Body positivity, fitness, and sexual health — meet the Instagrammers using their profiles for good
WE do it on the bus, on the sofa, in bed at night. Scrolling, that is.
On average, we spend an hour and 40 minutes a day scrolling through social media, looking at everything from celebrities’ holiday photos to the latest news stories.
While it may seem like mindless entertainment, the posts we see have a huge impact on us . . . and could even change the world.
This is why Fabulous have launched our first ever Good Influence Awards to celebrate the women using their online platforms for good – and turning social media into an empowering space.
Last month we asked YOU to tell us which amazing social media influencers inspired you, and the response was overwhelming.
Tens of thousands of you voted for the women who deserve recognition for their positive, influential content. And it has been tough to narrow down.
Selected by our judges – Maura Higgins, Love Island finalist and social media personality; Katie Wallwork, director of The Fifth Talent influencer agency; and Nana Acheampong, Fabulous Celebrity Stylist and star of the
BBC1 show You Are What You Wear – today we reveal the winners.
From beauty to bodies, we applaud you all.
The body Influencer
Winner: Alex Light, @alexlight_ldn, 263k
AFTER suffering with an eating disorder and serious body-image issues, Alex has made it her mission to dismantle diet culture and help as many women as possible to feel better about their bodies – because nobody deserves a life hating themselves.
Her honesty and humour have us addicted to her feelgood page.
RUNNERS-UP:
- Jordan Bone – @jbone89
- Grace Victory – @gracefvictory
The business influencer
Winner: Grace Beverley, @gracebeverley, 1m followers
A TRAILBLAZING entrepreneur and founder of sustainable style brand TALA and fitness tech brand Shreddy, Grace is a businesswoman who has shaken up the old-fashioned business world and injected some much-needed female power.
With a global reach of more than 1.5 million, the self-proclaimed “lazy workaholic” offers a fresh take on how to navigate modern working life.
RUNNERS-UP:
- Melissa’s Wardrobe – @melissaswardrobe
- Sarah Ashcroft – @sarahhashcroft
The fitness influencer
Winner: Courtney Black, @courtneydblack, 691.1k
COURTNEY Black is often described as the Queen of home workouts.
Also known as “The Pocket PT” her fitness videos and diet tips make working out fun and empowering – wherever you are and whatever time of the day you have to get sweaty.
RUNNERS-UP:
- Alice Liveing – @aliceliveing
- Aimee Victoria Long – @aimeevictorialong
The celebrity influencer
Winner: Mrs Hinch, @mrshinchhome, 3.7m
THE original cleanfluencer, this is the woman that made us want to clean!
Proudly showing women to not be afraid to share what you enjoy, she has used her platform to share tips and tricks to make cleaning cheap, easy and bearable in millions of homes.
RUNNERS-UP:
- Malin Andersson – @missmalinsara
- Amber Gill – @amberrosegill
The interiors influencer
Winner: Mrs G, @grizzle_abode, 14.4k
A SINGING DIYer, Mrs G uses her social media platform to encourage other women to take on do-it-yourself projects that will make their homes beautifully self-decorated.
Followers love her encouragement and say she makes DIY seem achievable – all delivered with a smile.
RUNNERS-UP:
- Chrissie Bray – @chrissiescorner
- Olivia Edwards-Silk – @lustliving
The sustainable fashion influencer
Winner: Emma Slade Edmondson, @emsladedmondson, 20.8k followers
Emma promotes sustainable fashion by highlighting the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling.
Without preaching to her followers, Emma makes sure she actively encourages and supports you through a journey to a more sustainable wardrobe.
RUNNERS-UP:
- Mercer 7 – @mercer7official
The beauty on a budget influencer
Winner: Mikhila McDaid, @mikhilamcdaid, 24.5k
Mikhila, aka MissBudgetBeauty, shows that you don’t have to spend a fortune on pricey designer beauty products to get results.
Mikhila shares reasonably priced, high street alternatives and shows you how to get the most out of them.
RUNNERS-UP:
- Michelle: Beauty And The Blog – @beautyandtheblog
- Erica Matthews – @ericafmstyle
The empowering women influencer
Winner: Megan Rose Lane, @megan_rose_lane, 288k
MEGAN has used her social media platform to empower women to reach for their goals and not give up when it comes to finding a career you love.
The mindset mentor and founder of @shegrows.events and @thefourretreats is your daily reminder that you are amazing.
RUNNERS-UP:
- Cotty: Skin No Shame – @skinnoshame
- Emily Clarkson – @em_clarkson
The mental health influencer
Winner: Charleigh @charrvictory, 25.1k
DESCRIBING herself as a “curly haired, chronic illness and lifestyle blogger”, Charleigh has documented her battle with MS and Graves’ Disease, plus the trials and tribulations that come with being chronically ill.
Her posts motivate and empower her followers to value themselves and celebrate their bodies, with or without a disability.
RUNNERS-UP:
- Elyse Fox – @elyse.fox
- Isabella Johnson – @iamisabellajohnson
The sexual health influencer
Winner Oloni: Clap Baq Queen, @oloni, 108.8k
IN her own words, Oloni, aka the Clap Baq Queen, is “the UK’s loudest megaphone for women’s sexual rights”.
One of the three Laid Bare podcast girls, Oloni talks unfiltered about all things sex and relationships.
Her refreshingly open discussions have empower thousands of women.
RUNNERS-UP:
- Hannah Witton – @hannahwitton
- Shani Jamilah – @shanijamilah
The keep it real influencer
Winner: Kadeeja Sel Khan, @emeraldxbeauty, 380k
Most read in Fabulous
WHEN asked about her platform, Kadeeja said: “All my life I was told what beauty looked like. Now I see they were wrong.”
She has bravely shared her struggle with acne and made it her mission to show that beauty is everywhere, in everyone.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
RUNNERS-UP:
- Louise Pentland @louisepentland
- Ash Soto @radiantbambi
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