November 9, 2023

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Social media has enabled the fostering of online ties, admit it, some of your favorite creators feel like family, and this is who Lara has grown into, to more than 80,000 girls: A Big Sister.

We had a chat with Lara Barrage, the content creator that covers everything “girls”.
You name it, fashion, lifestyle relationships, self-esteem, spirituality, food…etc.
After graduating high school, Lara moved to Paris, France to pursue her studies.
She speaks on how this shift was quintessential for her metamorphosis into the confident woman, who is known to us today.
Her passion for video-making was revisited in the infamous 2020, and later, a chat with a friend who commended her for her quality advice is what eventually led up to her first “Big Sister Advice” video.

Today, you get to sate your curiosity about Lara, her journey and what goes on when the camera’s not on.

 

 

Lara, what was the best part about studying abroad?

The best part about studying abroad was experiencing living alone for the first time.

It allows you to discover a multitude of things about yourself. This experience teaches you responsibility and self-reliability, especially after being accustomed to the comfort of your own home and family throughout your entire life.

It's an enriching journey that fosters significant personal growth.

 

What was the most challenging aspect about studying abroad, and how did you handle that?

Dealing with racism. Unfortunately, being an Arab in a European country came with its fair share of challenges. I met some amazing people, but there was a noticeable difference in how I was treated. I heard my fair share of comments too.

Eventually, I learned not to let it bother me, to stay calm, and just ignore those comments.

It was clear that these people were just looking for reaction, and it wasn't worth giving it to them. I realized arguing with them wouldn't get me anywhere, they just couldn't see things from my perspective. Instead, I turned to prayer,

hoping that people like that would stay out of my life.

 

If you could send your younger self a voice mail, what would you tell her?

I'd talk about something that's been a lifelong struggle: people-pleasing.

Growing up as the oldest daughter in an Arab household, there's this unspoken pressure to

meet sky-high expectations. It's a common thing. You end up chasing after this idea of perfection,

and if you fall short, it feels like you're not enough.

So, here's what I'd tell her: "You're already amazing just the way you are."

Perfection? It's a fairy tale. Don't go bending over backwards to make everyone else happy at the expense of your own joy.

It's not realistic.

Focus on what makes you happy."

 

 

How does your daily routine usually look like?

I’ll be real with you, keeping a set routine has been a bit of a struggle for me lately. There’s just this mountain of tasks that seem never-ending, and it’s a real challenge to stay on top of it all. Balancing work and personal life can be a challenge.

Recently, I’ve been trying to make a conscious effort of squeezing in more workouts in my schedule to stay in shape. I also try to never miss my prayer time. It’s a non negotiable in my routine and it’s what keeps me going at the end of the day.

I also try to dedicate some time out of my day to just relax and recharge to avoid burnout.

Turkish dramas definitely come in handy to keep me busy and entertained during my free time.

 

What are your favorite makeup products at the moment?

I'm totally hooked on black pencil eyeliners. There's just something about applying them to my waterline that I adore,

especially since it really enhances the look for girls with almond eyes. And when I team it up with my all-time

favorite mascara, the "Better Than Sex" mascara by Too Faced, magic happens.

This combo will make your eyes seriously stand out!

 

 

How do you manage to not get overwhelmed by the impact of a growing social media platform? 

Starting out on social media, I kept hearing about the need for thick skin, but it didn't quite click until I started gaining traction.

Every now and then, I do come across hate comments. Initially, it hit me like a ton of bricks, feeling overwhelming.

Then, it dawned on me that these comments stem from a place of insecurity. Happy people don't spread hate. 

 

I also came to accept that not everyone will be a fan of mine, and that's perfectly fine because, truth be told, I don't vibe with everyone either.

Another crucial lesson was exercising self-control. It's inevitable that people will misinterpret you. Trying to prove yourself to everyone is a waste of time and energy.

More often than not, people are just seeking a reaction, and the last thing you want to do is give them that satisfaction.

The best course of Action? Simply ignore and resist the urge to explain yourself.

With time, I grew accustomed to it all and learned how to maintain my composure.

Now, it hardly gets under my skin.

 

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There is no emotion stronger than love.

True or False

That's a really interesting question, something I've never really sat down to think about.

I reckon you can feel all sorts of emotions, but the heavy hitters like anger, sadness, or even hatred often have their roots in love. And love, well, it's this big, overpowering thing that can make you lose your sense of direction.

We've all done some pretty silly things in the name of love, right? Sometimes, it's like we're looking through those

lovey-dovey lenses and miss all the warning signs.

So, if I had to put a label on it, I'd go with "truth."

 

My favorite song of all times is Pound cake by Drake & Jay z

 

What is one thing the world would have a hard time believing about you? 

It's kind of eye-opening, but I've come to realize that a lot of people assume not just my life, but also my mental health, is picture-perfect based on what I share on social media. They might think I've always been this strong, self-assured woman who knows her value. But let me set the record straight. For one, I have my bad days too. I'm not all sunshine and rainbows 24/7. Plus, I've got my own share of not-so-great traits, and I'm far from perfect.I really struggle with pleasing people and communicating my feelings.

 

Secondly, the woman I am today is shaped by my past experiences. Just because I offer up some solid advice doesn't mean I've never made reckless decisions or been in lousy relationships. It's those rough patches that taught me the valuable lessons I carry now. I've had my fair share of toxic friendships, been in some truly awful relationships, and there was a time when I didn't really grasp my own worth. I settled for way less than I deserved in the past, and believe it or not, I used to be this shy, insecure person before I started gaining some confidence. 

 

I guess you could take this as proof that social media is not real and that what you see on social media is just a small percentage of a person’s life and that there’s a lot of things going on behind the scenes, which is why you should never compare yourself to people online.

 

“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days?”  OR “Bride Wars”?

Oh my goodness, I am absolutely team "Bride Wars" all the way!

I've watched that movie countless times. It holds a special place in my heart. In fact, my childhood best friend and I even created a box inspired by the movie where we collected mementos. I've been lowkey daydreaming about my wedding for as long as I can remember, even though I don't even have a boyfriend! I might, or might not, have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to my future wedding in Lake Como. Haha!

 

 

If you could give only one piece of advice to all your 80,000 baby sisters, what would that be?

Learn how to love yourself. Self-love has this incredible way of solving so many problems. It feels like a lot of people struggle with this nowadays, and it's influenced by various factors. Sometimes it's the people around them, making them feel like they're not enough.

Other times, it's the unrealistic beauty standards plastered all over social media that make girls question their own worth.

 

When you truly love yourself, first and foremost, you set your own value.

You don't need external validation to feel worthy. Not only that, but self-love empowers you to go after what you want in life because you believe in your own capabilities. Another crucial aspect is that you refuse to settle for relationships where you're not treated with respect.

There's so much more I could say about it. Self-love essentially prioritizes your well-being and shields you from the negativity that some people might try to throw your way in attempts to bring you down.

 

So, I really advise all the girls out there to take a journal and start answering journaling prompts related to self-love. Take yourselves out on dates, give yourselves the love you seek from others. It's an investment in your own well-being that pays off in so many ways.

 

 

How has social media changed your life?

I feel like social media changed my life in a way I didn't expect. It taught me not to care too much about what people

think of me and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. It played a big role in helping me break free from my shyness.

When you're exposed to criticism and hate every day, you kind of develop a shield against it. And strangely, I see that as a positive because when I encounter such situations in real life, I'm hardly affected. It's like I've built up an immunity from my experiences on social media.

I've just grown used to accepting that not everyone is going to like me, so I've stopped taking things too personally overall,

even from people in real life. It's been a surprising but valuable lesson from the world of social media.

 

 

Best place to dine in Paris is Maison Sauvage in Saint Germain des Prés.

'm head over heels for this place. It's charming during the day, but it takes on a whole new level of magic at night with those twinkling fairy lights. And the Brunch Menu? To die for.

I can't sing enough praises about their avocado toast. 

 

My best styling tip is…

Here's my best styling tip: rather than copying everyone else, focus on finding what truly suits you. Just because something looks amazing on someone else doesn't guarantee it'll have the same effect on you.

Seek out celebrities with similar body types, features, and undertones, and use them as inspiration.

Don't be afraid to try out various styles until you discover what resonates with you and truly complements your unique self.

It's about finding your own signature look that makes you feel confident and comfortable.

Describe your personal style in 1 word. 

Empowered.

I absolutely love wearing black—it's my go-to color because it makes me feel confident and like a bit of a femme fatale,

to be honest!

Picture this: a black outfit, a smoky eye, a high ponytail, and some killer high heels. That combo? It's my power suit.

What was the sweetest message you got from a follower of yours?

The best message I ever got came on a day when I was seriously thinking about quitting social media. Even though things were starting to take off, I had a bunch of people around me trying to bring me down, saying my social media stuff was just a joke. 

 

Then, this follower sent me a message that really touched me. She shared how much she loved my content and how it had actually helped her with some personal stuff. She told me that I was an amazing person just the way I am and to never change.

She told me that whenever she has a bad day she asks herself “what should Lara do in this situation?”. That message actually made me cry and reminded me why I started in the first place – to support other girls going through what I did when I felt so lost and sad.It gave me a big boost of motivation to keep going. I am a super sensitive person and I cry everytime I get a message from my followers; they truly are the sweetest girls and I love them all.

 

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What’s your best content creation tip?

My top content creation tip is to not get too fixated on the numbers. Stay consistent and show up every day, even if you don't see immediate results.

It took me three years to gain traction on TikTok, but I didn't let that deter me. So, definitely shift your focus away from the numbers and keep pushing forward until you reach your goal.