Franziska Dully about her life as a blogger, fashion and beauty tips!

Franziska Dully is a fashion blogger and Youtuber from Munich. In the meantime, the likeable Munich native is one of the top influencers. I talked to her about her everyday life as a blogger, absolute winter trends and about her time before her glamorous blogger life!

Authenticity is the key

• Franziska Elea / Blog
• Franziska Dully / Instagram

Franziska, on your blog, on Instagram and also on Youtube you share your life… isn’t it exhausting in the long run to be in front of the camera every day and to entertain your followers?

It’s definitely exhausting, especially considering the fact that you really can never switch off. Even if I decide not to work for a day, after 30 minutes at the latest I think “oh, I really have to show that in my story”. Still, it’s a lot of fun and I couldn’t imagine a better job – so you put up with the effort.

On Instagram you revealed that your year 2018 is already planned completely full with collaborations and projects. Do you really only pick jobs you enjoy through your self-employment, or do you sometimes bite the bullet and do projects or collaborations that don’t appeal to you?

In general, authenticity is my priority, because otherwise my credibility would suffer greatly and in the long run that would also be uneconomical. I try to find a happy medium, but I cancel jobs every day if I can’t come to an agreement with the customer or if I’m not convinced by the product. I owe that to myself and my community.

“I know who I am, what I can do, and what I just CANNOT do. No disagreeable comment will ever change that.”

On your social networks you make no secret of the fact that as an influencer it takes several hours and dozens of attempts to take a good photo. In your blog post about self-confidence you are very honest, admit to being happy about the flaws of celebrities, show an unflattering photo from your youth and even say you thought about going under the knife. With your reach, isn’t it hard for you to show such private insights into your life and publish your insecurities?

This is definitely a matter of type and if you have an unstable self-image or little self-confidence, I would strongly advise against putting your life on display on the Internet. I’ve thought it through beforehand and I’m very good at dealing with criticism and other opinions. I think that’s why I never worry about it. I know who I am, what I can do and what I can NOT do. No disagreeable comment will ever change that. Granted, there aren’t many bloggers who let you see that deep into their personality, and certainly for good reason. However, I see it as my strength and rarely get negative feedback, which of course motivates me.

“You always feel like you’re inconveniencing the other person in some way when you have to ask for photos.”

In your blog post “10 phrases every blogger knows and hates” you also talk about friends who are not very understanding about the time you spend taking photos. Do you ever feel uncomfortable asking someone to take photos of you or publishing stories in front of certain people?

Oh yes it is every time. You always have the feeling to bother the other in some way, if you have to ask for photos and I’m glad that my boyfriend now understands this to some extent. Apart from that, I only shoot with blogger friends, so the whole thing is mutual and therefore unproblematic. You get used to the stories, but I still sometimes have a shameful feeling when I walk alone through the city and everyone is watching me talking on my phone…

Colorful winter outfits may not be missing with Franziska

What about current trends in fashion, do you like to adopt current trends and get inspiration or do you prefer to stay true to your style?

Both. I look for the trends I like and then try to integrate them into my style.

At the moment it’s still cold and grey, but I think we’re all looking forward to it when it finally gets warmer and brighter again in spring. What are your fashion must-haves for spring?

I currently like colors – whether bright or pastel; both great. Apart from that, I would like to finally get myself a really great trench coat.

“Every time I had to buy a winter jacket or get a haircut, it ate a huge hole in my budget.”

Last year you bought a designer bag for the first time. As a fashion blogger, doesn’t it belong to you to wear designer fashion?

Yes, definitely. I’ve already written a blog post about it, but I simply didn’t have the money for it. I paid my rent from a student loan, my living expenses from a part-time job and every time I had to buy a winter jacket or a visit to the hairdresser, it ate a huge hole in my budget. I was barely making ends meet in Munich, so the last thing on my mind was a designer bag.

You must be a pro when it comes to beauty. What are your tips to survive the last cold months? Which beauty essentials should not be missing in winter?

I can only advise everyone to properly care for the skin before and after make up. Unfortunately, I forget that in the hectic totally often and have anyway already dry skin – this unfortunately currently quite beautiful under the temperatures and the heating air.

As people know you, you love to travel. Which countries or cities are your favourite destinations and where will you go in the new year?

So far I haven’t seen too much, but Seville and Abu Dhabi have made a lasting impression on me. At the end of January we’ll fly to Rome and then in the spring for a longer time in the USA, I’ve been dreaming of this all my life.

How do you become a blogger?

“I just wanted this and spent months googling, watching make up tutorials, reading blogs, buying magazines, getting into photography.”

On your blog you describe your former self in school as not very pretty and rather as a fifth wheel. What was the decisive factor for you to make this change to an influencer or blogger? Did you do it consciously or was the success rather a positive surprise for you?

I actually worked hard for this; countless hours every day. I just wanted this and spent months googling, watching make up tutorials, reading blogs, buying magazines, studying photography etc. This “development phase” has been going on for 3 years now and I’m still learning every day. So it wasn’t a surprise in my case and if I hadn’t let my studies slide, I wouldn’t have had time for it at all. With me, hardly anything happens by chance – unfortunately.

On Youtube you share videos in which you give tips on how to become a successful blogger. What do you think are the best qualities to have for blogging and who can become a blogger?

Theoretically, anyone can become a blogger if they want it badly enough and with every fiber of their heart. I am convinced of that. But that sounds easier than it is, because you have to put back a lot on the way there, work and fail several times until something comes back. To a certain extent, of course, the personality structure also determines who perseveres and who does not. In my opinion, it’s important to have fun, be self-confident and not give up – even if you fall flat on your face for the 10th time.

And last but not least, what resolutions and goals do you have for the coming year? What would you like to achieve in the future?

Actually, I want to emigrate (to the south!!) and manage the whole “blog thing” together with my boyfriend. There’s still a lot of work ahead of me but I’m convinced that you can achieve your goals if you’re willing to do (almost) anything for it.

• Franziska Elea / Blog
• Franziska Dully / Instagram