Hey everyone –
I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by the lovely Amber McKinnon of Brown Bombshell Beauty. I thought you might be interested in getting all up in my business so here’s the interview. Enjoy:)
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Hey Beauty Babes! I’ve started a new feature here on Brown Bombshell Beauty where I’ll be featuring some of my favorite beauty insiders. Our first installment of The Bombshell Files is with beauty blogger Felicia of ThisThatBeauty. ThisThat Beauty is one of my favorite beauty blogs, and Felicia’s sassy style keeps readers in the know! Check out my interview with her below to learn more about this makeup maven!
When and why did you decide to start ThisThatBeauty?
That’s a great question. I have to tell you, the idea lived in my head for many moons. Even as a pre-teen I had an insatiable appetite for beauty. Most kids spend their allowance on toys, games, etc. I spent my weekly allowance at the beauty supply store…from VO5 hot oil treatments to Lee Press On Nails, I experimented with some of EVERYTHING. My passion for beauty is relentless. Prior to starting ThisThatBeauty, I had spent untold hours emailing and advising friends/family members on skincare and beauty products. Entering the blogosphere in April 2008 felt as natural as breathing. Ahhh!
Is there any significance in the name ThisThatBeauty?
But of course! The name ThisThatBeauty hits the nail on the head…on my site we chat about a little This, a little That, and it all revolves around my obsession with all things Beauty. Believe it or not, it didn‘t take long to come up with a name for my site. As soon as I put pen paper to start blogging, “ThisThatBeauty†just organically came to me. Don’t you love her?☺
Indeed I do! What has been your most memorable experience as a beauty blogger?
Oh boy, where’s a gal to start? I have been EXTREMELY blessed to share in so many great experiences as MsThisThatBeauty. First and foremost, I have connected with some of the most amazing people in the world, my readers. They’re all so near and dear to my heart, you have no idea. As Founder and Editor in Chief for TTB, I’ve had the opportunity to speak at industry events as a beauty authority…yea, lilol me! Through my relationships in the industry I have appeared on national television (The Today Show with Emmy Award winning makeup artist, Eve Pearl). Earlier this year I met my beauty blogging inspiration, Lianne Farbes AKA TheMakeupGirl. I’ve covered countless product launches and industry events like Fashion Week…I’ve even been invited backstage to cover and meet high fashion icons like AlekWek. Representing TTB and writing about my passion is extremely fulfilling. It bears repeating, I am truly blessed to be able to do what I do!☺
You have amazing skin! What products are in your regimen?
First of all Amber, thank you so much for the nice compliment. You’re very kind! My regime is uber religious and changes based on weather, environmental conditions, and current state of my skin. …so it’s tough to dish on my specific regime. But I will share a few staples: 1) Leslie Cole is my Skincare Guru. She’s an amazing Aesthetician and Skin Magician (what she does for my skin is pure magic☺). She formulates special treatments and peels designed to address my skincare issues, i.e. hyper pigmentation, extreme oiliness, and adult acne. Lets just say that Leslie has changed my life. She is a monthly staple in my skin care regime. Leslie is a licensed Aesthetician and Spa Director for Time To Unwind Day Spa in Newark, NJ. Her website is www.ttudayspa.com. Call for a consultation, she’s amazing! 973-954-2659
Each morning I:
- Tone with Kiss My Face Antioxidant Toner (Leslie got me stop washing my face every morning. This helps to control my oiliness.)
- Apply eye cream (right now I’m loving ErnoLaszlo Antioxidant Complex for Eyes)
- Apply an antioxidant serum, I’ve been pretty faithful to Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair for some time now. It says its for night but I use it during the day…and sometimes at night.
- Apply moisturizer/spf combo. I’m currently using a moisturizer/SPF25 that Leslie whipped up for me.
In the evening I:
- Wash with a gentle cleanser (currently Kiss My Face Creamy Cleanser),
- Tone (same product as mentioned in morning routine)
- Eye cream (same as above)
- Treat acne with Vitiva Pro Vitamin A15 (This stuff is the TRUTH…available at www.embrolisse.com). From there I might use a night cream or my Estee Lauder Serum mentioned above.
What’s in your makeup bag right now?
Awww damn, why’d you have to go and ask that question?. You’re going to freak out when you see what’s inside. Ok, here goes. Please don’t judge me. LOL! In no particular order:
• Several top-secret products I cant even talk about yet ☺. I regularly meet with brands to learn about upcoming launches and also give my input on products in the works. This is sooooo much fun☺
• MAC Blot Powder in Dark – Great for taking away the shine
• Face Drama custom eye shadow palette – The founder of Face Drama (Hey Keka!) customized a palette especially for lil ol me. It is serious and hot to death. It has quickly become my go-to palette. It contains everything I need for any given look. If you don’t know about FaceDrama, find out about it!
• Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in NSFW – This is pure fire!
• Several brushes – Some from my ThisThatBeauty brush line and various others from MAC, BEAUTE, and Estee Lauder • Kevyn Aucoin The Mascara – This is my Holy Grail mascara. The thin brush and deep black pigment rawks!
• Lipstick Queen Red Sinner Lipstick – Nothing, and I mean nothing makes me feel more special than this uber red lipstick!
• Covergirl Outlast Lip Stain in #435 – Such a pretty fresh look
• Almay felt tip liquid liner – I wear this everyday. It lasts all day
• Cosmoholic Liquid Lipstick in Berry – SO pretty for evening
• Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Raisinberry – So beautiful, its like my natural lip color with a twist
• Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick in Warm Almond – Great for touch ups
• Bobbi Brown Brightening Lip Gloss in White – Great over other colors
• Loreal Double Extend – I mainly use the primer end for major Va-Va-Voom effect
• MAC Brow Pencil in Spiked – This is my everyday brow pencil
• Lord & Berry eye liner in Black Wardrobe – Ridiculously Black liner. LOVE!
• Two Faced Shadow Insurance – Excellent eye shadow primer for my oily lids
• Three Custom Color Specialists LWord Collection – Such pretty wearable lip colors
• KISS Maxi Lip Shine in Pink Blossom and Tea Rose – This stuff costs like $5 and lasts all day!
• Cinema Secrets Ultimate Foundation in color 202-20 – This is super cheap and my holy grail foundation
• Bobbi Brown Sheer Color Cheek Tint in Sheer Blackberry – Pretty soft flush
• Bobbi Brown Under Eye Brighter in Dark – Great for a pop of bright under the eyes
• MAC Brow Set in Mink – Great for setting my brows and adding natural brown color
• Prescriptives Lip Shine in Posy – Yum!
• Bobbi Brown Glitter Lip Balm in Copper Diamond – A little glittery but nice
• Youngblood Pressed Blush in Cabernet – So rich and pretty on my brown skin. Youngblood is an awesome mineral makeup line. If you’re dying to try mineral but don’t know where to start, try Youngblood!
• MAC Lip Gloss in 3N – My holy grail nude color
• Girlactik Beauty Eye Glaze in Night – Nice shimmer base
• Kissable Couture Gloss in Lady Love – Cutesy pink shimmer
• MAC Lips Stain in Tender Tryst – Beautiful natural stain that lasts all day
• MAC Just a Pinch Gel Blush – SO soft, so sweet. I love this more than I can convey In writing
• Make Up For Ever HD Powder – This is a ridiculous finishing powder. SO seamless!
• Lipstick Queen Chinatown Gloss Pencils – All five shades, GENRE, CRIME, MYSTERY, THRILLER, CHASE. This is my favorite lip product release for summer 2009. Its an amazing interpretation of the neon trend but totally wearable
• MAC Solar Riche Bronzing powder
• Presciptives Mineral Bronzer in Warm 01
• YSL Tresor D’Afrique 5 Colour Harmony For Lips – I LOVE this palette and just had to have it!
• Boots Lavender Hand Cream – Lavender is one of my favorite scents
OMG, I’m dying of envy! What is your favorite indulgent or crazy-expensive beauty product?
As of right now, my two most indulgent beauty products are Vitivia Pro Vitamin A15 (its about $60 for a 28 day supply) and MD Grossman Glycolic Peels (about $60 for a 30 day supply). I’ve worked very hard to try and scale down on my pricey products. But I’ve paid as much as $100 for an eye cream. I currently have a serum that was sent to me from a PR rep. The serum has gold in it and costs $185 per ounce!
What beauty trends do you see shaping up for fall?
I love the matte nail color trend we’re seeing. OPI and Essie have great fall lines. The same is true for China Glaze. I love these brands. Other then the matte nail color trend, you see a return of classic fall shades, rich berry tones, deep texture, plums, purples, and greys. Given the recession, we will also see “less is more†represented in collections. I think there will be a return to a certain level of modesty and less over the top extravagance. I think folks are like, “enough alreadyâ€! I think people want to see elegance and glamour, but in a manner that is approachable and in line with the current state of the world. With layoff being the new black, people aren’t so much feeling the idea of dropping ridic dollars on stuff that’s here today and gone tomorrow. I personally find it hard to spend as willy nilly as I used to just because something is haute and new. I’m now starting to dig in the crates to see what I currently own and how it can be re-purposed!
Hey everyone – 
wow! Your makeup bag must be big. I think if you are looking for a lipstick, it's like looking for a needle in a haystack… wow.
@Milan and Tamar – Thanks mamacitas. If you think my bag is crazy, you dont want to see my collection 🙁
Great interview! Thats a hell of a makeup bag!!!
Your makeup bag list makes me weak. LOL! Great interview, lady! 😉