I don’t really believe in beauty hacks. There are several essential principles, which not only contribute to your beauty, but to your health as well. I believe that if you feel good in your skin, you will always look beautiful.
RK : First of all, thanks a lot for accepting our invitation for an interview. Please say something about you. About your career as a fashion influencer & model. How did you get started?
Lina : Thank you for your attention! My career started at a young age because I love the camera and how filming and modeling make me feel. Nowadays, this passion has developed and I have my own production company where I take part in various projects. Modelling and posing are more like hobbies for me, but this has been a focus for me ever since I was a child. I decided to submerge myself in the “fashion influencer” sphere because it gives me a lot of creative freedom. I can dictate my own terms and schedule, and most importantly I can show my followers what I love to do and the places I like to visit.
RK : You have an exceptionally unique look. Where does your style savvy come from, and where do you get your inspiration?
Lina : Thank you! To be honest, I’ve always wanted to have my own unique style. I don’t like copying and imitation. Individuality is the hidden weapon we all have, and I always try to advise people to just be themselves, as this is the best anyone can be. I find inspiration everywhere, especially in my daily activities, as I always try to stay positive and find the beauty in every moment. If you are following my Instagram page you know that I always try to post a motivational and inspirational quote or just a little line to make everyone feel better. These are the ideas I live by, and I love the fact that I can share them with my followers. We should try and look at things from a positive perspective, no matter how many blows we have to take from fate. The most important thing that keeps me going is motivation. We all should have something to strive for. Ambition and motivation are the main drivers in my life.
RK : Do you see yourself as an “influencer”, and if so, what does that mean to you?
Lina : I would say so, at least that’s what I’m aiming for. I would love to think that I can have a positive effect on someone’s day, by bringing a smile on their face, or just sharing something that they can relate to. My Instagram profile is becoming more popular, and I am taking this a sign that I am doing something right. This huge Instagram following inspired me to dig deeper, and I will be launching my own site in the next few weeks. I decided to do this because I will have an even better opportunity to share my thoughts with my followers, and potentially inspire them too. I think I am a positive person, and I would love it if I can share some of these good vibes.
RK : As an influencer are there particular brands you work with now? Which brands would you like to be working with?
Lina : Yes, there are brands I am collaborating with at the moment, but I am only starting with fashion blogging and influencer work. One day I would love to be able to collaborate with big names in the fashion industry like Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel, and many others. Of course, I am always open to starting new projects, so there definitely will be new names added to my portfolio.
RK : How do you get involved with your followers and find the best way to give them the content they want?
Lina : To be honest, it takes a lot of hard work. Most people think that being an influencer is an easy job, but this is not really the case. What I do to make it more of a pleasure than a job. I try to think of different looks, and new combinations, so I can show my followers something they haven’t seen before. I’m also trying to show them different aspects of my lifestyle because every day is a new adventure for me.
RK : What are the three essential elements of fashion that every girl should have?
Lina : The most important elements of fashion, which make your looks stand out are style, taste and class.
RK : Would you please share with us one fashion prediction you foresee for 2019 or 2020 – either mainstream or alternative?
Lina :Well, this is a hard one. I am not a fashion designer, and trends in the fashion industry are so unpredictable. If I had to say what I want next year’s trends to be, I would definitely bet on more minimalist looks. I am not a big fan of shiny big stones or sequins, so fingers crossed that the trends for 2020 will bet more on classy looks, than shiny attention-grabbing outfits.
RK : If you were to give someone advice who is thinking about getting into social media and the world of influencing, what would it be? How about fashion blogging?
Lina : The most important thing I can share with all aspiring influencers and bloggers is that they need to follow the fashion trends closely, but should always present their followers with unique content. Your personal style and taste are the best things you can share with your audience. Show the world your own signature combinations and ideas, and you’ll definitely get noticed.
RK : What’s your beauty regime? Would you like to share some of your best beauty secrets?
Lina : I don’t really believe in beauty hacks. There are several essential principles, which not only contribute to your beauty, but to your health as well. I believe that if you feel good in your skin, you will always look beautiful. One of the most important aspects for me is skin care. A lady should always have nice soft skin, and this is where my main focus is. I try to stay hydrated and keep my skin well taken care of with creams and body lotions. Of course, your face is your profile picture to the world, so if needed you can use a bit of tonner and cover up any small imperfections. Other than that I like to use a bit of eyeliner and spiral to make my lashes stand out. That’s more than enough for me, I am not a fan of heavy makeup. The other important thing is flashing your face and removing your make up every night, before going to bed. I cannot stress this enough, as keeping your skin clean is the best way to stay beautiful. Ah and one last thing - sunscream! Protecting your skin from the sun is a sure way to keep your face looking young and fresh.
RK : How do you stay in Shape?
Lina : The most important thing for staying in shape is good food. I always try to eat healthy food and avoid fast food and sugars. I think that the majority of health-related problems come from bad food, and the best way for staying healthy and in good shape is good food. I don’t like exercise for the sake of exercise, but I love being active. I like hiking and mountain walks. It’s a great way to stay fit, and the mountain is also one of the best places to relax and listen to the sounds of nature.
RK : Do you have a skincare routine?
Lina : As I mentioned, skincare is one of the most important things to stay beautiful. I always keep my face clean, and I use masks from time to time. Face creams and body lotions are my main go-to's when it comes to skin care. It’s a very simple routine, but I also think it’s very effective.
RK : Do you have any Beauty/Skin Care tips or Tricks to look fresh and rested for early morning Photoshoot?
Lina : Early mornings are tough, but there are no tricks that can make them easier. The only thing you can do if you want to look fresh in the morning is to have a good, lengthy sleep beforehand. You cannot expect to get just three or four hours of sleep and then look like a princess in the morning. The only way to look fresh in the morning is to get enough sleep.
RK : What piece of advice would you give to anyone wanting to start a fashion blog?
Lina : Show yourself to the world. Trends are important, follow them, but individuality is your greatest strength.
RK : Do you have any upcoming events or announcements you wish to share?
Lina : I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise. All I can say is there are a few new ideas in the works, so follow me and we’ll have fun together.
RK : Give us 5 fun facts people might not know about you yet.
Lina :
● I enjoy high speeds. I wanted to be a racer when I was little.
● Here’s a fun fact - I almost destroyed someone’s garden once. Not intentionally, of course! This happened last summer when I decided to try riding a motorbike for the first time. It all started great - I hopped on the bike, started it, and off I went, riding a motorbike for the first time. Until about ten seconds later when I crashed into an old lady’s mailbox. I was an inch away from savagely riding through her beautiful flower garden. And believe me, I was more worried about the flowers than any injuries because you could see how much care and dedication this woman had put in the garden. It all had a happy ending, just a few scratches on the bike and the mailbox.
● I have one more first-time accident story. This time it involves skiing. As you know skiing is a tricky sport, and you can’t get into it right away. Disregarding that fact, I decided to begin my ski experience on one of the steepest tracks in Bulgaria. I was doing surprisingly good until I had to stop. This is where it gets tricky with skis - it’s hard to stop once you’re going down a hill full speed. And to top it all off - I was approaching an old ski cabin, and couldn’t do anything to go around it. So I ended up with a tough choice ahead of me - break the skis, or jump headfirst into the cabin an try to save them. The results were a pair of like-new skiis and a mild concussion for me. The stars circling around my head were gone in a few hours, so this was a happy end story as well.
● My daughter Nicole is a very fun and entertaining little girl. We like to make jokes and little pranks with each other, but she always gets me. This one time we were eating Oreos, and she had somehow replaced the cream of the cookie with toothpaste. I tasted it and immediately told her to stop eating the cookies as there was something wrong with them. She looked at me all serious and then started laughing full force. When she explained the trick she had pulled on me I promised her I’ll get back at her ;)
● I would love to jump with a parachute. This has not happened yet, but it’s definitely on my to-do list.
RK : We (Retro Kolkata) are trying to build one single stage for all the artists, because we believe that artists are the most beautiful creation of God and geographical boundary can never break their unity and harmony. Please say something about our initiative and any special message for your followers.
Lina : I think what you’re doing with Retro Kolkata is amazing. The fact that you are giving a stage to artists, influencers and creators from all areas and niches is amazing. Culture is a necessity for the development of the human kind, and art in all its forms is something that inspires emotion and thought. I admire you for your dedication and the great ideas you have. To my followers, I can only say that I am grateful for all your support and stay true to yourselves. This is the best asset you have on your side!
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