Jael wears the Paris Re Made Vintage Belt, Double waist jeans, and Double Collar Vintage Shirt.
Meet
Jael, a Filipina-Canadian model and content creator who we recently had the pleasure of photographing in our studio. If your Screentime app says you spend too much time on Instagram or Tik Tok (cough... me), you may have come across Jael's distinctive freckles and silvery hair in one of her many beauty tutorials. Or maybe you're being introduced to her for the first time via this interview. Either way, she's become one of Canada's fastest growing beauty influencers and a KOL (or key opinion leader) to keep an eye out for. As such, we were so excited to welcome her into our studio for a fun photoshoot and chat about all things beauty, fashion, inspiration and things her followers might not know about her... yet.
Who is Jael Dotoran?
Jael Dorotan is this 23 year old Filipina-Canadian creator who was born and raised in the Philippines and then immigrated to Canada. I am a social media influencer who is mainly in the beauty space; I create hair and makeup videos for fun in the corner of my room with a little bit of fashion on the side as well. Amongst other things I am also a model.
Can you describe your personal style for us in one sentence?
Chic, minimal, and effortless.
How would you describe your own relationship with clothing and how has it evolved over the years?
Over the years, my relationship with clothing has changed. Previously, I had an unhealthy obsession with tight-fitting clothes to flaunt my skinny figure and gain approval from others. However, I have since developed a healthier mindset and now opt for comfortable clothing that suits my style and body type. At one point, I even wore baggy clothes to hide my figure. I became self-conscious about my body after receiving hurtful comments from others. Clothing became a way for me to seek attention and protect myself. Since then, my perspective has changed after discovering K-pop fashion and trends. Seeing how effortlessly cool and cute others looked inspired me to explore my own fashion preferences. As a result, I found dressing up to be enjoyable and it helped me gain valuable insights about myself and the impact of fashion on our planet and those who make the clothes. Instead of dressing to impress or hide, I now invest in clothes that make me happy, confident, and comfortable, regardless of trends. Embracing my own fashion choices, irrespective of others' opinions, has been empowering.
Your idea of happiness?
I believe that true happiness comes from fully experiencing the highs and lows of life, staying in the present moment, spending time with loved ones, and celebrating both my own successes and the successes of others.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, JAEL WEARS THE Paloma Wool Picara Top and an assortment of Paris RE Made Vintage Pieces.
What does your morning routine look like?
I usually start my morning routine at 9 am. I check my phone for urgent emails and make a list of tasks for the day. After a quick glance at my emails, I take an extra 15-20 minutes of rest, tidy up my bed and put away any clutter before starting my skincare routine. Then, I head down to the kitchen to make breakfast. After breakfast, I reply to my emails and prepare my filming area for my content.
How are you sustainable in your day to day life? Do you have any sustainable goals you’re working towards?
I am new to the concept of sustainability but I have set some goals for myself, particularly in the realm of fashion and beauty products.
What are life’s small pleasures for you right now?
Right now, my small pleasures in life are taking walks, sleeping in, taking that first cup of coffee in the morning.
Can you describe your classic and ideal weekend?
On weekends, I like to take some time to recharge. My perfect weekend involves getting up early to catch the sunrise and taking a walk, followed by a delicious breakfast with my loved ones. I find that cleaning and doing laundry helps me clear my mind and feel better. After that, I like to take a nap and spend quality time with my family.
Dream person or brand to work with?
There are so many and I have been so blessed to get to work with some but to name a few it would be Selena Gomez (Rare Beauty), Vivienne Westwood, Pat McGrath, and Danessa Myricks.
You have such a playful approach to makeup, what are some of your favourite products to use?
This is a tough question as I own quite a lot of makeup. Although my daily makeup routine is simple compared to what I showcase online, I enjoy adding colours, shimmers, and rhinestones to my looks to make it more exciting. Currently, my favourite brands are Danessa Myricks and Pat McGrath. I am enjoying using Danessa Myrick's colorfix and twin flames collection and having fun experimenting with Pat McGrath's coloured mascaras and her LT palette.
Where are your favourite places to shop and eat in Edmonton?
Although I don't have any specific favourite shopping spots in Edmonton, I tend to do most of my shopping online. When it comes to dining out, I have a particular fondness for hot pot and all-you-can-eat buffets. One restaurant I enjoy going to with friends and family is the "Chinese Hot Pot Buffet" located on Calgary Trail. I really enjoy eating at a place where it has a friendly and lively atmosphere.
What is something unexpected that your followers don’t know about you?
Many of my followers assume that I am 5'9" or taller, but in reality, I am quite petite and short. It may come as a surprise that I also enjoy painting portraits and have some musical talent, playing both the guitar and piano to some extent.
If you had to recommend one place that readers should travel to, which would it be, and why?
One place I’d recommend visiting is Banff. Banff has such beautiful views of the wildlife and the lakes, they have so many activities for you to try that I think makes it worth a visit especially wind down and relax.
Who, what or where inspires your content?
I get inspired by my audience, art, fashion, and curiosity when creating content.
"Instead of dressing to impress or hide, I now invest in clothes that make me happy, confident, and comfortable, regardless of trends. Embracing my own fashion choices, irrespective of others' opinions, has been empowering."
Jael wears Paris re made vintage pieces and the Khaidar Pinch Tank Top.
Something you love and not so much love about being a model and influencer? I love being a model and influencer because it allows me to travel, learn, and share my knowledge with people from all over the world. I get to work with amazing talents and be exposed to a lot of creative opportunities. However, there are some behind-the-scenes aspects that aren't always pleasant. Even though people may envy my job, it's not always as glamorous as it seems.
Here are a few things I personally don't enjoy about being in this industry. As both a model and influencer, I have a significant impact on others regarding fashion, body image, beauty, makeup, and hair. That, combined with the pressure to always look flawless and perfect, whether it's online or in front of clients, can lead to unhealthy relationships with ourselves and promote unrealistic beauty standards. As a model, clients have the right to alter our images to fit their standards of "perfection," which can be frustrating. Additionally, there are double standards within the modelling and social media influencer industries. While people demand authenticity and natural beauty, negative comments and criticism can arise when I showcase my real skin with texture, acne, and freckles. This can lead to feelings of insecurity and discomfort.
In the modelling industry, our measurements and appearance often determine whether or not we get hired. As influencers, our value is often based on metrics such as followers, views, likes, comments, and shares. However, it's important to remember that there is more to us than just these numbers and our physical appearance. We are worth more than that. Skincare products you swear by? My skincare routine is always in rotation, and I’m always trying out different skincare products but products I swear by are Caudalie's Vinoperfect Radiance Serum, Urbanskinrx acne spot treatment, and acne patches. What are your favourite Instagram accounts to follow? Some of my favourite Instagram accounts to follow are Mei Pang (@meicrosoft), Erin Parsons (@erinparsonsmakeup), and Izzi (@izzipopi) What are you working on right now and what are you looking forward to in the near future? Currently, I am actively pursuing various brand deals while also trying to improve my confidence in speaking to my audience and the public. Additionally, I am prioritizing my health. In the future, I am excited to travel more, collaborate with my dream brands, and ultimately release a product.
