Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Morin
Hi Alyssa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been working as a beauty and style journalist for a decade. When I first started my career, I moved from Austin to Los Angeles with the dream of being an entertainment reporter for E! News. Although I veered into beauty and fashion pretty early on, working for Zooey Deschanel’s HelloGiggles publication as a Beauty Editor, where I co-created its first-ever beauty awards and facilitated affiliate and branded content before it became mainstream, I eventually ended up at my dream job: E! News. During my time there, I ramped up its Latinx coverage, secured interviews and exclusives with celebrities, and pushed for more lifestyle content, so much so, that I ended up spearheading its E! Insider platform, which encompassed beauty, style, wellness, health, and home. My role far exceeded writing and editing, as I filmed and edited social videos, as well as curated the E! Insider newsletters. Now, all of that sounds great. But last year, I did something drastic and way out of my comfort zone: I quit my job E! News. I grew tired of the monotony and took a leap of faith in exploring other industries. (I know, crazy, considering the abysmal job market these days.) However, this transformation allowed me to become more confident in my skill set, my ability to adapt and learn quickly, and above all, my storytelling. Now, I’m doing copywriting for multiple beauty brands, including L’Oréal, L’ange Haircare, and others, helping them craft their brand voice and bringing their products to life. I also work as a Senior Editor for InStyle part-time, covering all of their e-commerce content in the beauty and fashion spaces. I’ll admit, I’m still figuring out the kinks, but at least I get to do it on my own terms and in the comfort of my home (which is back in Austin!).
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, I’ve definitely experienced rejection, anxiety, and imposter syndrome. But I’m also a firm believer in manifestation and that things *will* work out if it’s meant for *you.* A lot of the jobs I’ve gotten throughout my career have transpired through divine intervention (as woo-woo as it sounds, it’s true). For example, I became a Beauty Editor at HelloGiggles because a girl I worked with at a previous job knew I had a beauty blog and recommended me to the Senior Beauty Editor—mind you, I had never even spoken two words to my previous coworker because I started working at the company during her last week there. So the fact she even knew me/remembered me was insane, let alone thought to recommend me. In these instances, I’m always reminded of Brittany Murphy in “Little Black Book,” in which her character (who also wants to be a journalist) quotes Roman philosopher, Seneca, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” I feel like that’s been my road to success. I’ve had challenges, yes, but my hard work, effort, and good attitude have led me to open doors.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a freelance copywriter and journalist, specializing in beauty, fashion, and wellness. I’m known for my cutting-edge reporting on the latest products and procedures, as well as my in-depth beauty reviews, fashion finds, and high-level interviews with celebrities and industry experts alike. My favorite thing about work, however, is to rigorously test products because I feel like I’m providing a service to others and helping them find items that will make them feel their best.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Last year was such a transformative year for me that I really learned to trust my gut and not be afraid of taking risks. A lot of times when we decide to do something different, we tend to outweigh the negatives. But I’ve actually experienced so many more positives than negatives. I’ve not only proven to myself that I can work outside of journalism and transfer my storytelling skills to other industries, but that I don’t have to box myself in. This transition has given me a newfound confidence and I’m no longer afraid to try new things. If I fail, I fail. But I think I would be more upset at myself if I became stagnant and didn’t evolve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alyssawritesxo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssawritesxo/?hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssamorin/
- Other: https://beautyispain.substack.com/
Image Credits
Alyssa Morin
