Photo courtesy of Emily L. Foley
This is a guest post from Gina Joseph, Social Media Community Manager.
This week Cision Navigator introduces Emily L. Foley, an Atlanta-based beauty and fashion writer whose work has appeared in Allure, SELF, Jezebel, Refinery29 and O, The Oprah Magazine. She’s also an on-air beauty expert, appearing regularly on CBS Atlanta’s Better Mornings.
Q: Where did your interest in fashion and beauty first begin?
A: Honestly, I’ve always been ‘that girl’. I always wore more makeup than my friends in high school and college, because I just loved experimenting, and I heard ‘only you could pull that off’ on a regular basis about my attire. I don’t think it was always meant as a true compliment, either!
Q: You’ve previously written and contributed to a number of well-known outlets, including Jezebel, Allure, O, The Oprah Magazine, Self and Refinery29. What has been your favorite experience so far?
A: That’s so hard, because I love my job and have had some pretty amazing experiences through the years. That said, a few stand-outs that come to mind are interviewing the incomparable Oscar de la Renta, covering the O You! conference (the energy in the room when Oprah was on stage was incredible), a day at the Mandara Spa at the Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas, and my first time at New York Fashion Week (you never forget your first time!).
Q: What is it like to be the beauty expert for CBS Atlanta’s Better Mornings? What are your plans to expand into other markets?
A: A lot of fun and a lot of work! I love the world of beauty and everything it has to offer, and I also love sharing my knowledge with others. But as such, I take that role very seriously, and spend a lot of time and energy researching and learning about the topics/products I discuss. I also always try everything before I include it in a segment. I have to know it’s a good product before I’ll suggest that someone else use it! As for expanding, in 2013, I will begin doing some segments in other markets as well.
Q: What are some upcoming fashion- or beauty-related trends you’ve noticed?
A: Of course, Pantone just announced emerald as the color of the year for 2013, so that will be popping up in both the fashion and beauty world (which I’m super excited about!), and we’re going to be seeing lots of leather and bare midriffs. Braids of all shapes and sizes are going to continue to be popular and blue eye makeup!
Q: What are you PR pet peeves, or what is the strangest pitch you’ve received?
A: Phone pitches make no sense to me. I’m going to need all the information for reference in an email anyway, so you might as well just email it to me to begin with! Also, 24-hour follow-ups and signing me up for your client’s newsletter! As for the strangest pitch, that’s tough, because there have been some doozies, but most recently, ‘The Sasquatch Sweater made from 100% free-range Bigfoot fur’. I think I have a pretty broad sense of humor, but it was written so earnestly that I was just confused.
Q: Any tips for PR professionals who want to get in contact with you?
A: Please email me, emily[at]emilylfoley.com. You can also follow me on Twitter at @EmilyLFoley, which can be a great way to find out what I’m working on for both upcoming segments and articles.
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