should not only provide sponsorship through products but also financial sponsorship as our platforms are the future of digital media and advertising. Brands need to recognise the impact that beauty bloggers have on the online beauty community.
You're currently working as an affiliated blogger for Mary Kay. How did this partnership come about?
I first met the wonderful ladies behind Australia and New Zealand at a seminar I was helping to host with a few of my beauty blogger friends. Mary Kay was a great sponsor of this event. During that time, I was sent some products and I was so impressed with the quality and the variety. I worked with Mary Kay on a few occasions after that and I really enjoyed their products and company values.
Why did you choose Mary Kay to partner with?
I think it’s very important to work with a brand that reflects your own values, not only in a business sense but also on a personal level too. I love their vision and I am so very proud to be working with a brand like Mary Kay.
Have you always been a fan of the brand?
I have, and so has my mother. I remember telling my mother that I’d be partnering with Mary Kay and her eyes filled with tears of joy.
What is the best thing about the Mary Kay brand?
There are many things that make Mary Kay and outstanding beauty brand. Firstly, Mary Kay’s products are high quality. They are also very consistent - there has not been a product I have been disappointed in.
Mary Kay have just released an 8-in-1 CC Cream. What do you like about this product?
It’s the perfect hybrid of skincare and pigment. Not many CC creams that I have tried have that right balance and feel.
How do the Mary Kay CC Creams differ to others you’ve tried?
It’s lightweight in feel and offers buildable coverage. The shades available cover a wide range of skin tones and it offers broad spectrum protection. I personally have dry skin and this does not dry me out.
What’s in your beauty bag right now?
I have the Compact (unfilled), which you can completely customise. I have customised mine to have three eyeshadow colours (cream cup, mocha and hazelnut) as well as a blusher and lipstick in Pink Paradise. I also have the Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara and Guerlain Lip Balm. I am minimal with what I carry around.
Mary Kay products are available to buy online 24/7 through Beauty Direct.