Online Lives: Creator of popular health and lifestyle blog Sarah Dwan
Waterford blogger and new mum Sarah Dwan writes about beauty, health and lifestyle on her popular website, beautyandthemasseuse.com and has a “passion for holistic therapies”.
“I’m a qualified body and beauty therapist for the past 12 years. I was running my own little beauty and holistic therapy business for five years up until Danny was born,” she says.
The 31-year-old from Dunmore East says she tries to support local businesspeople through her writing.
“I’m a big advocate for supporting local businesses, makeup artists, spas and salons and try my best to use my platform to help promote the ones I love.
“On the blog, I run different series including Makeup Artist Focus, Salon/Spa Focus, andSupport Local.”
Helping people is a huge bonus for Sarah.
“I love to share what I’ve learned and experienced, as regards skincare and looking after your body. There’s no better feeling when I receive a message from someone to say I’ve helped them with their skin, or their aches and pains, or whatever the issue may be.
“Two-and-a-half years ago I gave up alcohol and I wrote a post called 10 Reasons to Quit Alcohol.
"I received a message a couple of weeks later from a person who read it and gave up the next day.
They said it was the eye-opener they needed. They were much happier, sleeping better, and explained how they were just going to take it a day at a time.
"They thanked me for being so open and sharing my story to help others.
“I cried after I read the message because I know just how hard it can be to reach out.”
Blogging has brought new friends and business opportunities into Sarah’s life.
“I’ve made some brilliant friends through blogging. I’ve been approached by amazing brands to collaborate with. I’ve been asked to be brand ambassador for an incredible skincare brand I adore. I’ve been asked to do events, massage, and skincare days for businesses, and I’ve been asked to consult with business owners on improving their social media.
“It was a great way to promote my beauty business, and I got some fantastic clients through my pages. Two years running I’ve made the finals of The Irish Beauty Blog Awards, and although I never won, I was delighted to have even made it that far.”
In particular, Sarah has high praise for fellow blogger, Sinead Kavanagh.
“I adore Sinead from The Beautiful Truth. I’d consider her the best blogger in Ireland. Even though she’s one of the bigger influencers, she always takes time to reply.
"She helped me massively on my blogging journey.”
