Imagine you’re eight years old, and your father out of all people becomes the one person who educates you on the importance of an anti-aging skincare routine. Cut to the age of 11 and the brand La Prairie becomes a daily part of your vocabulary, then you’ve entered the world of Lifestyle Influencer Loreen Hwang and creator of the CoucouJolie blog, where she divulges all her knowledge on everything from food, travel, health, beauty and wellness. We had a chat with Loreen to find out why she feels support from her social media community, how legit her skincare knowledge is, and what advice she has for up-and-coming bloggers.

Your CoucouJolie blog is wonderful and chockfull of tips covering so many topics. How did you get your start in creating a blog?
I started 10 years ago after my dad had passed away. We used to work together in bio-tech and I knew I didn’t want to do that anymore. A friend suggested that I start a blog because I needed to have a schedule again, I had fallen into depression when my dad died and needed some structure. At that time, I didn’t even know what a blog was. I started as a beauty blogger and then rebranded to a lifestyle blog. I wanted to share more than just skincare that I loved and tips from experts in the industry. I love wellness, health, beauty, travel, and food so I wanted to use my platform to share everything that I have learned from industry experts and things that I have read about along the way.

As your brand and blog became more popular, how did your life change as an Influencer?
Social media really help me expand my brand. I reach people globally now and really get to use my platform for things that I am passionate about. I love that so many people DM me and tell me how they relate or something I shared really helped them or inspired them. It’s wonderful that so many people share with me different tips or give me suggestions if I am traveling or cooking. It makes the world feel like a community which is something that I really love and welcome.

How do you choose the beauty and lifestyle products to review?
I try so many things and I have been using skincare products since the age of 8 when my dad bought me my first anti-aging product. At the age of 11, he really had me doing my skincare routine with La Prairie products. You could say he set the standard high. I try so many products from skincare, makeup, nutrition and the things I share are products that I really love and think work. I want people to have a good experience and trust me when I give recommendations. It’s really my reputation on the line when I suggest a travel destination, hotel, restaurant, lipstick, skincare or anything so I am thoughtful and give things a real try before I share them. I also choose things that I think are high quality or worth someone’s hard-earned dollar. Anyone who writes to me I always respond to, if they want to know how to make something with a food item that I have suggested or if they need tips on places when traveling. I’m always sending links or suggestions.

What are the 5 essential beauty products that you currently can’t live without?
Only 5? Have you seen my skincare routine? I have to break this up in 5 skincare, 5 makeup, and 5 wellness. I don’t pack light.

Skincare
• Biologique Rechercher lotion P50
• PCA C&E
• Algenist Liquid Collagen
• Natura Bisse Diamond Cocoon Cream - it protects you from blue light
• Olga Lorencin Red Carpet Facial

Makeup
• Decorte Velvet Lipstick in BE801
• Dior Spray Foundation Airbrushed Radiance in 401
• Pat McGrath Black Kohl Eyeliner
• Creed Fragrances - I have a few favorites now but I have been using Fleurissimo since I was 11
• Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray

Wellness (because beauty comes from the inside out)
• Just Add Water by Chef Serena Poon - you add the powder to water and it has no many adaptogens and nutrients that it’s perfect to have on the go and so easy to use
• I take Collagen and I love Vital Proteins (non-flavored)
• Evolution 18 by Bobbi Brown - she changed the beauty industry and now she has amazing wellness products that are affordable because, let’s be honest, a lot of them are not — I really love her Strengthen Capsules
• Hum Nutrition - I have a few products that I use all the time from this brand and I still want to try more — you can’t go wrong with them
• Bare Bones Bone Broth - you can take this on the go with you and I drink a cup of it every morning. It’s amazing but if you’re vegan or vegetarian, you can’t have it. It helps improve digestive issues, immunity and helps your joints and bones. I love it.

What advice would you give aspiring bloggers and influencers?
Be yourself and use your voice. If you love fashion, make it your own. If it’s beauty, share the products you love and don’t just try to sell ads because people see right through that. You really have to be true to yourself and if something doesn’t feel write don’t force it. Share a part of yourself with your audience, you don’t have to just show the perfect side of your life. Also, keep a part of your life private. Oversharing can be exhausting and also it can make you feel burned out. If you do feel burned out, not creative or you just hit a wall, then take a step back and do something for yourself that you love. Get out in nature, take a walk and get inspired. Don’t try to compete with others and compare yourself. There is room for everyone on social media. I love how it can unite people from around the world and make it feel like a community. Some days can be challenging and if you feel like you are having one of those days don’t beat yourself up over it. Get your plan out on paper. There is something about writing down your goals and seeing it written that can get you motivated to achieve them. Talk about things that matter to you. It’s great to make money but learn to say no to projects that don’t align with your brand. It’s really important to know your worth. Support your friends and be kind to everyone you meet.

What’s next for you?
There are so many things that I still want to do. I love speaking on panels and helping others. I love talking to new influencers who want help and getting them motivated to find out what they love. I would really like to write for other outlets for travel, food and beauty. I would love to come out with a product, although I am not sure if it would be skincare or maybe a lipstick. And, I want to write a book which I have some ideas about.