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Caroline Lin First Tried Makeup in College — & It Changed Her Career

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Content creator Caroline Lin’s passion for beauty and fashion didn’t start until she came to NYU in 2013 for college. “I grew up going to a very strict school in China where we wore uniforms and weren’t allowed to wear makeup,” she says. “The beauty standard there is also all about being pale and skinny. I never felt like I fit that mold...It definitely made me feel insecure.” But when she moved to New York, where she is still based today, that quickly changed. “I began to feel more confident and comfortable in who I am,” she says. “It’s such a diverse place. I love being surrounded by people who are comfortable in their skin. It helps because I’m still getting there. It’s definitely a journey.”

Though you wouldn’t expect it by looking at her aspirational and artfully-chic content creation work for brands like Fleur du Mal, Rose Inc and Celine, Lin never set out to become a digital creator. “I started off doing it for fun,” she says of the side hobby she picked up during the pandemic while working as a financial advisor for an insurance company. “I began racking up a lot of clients and I eventually had to choose one over the other,” she says. “I’m happy now because I have a flexible schedule and I can be my own boss,” Lin adds. “I get to be creative and work with brands that I absolutely love.”

Below, Lin breaks down the beauty and wellness routines that help her feel grounded and confident, what beauty means to her and her go-to products.

RI:
Who, or what, has helped you to find your confidence along your journey?
CL:
I definitely struggled with confidence growing up in China. People would mock my body, say that I was too big and strong and tan. I think moving to New York in college really helped me to find my confidence because there’s more than one type of beauty here.
RI:
Who had the biggest beauty influence on you growing up?
CL:
That’s a hard question for me to answer. I really just wasn't thinking about beauty or style that much because I wasn’t exposed to them.
RI:
What would you say is your first beauty memory?
CL:
I remember being a child and digging around the house and finding my mom's perfumes and lipsticks. I was super curious about them. But she was upset at me for playing with those things because I wasn’t really allowed to wear makeup or anything. She told me I was too young for it all.

When I got to college, I saw people wearing makeup and it made me want to try it too. I started experimenting. I remember I bought a lot of different lipsticks from Sephora. I went through a phase where I was just obsessed with lipsticks. I would buy and try so many different things until I found what worked for me. I used to do a lot and try really hard to find the perfect makeup routine. I’m definitely more minimal now. But I’m glad I had that phase to figure things out, especially since I started relatively late with exploring makeup.

“Beauty is about being comfortable with who I am and my own body.”

RI:
Speaking of makeup routines, what are your go-to products currently?
CL:
I've been using the Rose Inc concealer. I absolutely love it. It's amazing. But in general, I like to keep it simple and very clean.
RI:
What about your skincare routine?
CL:
I also don’t do too much with my skin. I use a cleanser and then moisturize with the Rose Inc Hydration Replenish Microencapsulated Moisturizer. I love it. It’s not super rich and I’ve been using it day and night. I gave one to my boyfriend and he’s obsessed as well.

“I love being surrounded by people who are comfortable in their skin.”

RI:
Do you have any favorite fragrances?
CL:
I really love Byredo’s Black Saffron. I like floral scents and this is very floral sexy. It also has a bit of a leather undertone to it too. I also love one called Not Your Baby by Phlur.
RI:
How do you prioritize wellness and self-care?
CL:
I like to put on music and take a really long, hot shower. After that, I like to do a full and thorough skin care routine. I’ll do a cleansing mask, a clay mask and then a hydration mask.
RI:
Did you develop additional self-care habits since the start of the pandemic that have stuck with you?
CL:
When the pandemic first happened, I was living in L.A. and I was so bored all the time. I started forcing myself to go out for a walk every day. That stuck with me after I moved back to New York. It’s even why I chose to live close to Prospect Park. It helps me keep my body moving.
RI:
Are there things about the beauty industry that you’d like to see change?
CL:
In China there is a lot of colorism. So I’d love to see more brands celebrate different skin tones in their campaigns and in their shade ranges. I feel like Rose Inc is doing a really good job when it comes to that. There are so many great shades to choose from. I also feel like sometimes the Asian community is neglected in beauty. So I would definitely like to see more Asian representation.

“Here in New York I feel like I can just be who I am. And that's beautiful."

RI:
How do you define beauty?
CL:
Beauty is about being comfortable with who I am and my own body.
RI:
When do you feel most beautiful?
CL:
Definitely when I'm comfortable. That's why I love New York. When I was in L.A. I felt very uncomfortable — sometimes I was the only Asian girl in groups. I felt so out of place. But here in New York I feel like I can just be who I am. And that's beautiful. I feel beautiful when I'm in New York.

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Caroline Lin First Tried Makeup in College — & It Changed Her Career

“Beauty is about being comfortable with who I am and my own body.”

“I love being surrounded by people who are comfortable in their skin.”

“Here in New York I feel like I can just be who I am. And that's beautiful."

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