Happy 4th Anniversary, Temptalia!
Friday, October 1st, 2010
Happy 4th Anniversary, Temptalia!
Four years ago, back in October 2006, Temptalia began. We posted a whopping 230 looks on October 3rd, 2006–nearly a year’s worth of looks, prior to the day, because Temptalia began as an archive for my makeup looks, which I posted on the MAC Cosmetics Livejournal Community. It’s been quite the journey, an ever-exciting ride, and I know there’s so much more ahead of us. I look forward to the next year, and the next, and hopefully many more!
To date, Temptalia has…
- … received 416,470 comments
- … published 7,818 posts
- … written 1,780 review posts (keep in mind many cover more than one product or shade!)
- … created 840 looks.
- … asked 1,086 questions through Temptalia Asks You.
- … received 18.8 million visits, 58.9 million pageviews
- … held over 300 contests.
I can’t believe I was an undergraduate when I started this blog and now I’m seven months away from graduating my JD/MBA program. I never thought this is where I would be, but this is exactly where I want to be. I live and breathe this blog, and I love every minute of it. It has given me purpose when I had none, and it has shown me where my passion truly lies. There is just something about the beauty of the Temptalia community that brings joy into my life. This was not my dream when I was five years old, but it has become the dream I never dared to dream. It is everything and more–even better than the dream.
Fun Facts
- Temptalia really started to pick up in September 2007 (114 posts vs. 20-40 posts per month previously).
- First review: MAC Holiday 2006 (10/21/06)
- First non-MAC review: Prescriptives Here to Stay 24 Hour Mascara (9/13/07)
- First super-awesome-cool thing I got to do because of the blog: Interview with Dita Von Teese (9/20/07)
- My MAC Collection in 2007 (present day).
At present, Temptalia reaches approximately 500,000 unique people every month, with 1.4 million visits and 4.3 million pageviews per month.
I’d like to take this moment to thank all of the amazing people who have helped to make Temptalia what it is today.
To readers: The biggest thank you of all is to all of you. To all of the lovely people who have believed in me, believed in the spirit of Temptalia, and continued to visit, to support us, and to watch us grow–to participate and contribute to that growth. It is your feedback that helps us know what we do right, what we do wrong; your participation and contributions that give the site diversity and variety; your passion that inspires and motivates me to continually improve Temptalia. You have all watched me grow up (and are still watching me); you have seen me through my struggles, and you are all helping me reach my dreams. You have and will always be my focus and greatest motivator, and I can’t thank you enough for giving me the opportunity.
To my family: I will be eternally greatful for my family; my parents, sister, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Their enduring support that never wavers, not even once, gives me the strength to make it through moments of doom and pride in myself at each marker of success. Their love and support help me to achieve things I never thought I would, but they always knew I could. To my Mom: she is my mentor, as I work towards making my dreams come true; the most inspiring woman I know–my role model. To my Dad: he keeps me grounded and reminds me to have fun, who checks Temptalia regularly and even watches my YouTube videos after a long day at work. To my sister: for keeping makeup fun and learning about even more so. To my grandmothers, aunts, and uncles: for all of your word-of-mouth recommendations to anyone who listens, for knowing everything I’m capable of and never letting me forget it. You have helped me become the person I am today and shaped the person I will be in the future. You all drive me to reach for bigger, better things; to dream bigger dreams; and to know I will always have you to lean on.
To the boy: The level of emotional support you have given me over the years has been insurmountable. There is nothing that can repay you for that. For every time a comment has made me cry, you have been my shoulder; you have listened to me babble on and on about the same thing for hours on end, and you never tell me to shut up. For every success I have found, you have been there to share it with me. I look at you and know that I’m right where I’m supposed to be. Shaun does much of the behind-the-scenes work here at Temptalia, many things that are virtually invisible but absolutely essential. He is much more than just my emotional support–he’s technical support for all things Temptalia!
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to visit the blog, leave a comment, ask a question, or simply lurk! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your unending support over these past four years! There are never enough words to express to you what this blog has become to me, what you have all become to me. Every morning I wake up feeling lucky because I’m fortunate enough to be able to bring you Temptalia each day. Thank you!
See some then & nows!
Congratulations Christine! The high quality of your blog is especially amazing given that you are a full-time student in a demanding program. I often wonder how you do it all! You are an inspiration and a true beauty. I don't wear any makeup besides my Tarte Green Siren blush (I'm a nail polish fiend), but I keep coming back just to be informed about the latest and greatest in the beauty world. I indulge my glamorous side vicariously through your makeup looks! Thank you for the immense efforts you put into your blog. It is obviously a labor of love, and we are all very grateful. Cheers to you!!! ♥
Thank you Cat!!
Wow! Happy Anniversary and Congratulations on your Education accomplishments! Best wishes and continued success on all your future endeavors.
Thank you, Ms. Z!
Honestly, I prefer your eyebrows before :) now they cover most part of you lids
Thanks for letting me know!
congratulations!!
Thanks, Shanda!
Best beauty blog and my "go to" for the latest in makeup and thanks for not ignoring the MAC Rodarte campaign.
Thanks, Christy!
Templtalia congratulations! keep doing this wonderful work
Thank you, Jaspreet!
Congrats Temptalia!!!! I can remember when i found this blog..years later you are still at it and I love it!!!!! God has truly blessed you because like you said this is what you love to do...I freelance now and i remember seeing all your make up and wondering where it all came from..LOL i secretly wished we were related so that I could get some...LOL! I am one of your original followers and you are so sweet! I love the concept and everything you have done. may God continue to bless you and CONGRATS on graduating soon:) -Victoria
Thank you so much, Victoria!! :) I'm so happy to have you hear all this time!
Christine, first and foremost congrats!!! I can't imagine the amount of dedication and displine it takes to keep this site going. However, I'm so glad that Temptalia is around! I'm not sure how I happened upon your site but I refer to it often. I have it favorited on my pc as well as in my phone! If I only could refer to one beauty blog it would be yours! I love love love the swatches and honest reviews they really make a difference in my purchases. Alot of people don't understand my love of cosmetics so it's really nice to be able to discuss something as "silly" as the new MAC collection and it be somewhat lol "serious". Your site is the "go to" site I tell all my friends about when they start getting into make-up! Thank you so very much and I hope that you keep up the hard work! You really are one if not the best at what you do!
Thanks a lot, Tamara! :) It's such a relief to have found an amazing community where I can share my makeup obsession and not feel silly for it!
Congratulations! I love, love, love your blog. None of my friend/family are interested in cosmetics =( So Temptalia is what I look forward to every day. I went to my MAC counter yesterday. I spoke with my MA who knows me pretty well and I brought up that I cannot wait for Cham-Pale. She said, "oh my god, do you read Temptalia?" I was so excited to meet a fellow follower! You're famous!
OMG! How fun!! :) That is great. Thank you, Selena!
Happy Anniversary and Congrats! You're truly inspirational with your hard work, dedication, attention to detail and overall just being a really nice person (you try and reply to most comments! Don't know how you find the time) And you juggle all this with going to school full-time and spending quality time with fam, friends, pup and the boy ;) I really admire you. I hope you continue with his website and will still be passionate making it for many more years to come. *Cheers!* Much love <3 <3 <3 PS It's also neat to see how much you've evolved! =D
Thanks a lot, Kat! :) Sometimes I wish there was another dimension of time, lol!
happy birthday
Thanks, Danette!
Congrats! I really admire all the hard work you do putting up this blog! It's so time consuming but I appreciate every post!
Thanks, Roxy!
hi christine, this is the first time that i have commented on a blog. i have always been a lurker for years now. i read a couple of blogs but you are my favorite among all of them - why? because you have substance. you have been a great help to me and everyone else. i look forward to your blogs everyday. good luck and more power to you and may you have 40 more years of blogging... (lol) i wonder if im still alive then... take care.
Happy first comment! Thank you so much, Beth. I really appreciate it :) 40 years, ahh! LOL! That would be quite the feat!
Happy Anniversary!! Congrats! I can't believe how much you've changed, you went from cute to super classy! Its so fun to see the changes on your blog collage. Looking forward to many more years! XD
Thanks so much, Laura!
Wow congratulations on your 4th anniversary. I just became a reader a few months ago and I already love your site. More power to you
Thank you, Azaza!
Hello Happy birthday to your website :) in the name of all the french beauty addicts who don't speak english thank you so much you are one of the best beauty website of all the world :) thank you so much thank you to the brand who gives you make up . thank you to all the people that support you Kisses from France Barbara
Thank you, Barbara! Kisses from the U.S.! :)
My favourite site. Run by one of the nicest people I have met on the web. Congrats, Christine. You and your site have grown and gotten more gorgeous in leaps and bounds. I cannot wait to see what the next 4 years have in store.
Thank you so much, Hilana!
Yay! Happy Birthday, Temptalia! And congratulations, Christine! ;)
Thanks, Kayla!
Happy birthday, Temptalia! Congrats on all your success & looking forward to continuing to read your awesome posts :3
Thanks, Angela!
Reading your messages all of us can understand why you are so successful!!!! You are so sweet!!! Congrats!!! You are the best!!! Here in Brazil we call Temptalia " Make up Bible". And, as someone has told: you are prettier now!!!!
Aww, thank you, Alessandra!
Happy Anniversary! Thank you for all your (very detailed) reviews! Temptalia is hands down my favorite makeup site to visit. Keep up the great work! :)
Thank you, Jen!
Aww congrats, 4 years is a long time. O that cupcake looks so good.
Thanks a lot, Saku!
Congratulations! I love your website, you're amazing :)
Thank you, Marjolijn!
congratulations christine! you're so beautiful and a dedicated blogger :)
Thanks, Angie!
Congratulations Christine! I can honestly say that when I came across your blog, I came across a virutal sneak peak into makeup without having to go into the store and being talked into products. I love your reviews and sneak peaks/swatches on your blog the most. Without this, I'd be purchasing products and probably returning them over and over again. Thank you for putting such effort in making the makeup hunt easier and fun! I always look forward to each post each day. I think I check your blog a few times a day as well. Your blog is the only blog I have favorited in my phone. Hahaha! Keep up the good work and I hope you have more anniversaries to come!
Aww! Thank you so much for reading and finding the swatches helpful! I appreciate it, Jen :)
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