An Inspired Chat with Miranda Levin of Amsterdam

We recently had the chance to connect with Miranda Levin and have shared our conversation below.

Miranda, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Exploring my new city. Since my last interview with you, I picked up everything I owned and moved all the way to Amsterdam, Netherlands. I find myself going on longer walks, observing and admiring all the beauty my new home has to offer. I feel as if every time I step out my door, I see something I haven’t noticed before, and that brings me so much joy.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Miranda Renée, and my whole life, I’ve been that allergy b*tch. Both food and seasonal allergies (counting to a grand total of 17) have been a literal lifelong struggle for myself, but I’ve continued moving forward.

Even though I beat my egg allergy as a teen (imagine, experiencing the first cookie of your life in sixth grade), today I still remain allergic to:

Peanuts
Tree nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, to name a few…)
Sesame seeds
Shellfish
Bivalves
Coconut
Papaya
Passionfruit
Squid (yup.)
Octopus (again, yup.)
Snails (who would have thought.)
All of these allergies not only result in difficulties with my diet, but it also requires me to be INCREDIBLY cautious when it comes to what I use on my skin and body, inside and out.

My name is Miranda Renée, and I started my own brand AllerB Skin a little over a year ago. I write copy for beauty brands, as well as review clean skin care, wellness and make up brands. I still review skin care, and other various brands and experiences, on my Instagram @allergybitch, as well as @allerbskin. Currently I am working on popularising and bringing awareness to the benefits of eco-friendly, clean products, and how they benefit your daily life. I also enjoy consultations with clients, using my aesthetician training, to help people who are struggling with skin conditions to help find a routine that’s specially tailored to their needs.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
Might not be precisely my earliest, but one that clings to my mind is when I went to Nationals for Synchronized Skating when I was younger. I felt that with all the effort I had put in, I not only accomplished but exceeded my goal – such a wonderfully empowering feeling.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of failing. It can be paralyzing sometimes. The feeling of, “what if this doesn’t work out?” Or, even worse, “Why even try?”

That little negative voice in my head used to hit me like a train sometimes, and still tries to raise its ugly head every now and then. What’s worked for me is to question that negative thought. If you don’t ever try, you’ll never know what you’re capable of. Forget the opinions of others, the condescending thoughts – I truly believe regret is one of the worst feelings we experience. If you try and things don’t work out, then at least you won’t regret putting in the effort.

But…what if it does work out?

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. I work very hard to have an authentic, honest presence in public as well as in private. I enjoy sharing the reality, the bad moments along with the good. I find that social media can be incredibly negative to one’s mental health, especially when all your brain is absorbing are the highlights. I want to show people all of me, that I’m approachable always. I’m a bit silly, very funny, caring, and I enjoy being that all the time, so why change?

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I feel I’m finally on the path of doing what I was born to do. I studied Public Relations in college and thought that would be my career. Turns out, PR wasn’t for me. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and while my current work involves writing, eventually I would love to write books. However, I have a passion for health and overall wellness, and my work brings me joy. I will always advocate for doing what you were born to do. Aside from personal beliefs, all we know for certain is we live one life – please make it count.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.allerbskin.nl
• Instagram: allergybitch
• Youtube: allergybitch