Deadly is the Female interviews Miss Amy May!

I personally think the fashions from the 40s and 50s especially were elegant and flattering in the superlative, and because of that they’re so timeless that they’re still considered just as elegant and flattering today. Consequently, pretty much anyone can wear them and look incredible, and feel just as wonderful too, so it creates a community of ladies who look and feel happy to get dressed each day. Plus, a big poofy skirt is always fun to wear! 

The Miss Amy May blog reviews clothing brands, shoes, accessories, makeup products and so much more which we find super helpful when we are on a shopping spree. Why did you choose to start up a blog? 

I always say it started almost accidentally. It was about 3 years ago now, back when I had about 2000 followers on Instagram, when I noticed I was getting questions regularly about how I did this with my hair, or how did I find that dress fit, or what lipstick worked best for me. I’ve always written as a hobby in various different formats so it occurred to me that maybe a blog would be a fun way to answer all the questions I was getting. I asked my followers if they would be interested if I began blogging and with the lovely enthusiastic response I received Miss Amy May was born. 

 We adore your blogs where you share outtakes and bloopers from your blog photo shoots, they make us giggle! This must take some confidence to be able to share these silly photos, can you share any confidence boosting advice?

Full disclaimer: there are PLENTY of bloopers that are so awful I can’t bear to share them. No matter how confident and put together someone looks there will always be an angle they can’t stand to see themselves from, so it’s important to remember that the people whom you consider to be brim full of confidence will have their shaky moments the same as you do. That being said, I think the other important thing to remember is that there is only one you and no one else can offer exactly what you can, so focus on what makes you feel special and what you like, not what you think you ought to like, and build from there. 

2) What is your top hair or makeup styling tip?

Vintage hair and makeup is so tricky that it’s easy to come up with a dozen tips, but the main tip I have is just to practise! No one got winged liner or pincurls right on their first try. Literally no one. Inevitably we only get to that place of feeling we’ve nailed a look after we’ve spent the time stressing, swearing, giving up, trying again, researching online for ages, and continually persisting with practising through that all, so just keep at it. (Also, video and blog tutorials are super useful for beginners because it can all be so overwhelming at first, so make sure to look around.

3) What is your top tip for taking a good selfie or photo?

Good lighting. You don’t have to invest in some ridiculously expensive ring light or elaborate backdrop set up, but if you’ve got a well lit photo you will be clearer and sharper to the lens, with colours truer and no rogue shadows creating unflattering bags or sags. Find a window that lets in a decent amount of natural light if you’re taking a selfie, or go outdoors if you can for full body pictures.

4) What 1 piece of advice would you give to girls who aspire to dress in the vintage style or aspire to be a model/blogger?

Find your own comfort zone within the style and don’t stress about what you think you ‘should’ wear or do. If your favourite bloggers wear victory rolls that doesn’t mean you need to, nor buy the brands they most love, nor wear the kinds of shoes they wear. Women who can dedicate themselves to authentically replicating the style in every facet are incredible, but for a lot of us that isn’t feasible and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you only like certain parts of the style, it’s fine to only adopt those while blending them together with modern pieces or items from other sub-cultures. There is no rule book that says you have to opt in entirely or else you’re not allowed. When you follow your own sense of style and happiness it will make you feel and look more confident than if you’re forcing yourself to replicate others to fit in. Wear what you want when you want and don’t worry 🙂

5)  If you could have any item that is currently in stock from Deadly is the Female, what would it be?