L’Oréal Lifestyle: Doralys Britto Answers the Questions You’ve Always Wanted to Ask
February 22, 2019
Whether you’re one of her more than one million subscribers on YouTube or among her 250k+ Instagram followers, we wouldn’t be surprised if you’re already familiar with Doralys Britto. Still, there’s a lot we’re betting you don’t know about this member of L’Oreal’s League—like the fact that she used to direct beauty pageants. Or how about that she had her own radio show as a teenager? Doralys, who was born and raised in the Dominican Republic but is currently based in California, followed an interesting path to becoming an influencer, a topic which we’re diving into here. Below, Doralys answers all the questions you could possibly want answers to—and that includes sharing her best beauty and career advice.
L’Oréal Paris Beauty Magazine: What brought you to where you are now? How did you get your current job?
Doralys Britto: Well, it’s been a long road. I started blogging from my closet about five years ago. I was running a beauty contest in the Dominican Republic and I was getting a lot of questions about makeup, so I thought I would post a few YouTube videos to avoid having to answer the same questions over and over again. One of those videos ended up getting a couple of million views, so that encouraged me to keep creating content. In the meantime, I moved to LA and by 2015 I had a full-time job at a tech startup in Hollywood. While the job was very rewarding, I was working pretty long hours and still trying to create content for my channel on the side. The channel was suffering and I had to decide what I was going to do: Pursue a traditional career with my communications degree or pursue social media as a full-time job. I decided to go for it, which looking back now might have been kind of crazy because I only had about 50,000 YouTube followers and basically no Instagram account.
LOP BMAG: As an influencer, how relevant is your degree in communications?
DB: Very relevant. Through my communications and marketing degrees, I learned about social media, film, TV, radio, cultural communication, journalism, creative writing, and business. My degrees taught me techniques to build personal connections with my followers. It allowed me to feel comfortable in front of a camera, to feel comfortable with public speaking, and to try to deliver a very clear message with my content.
LOP BMAG: What does a typical workday look like for you?
DB: I get up around 6:30 AM and work out. I then generally putter around the house and do my online errands before getting down to business around 8:00 or 9:00. I work through lunch and try to wrap things up by mid-afternoon. I often have events at night, so on those days I need to get ready and go, so my workday can go until pretty late.
LOP BMAG: What advice would you give to someone wanting to work in beauty?
DB: Be yourself. Too many people try to be like someone else who is already successful. But there is already someone there, doing what you are trying to do, and doing it successfully. Everyone is unique, with their own set of faults and talents. Celebrate that and you will have your best shot at being successful.
LOP BMAG: How about someone who wants to become an influencer?
DB: The exact same advice!
LOP BMAG: You had a radio show at just 17. How did you gain respect while working toward your goals?
DB: Well it was certainly an uphill battle. Before people met me, when they heard my age and gender, they made assumptions about how I would be. And they carried those assumptions forward. We’ve all heard the saying “you only get one chance to make a first impression” and I saw again and again that people had often formed a first impression before even meeting me. I strive to be an honest, straightforward, and very hardworking person, however, so those qualities helped me build relationships and gain the respect of people around me.
LOP BMAG: You're the daughter of a doctor and a chemist, did that impact your interest in the beauty industry?
DB: They didn’t have any influence on my choice to work in the beauty industry, but they influence me in other, very core ways. They are both well-educated and insisted I get a good education. They are also both very hard workers. They don’t talk about hard work or make a big deal about it; they just do it. That was a huge influence on me. If I wanted something I knew I would have to put in the work and not complain.
LOP BMAG: How has your outlook on beauty been impacted by your roots in the Dominican Republic?
DB: I was raised in a strong family setting with a solid foundation. My parents insisted I get a good education and that I work hard. So, while we of course could all use a little help with our eyebrows, or complexion, or whatever our individual issues are, the core of my beauty routine starts from within. That means being independent, having a strong sense of self, and making sure that I’m always trying to do the right thing. These roots taught me that inner beauty is far more important than outer beauty. Too many people take the shortcut and just try to be superficially beautiful. Any happiness that results is short-term.
I saw a woman across the restaurant from us at dinner last night. She was probably in her late 60s. The way she carried herself was amazing—she was classy, dignified, and poised. She was dressed well and just looked so put-together. Her inner strength and presence radiated and made her absolutely beautiful. I wish more people would realize the root of beauty is under your skin, not on it.
LOP BMAG: How did your beauty look change as you traveled around the world and eventually moved to the United States?
DB: I have been fortunate to travel quite a bit and have seen dramatic differences around the world. With that travel, my routines certainly changed. In the Dominican Republic, for example, people like to look GOOD. They spend hours and hours doing their hair, working out, and doing their nails. Dominicans like to use a lot of natural masks and lotions for example. In Europe, where I spent a lot of time, women don’t really spend as much time. They absolutely like to look good but their definition of beauty is more natural. You’ll often see a lot of gorgeous girls with amazing skin and no makeup. They only wear or use the products they need. Nothing more. In contrast, in the U.S., people like to play with makeup, hair colors, and unique clothes to stand out. They like to try different beauty products; they seem more bold. My routine takes a bit of all of these cultures. On a typical day, I don’t wear much or any makeup but I love to get made up and play with different things when I go to events or make appearances.
LOP BMAG: What beauty trends are you living for at the moment?
DB: Three come to mind: achieving a glowing, natural look, romantic makeup with lots of blush, and big, natural brows.
LOP BMAG: What’s a beauty trend you won’t try, or one you’re over?
DB: 1. Over the top nail art—not for me! 2. Baby bangs don’t work with my face. Once I cut my bangs short and they took so long to grow. I still want to cry when I look at pictures of myself with those baby bangs. 3. Full glam lash extensions. To me, they just don’t look natural at all. Too much!
LOP BMAG: What are your favorite L’Oréal products?
DB: Oh wow, there are so many! Well, I love the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara—it makes my super thin lashes look long and thick. I’m also super obsessed with the L'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Treatment. It hydrates my hair and it makes it look super shiny and healthy! But I think my absolute favorite product right now is the L’Oréal Paris Unbelieva-Brow Longwear Waterproof Brow Gel, which is waterproof, looks so natural, and stays all day!
LOP BMAG: What’s the best beauty tip you’ve ever received?
DB: Get enough sleep! Without sleep, all aspects of your health will suffer and you’ll never reach your potential. It goes beyond healthy skin, hair, etc. Without adequate sleep, you’ll be listless and lack spark. And a person’s energy is a huge part of their personal magnetism.
LOP BMAG: Did you learn any amazing beauty tips working on beauty pageants?
DB: Absolutely! One is to use white eyeliner on the waterline of your lower eyelid. It will make your eyes look bigger and brighter!
LOP BMAG: What is your skin care routine? Do you have to do anything special for the climate where you live?
DB: I like to start my day by washing my face with a moisturizing cleanser. Then, I apply a vitamin C serum, followed by an eye cream to minimize dark circles. Then I use moisturizer with SPF 40.
Before bed, I use an oil-based makeup remover, followed by a light exfoliator. Then I use a moisturizing cleanser to wash my face and apply a retinol serum. Finally, I apply a moisturizer with vitamin C, E, and B12.
LOP BMAG: What's your hair care routine?
DB: I wash my hair two or three times a week. I use conditioner or a zero-lather conditioning cleanser. Next, with wet hair, I divide my hair into sections and apply a generous amount of conditioner throughout my hair. I then detangle my hair section by section with the conditioner. I leave the conditioner in for five to ten minutes then rinse. I follow that up with a leave-in conditioner and defining gel. I work both products into sections of my hair and let my hair air dry. I don’t like to use heat on my curls! Finally, when my hair is completely dry, I add the Elvive Extraordinary Oil Treatment to make it super shiny and I’m ready to go!
LOP BMAG: How do you experiment with temporary hair colors? What shade will you try next?
DB: I love to play with hair colors. It’s so fun and different. My followers love it too! On my list to try next are silver and neon purple.
LOP BMAG: What are the fashion trends you’re loving these days?
DB: I am loving high-waisted pants. It’s funny because my husband loves me in low-rise pants so he’s always threatening to hide my high-waisted pants—it’s a running joke in our house. Lately, I’ve also been into clothes—especially tops—made of unusual materials, like materials that feel like metal or plastic. I’m sure it’s just a phase I’m going through but I can’t get enough of that right now!
LOP BMAG: Where do you find your beauty and fashion inspiration?
DB: Ironically, I find my deepest inspiration from people that aren’t even trying to influence others. Strong, independent women (and men) who are just leading their lives their own way with their own style. Just a few weeks ago, I saw a business woman rocking this form-fitting, super-stylish, and unique business suit. She had no idea I was staring and she just went on with her day. But since then I’ve been thinking, “I need to get a suit like that!” So, I tend to find inspiration from people that aren’t even trying.
LOP BMAG: What does a typical weekend look like for you?
DB: Because my husband and I are both self-employed we get to pick which days are our “weekends”. Because most people have Saturdays and Sundays off, things are generally more crowded and busy on those days. So, we generally stay at home and work on those days and instead take our “weekends” during the week, like on Tuesday and Wednesday. On those days, we love to go surfing, take drives through the mountains, ride bikes, or go to our favorite restaurants. In the winter, we like to sneak away for a few days midweek to go skiing.
LOP BMAG: What’s your favorite brunch spot, and what do you order?
DB: I love Topanga Living Cafe, which is just a few miles from our house. It’s a super cute restaurant in the Topanga mountains. It’s bohemian, super healthy, and has a great vibe. I usually order avocado toast and an almond croissant or the quinoa salad. Yum!
LOP BMAG: What’s your favorite date night spot, and what do you order?
DB: It varies. There are a number of restaurants in our dinner rotation. Lately, one of my favorite restaurants has been Taverna Tony, a rustic/chic Greek restaurant in Malibu. They have the best dips and Mediterranean food around. I love to go there with my husband and order a bunch of tapas and talk for hours. It’s so romantic!
LOP BMAG: What are your favorite workout classes and routines?
DB: I love to run by myself, especially in the morning. As I run, I develop a rhythm and think about my day and myself and areas I would like to improve. It’s almost meditative and such a wonderful way to start the day. My local gym also has some fantastic workout classes. I like to try different classes—dance, kick-boxing, HIIT, Barre. I never know where I’ll be sore the next day!
LOP BMAG: What was the last book you read?
DB: I just finished #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso. It’s a great read and a fantastic study of empowerment.
LOP BMAG: Where is the next place you’re going to travel?
DB: Fiji! My husband I and go to Fiji for two weeks every year. Although we take lots of trips, this is my favorite trip. We surf all day, eat great food, snorkel and swim in the ocean, and read. It’s such an amazing reset and as a bonus we always meet a bunch of really great people. I can’t wait to go!
LOP BMAG: How do you practice self-care?
DB: I need to exercise every day or my energy wanes. I also regularly practice gratitude. For instance, every night before bed, my husband and I each talk about three things that make us each grateful. It can be something big (“I got a big campaign!”) or something small (“I saw a beautiful sunrise this morning!”) but it helps to center me and focus me on the many positive things in my life.
LOP BMAG: The goal behind your work is to make other women feel empowered. When do you feel most empowered?
DB: I feel most empowered when I am producing content for my channels. I love to draw upon the things I’ve gone through and share that with my viewers in the hope that they can learn from my mistakes and grow with me. Sharing my life with my followers—both my successes and my failures—really generates a lot of positive feedback and I feel like I’m really making a difference in people’s lives. That’s incredibly empowering.
