Two months in a row I get to participate in Beauty Blogs' Backstage!! (Whenever there are an odd number of participants, I am the Person Without Partner...it does mean that I'm always free if someone has to be angeled that month because their partner has to drop out; but it leaves me feeling like I'm sitting on the sides watching everyone else have fun :D ) This month, I interviewed Yinka of Vexinthecity, an enthusiastic beauty and fashion blogger from the UK who's been shortlisted as a finalist for the 2010 Black Weblog Awards. I've followed Yinka's blog for about a year off and on, and was glad when she signed up for Beauty Blogs' Backstage...and doubly glad when I randomly set up the partners for August and ended up with her name!

1. What started your obsession with beauty/makeup?
   Thinking back, I had more knowledge than the average 11 year old about brands my Mum used frequently when I was growing up, such as YSL, Fashion Fair, Elizabeth Arden and Clinique - she was always coming home with Bonus Time gift sets! Unknowingly, she aroused my interest in beauty from the beginning and I used to love watching her get ready for parties, sneaking into my parents bedroom and playing with her make up when they'd left.
   
   Reading and posting on the beauty forum over at Handbag.com for five years, encouraged me to take more notice of brands and products. I remember going to Selfridges one day for a MAC makeover, where unfortunately I was made to look like an Oompa Loompa from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. However, I bought my first MAC products that afternoon, and so it began! Prior to that I'd only used high street brands and I wasn't happy with the choices available to me so seeing the MAC counter with all these colours that suited me was a huge deal.
   
   When I joined Specktra.net four years ago, my spending on make up went through the roof, but it was so much fun talking with other 'addicts' about new collections, shades and sharing recommendations. I look at my make up collection now and can credit 70% of my purchases to the ladies of Specktra.net!

2. What style, product, or trend that you used to love unabashedly...now makes you cringe?
   I went through a phase where I wore frosty lipstick a few times when I was younger. The offending items were swiftly disposed of and the less said about them the better. Next question!
3. What advice would you give to a younger sibling, relative, or friend's kid just starting to experiment with makeup?
   Keep it age-appropriate. I really dislike seeing young girls caked in make up trying to look older than they are. It doesn't sit well with me at all. If I have a daughter of my own, if she thinks she'll be wearing foundation and a smoky eye aged 14, she better think again.
4. You missed your blogiversary - your first one!! (Gah!!!) What plans do you have for the second one? (Other than the 15-paragraph "Oscar-acceptance speech" post :D )
   LOL ..I was in the middle of preparing for a trip to visit my boyf and got my dates muddled up. As for the second one..I haven't thought that far ahead to be honest, it's not for a while yet. I'll continue to blog for as long as I enjoy and have the passion for it. When it becomes a chore, and my posts become less frequent, then it's time to give it up.
5. What things make you keep reading a beauty/fashion blog? What things make you stop reading - either permanently, or for a short while?
   I think it's really important to try and post the best pictures you can. Set time aside to know your camera and play with settings. I understand the time it takes to edit and crop photos so good pictures are always appreciated. Out of focus pictures make me 'click off', . as do beauty blogs that read like a catalogue of press releases. I will NOT read your blog if you literally copy and paste a press release. Don't call yourself a blogger if you can't even be bothered to implement your own opinion into a blog post. It's insulting to the people who put so much time and effort into making their blog the best it can be.
6. Is there anything related to blogging that you've wanted to tackle, but just haven't gotten the time/resources/knowledge?
   Erm ...well I have approximately 30 draft blog posts on my dashboard at the moment! Whenever I have an idea for a new post, I jot down a few sentences and aim to come back to it. I plan on showcasing my collection much more in future posts. Not in a 'Ooh look how much make up I own' kinda way, but just comparing similar shades and doing more FOTD style posts. I hate taking pics of myself and putting them 'out there' for the world to see, but I realise people WANT to see how the product(s) look on your face, so it needs to be done. I also plan on changing my blog layout again soon, but due to a lack of time I've not had a chance to sit down and play around with it.
7. If they made an SATC 3...what would make you decide against seeing it? (I know you saw SATC2...on opening night, no less! Or at least you had the tickets booked.)
   You know what? As much as SATC2 left me feeling disappointed, if they released a third film., I'd still watch it, but for free, online! There's no way I'd paid to see it. I still love my SATC ladies, but I don't care what anybody says, the second film was like a bad joke that ran continuously for 90 mins - and believe me, I wasn't laughing at the end when the lights came on! I'll never allow a film to get me so hyped again LOL

Yinka interviewed me this month - you can read that text over at her site.

Like this entry? Check these out:

or look at other entries tagged with

Share This Page

Comments