It’s hard for us to look forward to Mondays, but we couldn’t wait to post our latest hair envy feature with Emily Cleary, social media director at Monika Dixon Public Relations. Aside from spilling her product must-haves and career secrets, she’s also sharing her favorite Chicago hot spots and the celebs’ hair that she envies! And while we’re totally jealous of her low-maintenance, but gorgeous, mane, we still love her!
What’s your current occupation?: Social Media Director at Monika Dixon Public Relations
How’d you get into the field, and why?: Well, this wasn’t really part of any calculated plan. I always knew I wanted to do something in the communications field because I’ve had a passion for writing since I can remember. I graduated with a news-editorial journalism degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May 2012. Upon graduating, I was still unsure of exactly what I wanted to do from there. Initially and when I decided to apply to U of I’s journalism school as a senior in high school, I was nearly positive I wanted to write for a fashion magazine. Throughout college, though, I had internships in marketing, journalism (print and digital), social media, fashion and event planning, all of which expanded my horizons and my interests. I spent half a semester in New York City interning at Teen Vogue, but through all of my different experiences and internships, I realized I truly had a passion for connecting people and for social media. Toward the end of my college career, I decided not to confine myself just to journalism and began exploring social media and public relations jobs. After graduating, I took an internship with a small public relations firm in the city because I knew if I was going to be applying to agencies, I would need the experience. While there, I began researching PR agencies and applying to various jobs. During my research, I happened across Facebook photos of an Atelier AZZA event that had just taken place at Public Hotel. Tagged in one of the photos was Monika Dixon Public Relations, so I immediately found the contact email and reached out to Monika directly. She responded within an hour, and we met for the first time a few days later. I guess you could say the rest is history. She hired me on the spot for a month-long internship/trial, and a few weeks later I was her first employee! For several months I was the only MDPR employee, so I was really a jack of all trades, doing everything from event coordination to managing client social media to writing press releases to pitching to press. Now, I am primarily responsible for the social media of MDPR as well as that of our clients, but I’m also still involved in almost everything that happens day-to-day with the company. Every day is a new adventure and I work alongside some truly talented people – from Monika to my co-workers to our clients and other collaborators – so I’m constantly learning!
What are you some of your favorite Chicago spots?: If you asked my friends, they would tell you that I have a few restaurants/bars that are my go-tos. They change every couple of months, but ones that are pretty consistent are Ay Chiwowa (the guacamole is amazing and they play the best dance tunes later at night), Bub City (Tuesday night live band karaoke is the greatest) and Joe’s on Weed (love seeing smaller country acts here). I’m kind of a sucker for country music if you can’t tell! Food is not really my area of expertise (I eat like a six year old), so I’m more about the ambiance and vibe of a place. I’m still relatively new to the city, so I have much exploring to do. In terms of where I go out, it really ranges. On a given weekend, I could be anywhere from American Junkie to Drumbar to any of the ones mentioned above to more college-y Lincoln Park bars, and then occasionally somewhere with a more club atmosphere like Underground. I primarily stick to River North, Old Town and Lincoln Park when I go out, but I’m honestly open to anything. If I could, I’d go to a concert every weekend, so I can’t pass up a good music festival or show, and I’m die hard Lollapalooza fan. I live very close to Michigan Avenue, so for shopping I tend to head there (even though the crowds get old really quickly), but I do a lot of my shopping online. And you can also always find me on the lakefront either running or biking. I also love walking around and just exploring new areas, which means there’s never a shortage of things to do.
Where’s your hood?: Streeterville right by the lake, which I absolutely love.
Take us through your daily beauty routine: My day-to-day routine stays pretty much the same. I’ve been a Proactiv user for years, so I start with the face wash, toner and lotion. I’m always experimenting with new lotions/creams, especially anti-aging ones (you can never start prevention too early!), so I follow-up with one of those. My daily makeup typically consists of foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush, a little bit of highlighter, mascara and a little lip gloss. On the weekends, I add eyeshadow, eyeliner and a lipstick by Morgan Marie Beauty for a little extra drama. Throw on some body lotion and I’m pretty much good to go! Painting my nails often falls to the wayside, so sometimes I’ll throw on a coat of glitter for a little fun.
Do you have a go-to hairstyle? If so, what is it?: I am VERY low maintenance with my hair. I’ve had the same cut and color for about 10 years, and I have a severe fear of changing my hair. I let it air dry everyday, and if I do use product, it’s usually a touch of anti-frizz cream or a shine spray. I have naturally wavy hair, so I like to just let it do its thing, and it usually ends up looking presentable. I’ll sometimes throw in a clip for a half up do or use clips to throw it up into a messy bun. With a few extra minutes, I’ll add a regular or fishtail braid. For special events, I usually curl it, although when I’m crunched for time I run a straightener through it. You will almost always find my hair down, unless I’m working out. Then it’s in a pony with a colorful elastic headband.
Do you vary your look season to season? How does your routine change in the summer vs. winter?: Sadly, I don’t. I’m pretty basic with my beauty regimen. In summer, I guess the one difference is I’ll wear products with a bit more shimmer or I’ll wear more colorful lip colors. But generally, my look stays the same all year. I leave all the experimenting for my wardrobe and accessories — I’m a bit obsessed. My style is part edgy, part bohemian, part hipster, so I really have all the fun with my clothes and an overload of accessories.
What are a few of the season’s best hair trends?: I’m digging all of the braids. Who knew you could get so inventive with them? There are honestly so many ways to try them. I came to Blowtique the first day of Lollapalooza to get a braided ‘do, and I had three braids at once – it looked so cool. Ombré is also a trend I love, and I even gave it a whirl. I loved it, but started to miss my regular blonde hair. It was the most I’d changed my hair in years, and I just needed my old look back.
Biggest beauty splurges?: I’m pretty much a drugstore beauty junkie, so it’s not often I splurge. One thing I would definitely shell out for (even though they’re pretty reasonably priced) are Morgan Marie Beauty makeup brushes. I honestly get a flawless application with the brushes, and there’s one made for everything you could imagine. I do sometimes buy NARS products, which to me are a splurge. NARS colors are amazing, and I love their Laguna bronzer and Super Orgasm blush. For lipsticks, Morgan Marie’s ‘Madonna’ and ‘Goldie’ are my regulars. The absolute best. I am also willing to splurge on quality highlights, but I was lucky enough to find a woman in high school that cuts and colors me for $60, and now I pretty much don’t trust anyone else with my hair. I’ve never been one for facials, but I’m thinking of treating myself to one soon. And I don’t often do manis or pedis in a salon so when I do, it’s a splurge. Oh, and I can also justify buying quality hot tools because you can totally tell the difference in cheap versus more expensive ones.
What does a bad hair day look like for you?: It’s pretty much just a lot of frizzies. I have quite a few flyaways, and they sometimes are a bit unruly. Because my hair is so long, it often gets tangly as well. Honestly though, I can’t complain because my hair requires relatively low maintenance.
Would you rather – hair down or hair up?: Hair down. It’s like my security blanket. Everyone always tells me to wear my hair up more often (which I’ve really been trying to do lately), but I just feel more ‘me’ when my hair is down.
Whose hair do you envy?: Blake Lively. Regardless of the style, her hair always looks so effortlessly flawless. Erin Heatherton also has that sexy, tousled blonde hair that everyone secretly (or not so secretly) wants. And if I had the courage to chop off all my hair, I’d definitely want Julianne Hough’s adorable, chic crop cut.
What’s a style you’d love to try at Blowtique that would be too hard to try at home?: There’s no body to my hair, so I would love to simply have a regular blow out to give my hair a shiny, voluminous look. And then, of course, anything with braids! Specifically, a messy, un-done, hippie chic fishtail braid.
For more information on Emily, follow her on Twitter or Instagram!
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