Say hello to Gemma Watts. She’s a beauty writer, creative director, content creator and she just launched her own beauty podcast.
Is there anything this beauty powerhouse can't do? After landing her first job in the industry as a fashion writer when she was just 19, Gemma - a journalism student at the time - was promoted to Fashion Editor within a few months. She slayed her way through university as the Fashion Editor for lifestyle website Couturing as well as the Beauty Editor for L’Oreal Paris’s online hub before deciding that beauty was where she solely belonged.
Fast forward to 2019 and Gemma is an online editor of her beauty bible website, Glow Journal, the Creative Director for content creation business, Glow Journal Creative and the host of her very own Glow Journal podcast. All with her flock of loyal followers taking in every product recommendation with prying ears and eyes. We sat down with the girlboss to chat all things beauty, work and life.
What is the best thing about beauty?
How transformative it is! Not just physically, but for your confidence. I imagine that sounds grossly superficial, but I love the idea of a product being able to make you feel like the very best version of you.
Are there any skincare products you need to have with you while travelling?
I actually haven’t taken a holiday since 2015 however I’m back and forth from Sydney once a fortnight or so for work, and I always have a face mist on hand. My skin errs towards dry, and just looking at a plane dehydrates me.
How would you describe your approach to beauty?
My approach to beauty is surprisingly pared back. I love it when skin looks like skin, rather than applying layers upon layers of thick products.
What advice would you give to other aspiring entrepreneurs and bloggers out there
Make it happen! Taking a leap of faith and starting my own business was pretty scary, but it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done. I read a quote recently from the founder of LinkedIn who said “If you’re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you launched too late.” I think that applies to almost everything. If you wait until the “time is right” or the “product is perfect,” you’ll be waiting a long time. The best way to learn is through doing.
What was the motivation behind The Glow Journal Podcast?
I listen to podcasts day in and day out, and for some time now have been inspired by podcasts like Second Life, From Scratch, Breaking Beauty, How I Built This, Fat Mascara…. none of which come from Australia! I felt like there was a gap in the Australian market for a podcast that really dealt with the business side of beauty. I love beauty, I love talking and I love sharing other people’s stories, so it felt like the natural next step.
Your favourite motivational quote…
This has been a very big one for me this year.
“You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there’s still going to be somebody who hates peaches.”
I used to get pretty upset if people didn’t like everything I did. I couldn’t care less if people didn’t like how I looked or spoke, but if that criticism related to my work I would really take it to heart. That’s still something I grapple with, but my ethos for this year has been “not everyone’s going to like everything you do”- and that’s okay! As long as you work hard and are kind to people, you’re all good.
If you were stuck on a desert island and you could only take 3 things what would they be..
SPF - I want to look young forever! I’d bring my partner, he’s a chippie so surely he could fashion some trees into a boat of some kind to get us out of there… and I guess, thirdly, some clean drinking water? Did I mention I’m a rational thinker?
Follow Gemma Watts and her journey in the beauty world here.
