Last updated: Aug. 14, 2025
How long have you been blogging, and what inspired you to start?
Our story begins way back in the winter of 2007, which in internet years feels like forever ago!
At the time, I was working as a freelance writer for magazines, covering travel, health, and fitness. But deep down, I wanted to break into beauty writing. The problem? No one would hire me. After countless query letters and rejections, I decided to stop waiting for permission and start writing about beauty on my own terms.
Then came the Barbie Loves MAC collection in February 2007 — my beauty blogging “gateway.” I went to the mall, treated myself to a haul, borrowed a friend’s camera (despite having zero photography skills), and posted my very first review on a free WordPress blog.No business plan, no big reveal — just pure love for makeup and the joy of sharing it. That happy accident became Makeup Melody, and it’s been my passion ever since.
What kind of camera do you use?
In short: Canon and Sony.
My main workhorse is the Canon EOS 80D paired with the EF 50mm f/1.4 lens (or the budget-friendly EF 50mm f/1.8). I also keep my older Canon Rebel T3i in rotation for its reliable flip-out LCD.
For close-ups, I reach for the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens, perfect for capturing textures and swatches. When I need something compact, I love the Sony DSC-RX100, an incredible little camera that delivers beautiful shots in low light and responds instantly to the shutter.
Lighting is its own world, but if you’re starting out, a DSLR paired with a good on/off-camera flash like the Canon 600EX-RT Speedlite can work wonders.
And yes — I’ll still use my iPhone when the moment calls for it.
Do you blog full-time?
I did for many years! Now, I balance my time between blogging, running my lifestyle brand ConnorClaire.com, and being a full-time parent.
These days, I spend 4–6 hours daily on the blog (most of it behind a camera), still taking on the occasional freelance writing job — because once a writer, always a writer.
Are you from Hawaii?
Not me — but my husband is! I was born in the Philippines and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. My husband grew up on Oahu, so we travel back to Hawaii often to visit family. Those trips inspire a lot of the island references you’ll see in my posts.
Any advice for new bloggers?
Absolutely:
- Write often — daily if you can. Writing is a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it gets.
- Read everything — books, blogs, magazines, even shampoo bottles. It keeps your creative well full.
- Stay open to inspiration — a moment on the street can spark your next great post.
- Treat your blog like your living room — welcome visitors with kindness and respect, and they’ll return the same.
What do you do when you’re not blogging or playing with your cat?
I’m a big fan of reading (especially YA fiction), running, and dancing. Since blogging is so sedentary, staying active keeps me healthy and sane.
When I’m not writing, you’ll probably find me at the movies, binge-watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or The Orville, or tackling a new HIIT workout.
Is there a story behind how Connor Claire got her name?
Oh yes, and it involves Skynet and Cyberdyne Systems. But that’s a story I’ll save for another day… 😉