We were lucky enough to indulge in the most Instagrammable afternoon tea ever at London’s famous One Aldwych Hotel, located just off Covent Garden square. If you are looking to treat your loved one to the perfect sweet treat delights or wanting to dine out with some friends, this afternoon tea is just the thing for you. With a few tricks up their sleeves, this is one menu you don’t want to miss - and remember to bring your camera for those all important Charlie inspired snaps! We took two of our lovely YouTubers, @beauty_spectrum and @misslauragm to the wonderful afternoon tea and caught up about all things YouTube - the pros, cons and the world of blogging. Here’s what they had to say…
What inspired you to start your YouTube channel?
Laura - I loved fashion and beauty and when I was younger I had done a bit of YouTube so that made me pick it back up again and consider doing it seriously. I have always had a passion for video and speaking (I can chat for England) so naturally I fell into it and made it work. When you have a passion so strong for something, you roll with it and I gradually grew my following.
Molly - I was 13 when I started so I was really young, and I had been obsessed with watching the likes of Zoella on YouTube and it was at the time when YouTube was really making it to the mainstream, so I thought why not and gave it a go! I am a creative person and loved making videos and filming so I just grew with it and when I got to 16/17 years old I realised people were doing it as a job and earning money from it.
What are some of the biggest challenges with YouTube and the blogging industry in general?
Laura - Definitely the hate! I think you have to be really thick skinned to be able to cope in this industry. I get people every day hating on me and saying comments like ‘you are so ugly’. I recently did a primark haul with my mum and I had people turning around and saying ‘you are so horrible to your mum’, but that's just me and my mums banter so it really hurts when people think you come across a certain way. It can be bad for your mental health and make your imperfections seem so much bigger than they are because anything you do, people scrutinise you.
Molly - I feel the same, the hate is the most challenging part. Especially when I was in sixth form, I didn’t know if people were jealous or just didn't like me but they would write horrible comments on my channel every day. And I couldn't get over how nasty they were, I thought to myself, this is my hobby just like other people like to play sport, so why is YouTube any different? But I still do think the pros of my job outweigh the cons.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Laura - I think the places and the experiences I am privileged to go to. Like last week I was at The Shard having dinner and I have to pinch myself and ask myself am I really here in this environment. I also love the social side so meeting new people and other like minded bloggers. Also working with amazing brands, I am so lucky to work with Pretty Little Thing at the moment and get gifted from them weekly.
Molly - I love the social side of it, making friends, travelling and attending events. I live in Hull but now come to London at least every other week. Sometimes I get so drawn into it but then realise I have to take a step back and think how lucky I am and fortunate to be in this position.
As beauty bloggers, what is a beauty product you cannot live without?
Laura - Mine is the NYX matte lipstick in shade stockholm - I take it everywhere with me and repurchase it again and again, cannot live without it.
Molly - Mine has to be my Maybelline mascara, I’ve been using it for years and it’s my absolute favourite!
If you could only use one social media platform for the rest of your life what would it be and why?
Laura - Forever YouTube! Because you get everything from YouTube - I get all my fashion inspiration from hauls and love watching vlogs so I think with Youtube you get the best of everything from the platform.
Molly - I would pick Twitter, I constantly scroll through Twitter as I follow friends, read the news and see what brands are saying so that is my go-to platform.
What would be your dream brand collaboration?
Laura - I feel so thankful that I already work with so many brands that I love so maybe Pretty Little Thing and doing like a big campaign with them that has a bit more depth to it than just gifting.
Molly - Mine would be Starbucks because I drink starbucks like its water! So it would only make sense to choose them and do a collaboration with them!
What advice would you give to aspiring YouTubers?
Laura - I would tell them to just be yourself, don't give up, be persistent, at this point in the industry it is so hard to be noticed because so many people are doing it but if you love it - just do it. Don't think about the money or being an influencer, just do it for the passion and grow with it. I never set up a YouTube channel to do it as a job, I did it because I loved creating videos and would do it as a hobby on the weekends.
Molly - I agree with that too but also think consistency is really important. Upload regularly and be on top of your content, you need your followers to be familiar with you so that they return to your channel wanting more.
Don’t forget to keep up with our TBP social channels to check out the girls unboxing video's on YouTube, exclusively gifted by TBP and some of our favourite brands!
Molly
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/beautyspectrumblog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beauty_spectrum/
Laura
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LauraAlexis17
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misslauragm/
A big thanks to One Aldwych Hotel for hosting us with the most amazing Charlie Afternoon Tea - you can find all the details for a booking here: https://www.onealdwych.com/food-drink/afternoon-tea
