behind the genius: sophie anderson
Meet Sophie, The Fluf's new weekly beauty contributor and resident Parisienne! I met Sophie after I moved to LA, but turns out we're both from GA - small world out here in the big city. Sophie radiates infectious positivity and I love that about her. As soon as I met her, I was in awe of her genuine je ne sais quoi essence – so many of us are obsessed with culturally and commercially replicating this right now, but that shit can't be bought and Sophie genuinely just has it.
Sure enough, I quickly learned that her mother is French and she speaks the language fluently. She's also well-versed in the country's loves of food, wine, style, art, and quality apothecary goods. So, since I know next to nothing about what's good in beauty right now and am always dying to figure that whole scene out, I asked Sophie if she could lend her cheery and informative voice to The Fluf. I couldn't be more excited for her to join!
TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU DO!
Sophie Anderson: I am a copywriter for a podcast advertising agency, which is super fun and techy and full of surprises. I genuinely love advertisements -- seriously, nothing is more captivating to me than a really thoughtfully crafted ad campaign -- so it has been extremely exciting to be involved in that creative process... Especially within a platform that is so new and rapidly expanding!
WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS / DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE?
SA: I've always known I wanted to be a writer because I love storytelling, but I'm still not completely sure what form I want my writing to take. As I mentioned, I love advertising and could definitely see myself continuing on as a copywriter. But, I'm also completely obsessed with beauty and female empowerment, so I'd love for my career to lead me in a direction that lets me play with those topics a little more... Maybe as a beauty editor or a columnist? We'll see!
WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT LATELY? (WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO / WATCHING / WORKING ON / DAYDREAMING ABOUT?!)
SA: Listening to a lot of Devendra Banhart, Frances Cone, Kendrick Lamar, Gallant, Solange, Spotify's Women of Indie playlist, the Big Little Lies Soundtrack, and of course the new Haim album. All of this is shuffled into a steady stream of Madeleine Peyroux, whose renditions of classic, French jazz songs are my lullabies and play on a loop in my apartment. I'm also obsessed with the Night Rain playlist on Spotify and have been using it to fall asleep almost every night. It's so soothing and helps me forget that I live in the desert and haven't encountered real weather in months.
Not watching much right now, oddly enough. I am, however, working my way through a tall stack of books both new and borrowed, including South and West by Joan Didion, How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran, and David Sedaris' Theft by Finding.
Working on becoming a better cook! I love experimenting with new recipes on my own or making fun dishes for friends, but I wouldn't call myself particularly good at it. Hopefully devoting a bit more time and energy to practicing can change that.
Daydreaming about a quick getaway to the south of France for a glass of Bordeaux and a little unpasteurized cheese.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR ROLE MODELS?
SA: There are so many incredible women that I look up to... But for the sake of time (and since I am going to be writing about beauty here on The Fluf), I will focus on some of the beauty queens that inspire me.
For starters, I think that Emily Weiss, the founder and CEO of Glossier, is the epitome of a "girl boss." Better yet, she acknowledges that there is no standard form of beauty. Beauty is diverse and malleable and present in us all, not some ideal we should constantly be striving for or measuring ourselves against. For that, I admire her and the empire she has built immensely.
I also worship Linda Rodin. She is such an incredibly strong, independent woman who is effortlessly glamorous, and I can only hope to be as chic as she is at 68.
WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?
SA: It took me a long time to tap into my own individual style. For most of my life, having style meant emulating trends I saw worn by people around me. But now, while I still pay attention to trends, I only apply them to my wardrobe in ways that align with my personality/ body/ mood/ preferences. I don't force anything. I know what works for me and what makes me feel happy and comfortable on any given day, and I prioritize that above all else. As a result, style, for me, has become a deeply personal form of self-expression more than it is a testament as to how fashion forward I may or may not be.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE GO-TO LOOK LATELY?
SA: Lately, I've been living in midi dresses paired with low, block-heel sandals and my Elizabeth and James sunglasses (one of my favorite purchases of all time). This look is one that makes me feel polished yet cozy, which is a balance that I am always trying to strike. Makeup-wise, since Summer in Los Angeles means constant, sweltering heat and I don't have AC, I don't do much beyond sunscreen and a little concealer. But, if I feel like kicking things up a notch, I will break out my favorite orange lipstick (NYX's Matte Lipstick in Indie Flick) to top things off. This shit makes my skin look super tan, my eyes crazy blue, and I will never be without it.
