...And how she keeps her flawless skin sun-safe.
Meet Keiko Lynn. The beautiful, smart blogger and influencer who has a gorgeous, eponymous blog, Keiko Lynn, and over 121,000 followers on Instagram. Join us as she gives us a glimpse into her amazing life and how she always manages to find fun and adventure wherever she goes.
Q: You are unbelievably beautiful. Your skin…. I feel like this is where we must start. Your skin is flawless. Why do you feel protecting one’s skin is so important?
A: Thank you! My number one tip, both for skin cancer prevention and for anti-aging: apply sunscreen (and reapply often and properly!). I am a fanatic with my skin and don’t take it for granted; skin cancer is common in my family and I learned to protect my skin the hard way. You have to wear separate SPF, in addition to your regular cream. And you need to reapply every two hours. I carry a small tube of either La Roche Posay Anthelios or travel size Supergoop to reapply.
Q: You are only 31 and so successful. We love to shine a spotlight on women who have made their mark by being true to themselves and expressing themselves in such creative and authentic ways. What tips do you have for our readers as to how to help build a brand and grow an audience?
A: Focus on what you’re most passionate about. Don’t just parrot what you already see out there…develop your own voice and style, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Learn about SEO and utilize it, form or join a community of local bloggers so that you can help one another out, and focus on creating great content, which includes beautiful photos. You don’t need an expensive camera to take great photos, but you do need a basic knowledge of how to use a camera, utilize natural light, and edit. Now, iPhones take such great photos, you can easily utilize that when in a pinch.
Q: You have great style! Retro and vintage but with your own signature twist. Our Helen Jon Del Rey One-Piece White Sands seems like it was made for you! How would you accessorize it and put your Keiko Lynn stamp on it?
A: I would pair it with retro, high-waisted shorts and a functional headscarf over an up-do. I don’t have the kind of hair that looks good in the wind, so I either go for a large hat or wrap it up in a scarf - a signature go-to.
Q: So many people look to you for makeup tips. Will you share a few specifically for those warm, summer days spent by the water?
A: I skip the makeup and just lather myself in SPF, using a blotting paper to soak up excess shine. To keep myself from looking washed out, I add a lip stain (MAC Versicolour is my favorite!) and moisturizing balm. The beauty of being outside, by the water? You can wear large sunglasses. No eye makeup needed!
Q: Keeping your sun-safe philosophy in mind, we were wondering, do you wear surf shirts? What style of coverup is your most favorite?
A: I haven’t, but I love the idea of them! My go-to coverups are airy tent dresses that can pass as a regular outfit!
Yes, perfect! We could so see you in our Mandalay Sun Dress! It’s a coverup that can absolutely do double-duty as a ‘regular outfit.'
Q: All of us at Helen Jon have been daydreaming about beautiful destinations. Lately, we’ve been swept away by an easy breezy, throwback vibe, a kind of bohemian retro wanderlust… and we cannot wait to see where this inspiration takes us. Tell us, what has captured your attention or imagination recently?
A: I’m forever drawn to retro swimsuits, and am especially fond of the matching sunsuit separates and playsuits of the ’50's and ’60's. But on the flip side, I also love a dreamy, gauzy maxi in a beach setting. I’m either going for Beach Blanket Bingo or Bohemian Beach Babe.
Q: Do you have a beach adventure in your future…? If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
A: I recently vacationed in Thailand, which was one of the most amazing experiences. I grew up near the beach, so I’m always drawn to it. My best friend and I are dying to swim with the pigs in the Bahamas, even though they’re kind of aggressive. Tulum is also on our list, but last time we tried to go to Tulum, we ended up changing our minds and going to Thailand. I have no regrets.
Q: Last question… You share your name with your grandma, which we love! Helen Jon’s name is derived from our owner’s favorite great aunt. We believe that style is influenced by what — and who — came before us as well as what lies ahead… Tell us something about your namesake and how or if she influences you and your style.
A: My Oba is 100% Japanese, and I am forever inspired by their culture. When I first went to Tokyo, where my dad was born, I felt like I belonged! But I have to say that style-wise, I’m most influenced by my late great-grandma, who taught me how to sew. By learning how to make my own clothing, I was able to experiment, and therefore developed my own style.
All of us at Helen Jon want to thank Keiko Lynn for taking the time to talk with us. We enjoyed learning more about her style and inspiration… not to mention, who knew about swimming with pigs?! Love that - and we’ve loved getting to know her better.