Olivia Hancock Is Writing a New Chapter for Beauty
Olivia Hancock has been in love with the glossy pages since grade school.
It's this early crush that led her into beauty journalism, a field where she's now a familiar face, thanks to relentless reading, writing, and a little inspiration from icons like Elaine Welteroth.
In the city that never sleeps, an internship at Byrdie became more than a job—it was a calling. Fast forward nearly five years, Olivia isn't just part of the beauty conversation; she's leading it with a focus on diversity and representation that goes beyond skin deep. Olivia has also created a vibrant platform with The Hue Report, a podcast and digital community that shines a spotlight on Black beauty 365 days a year.
In our chat, she dives into her career, from her educational roots in African-American Studies to interviewing celebs, spotting beauty trends ahead of the curve, and dreaming big about the industry's inclusive future.
Olivia, you've built a successful career in beauty journalism so far, which started with a passion for writing and magazines in your childhood. Can you take us back to those early days and share how it all began?
OH: “I was the kid who flew through books and enjoyed writing essays in school. So, I knew early on that I had a deeply rooted passion for words, but I didn't exactly know how my path would unfold career-wise until high school. By then, I became familiar with journalists like Elaine Welteroth and grew deeply inspired by her trajectory in the fashion/beauty journalism world.
“From there, I set out to find internships to help me gain experience and develop my writing skills. I landed a multi-year internship with an organization called Pretty Girls Sweat—the company's founder, Aeshia DeVore Branch, who has a background in media and was (and still is) an incredible mentor. Once I got to college, I worked with campus media like Her Campus and local outlets to keep growing my bylines.
“By junior year, I knew I wanted to venture to New York for an editorial internship. I applied to several outlets and received offers from two, one of them being Byrdie. Once I began working with the Byrdie team, it confirmed my passion for beauty journalism, and the rest was history. I've been with the team for nearly five years and currently hold an editor position.”
Would you say your interests in African-American Studies influenced your perspective on beauty and wellness?
OH: “It certainly has. My experiences as a Black woman have naturally shaped who I am as a person and journalist. However, minoring in African-American studies provided me with a deeper understanding of our history, allowing me to have a more informed perspective as a writer.
“As a storyteller and history lover, looking at the beauty industry from a cultural lens is incredibly interesting. There's so much to unpack regarding our past and present relationship with the beauty industry—and I love writing stories that relate to this. I leap at any chance to write about Black-owned brands, interview Black beauty icons, or report on trending topics related to Black culture.”
You have a mission to amplify diversity and representation in beauty. Can you share some instances where you feel you’ve made a significant impact in this regard?
OH: “For me, making an impact means using my platform as a beauty journalist to generate meaningful conversations about DEI in beauty and supporting founders/creators of color. I strive to do this in large and small ways each day.
“Regarding the former, I've been able to write call-to-action pieces like "It's Time to Talk About the Colonization of Skincare Ingredients," which unpacked the ways beauty brands have appropriated African, Asian, Latinx, and Indigenous culture and ingredients. When I shared that story on social, it received tons of comments and shares. Being able to spotlight this important conversation was great.
“Regarding the latter, I always find ways to spotlight established and on-the-rise beauty brands led by Black and Brown founders. Whether through a dedicated feature story or a shoutout on our social channels, it's incredibly necessary to continuously amplify their products and brand stories.
“It warms my heart when I hear founders tell me how much it means to see their names or products placed on our site—because, at the end of the day, supporting and celebrating us is what it's all about for me.”
What does a typical day look like for you as an editor?
OH: “Most of my day is spent editing stories I assigned to freelance writers. I review their work to ensure it meets Byrdie's editorial standards and the guidelines they were given for the article. Depending on my editing workload that day, I may also write a story—this could be anything from a review of a newly launched product to a celebrity interview.
“Aside from these typical editorial tasks, some days may include working on special projects, like digital issues or Apple News packages. I enjoy working on initiatives like this as they allow me to stretch my creative muscles and project management skills.
“Before the work day starts or after the work day ends, I may also trek to a few events (like breakfasts, dinners, or cool activations). Attending beauty events is important to foster deeper connections with brands and publicists, allowing us all to support each other in our work.”
You've had the opportunity to interview some big names in the entertainment industry. Can you share some memorable moments or insights gained from these interactions?
OH: “During my conversation with Yara Shahidi in 2023, she shared that her mother told her to remember that acting is something she does, but it's not who she is. That resonated with me because we often define ourselves by our professional accomplishments. Over time, I've learned it's really not healthy to tie my worth to my job or accolades.
“It's absolutely okay to be proud of myself for my achievements at work, but it's important to remember I'm not just my job title. For me, it's important to cultivate a life and identity outside of work. Even though I really love what I do, I don't want being a beauty editor to be the coolest thing about me.”
How do you stay updated with the ever-evolving trends in beauty and wellness? Are there any particular trends that have caught your attention recently?
OH: “I've been an avid consumer of pop culture, beauty, and fashion since I could read magazines and browse the Internet. Nothing has changed. I'm always online and browsing social media (like TikTok and Instagram), which helps me pick up on trends, viral products, and beauty news. I love assessing product trends, in particular, and seeing how different brands approach the same item.
“Sticks, for example, have proven to be the trendiest format for foundations and skin tints these days. Brands like Ilia, Ami Colé, Fenty Beauty, and Anastasia Beverly Hills have all launched complexion-enhancing sticks in the past few months.”
Looking back at your career so far, is there anything you would do differently if given the chance?
OH: “l'd trust myself more. Early on, I'd often second-guess my ideas and instincts. I'm naturally a bit shy in new environments, and often being the youngest in the room only exacerbated that. It took some time for me to feel confident in my voice and speak up in meetings or share my thoughts on new projects.
“I wish I could tell my younger self that your hard work and talent brought you this far, so don't be afraid now. I'd tell myself to speak up because your opinions and contributions are valuable. I'd also tell younger Olivia that you are more than worthy of being in the rooms you're stepping into.”
Shifting gears here - if you could invite any three people, living or deceased, to a dinner party, who would they be and why?
OH: “I'd invite Ms. Tina Knowles, Solange, and Beyoncé to dinner. Need I say more? The Knowles women are so powerful, inspiring, and downright cool. Ms. Tina is such a trailblazer in beauty and fashion. Solange and Beyoncé are musical geniuses and dynamic businesswomen. It'd be such an honor (and incredibly fun, I'd imagine) to share space and conversation with them over dinner.”
Imagine you had the power to create a new beauty product that doesn't exist yet. What would it be and why?
OH: “I'd want to create the ultimate leave-in conditioner/defining spray for curly and coily hair. After wash day, I love to refresh my hair with a lightweight spray, but I often find that they either don't impart enough moisture or enhance my curls enough. If I could concoct a do-it-all spray that doesn't leave my hair feeling weighed down, my hair care routine would be forever changed.”
If you could only use one makeup product for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
OH: “It's incredibly hard, but it would have to be red lipstick because it instantly makes me feel put together. Haus Labs' Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer in Ruby Shine and Pound Cake Cake Batter Liquid Lipstick in Strawberry are my favorites right now. The former has a glossy finish that doesn't budge, while the latter features a comfortable semi-matte formula that lasts up to eight hours.”
Support women in media by:
Reading Olivia’s stories here
Following her on Instagram: oliviahancock_
Subscribing to her podcast: The Hue Report