My highlight was obviously hearing Zoe's talk and getting a chance to chat with her briefly afterwards (basically basking in her glory while trying desperately not to gush *out loud*). She's funny, she's kind, she's generous and she's been wildly successful forging her own career path and doing what she loves - from beauty editor to founder and CEO of her own (awesome) skincare line Go-To.
So to celebrate my buzzy high after such a fun day, I thought it would be a good time to post the interview I did with Zoe for a site I used to write for aaaages ago. I emailed her on a whim back then and she was gracious enough to entertain my request with thoughtful, funny and insightful answers and I was eternally grateful. Enjoy!
Meet the divine Zoe Foster, giving Amazing Face since always.
Age: 31
Occupation: Author and journalist
Company: Why not! Bring some chips?
Current Location: Syd/Melb
Favourite City: New York
Zoe, you started out your career as a Beauty Editor
first at Cosmopolitan and then Harper’s BAZAAR – how did you find yourself in
this (some would say ‘dream’) role?
I was arrogant
enough to apply for a job at Dolly magazine that I was utterly under qualified
for. Nevertheless, Mia Freedman kept my flimsy little CV on file, and brought
me onto Cosmo a few months later. I felt very out of my depth, but beauty is
such a terrifically encouraging, kind industry that I was bullying women into
aqua eyeliner in no time.
What are the biggest perks/downsides of being in
this position at some of Australia’s most popular and influential magazines?
The perks, as
predicted, are multiple and glorious: suddenly there is an inconceivable array
of products and services at your fingertips and you have to – literally, it’s
your job – try them all. There are no
downsides. It’s one of the very best, and most enjoyable and privileged, jobs
in the world.
Why did you decide to leave the flashy, glossy
world of magazines to help create the amazing online beauty resource, Primped.com.au?
I was already
blogging personally (fruitybeauty) and becoming quite enchanted with the liberties,
the space, the engagement and the immediacy blogging afforded. To be able to do this as my full time job,
and for a much bigger audience, was rather intoxicating.
Considering your Beauty Editor and Primped
background, would it be fair to say that you are now a Makeup Expert? Do you
still find yourself learning new nifty tips and tricks? Can I have some?
It would be unfair to say that. I know a little bit
about lots of different things, but am constantly learning new stuff. Each time
I have my hair or makeup done I learn at least three things, two of which will
make my previous technique look completely outmoded and laborious.
Now seriously, are you some kind of over-achiever
or something, because in the midst of Beauty Editor-ing and Primped-ing you
also found time to blog and write THREE books (‘Playing the Field’, ‘Air
Kisses’ and ‘Textbook Romance’ – with your future hubby Hamish Blake. Cute!)
Where do you find the time/motivation to have so many things going at once?!
I was a LOT
more disciplined back then, when I was working full time and writing on the
weekends. I used to write my books each Saturday morning from 6am – 10am,
without fail, because otherwise it just wouldn’t get done. (I’m far less
impressive now; I’m lucky to get a couple of tweets out in a four-hour period.)
How difficult was it to collate all the beauty
information you have acquired over the years into your book/bible ‘Amazing
Face’ (seriously ladies, RUN don’t walk to buy this book - it contains all the
answers to all your beauty questions, ever)?
A lot of it was
in my head and quite easy to lovingly dribble out onto the page. The most
useful and quirky tips and tricks stick, they’re the ones you find yourself
giving out at dinner parties, and re-writing again and again in new and
thrilling ways. I wanted the book to be full of those tips, a kind of best of,
I guess.
Your most recent book ‘The Younger Man’ was
released earlier this year and it is as delightfully witty and hilarious as you
are. As you’ve mentioned, this seems to be your least autobiographical novel,
so did you find it easier or more difficult to write than the others? Why?
Harder AND
easier, which is an annoying answer but truthful. I loved the freedom of
creating entirely new people and situations and circumstances, but missed the
laziness of my first novels, where I already had a mound of experiences and
memories and conversations in my head to plagiarise.
Aside from gorgeous young 22-year-olds Abby also
comes across a sneaky, competitive colleague who, in essence, screws her over.
Considering the fact that you’ve worked in magazines and beauty, have you ever
encountered or witnessed similar nastiness in these notoriously fierce
industries?
I can say
without a crossed finger or wink of an eye that I have not. I started in
women’s magazines and beauty expecting to meet a rash of TV-sitcom style
terrors, the kind of women who crushed your confidence in one stamp of a stiletto,
and stole your ideas, and probably your boyfriends too, but “sadly” the only
women I met were generous, kind, intelligent, charming, sweet and funny.
As a Proper Writer, what exactly does your typical
day entail? Is it all midday yoga classes and endless coffee breaks? (i.e. are
you living The Dream?)
How dare you! Just because it’s 11am and I am still wearing
Pilates gear whose necessity expired several hours ago, and my only
“appointment” today is to get to the post office, does not mean I am living
some kind of wonderful, flexible writing dream ride! Only it does. And I am. And
not a day passes when I don’t express gratitude for it. For me, being able to
be anywhere in the world (especially
places that are beautiful, and exciting and inspiring) and still able to work
was always deemed the highest luxury, and I am extremely lucky to be doing just
that. It won’t last forever, but MAN am I sucking the marrow while I can.
If you could only use three beauty products for the
rest of your life, which ones would you choose and why?
- Rosehip oil, so my skin is being all loved and
nourished and ‘age-proofed’
- Dry shampoo, so I needn’t wash my hair very
often, and would enjoy some great texture and volume
- Tinted moisturiser with SPF, so I am protected from the sun and have some glowy, sheer coverage.
Why should people go out and buy your books right
now, this very second?
Because Khloe
and Lamar isn’t on for hours and you’ve already read The Hunger Games?
Finally, if you could get leathered with anyone in
the world, past or present, who would it be?
Kristen Wiig.
P.S. New BFFs?
Your half of
the charm necklace is already in the mail. (Told you I had to go to the PO
today.)
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