Pam Arias

“I’m taking care of my career while also prioritizing time with my family and listening to my body whenever I feel like I need a break.”

Please briefly introduce yourself.

My name is Pam Arias, I’m from Panama, but I live in the US. I work in the fashion and beauty industry creating content for mostly luxury beauty and fashion brands. I love what I do, and I feel extremely grateful to have a platform that allows me to connect with people from all over the world. Recently, I launched an IGTV series called #LatinaEmpowerment, where I hand over my platform to spotlight a Latina woman who is creating change and empowering Latina women everywhere.

What is a typical day for you like?

Every day is different for me as I wear many hats! Now that we are at home and not traveling much, I usually start at 6 am. I wake up, I have a cup of coffee, I feed my puppy, and then I do my workout, and then I eat breakfast and get ready for my day. I start my day at around 8–9 am. First, I always check my email, and then I usually have zoom calls with brands in the morning, mid-day I like to shoot content and finish working on drafts. In the afternoon, I like to work on anything creative, which could be mood boarding for a project, editing photos, or creating more content for Instagram.

“I think beauty routines have definitely evolved over the years, and for me now, l go by the mantra of less is more.”

How has your background and experience shaped the person you are today? 

The idea of creating a blog was born almost seven years ago, but "The Girl From Panama" was officially launched five years ago. I have worked in the advertising industry in Panama, in the fashion industry in London, and in the beauty industry in San Francisco, CA. All those wonderful experiences laid the foundation for my business. It took me several years to get here. First, I had to learn more about the industry and myself.

Friends, family, and even people on the street were constantly asking me for fashion advice or complimenting me on my clothes. I always wanted to share my fashion knowledge and ideas with the world. It was an incredible feeling to be recognized for something that I love to do.

When I worked at the headquarters of a beauty brand in San Francisco, CA, the need for this platform became more present. At that moment, I felt very confident in my style, and that positive reinforcement from friends and family gave me the push I needed to start this new job.

Does balance play a role in your life?

I feel like this pandemic had definitely opened my eyes because before, I really didn’t have much balance in my life. I was working all the time, every day, and would never take a day off to reset. Now, I’m managing my business in a completely different way. I feel like I’m balancing my life a lot better now. I’m taking care of my career while also prioritizing time with my family and listening to my body whenever I feel like I need a break.

What are some tips on maintaining balance and taking care of your well-being?

Like I mentioned in the previous question, I think the most important thing is to listen to our bodies before we get to the point where you feel like you’re about to burn out. Now, I like to take breaks throughout the day. For example, after spending 2 hours checking emails, I always take a 15-20 min break and go for a quick walk outside. I like to take 15-20 mins after spending a lot of time looking at my screen. Having a puppy has definitely forced me to add breaks into my day.

What does beauty mean to you?

Beauty, to me, means accepting and loving you for who you are. It is about feeling comfortable in your own skin.

How has your perception of beauty evolved over the years?

I think beauty routines have definitely evolved over the years, and for me now, l go by the mantra of less is more. I used to have a 10-15-step skincare routine a few years ago, but over the years, I’ve learned to really listen to my skin and only apply things that I actually need. 

Are there any beauty tips from your culture that you can share?

My mom always taught me to never go to bed without washing my face. She always took care of her skin really well, and that’s probably the reason why people always think she is my sister and not my mom! She pushed me and taught me to always take proper care of my skin. 

What are some conscious decisions we can make to help the environment and our planet?

A conscious decision I started implementing a few years ago started in my closet. Now I have a capsule wardrobe, a limited selection of timeless and versatile pieces that I will wear for many seasons to come. Instead of buying trendy pieces that only last a season or two, I’ve made the decision to invest and shop for pieces that have an added value and great quality to reduce waste in my closet.

 Follow Pam's journey at @pamarias.