Hannah Maggs is a blogger, Instagrammer, YouTuber & founder of MaggsLondon.co.uk. She lives in Bath with her husband Stefan and their three year old son, Grayson. They are expecting a new addition to the family this august. Each week they film their lives for their family YouTube channel ‘The Michalaks‘. Hannah also has her own separate YouTube channel, blog and online shop selling make up bags and prints.
This week on the blog we chatted with her about life on camera, pregnancy and maternity fashion…
1) We love your YouTube channels & blog – tell us a little about them. What made you start? Where does your inspiration come from?
I actually started my blog as a distraction from a really tough time in my life. My mother had just passed away, I had just finished university & I just felt lost, lonely and as though I needed some kind of stimulation and distraction.
My YouTube channel was originally started as my husband had seen me watching lots of beauty videos, and encouraged me to sit down in front of the camera and give it a go. When I fell pregnant, I had absolutely no idea what to expect, and not being able to ask my own mother was very hard for me. I turned to YouTube and started watching other people talk about their pregnancy experiences and births. I wanted to help other pregnant women in the same way that they had helped me without even knowing it.
So I began logging my pregnancy really honestly each week, and built up a little following of viewers. As I neared the end of my pregnancy people began asking if they would meet the baby when he was born or if I would keep making videos. It was then that my husband started getting involved and we organically began filming our lives as new parents each week. The rest is history!
2) Tell us about MaggsLondon. Did you always want to run your own business?
MaggsLondon was actually intended to be a baby clothing company originally. After I had my son Grayson I really wanted to design and make baby boys clothes from liberty prints. Unfortunately the cost of making them was too high, so we ended up deciding not to pursue it, leaving me with a lot of leftover fabric. Having a background as a make-up artist, the first thing that sprung to mind was to make the fabric into makeup bags – and MaggsLondon was born. Since then we have expanded to sell prints, and are just about to launch jewellery too.
Get the look: Little Black Maternity Dress
3) Congratulations on the exciting pregnancy news! How has this pregnancy compared to your first?
Thank you! It’s strange actually – this pregnancy is the complete opposite of my first – in fact it couldn’t be any more different. With my first pregnancy I found every aspect hard… the physical changes in my body and then coping with the mental side of things too. I suffered with pre-natal depression and honestly, I just didn’t enjoy it. This pregnancy has been an absolute dream in comparison. I’m not sure if it’s because I know what to expect now, but I feel very content and calm this time around.
Get the Look: Nautical Maternity Maxi Dress
4) We love your style – how would you describe your signature look & how have you adapted it for pregnancy?
I think my style is pretty simple, I tend to go for plain, simple and classic pieces that I know I will like for a long time and that I can easily pair together without much thought or effort.
I’m staying true to my style in terms of keeping my pieces simple, although I’m wearing a lot more dresses than i would normally – they’re just so comfortable! With a maternity dress you don’t have to think about putting an outfit together, and with a toddler to run around after and a business to run I don’t have much time to spare.
Get the Look with our lace maternity dresses
5) What are your favourite Seraphine styles?
I absolutely LOVE your summer maternity dresses, and I can definitely see myself continuing to wear them even after I’m no longer pregnant, which makes them such a good investment! I particularly love your jersey maternity maxi dresses as they are just so comfortable but still make you feel feminine – and of course they show off the bump!
Also your occasion wear pieces in the Luxe Collection are just stunning – something that can be a little trickier to find when pregnant, believe me!
6) As a mum you’ll understand the morning rush – what would you recommend for putting your face together in a hurry? Any tips for speedy makeup?
Oh yes, speedy make-up has become a must for me – i barely get time to look in the mirror these days so I think I’ve got it down!
I’d say get a good base – some tinted moisturiser that you don’t need to spend too long blending, a bit of bronzer to add some depth and a quick swipe of mascara and you’re good to go! You can always build on these basics later if you find you have a spare few minutes.
7) We are confiscating your makeup bag! You get to keep 3 essential beauty products – what do you choose?
Ooooh this is a tricky one! La Roche Posay tinted sun cream because it gives such a lovely even glow, without feeling like I’m caked in foundation; some Nivea lip balm (it has a sort of glossy sheen to it) because I can’t stand having dry lips; and an eyebrow wand to keep those brows in check. Having your brows neatened can pull together your whole look instantly!
8) What is your idea of happiness?
The most important thing for me is knowing my family are healthy. As long as we have that, we have everything. Their happiness is intertwined with my own, so when everyone is smiling and content, that’s when I’m the happiest too!
For more from Hannah Maggs, follow her on Instagram @Magsy24