Since creating her blog A BIKINI A DAY in the summer of 2012, Natasha Oakley has gone on to inspire women all across the globe with her promotion of natural beauty and embracement of every body type. The popularity of A BIKINI A DAY led Oakley to go on and create the Natasha Oakley Blog - a depiction of her passions including style, travel and photography.
With an Instagram following of over 1.2 million across both accounts, it’s clear the Aussie-born beauty has become a celebrity in her own right. BEAUTYDIRECTORY met the blogging sensation earlier in the year when she visited Australia as the face (and body) of Veet’s Natural Inspirations products, and we reconnected with her to find out everything you would want to know about her career and success.
Why did you decide to get into blogging?
Purely out of passion. Devin [Brugman, Oakley’s partner] and I’s first blog was A BIKINI A DAY and it was created organically due to our mutual love of bikinis!
Did you ever dream you would achieve this level of success?
I always dream and hope for the highest but ABAD began as a fun project and has definitely soared beyond my expectations.
Did you always want to be a blogger?
No. Five years ago, not many bloggers existed.
What were you doing before becoming a blogger?
I had my own photo and video production company. I was working with many swimwear labels shooting their lookbooks and videos on the other side of the camera. Luckily I can still incorporate this into my work as it’s something I really enjoy.
How did you get into blogging?
Being very business-oriented - perhaps because both of my parents are small business owners and entrepreneurs - I am always creating new opportunities for myself. I saw blogging as a great creative outlet and business opportunity, and a way to travel and follow my dreams.
You have a huge fan base. How did it grow?
We began early in the game on Instagram, but I credit our large following to our consistency and constant content creation. We are always posting something new and I think our hard work shows. Also, people love bikinis and the lifestyle they entail; they love to follow our travels and feel inspired.
Do most of your followers come to your blog or engage with you via Instagram?
Our largest platform is Instagram, followed by our website. These days a lot of people prefer to check their Instagram feed rather than get on the net.
Has social media played a part in your popularity?
Social media has played a very significant role. It has allowed us to connect with individuals all over the world and have followers that we would not have reached before social media. The snowball effect that social media has is really quite amazing and the science behind it is something that really interests me.
Do you feel that being based in the US propelled your success?
Being based in the US is fantastic for many reasons. I love LA; there is a great entrepreneurial vibe and it’s a central location which is great for my travels. But hanks to social media, I believe our success would have been just as great if we had launched in Australia.
Why did you move to the US?
I moved to Hawaii in 2011 because I loved Hawaii. When I want to do something, I do it. After two years in Maui, the next stop was LA.
Do you get asked to collaborate with many brands?
Yes. We have worked with over 200 brands through A Bikini A Day.
Who are your top five favourite bloggers/Instagrammers? Why?
I adore:
@angelicablicks for her amazing content and consistency
@parisinfourmonths for her talent in photography and love of Paris
@chroniclesofher_ for her classic beauty and gorgeous photoshoots
@margaret_zhang for her beautiful images. I also love that behind it all she is a law student, talented photographer and one of the nicest girls I’ve met - definitely someone to be inspired by.
@lustforlife for her amazing style and imagery.
Where do you see your blog headed?
I have really high hopes for A Bikini A Day. I really hope to reach as many people as possible and make a difference in the world. Inspiring women to be confident in their own skin is our biggest goal.
What is the next step in your career?
I have so many great things to come so you will have to wait and see!
Image: Instagram.com/tashoakley
Carousel image: natashaoakleyblog.com