Dublin-born content creator Eabha O’Donoghue is part of the new wave of Irish lifestyle influencers taking over social media. Originally starting out in modelling before turning to content creation during lockdown, Eabha has since built an impressive online following, amassing over 100,000 followers on Instagram and more than 200,000 on TikTok.
Now based in London, she is best known for her fashion, beauty and lifestyle content, alongside travel vlogs, restaurant reviews and candid glimpses into her family life, which have frequently gone viral online. Eabha has quickly become one of Ireland’s most recognisable digital creators.
VIP Magazine sat down to chat with Eabha about her career in social media, her start in modelling, fashion staples and the beauty products she swears by.
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Let’s first discuss how you entered the social media space. How did your journey into content creation begin?
During COVID, I had nothing to do other than sit in my room and take photos of my outfits. I was posting to nobody, and I just started getting more and more followers from that. And then I started posting on TikTok every day.
So, Instagram was the first app you posted content on?
I did not actually know what TikTok was, but then my sister Beibhinn introduced the app to me, and told me that I needed to post there, and now it is my full-time job.
Were you initially posting on social media for fun? Or were you trying to step into the influencer space?
Honestly, I wasn’t thinking that it would be a job. I just always loved taking photos, I always loved clothes and makeup, and I also had nothing to do during COVID, so I was doing it for fun. It all just fell into place.
Are there any rituals you partake in first thing in the morning to start the day feeling your best?
I always like to start my morning off with some sort of exercise. I have been loving hot Pilates or even going for a walk, it was my first time going, and this morning was my first time going to ALO gym as it just opened in London. I think it starts off my day well moving my body in any way.
What is your everyday skincare routine, and do you have a holy grail product?
I love anything skincare-related, honestly; I love to have my skin as glowy as possible at all times. My holy grail skincare product is my Rhode Glazing Milk and the Rhode Barrier Butter Cream, but recently I have tried the Summer Fridays SPF, and I will always wear SPF, even in winter, and I love the Summer Fridays one.
For my routine, I usually start with a cleanser from Erborian, it’s a Korean skin care brand, and then I usually go in with my La Roche Posay Serum, my Rhode Glazing Milk, my Barrier Butter and then SPF.
Rhode Glazing Milk – €42
Rhode Barrier Butter Cream – €47
Summer Fridays SPF – €35
Erborian Centella Cleansing Gel – €23
You always have amazing accessories. What’s the one accessory you couldn’t live without?
I recently just bought the Cartier Panther watch, and since I got it, I haven’t been able to take it off, it makes every outfit chicer, and when it comes to designer handbags, a lot of my designer bags are stolen from my mom. She has the best vintage collection, so every time I go back to Dublin, I try to sneak and give them back. I love the look of a more worn bag; if it’s worn and got scratches, I love that.
How do you participate in hair care? Do you have any tips for keeping your hair healthy when constantly styling for events?
I get so many messages on this. I try to use as little heat as possible, and I’ll wash it once or twice a week. A hair product that I swear by is the Kérastase 8 Hour Night Serum. I put it on when I go to sleep, and the next morning my hair will feel like silk. And I avoid using hairspray or gels. I would use hair oils and hair masks. Not putting any heat on my hair is the most important part to having healthy hair. You also need to use a heat protector; I use one from GHD.
Kérastase Nutritive 8 Hour Magic Night Hair Serum – €57
What are your biggest tips for transforming a daytime makeup look into evening glam?
Honestly, my daytime and nighttime makeup is really similar. I want to keep my makeup as natural and glowy as possible. But a step I add is a brown winged liner and a brown liner in my waterline. That’s about as crazy as I get.
Many of your followers admire your style. What are three staple pieces that everyone should have in their wardrobe?
I would definitely say a good pair of jeans that you can wear day and night and feel comfortable in, a brand I love for denim, EB Denim. Also, a good black blazer. And for a third thing, my style is minimalist so I would just say a good quality t-shirt, I recommend UNIQLO, they have really affordable and good quality t-shirts.
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Your sister, Béibhinn (@bevod), has also built a strong presence in the social media space. Is there anything, beauty or style wise you’ve learned through her?
We share a lot of similar interests in clothes. We always send each other outfits before buying. I will not purchase anything until I know what she thinks. It’s so annoying that we do not live with each other anymore, as I cannot walk into her room and steal her clothes. Something beauty-related that I learned from Béibhinn is that I was never huge into body care until I would see Béibhinn come out of the shower with her 5-step body care routine. And now I cannot imagine not moisturising and oiling my body from head to toe.
Do you have any tanning tips and what are your go to products for body glow?
I take my tanning routine very seriously. Firstly, I need a tan that when I scrub it off, it doesn’t take my skin with it. And I always fully exfoliate before. For tan, I have always used Dripping Gold, but recently I have also been loving Coco and Eve and Loving Tan. There’s nothing worse than scaly tan, so a body oil in the shower to take off your tan helps too, and the L’Occitane one is insane. When I go out for products, I love the Dripping Gold Bronzing Stick and the Victoria Beckham Shimmer Body Glow. It is so nice, it is extremely expensive, so a cheaper alternative is the Sol De Janeiro Glow Oil.
Dripping Gold Mousse – €24
Coco & Eve Bronzing Foam – €34
Loving Tan 2 Hour Express Tanning Lotion – €42.99
L’Occitane Shower Oil – €27.60
Dripping Gold Bronze Bar – €14.95
Victoria Beckham Shimmer Body Glow – €105
Sol De Janeiro Glow Oil – €27.60
Which fashion brands or designers do you find yourself often gravitating towards?
For basics, I would go H&M, I love their t-shirts and jeans. Kookai has recently opened in London, and they have the most insane staple pieces. I love everything they bring out. And for a third brand, I think everyone needs Skims in their wardrobe; they have great quality tanks and underwear, and I am actually currently in a Skims robe as we are talking.
Was there any brand you loved and spent money on when you were younger and now you have been able to work for them?
There are so many brands I would save up and buy from, especially Penneys, which I would go into for holiday bits growing up and now I have worked with them so much and have gone on so many trips with them, which is amazing.
Before you started social media, you worked in modelling. How was that experience?
Since I was young, I always wanted to do modelling. I remember once my neighbour brought me to Penneys and I bought these luminous pink heels, and I would walk up and down my kitchen to the Victoria Secret show soundtracks. I then started when I was around 14 and worked in modelling until COVID. But I sort of fell out of love with it and fell into social media. I now do not do it too much unless it was a really good opportunity. It is handy to have modelling experience when doing social media, for example, my Croia Jewellery Collection I modelled for that and that felt good.
Beauty can come from makeup, fashion and skin care, but also internally, what are your biggest tips for taking care of yourself and feeling confident within?
It is only natural to compare yourself to others. I am really bad at doing that. I also struggle with imposter syndrome when I’m on an insane trip with so many amazing people. I always beat myself up, but I feel like that is only normal. Honestly, for me, going to the gym and eating clean makes me feel my best, but it is all about balance. I will go get wine with my friends and have a takeaway, but when I eat healthy and work out, I feel good within.
Interview conducted by Robyn Jane Lawlor