Lipstick, Heels, and a Baby

Jess Fay

@LIPSTICKHEELSANDABABY | LIPSTICKHEELSANDABABY.COM

An online influencer for over a decade, Jessica Lynn Fay started her career in 2012 when she launched her blog, YouTube channel, and Pinterest account. But it’s now on Instagram, where she’s amassed over 325,000 followers and counting, that her audience connects most to her photos, Reels, and stories sharing everything from style tips to vacation destinations, recipes, product recommendations, and just relatable content about life and parenthood.

“Instagram did not become a big platform for me until early 2013 when it started to take off on a steady uphill climb,” Fay shares. “I began my career sharing my daily outfits and hair tutorials, which is some of what I still share today—eleven years since I started.”

We caught up with the fashionista, wife, world traveler, and young mom of three to get her take on her career as an influencer and her favorite trends for the season!

VIE: What is your favorite part about your job, and what is your least favorite?

Jess Fay: Favorite: the people I have met and the opportunities my family and I have received. Least favorite: Everyone has an opinion or assumption about your life and how you are living it, and people typically like to let you know when they don’t agree with what you are doing.

VIE: What is a highlight moment you’ve had as an influencer?

JF: This one is hard because I feel so fortunate to have had many opportunities that have opened up to me. Being front row at many Miami Swim Week runway shows and Rebecca Minkoff shows at New York Fashion Week were major moments for me. Also, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate on several travel campaigns with Disney World and Disney Cruises.

VIE: What words of wisdom would you give someone interested in becoming an influencer or starting a brand?

JF: Consistency and authenticity. Come out of the gate being exactly who you are. Like-minded people will be attracted to you and your brand. If you start by being someone or something that you are not, you will eventually exhaust yourself and not be able to continue with what you are doing. Unfortunately, people who started following you because of someone they thought you were will also lose interest in what you are doing.

Consistency and authenticity. Come out of the gate being exactly who you are. Like-minded people will be attracted to you and your brand.

VIE: What are you currently watching, listening to, or reading?

JF: I am really into The Skinny Confidential podcast right now. I like to listen to podcasts that motivate me in all aspects of life. I feel like she does a great job hitting all topics, such as healthy habits in both food and exercise, leveling up in life and careers, stress management, and life balance.

VIE: Besides your phone, what’s one thing you can’t leave home without?

JF: Water—very rarely do I not have a water bottle in my hand at all times. I’m a thirsty girl, lol! But I know that’s boring, so we can go with my plumping lip gloss!

VIE: What’s your top travel destination for fall?

JF: Somewhere cooler and where the leaves change. I would love to go to Jackson Hole; it is on the bucket list for me! I say this every year, but with our kids’ sports and school, I tend to travel less in the fall.

VIE: What’s your favorite fall trend?

JF: I love Western-style boots—not a new trend this fall, but they are my favorite thing to break out every year when the temps drop. Short or tall, there are so many ways to wear them!

I also am still loving sneakers with everything. Sneakers with dresses, sneakers with leather pants, or sneakers with cargo pants or cropped denim—it looks effortless yet finished. Yes, cargoes are back for this fall, too!

VIE: Thank you, Jess!

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