Share Your Spring Nail Art!

I’d love to see your spring-inspired nail art looks and share them with readers on Sunday, so this is our official call-for-submissions post  Please make sure to read through the requirements and use the form below to submit your work.  So excited to see what you come up with!

Submissions must be received by April 8th, 9AM PST.

Image Requirements

• Images must be at least 600px wide
• Images may not contain any watermarks
• Images must be yours; please do not submit other people’s work
• Please submit only .jpg, .jpeg, and .png files

[si-contact-form form=’5′]

This smart and skincare-savvy group of individuals is here to help you understand your skin better.  From oily to dry, acne-prone to combating the signs of aging, they will share their tips and tricks on getting the most out of your skin care routine and what works (and doesn’t!).  Please welcome them!

Cécile, 28, France/Switzerland | Cécile is 28-years old and is half French, half Belgian. She spent most of her life in France, with a little in Belgium and Cyprus, but she currently resides in Switzerland. For the past six years, she has worked in the cosmetic and perfume industry after she obtained her Master’s in Chemistry from ISIPCA (founded by Mr. Guerlain himself!), with an emphasis in cosmetics. She prides herself on her extended knowledge of cosmetic ingredients, skincare products, and European cosmetic legislation. She has been developing cosmetic products like skincare and suncare and is wise to marketing claims.

Cécile has a natural curiosity about everything in life. She loves cooking world food and anything related to nature and animals. Her two cats, Guinness (Cyprus) and Guru (Siamese) are always there to keep her happy!

Cheryl Billinger, 34, Florida | Originally from Pennsylvania, Cheryl graduated from the local creative and performing arts high school where her focus was in Visual Art. It was during those high school days in the early 1990s that she bought her first MAC and Chanel eye shadows and developed a fascination for beauty products overall. She then went on to pursue a B.A. in International Relations with minors in Political Science and General Business. She spent two years living and studying in Nicaragua while working on her Bachelor’s degree which permanently changed her life.

Cheryl has been a vegetarian since the age of 13 and prefers to use cruelty-free products. She also has broad professional experience, ranging from marketing/public relations specialist, to pet sitter, to insurance adjuster. Having developed a preference for warmer climates during college, she now permanently resides in Florida.

Christina Bellevue, Canada | Christina is a professed skincare and makeup junkie living in La Belle Province (aka Québec, Canada). Although she cannot recall the exact moment her passion for beauty started, she knows that being voted “Best Lips” in high school was one of the many catalysts of her beauty junkyism, which a 3-year stint working in sales and retail marketing for an international beauty company fanned all the more.

When not reading beauty blogs and magazines, stalking the beauty aisle of her local pharmacy fawning over new products, or making her girlfriends spend way too much money at the beauty counter, Christina is studying full-time to obtain a masters degree in marketing, with a research focus on multicultural marketing and advertising in the beauty industry. Known among her friends as “the girl with a cautionary tale for everything”, Christina loves to try new restaurants with her friends, shop on eBay to satisfy her champagne taste on a beer budget, and watch Buffy The Vampire Slayer reruns whenever they’re on TV. With her academic background, professional experience and community involvement, Christina hopes to become a good role model in her community and make her mom, friends and boyfriend proud! You can follow her on Twitter!

Dain, 26, New England | Dain is a freelance editor and writer, who graduated with a Bachelor of Art in English. She expected to pursue an academic career but found her interests straying elsewhere–like beauty! She has dry, sensitive skin and is always looking for ways to keep her skin hydrated.

When she isn’t writing about beauty, she loves to play video games, cook (and eat!), and read. Check out her blog, Ars Aromatica!

John Su, 21, California | John describes himself as eccentric–you might find him having a conversation with himself or making “A Beautiful Mind”-like movements while doing so. He’s a stickler for accuracy, so you might find him correcting one thing or another! His goal is to answer questions and provide unbiased, meaningful, and insightful information.

At 21, he is an aspiring dermatologist and will return to school next fall to get those plans moving. John enjoys singing, playing piano, hitting volleyballs, playing video games, and chatting with friends. Some day, he’d love to try more adventurous activities, like skydiving and mountain climbing! Check out his blog, The Triple Helix Liaison!

Laura Hogan, 40s, New York | Laura “came of age” in the 80s, so she considers a survivor of some very disturbing fashion and makeup trends, like shoulder pads, acid-washed jeans worn unironically, streaky blush, and thick eyeliner that we softened with a lighter before putting it on–don’t even get her started on what women wore to the gym in those days! She now works in a more conservative field, and she’ll get an odd look or two if she wears crackle nail polish (and she expects we’ll look back on that trend with the same disbelief we now reserve for horizontally-striped leg warmers).

Laura sometimes thinks she may need an intervention for her beauty product addiction, because the inside of her bathroom looks like an Estee Lauder warehouse. When she’s not unhealthily obsessed with beauty and fashion, she lives and works in New York with her husband and two cats.

Marcia, Michigan | Marcia is a former elementary school teacher. Teaching was her absolute passion, and she never thought she’d want to do anything else. She considered herself a creative teacher and poured her heart and soul into it. When the opportunity came up to retire at a young age, she took advantage of it, but she needed a new outlet for her creative abilities–enter in beauty.

She began writing reviews online and became a freelance makeup artist. She’s worked for lines like Paula Dorf and MAC as well as was a prestige makeup consultant at Ulta. At present, she enjoys her retirement while writing her beauty blog, Beauty Info Zone. Marcia is a married mom with adult children and the cutest grandson in the entire world (no prejudice!). She has a very close family and elderly mother she cares for–her extended family means the world to her.

Nicki Zevola, Pennsylvania | Nicki Zevola is a beauty expert and the founder of FutureDerm.com, where she provides clear, well-researched information about beauty+skincare, fashion+style, nutrition+fitness, and personal development from a different perspective from most in the blogosphere.

Named one of the top beauty bloggers since 2009, Nicki is also a medical student (M.D.) with an estimated graduation date of May 2013. She has been interviewed or mentioned in The New York Times, Fitness, Shape, DermMatters: The Journal of Drugs in Dermatology online, Elegant Lifestyles, as well as other publications. She has also won numerous awards for academics as a student in the B.S./M.D. program at the University of Pittsburgh, including graduating magna cum laude with dual degrees in Biological Sciences and Physics/Astronomy and a minor in Chemistry, eight-time Dean’s List, Phi Beta Kappa, two-time Chancellor’s Outstanding Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Chancellor’s Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Fellowship, University Scholar designation, and many others.

When she’s not blogging or studying, she can be found reading, running, doing Pilates, or spending time with her family, friends, and boyfriend, Garrett. She loves Sex and the City, high heels, the Muppets, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. She is also an avid fan of the works of Jim Rohn, Martha Beck, and Success magazine.

Learn a little more about skincare fanatics! 

Q&A with Cécile

1. Where did your passion for skincare come from? I don’t know actually, I’m the only really girly girl in my family?!
2. What are five skincare products that you can’t live without? I can’t live without a makeup remover (preferably a rinse-off cleansing oil, like the Bobbi Brown Cleansing oil), my beloved face cleanser without soap Boreade, a good hydrating cream (I like to try new thing here, right now it’s the new Crème Prodigieuse of Nuxe) a good eye-cream that’s anti-wrinkle and anti-dark circles (Again, I change often here, Now it’s also the Crème Prodigieuse for the eyes from Nuxe) and finally I couldn’t live with a good suncream, at least SPF 30.
3. What kind of skin do you have? What are your skin-related concerns? I have a very very fair skin, combination (Normal on the cheeks to Oily on the T-zone) and I have black heads around the nose and chin, and I can have a bit of pimples some time to time. I am also very allergic to Sweet almond oil and some perfumes. So I need to be careful about buying non comedogenic products, and I always check the ingredient list to be sure about allergens.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? I enjoy trekking, preferably in the mountains, but the country side is as good! I like playing around with crafts: I like drawing, doing polymer clay, creating jewelries with beads and ribbons… I like cooking a lot. I spend a lot of time in my kitchen daily, and I especially love cooking Asian food. And I really enjoy reading as well.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I have a boyfriend, a bigger sister and a younger brother. I have 2 cats, a Cyprus cat called Guinness, very very furry lovable little guy, and a crazy Siamese called Guru who’s really talkative and needs to have someone to play with him ALL THE TIME! But he does fetch the little toy mouse, that’s so funny !
6. What’s your favorite quote? “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.” — Albert Einstein
7. What’s your favorite color? I like bright colors in general, my eyes usually get attracted with greens and reds!
8. What’s in your makeup bag? Mostly MAC, Bobbi Brown and Make Up For Ever, but a also have a lot of Zoeva makeup brushes, I’m getting to know brands like Kiko (very nice brand!) and for the nails, it’s all about OPI, Orly and Peggy Sage (and a bit of Mavala).

Q&A with Cheryl

1. Where did your passion for skincare come from? My grandmother’s folksy, homespun wisdom and unorthodox beauty tricks are what initiated my passion for skin care. She always said that the secret to being attractive is to have a pretty face. Your hair, clothing and body may not be perfect, but as long as you take good care of your face, the world will still think you’re pretty. Of course, healthy-looking skin is a very important part of having an attractive face.
2. What are five skincare products that you can’t live without? Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer, Caudalie Cleansing Water, Clarins Eye Contour Balm, Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream, and ARCONA Booster Defense Serum.
3. What kind of skin do you have? What are your skin-related concerns? Recently, my skin has been cycling out of a 20+ year combination oily t-zone/dry phase. It is now as close to “normal” as it’s ever been (though it’s subject to change with the weather, amount of air conditioning I’m exposed to, etc.). Being almost 35 years old, all of my skin care concerns relate to my desire for a seamless transition into my 40’s (appearance-wise, at least). I want to preserve and prevent as much as possible!
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? I enjoy reading Japanese and Korean graphic novels and watching anime. The best time of year is when the anime and sci-fi conventions come to town. My favorite outdoor activity by far is going to the beach; I like to see which shell species I can find the most of from week to week. I particularly love to make things and am presently working on an Ewok village diorama for the living room. A less “nerdy” interest would be experimenting with makeup and mixing my own colors. Of course I love buying and trying different skin care products as I get a real thrill when I find something truly unique and effective that can live up to its claims!
5. What’s your favorite quote? “Too weird to live, and too rare to die.” – Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, 1971
6. What’s your favorite color? I love the color grey. Light or dark grey, it doesn’t matter so long as it isn’t in the sky.
7. What’s in your makeup bag? I had to switch to a larger makeup bag due to all the amazing Halloween cosmetics currently available in every store I go to. My favorites are a ‘mood-changing’ teal/dark blue lip gloss and various little pots of cosmetic-grade glitter. More everyday items in the bag include: MAC Select Cover-Up and Studio Fix powder (both in NC20), theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer, NARS Bronzing Powder, Laguna, Urban Decay Lip Primer Potion and a travel-friendly Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee Eye and Lip Cream.

Q&A with Christina

1. Where did your passion for skincare come from? I’d say that my first job out of undergrad, as a sales representative for two skincare brands, really kicked my passion for skincare and healthy skin into high gear. Since keeping abreast of industry innovations was a huge part of the job in order to become a more convincing and knowledgeable sales rep, I had the pleasure of attending various skincare product trainings and conferences, and met with dermatologists on a regular basis to learn about skincare. Every day, when I would be visiting stores in my territory to oversee the brands’ in-store executions, I’d also take the time to speak with pharmacists, cosmeticians and customers about skincare and healthy skin habits. Over time, all those learning opportunities and discussions allowed me to pick up many useful tips and tricks on how to properly care for your skin, much to the delight of my friends and family who still ask me for skincare advice to improve their daily routines or for product recommendations! All the knowledge gained over the years has also helped me become a more discerning skincare consumer, which is something I’m very grateful for because there are so many products on the market and so many false claims out there. I’m no longer a skincare sales rep, so to stay informed about what’s going on in the industry, I work part-time as a freelance dermatological skincare consultant, read beauty blogs and trade magazines, peek at dermatology journals every so often (while I’m in grad school and currently have access to all the academic journals databases), and attend various skincare workshops and events organized in the city in order to learn from the best skincare experts around.
2. What are five skincare products that you can’t live without? 1) Nurturing Force Blot Out Offensive Shine + Oil Control Cream, 2) Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder, 3) AmorePacific Treatment Cleansing Foam, 4) Vagheggi Rehydra Eye Contour Cream, and 5) Mario Badescu Drying Lotion.
3. What kind of skin do you have? What are your skin-related concerns? I have combination skin; it’s very oily on the T-Zone and normal to dry on the cheeks. My main skin concerns are oiliness on my T-Zone, cosmetic acne, hormonal breakouts on my chin and jawline, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation acne scars on my face covering them up with makeup and fading them away with the right skincare products.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? First and foremost, beauty is my passion; therefore, I spend quite a lot of my free time reading beauty blogs and magazines to keep abreast of what’s going on in the beauty world and learn tips that I can share with my friends, my family, and now you, Temptalia readers! Right now, I also volunteer for two organizations that I’m very happy to be involved with: Look Good Feel Better, a non-profit charity that offers free makeup and skincare workshops to women living with cancer, and The SWAP Team, a non-profit social enterprise that organizes clothes swapping events across North America to promote sustainability and collaborative consumption. Volunteering for these organizations has been such an amazing experience, and I’m very grateful to be working alongside such dedicated and inspiring individuals. Moreover, in the year since I’ve made the decision to let my hair grow in its natural curly state, I’ve decided to adopt a healthier lifestyle and empower myself with regards to healthy eating. Nowadays, I also spend quite a bit of my free time educating myself on nutrition and trying out healthier recipes. Recently, I’ve also started taking salsa, kizomba and Bodylicious dance classes, and I love it because it’s a great way to have fun while working up a sweat!
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? No siblings, so I’m an only child, haha! I was raised by a wonderful single mom who left her home country and all her family behind (her parents, plus 13 brothers and sisters!) with only a suitcase and $500 in savings to pursue a better life in Canada. She sacrificed a lot to give me the best life possible, and I cannot thank her enough. I’m currently living with my boyfriend and we don’t have any kids.
6. What’s your favorite quote? I love this quote by Mercedes Jones from Glee: “I don’t know why people think I’m angry all the time, it’s called being sassy!” I just thought it was hilarious! All joking aside, I also like this quote from Molière, a famous French playwright, who said “The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit”. I can be quite impatient at times, especially with regards to school or my career: I want it all and I want it now! Whenever I feel things in my life are moving too slowly for my liking, I think of this quote. It reminds me that patience is a virtue and that all good things come to those who wait, and I feel better.
7. What’s your favorite color? Lavender!
8. What’s in your makeup bag? Nurturing Force Blot Out Offensive Shine + Oil Control Cream: this silicone-, paraben- and alcohol-free cream is definitely one of my lifetime HG skincare products! I use it as a primer, and it works extremely well at keeping my skin matte and my makeup looking fresh all day without making me break out; Boscia Green Tea Blotting Papers; Cover FX Powder FX Mineral Powder Foundation in B25 and Cover FX Matte FX Oil Absorbing & Blotting Powder in Dark for touch-ups during the day; Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer and Treatment in Dark: it’s my favourite full-coverage concealer because it covers undereye circles and dark spots very well; LORAC Bronzer in Glow to highlight and contour my face; Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush, in Flush for a more visible “blush look”, and in Blissful for a more natural, everyday look; Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder in #56 – Caramel to finish off my makeup;Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion to prime my eyelids before applying one of my go-to eyeshadows, either MAC Star Violet Eyeshadow, MAC Constructivist Paint Pot, Kevyn Aucoin Goddess Essential Eye Shadow Single or Sephora Dying for Fudge Colorful Mono Eyeshadow; Three of my favourite Benefit products: Magic Ink Jet Black Liquid Eyeliner for my eyes, Brow Zings Dark Eyebrow Shaping Kit to define my brows, and the High Brow Brow Lifting Pencil to highlight my brow bone; Lancôme Hypnôse Mascara in Black; A tube of Original Carmex Lip Balm to prep my lips before applying one of my favourite lipsticks or lipglosses, such as MAC Viva Glam V Lipstick or Lipglass (whichever tube I grab first), Guerlain Gigolo (70) Rouge G Lipstick for a quick day-to-evening makeup transition, Nars Dolce Vita Velvet Matte Lip Pencil to create my favourite “my lips but better” look, or OCC Anime, Hoochie and Harlot Lip Tars for bold lips; A travel-size tube of my lifetime HG hand cream, L’Occitane en Provence Shea Butter Hand Cream – I cannot live without this hand cream!

Q&A with Dain

1. Where did your passion for skincare come from? My routine is, perhaps unnecessarily, intricate, forever in a state of constant evolution. Skincare is my foremost obsession: a monomania within a monomania. When it comes to beauty, I am attracted to self-indulgence rather than self-improvement—and nothing’s more luxurious than skincare.
2. What are five skincare products that you can’t live without? Bioderma Créaline H2O, Avène Eluage, Dr. Hauschka Lip Balm, Kahina Toning Mist, Weleda Calendula Baby Wash (as cleanser).
3. What kind of skin do you have? What are your skin-related concerns? My skin is pretty much the conventional definition of dry and sensitive: fine textured, thin and easily irritated, and sebum starved. As it is so thin, my skin needs to be coddled, swathed in layers of moisturizer, to make up for its lack of barrier function. It doesn’t require much correction: neither acne nor aging. Indeed, powerhouse actives, whatever benefits they may provide, are likely to cause incidental damage.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? Inside me, there’s a 12-year-old boy obsessed with video games.
5. What’s your favorite quote? “The death of Satan was a tragedy for the imagination.” -Wallace Stevens
6. What’s your favorite color? Green.
7. What’s in your makeup bag? Whatever lipstick I’m wearing at the moment. I prefer to carry a minimum of goods on my person.

Q&A with John

1. Where did your passion for skincare come from? The answer is quite simple: I find sheer fulfillment doing this; so it’s a purely selfish endeavor. Since the age of 12, I have had terribly bad cystic acne, along with blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules… the works. And I never sought professional medical help, or any help for that matter. For whatever reason, probably my naïvety and idiocy at that age, I believed my mom’s adages about how my acne would disappear with age if I left it alone; how if I prayed harder my acne would lessen; how I wasn’t washing my face enough, etc, etc. Then finally at the age of 20, I had enough and began following an actual skin care routine. And after 6 months of research and product tailoring, I was clear. I was shocked at actually seeing clear skin after almost a decade of acne, and angry at myself for actually believing my mother and her “advice.” That’s how this idea of fulfillment was born. I wanted to, no, needed to let other people know about what I had learned because I knew that there was bound to be someone out there like me, struggling and groping in the unending darkness with no light or hope in sight. That’s when I started to comment extensively on all the skin care posts made on Temptalia.com. And to my surprise, the Temptalia community responded extremely positively and graciously to my efforts, mostly. It’s cliché, but every “thank you” brought joy and an uplifting sense of pride to my persona that I just had to keep doing it as an obligation to the readers, and of course, to keep renewing my cache of fulfillment. I’d say that in this particular aspect, I’m a compelling example of Classical/Pavlovian Conditioning. And with that in mind, I’m not being completely selfish. Instead, I’ve found a way to be selflessly selfish. I guess that says a lot about my character, doesn’t it?
2. What are five skincare products that you can’t live without? Well, let’s rephrase the question. If I had to choose, what five skin care products would I use for the rest of my life? That would be a liquid salicylic acid product, glycolic acid product, vitamin C serum, a retinoid, and a good sunscreen. Cleansers do not count!
3. What kind of skin do you have? What are your skin-related concerns? I have very oily, acne-prone, mildly-sensitive skin that is occasionally flaky and dehydrated in certain areas like around the nose, mouth, chin, eyes and between the eye brows.
4. Who makes up your family? Any pets? Just my mom and sister live near me. Yes, my computer. It’s one of my best friends, it doesn’t judge me, and I own it. I even ask it, “who’s a good boy, huh, huh?”
5. What’s your favorite quote? “Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.” – Dory from Finding Nemo
6. What’s your favorite color? The ones with wavelengths of anywhere between 440-490 nanometers are my favorites.
7. What’s in your makeup bag? Unfortunately, I don’t carry any makeup bag around with me. I just always have a lip balm with SPF handy when I go outside. I guess my right front pocket would be my makeup bag.

Q&A with Laura

1. Where did your passion for skincare come from? I had to develop one! When I was a child, I developed problem skin very early — when I was about ten or eleven I started getting dreadful breakouts. I was no older than that when I started using Retin-A, only then it was for acne instead of anti-aging. I went through about, oh, a zillion various skin care regimens (Retin-A, antibiotics, Cleocin-T, painful extractions, blah blah blah) before I was through. I am also blessed with extremely good genes; until the end of her life, my grandmother had barely a wrinkle evident on her face, and my mother doesnʼt look nearly her age. So I figured if I actually worked hard at it, I could do even better than they did. Whether Iʼve succeeded is still an open question, but Iʼm trying!
2. What are five skincare products that you can’t live without? 1. Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! At least 15 SPF, but preferably higher. I vary on the, brands I use; right now Iʼm mostly using Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, SPF 70. 2. Tretinoin Cream 0.025% (the generic form of Renova, Retin-A, or other brand-name Vitamin A derivatives). 3. Paulaʼs Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Mattifying Concentrate Serum. 4. Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum, Fragrance-Free. 5. Lip balm. I admit to being a bit obsessed with lip balm. I tend to try a lot of different ones, but my one absolute requirement is that it not be petroleum-based. And on the subject of lips, although itʼs not a skin care product as such, Iʼve found riboflavin to be very helpful for extremely dry, ouchy lips — you know the kind I mean.
3. What kind of skin do you have? What are your skin-related concerns? When I was young, I had very oily skin; I had to use ultra-matte foundations because anything else slid off my skin. Now that Iʼm in my 40s, my skin has become combination-oily; itʼs still oily in the T-zone but more or less normal elsewhere. My biggest concern now is aging skin. However, I still get occasional breakouts, mostly on my forehead, so that can be a concern as well. It can also be hard for me to find a well-balanced skincare routine, as I live in the Northeast and it can get extremely dry in the winter. Therefore, I sometimes hit the trifecta of aging skin, breakouts, and flakiness. Not much fun.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? Iʼm a knitter and crocheter (mostly a knitter; I just learned to crochet rather recently), and I always have something on my needles or hook. I also love to bake, and am very excited to have just received my first Kitchen-Aid Mixer (thanks, Mom!). I also read fiction often, and non-fiction a bit less often. Iʼm also a bad TV addict — the programs I watch are bad enough that Iʼm too embarrassed to publicly name the actual shows.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? My family is relatively small: my immediate family consists of my husband and our two impossible cats. I also have two brothers, two sisters-in-law, two nieces, and three nephews.
6. What’s your favorite quote? “She waited for the train to pass. Then she said, “I sometimes think that peopleʼs hearts are like deep wells. Nobody knows whatʼs at the bottom. All you can do is imagine by what comes floating to the surface every once in a while.” — Haruki Murakami, “Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman”
7. What’s your favorite color? Can I pick two? Red and pink.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? It changes a lot, but today: a Sonia Kashuk powder brush; a lip brush of unknown provenance; LʼOreal True Match Pressed Powder in N1, Soft Ivory; Make Up For Ever High Definition Blush; Maybelline The Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara in Classic Black, Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara; Eve Pearl Lipstick in Hollywood Affair; Yes to Carrots Lip Butter in Carrot; Burtʼs Bees Honey Lip Balm; Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Pie (and you thought I was kidding about being obsessed with lip balm!), a sample-sized Origins GinZing eye cream.

Q&A with Marcia

1. Where did your passion for skincare come from? I didn’t develop a passion for skincare until I was about 40. Suddenly what I took for granted started changing. My skin had always been combination with occasional breakouts and unexpectedly I was acne prone. I needed a change and started learning about what was available and what was best for my skin. As my skin has changed through the years, so has my skincare.
2. What are five skincare products that you can’t live without? Eye cream (and more eye cream), sunscreen, exfoliator, serum and moisturizer. Did I mention eye cream?
3. What kind of skin do you have? What are your skin-related concerns? My skin is confused. I still have a very active t-zone yet my cheeks are dry. I’ve been told many times that my skin is dehydrated too. My skin related concerns are keeping any breakouts at bay, fine lines especially by my eyes and keeping my skin as youthful as possible.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? I love to read, I’m a magazine junkie especially. I like to do crossword puzzles online. My hobby is writing.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I’m married with 2 adult sons who are also married. The best part of my family is my 6 month old grandson who I dote on. I take care of him two days a week and can’t quite get enough of him. I have the world’s sweetest Chocolate Lab named Harley. Dogs have always been a big part of my life.
6. What’s your favorite quote? “What goes around, comes around.” I’m a big believer in karma.
7. What’s your favorite color? Blue.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? I change my makeup bag fairly often. I usually end up with half a dozen lipsticks and lip glosses since I forget to take them out. I always keep blotting papers and concealer in there. If I think about what to bring it will be MAC Blot Powder with an appropriate travel size brush, a cool and warm lipstick and gloss, a brown liquid eyeliner, concealer, Touche Eclat, a tweezers and blot papers.

Q&A with Nicki

1. Where did your passion for skincare come from? Gosh, as long as I can remember. My mother likes to recall a story from when I was two years old where I sneaked out of my crib, stole the jar of Vaseline, and rubbed it all over my face and hair! I can’t remember when I didn’t love skin care products. My passion for skin care research, however, started in college and grew exponentially when I first read Dr. Leslie Baumann’s textbook Cosmetic Dermatology. It made me well-aware of the fact that sound scientific research could back beauty products and treatments. Within a month of receiving the book, FutureDerm.com was born!
2. What are five skincare products that you can’t live without? 1. Skinceuticals CE Ferulic with 15% L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and 1% tocopherol (vitamin E), plus ferulic acid as a stabilizer, 2. Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion with 1.5% retinol. 3. Neutrogena SPF 100 with Helioplex. 4. Aveeno Moisturizing Bar. 5. Either MLA Power Cream or Revale Skin Intensive Recovery Serum (it’s a tie!).
3. What kind of skin do you have? What are your skin-related concerns? I have normal-type skin. My main concern is contact dermatitis from trying so many different products. It turns out I get allergic reactions when I topically apply chamomile, limonene, and several other extracts, which unfortunately I had to learn the hard way!
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? Most of my time is occupied between the blog and studying. However, I always say family comes first, and I mean that wholeheartedly. My parents have been married for 46 years, and they have been a positive influence on me. My boyfriend, Garrett, also helps make me a better person, and we like to try new restaurants, go for long hikes and walks, cook, watch movies, that sort of thing. On my own, I’m an avid reader (Jim Rohn and Martha Beck are my all-time favorites) and runner.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? My parents are in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They’re wonderful and very active – my dad’s actually in his sixties and in two bands, called The Elmonics and Elmo’s Fire. If you’re ever in town, check them out! I have two dogs, Emmie and Pookie. Emmie is a Yorkshire Terrier who gets a little bossy sometimes but means well and has a sweet, underlying nature. Pookie is a Shih-Poo who is very loving and passive and just wants to lay around and cuddle with her mommy. The dogs were a turning point for me – I got them early in medical school, and I quickly realized I could not squeeze in any more commitments! I love them way too much to ever give them up, though. They’re like my kids with fur!
6. What’s your favorite quote? Gosh, I have so many! Probably this sparkler from Nelson Mandela (feel free to shorten it!) is my all-time favorite: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
7. What’s your favorite color? Purple.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? Yves Saint Laurent Touche de Eclat brightening concealer; NARS Orgasm blush; Smashbox Limitless Eye Liner; Dior eyeshadow; Dior Show mascara; Chanel No.5 eau premiere; classic red lipstick, various brands.

Temptalia is read across the world, even though much of what we do is U.S.-based (as I am U.S.-based!), which meant that, naturally, local experts from around the world would make for a much-needed addition to the content we already have. These lovely writers will provide insight to the brands and products local to them, so you can find and explore the beauty’s global offerings, which are numerous!

Adrienne, 24, Scotland | Adrienne lives in Scotland, and she writes for The Sunday Girl, which is mostly beauty but with a little life thrown into the mix. She was born and bred in Scotland, still resides in a damp Scottish town, and jokes that she sees about three days of sunshine a year–but it’s a lovely place to live. She is currently attending university studying both English and French with hopes to become an English teacher.

In her free time, she loves to shop and hang out with friends–and beauty blog when she can!

Amanda, Traveling | Although born in New York City, Amanda grew up in the historic neighborhood of Hyde Park in Chicago, IL. She pursued her academic training in New England where she studied ancient history, comparative literature, art history, and archeology.

While earning her degree at university, Amanda traveled around the world to a plethora of countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. She currently lives on New York City’s Upper East Side where is pursuing a graduate degree and working in education. Amanda has studied the histories of beauty around the world and is herself, an avid admirer and practitioner of the beauty techniques she studies.

Amanda’s multifaceted travel experiences have provided her a unique perspective and, quite suitability, an eclectic taste. To track her travels, thoughts, and techniques follow her at www.aklectique.com. As a world traveler (and with more travel plans on the horizon), she’ll be offering a unique perspective of the amazing local brands and products she’s discovered and still discovering.

Christelle Yvon, 26, France | Christelle lives in Corsica, which is in the south of France, an island in the Mediterranean Sea, though she was born in Paris. She lived in Paris for eighteen years before settling in the south of France. Christelle studied public law for three years and grauated in European Affairs two years ago; her daytime job is in public administration.

She loves to travel and has visited most of the European countries (she loves visiting Budapest and Roma). In her free time, she loves to ballroom dance, go out with friends, and enjoy the beautiful weather of her locale.

Dâmaris, 37, Brazil | Dâmaris is 37-years old and Brazilian. Her parents taught her to love nature and observe its colors, textures, sounds, flavors, and fragrances. She deeply appreciates nature and respects it, and she has found this education helped her develop a taste for beauty in all its various expressions, like music, photography, and cosmetics.

She studied in Psychology and currently teaches at the University. Dâmaris believes there is an art of self-care, which is good for your emotions. She describes her philosophy as, “Taking care of the body is good for the heart, thoughts, and does good to the will to live. Highlighting your points of beauty is a secret we learn every day.” Check out her blog, Village Beaute!

Eva, Hong Kong | Eva considers herself thick-skinned and confident, so you’ll always find her in good spirits! You might find her serious and quiet, though, but she says there’s a part of her that’s childish and always giggling inside. She’s a carefree spirit who sometimes relies too much on luck, but she can’t help it.

Eva loves meeting new friends, especially those who share her passions. She gets easily obsessed and falls in love with new things, whether it’s a book, movie, or person. She also has a fascination for history and all things historical, especially European history! Check her out on DeviantArt!

Kimberly Nissen, 25, Australia | Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Kimberly started her working life early at the tender age of 15. For most of the past 10 years, she has worked for some of the biggest media corporations her sunny country has had to offer. She always wanted to become a writer, but with no training and never having finished high school, it didn’t look like it was going to happen.

In 2009, her mother’s cancer returned for the second time in a matter of months, so she decided to quit her ‘career’ and move home to look after her. Kimberly saw this as her golden opportunity to start writing, mostly for my own amusement; on the topic she loved most: BEAUTY! She created The Plastic Diaries and The Styleless Diaries. She also co-founded the first niche-specific blogging event in Australia, the Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend.

Lulle, 32, France | Lulle was born in France, and she says she came to life so hungry that she was trying to swallow her entire first–and the fondness for food never went away! She wasn’t obsessed with makeup as a teenager or young adult. At 25, she moved to Instanbul, Turkey, where she lived for five years, and this is where the beauty addiction started. When she wandered through duty-free shops while traveling, she discovered a whole new, glamorous world.

Lulle is easy-going, loving, and spontaneous; she loves to enjoy every moment of life. Check out her blog, Beau Miroir!

Mehak Sagar, 24, India | Mehak is 24-years old and a number-crunching economist from India. When she’s not analyzing data, she’s analyzing beauty, which is where her real passion lies. She loves blush and the color peach, and together, the two give her unparalleled happiness (hence her blog, Peaches and Blush).

Aside from beauty, she loves food, shoes, traveling, dancing, and painting. She has an unhealthy obsession with chocolate cookies, lip balms, her three-year-old niece, and planning her upcoming wedding. Mehak lives with a joint family, which means 13 people in a single house, but she says it just means there is more makeup to go around!

Melanie Castro, 21, Brazil | Melanie is 21-years old and lives in Brazil. She has brown eyes, brown and curly hair, and cool-toned, fair skin. She’s a future journalist, vegetarian, feminist, and the boldest Aries you’ll ever meet. One of her life goals is to be free of prejudice and hate as much as possible. She would love to work at a cultural magazine or write a cultural column.

Melanie attributes her interest in beauty products to Japanese men, because she was a big fan of J-rock, specifically Visual Kei, when she was younger. It inspired her to try to replicate some of the makeup looks the musicians wore! Her philosophy is simple: everyone is beautiful–every size, shape, hair, nose lips, hands, everything! You can follow her on Twitter or check out her blog!

Polly Smyth, 22, England | Polly is a 22-year old recent graduate who hails from England. She studied East Asian studies, so she learned some Japanese and even spent six weeks in Japan last summer–she loved it and hopes to return one day.

She currently lives with her family and waitresses while trying to decie on her future career. Polly is fortunate to have a wonderful boyfriend who spends countless hours with her at Boots and makeup counters–even if it is done so begrudgingly! Check out her blog, Beauty Mish Mash!

Rae Chen, Canada | Rae, the easily-distracted Canadian blogger behind theNotice: a beauty blog, is neither the brains nor the beauty of the operation. (The subjective existence of either has yet to be determined – we’ll get back to you on that one.) She is, however, a rather relentless makeup junkie with a camera, a lack of a filter, and a writing style that’s rather more snark than sycophant.

It’s a combination that doesn’t necessarily bode well for a serious conversation, but hopefully it makes for a fun, honest read. If four years of beauty blogging have any say in the matter, it probably stands to reason that she won’t muck it up too badly, right?
Expect rambling sentences, a lighthearted take on Canadian brands, and a thorough abuse of punctuation. Your brand-new Rae comes with a two-year limited warranty and can be returned at any time with tags in tact. If provoked unintentionally, attempt to placate with carbs, dinosaurs, or lipstick before calling customer service.

Ria, 27, Finland | After being born and spending her childhood in America, Ria moved to the far reaches of Northern Europe to live in Finland with her parents. Exiled away from beauty brands most of us take for granted, she was forced to branch out and challenged to find new local favorites.

Now 27, her interest in beauty started originally as a hobby about five years ago, when she was looking for something new in her life. However, it soon turned into a full-blown obsession. She also attended makeup school to pursue her interest and has worked with beauty ever since. These days she spends most of her free time studying and writing, trying to finish her master’s thesis for university. She’s interested in the associations and values connected to makeup and is actually writing her thesis on YouTube makeup videos!

Her pet peeves are people who take makeup too seriously or are unwilling to try new things. Other interests she has include movies and visual arts, like photography, painting and drawing, though these days makeup is her main creative outlet. Another thing close to her heart is traveling around the world looking for new adventures and new makeup to bring back home!

Samantha C., Hong Kong | Sam is a 16-year old junior with a passion for all things beauty, though she has a soft spot for lipstick and blush. She started off her collection with mostly Western brands but began to get more interested in Asian brands because they were so much more accessible.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Sam speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, a little German, and, of course, English. In her free time, she enjoys photography, craft projects, and spending time with family and friends. She’s studying for the SAT this year and looks forward to applying to universities in the U.S. next year.

Sheila, 21, Canada | Sheila is a Chinese-Canadian blogger in her early twenties with a passion for beauty. You can pretty much find her on Twitter at all waking hours of the day. She makes irrational judgments when it comes to purchasing decisions and would choose a $70 foundation over a $30 blouse any day.

Sheila enjoys reading random Wikipedia articles during my spare time, and also appreciates a good police procedural drama. Lastly, she loves taking random photos of things around her house in her spare time; Sheila’s camera of choice is a Canon EOS Rebel T2i (also known as the EOS 550D) with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens. For those who wonder, Sheila has dehydrated normal skin that occasionally breaks out. Her foundation shades are MAC NC25, Chanel B20 Beige Tendre and Guerlain #2. Check out her blog, Maddy Loves!

Tamara Richards, Canada | Tamara lives in southwestern Ontario, where she works in a multi-disciplinary physical rehabilitation clinic. When she’s not there, you’ll find her at the local cosmetic counters or freelancing as a makeup artist.

She rediscovered makeup in her early twenties, and since then, she’s become immersed in the beauty community. Tamara loves the idea of sharing information with others who share her beauty interests. After being an observer for some time, she started her own beauty blog. She has learned so much and had an amazing time since starting, and she considers herself lucky to have two jobs she adores.

Take a trip around the world — get to know our local contributors a little better! 

Q&A with Adrienne

1. Where are you from? What do you love about your locale? I am from Scotland which is often depicted on screen as being one large field, thank you Mel Gibson. Let me assure you it is very much a bustling and vibrant place to live with some of the friendliest people in the world, there is never a dull moment in Scotland. We have lots of cultural places of interest which are often free and I’m very lucky to live in a country that has such a lush and green backdrop. However my main love is shopping and I’m lucky to live in one of the largest towns in Scotland which has the most fantastic shopping.
2. Where did your passion for local beauty products come from? I am going to throw my Mother under the bus and blame her for my obsession with all local beauty products. Growing up she was forever bringing home local organic bath and beauty products for both of us to try and thus created a monster!
3. What are five local brands/products that you can’t live without? As I have such an appetite for all things beauty related it would be far too difficult to single out just five products so I will share with you my top five picks of local brands I find hard to resist. If you are ever in Scotland you must pick up some BeautyUK as they do some wonderful eye palettes, MUA is one of the most purse friendly brands available to us in the UK with prices starting at £1! Another budget buy has to be W7 especially for their boxed blushes. Boot’s No.17 is wonderful for duping higher end cosmetics but my absolute favorite pick would have to be Sleek MakeUp as the have the most pigmented cosmetics I have ever encountered with such a broad choice of items.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? My free time is quickly becoming blogging time. Before I began blogging I honestly had no idea just how much work, time and effort that goes into it to keep the wheels turning on the ol’ blog. When I’m not swatching away like a woman possessed I like to go out with my friends which often results in shopping with the odd cocktail or five. I also enjoy photography and once a week I attend an evening class to learn more about fashion and beauty photography.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I have a huge family! My immediate family consists of four brothers and two sisters, which I am the eldest of. As you can imagine there is never a dull moment in my mother’s household!Yes, I have two cats and if I had a larger house I’m pretty sure I’d turn into that crazy cat lady from the Simpsons haha!
6. What’s your favorite quote? “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”- Benjamin Franklin. Whenever I’m feeling lazy especially in regards to school work I can hear this ringing around my head and it usually gives me the motivational kick I need!
7. What’s your favorite color? I don’t actually have a favorite color but in terms of cosmetics I definitely tend to gravitate towards neutral shades and pink lip products. Very dull, I know, but I’m a creature of habit.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? I like to switch up the contents of my make-up bag on an almost weekly basis so I don’t get stuck in a rut but I never leave home without a Carmex lip balm and a Mac powder compact to counter my oily skin other than that I have no permanent fixtures in my bag.

Q&A with Amanda

1. Where did your passion for local beauty products come from? My passion in local beauty products came from my travels around the world and my interactions with women enacting beauty in their respective societies. In all earnestness, the interest steamed more from an anthropological perspective than an aesthetic one.
2. What are five local brands/products that you can’t live without? Since I move around so much, there is nothing local that I keep on a consistent basis. I try many products, but accessibly eventually becomes a problem, which forces me to find something new or more mainstream.
3. What can we find you doing in your free time? I read. I think. I swim. I eat. I write. I do art.
4. What’s your favorite quote? “I’m nothing or I’m a nation.”
5. What’s your favorite color? Black, Gold, Silver, Rose gold. I also enjoy blackened yellows, greens, purples, and blues.
6. What’s in your makeup bag? MAC Careblend Pressed Power, Too faced Chocolate Soliel Bronzer, Benefit One Hot Minute Powder, Wet ‘n’ Wild Taupe Brow Pencil, MAC Typographic eyeshadow, MAC Macroviolet Fluidline, Milani Liquify Liner, NARS Lola Lola eyeshadow, theBalm Illuminizer, MAC Snob lipstick, and Burt’s Bees lip conditioner.

Q&A with Christelle

1. Where are you from? What do you love about your locale? I was born in Paris and now live in the south of France. France is such a great place: I love its history (especially middle age period), its culture (Baudelaire is my favorite author) and the landscape is so beautiful. What’s also nice is the variety in cosmetics. Cosmetics industry is powerful in France, and lots of high end brands are french. But you can also find small but great brands, especially in the field of natural/ bio cosmetics.
2. Where did your passion for local beauty products come from? At first, they were an cheaper alternative to the french high end brands. I had a small budget back then. Then I realized that these products were as good, efficient, comfortable as high end products. Plus we are lucky in France: small brands are very creative and their products are real good quality, you can find lots of natural products, and that’s something I look for for my beauty routine, and quality and diversity to sum it up!
3. What are five local brands/products that you can’t live without? Bioderma Crealine H2O (cleanser), CCB monobulle Taupe (eyeshadow), La Roche Posay Mascara Respectissime (mascara), T. Leclerc poudre libre banane (loose powder), Eye Care liner noir (eyeliner).
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? I dance a lot (rock n roll and other ballroom dances). I love reading (historical novels are my favorite). I also sew (love creating original clothes).
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I have one sister, she lives in Budapest, Hungary (central Europe). I am not married and have no children yet. A dog, a female dobermann: Tosca
6. What’s your favorite quote? No remorse, no regrets, (take every chance but without hurting people).
7. What’s your favorite color? Red: red lips are my signature. I like dressing in red, it flatters my skin tone.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? As far as my purse is concerned: T. Leclerc pressed powder in Banane, lipsmacker (Bonnebell), currently raspberry, blottings papers, Guerlain Rouge G in Gala, Essence brow powder, Sephora clear mascara (used as brow mascara), Eye Care black liner, Kiko nail polish in taupe, La Roche Posay, Respectissime Mascara.

Q&A with Dâmaris

1. Where are you from? What do you love about your locale? I am Brazilian, born in the town of Tubarão, but for six years I have lived in the state capital of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis. It is an island with 42 beautiful beaches! It is a city that attracts many tourists and it is worth knowing it. Any car ride, any walk in my town already helps to distract the mind, because there is natural beauty everywhere.
2. Where did your passion for local beauty products come from? My earliest memory on beauty products is in my childhood when I saw my mother throw scent on to go to work. How I loved to sit on the bed watching her get ready! It was a very light makeup and in my teens, but for my fifteenth birthday, she let me get my makeup done professionally at a beauty parlor. From then on, I started to see more colors and textures of makeup.
3. What are five local brands/products that you can’t live without? Brazil is a young country and our makeup brands are as well. In my makeup table always have these Brazilian`s products: Vult lipsticks, Natura body moisturizing oils, O Boticário Perfumes Eau de Cologne, Contém 1 grama pigments and shadows, and Yes Cosmetics Illuminator Facial.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? In my spare time I like to shoot! I photograph my children, my beauty products, my family and the beautiful nature of the region. I love photographing the memory and thus help to preserve all that is beautiful to my eye. Besides, I love to read. Very much! Besides the books of my profession (Psychologie), I read the Bible, Philosophy, Poetry and epic romance.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? Yes, I have a family. My sister called Christine as well (it’s a beautiful name, and has a beautiful meaning) married to Charles, and she is passionate about makeup. Win a nephew in a few short weeks, we are excited about the arrival of Benyamin. I have parents, José and Nair – loved. I have my husband, João Luís and have two children: Débora at age 9 and little João Emanuel who will turn 1 year old on 30th of October!
6. What’s your favorite quote? Seek God first, and all other things will be added.
7. What’s your favorite color? It is very hard to pick just one color, depending on the context because I like more than one or the other. For makeup, for example, like a lot of shade in shades of green and lipstick red in color.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? In my makeup bag of the day to day is: Primer face of L’oreal, Revlon Custom Creations foundation, lip pencil from O Boticário and Vult, Eyeliner from Revlon, Lancome Hypnose mascara, lipsticks and MAC and Vult, shadows squad from Contém 1 grama, face powder Chanel, Bourjois concealer, L’Oreal blush and Illuminator Yes Cosmetics, and Chanel n5 eau Première.

Q&A with Eva

1. Where are you from? What do you love about your locale? I am from HK. HK is an extremely vibrant city just bursting with energy. Our city is described as the place where East meets West and it’s the perfect way description. I love that almost everyone is so accepting to new ideas and cultures.
2. Where did your passion for local beauty products come from? They’re really affordable and totally worth the money! Besides they were easy to get hold of, without having to endure some of the nosey shop assistants hovering over my back.
3. (Although I live in Hong Kong and technically, local products mean HK products, HK doesn’t really produce makeup. After all HK’s just a city! So I’m going to take about the makeup from Sasa or Bourjour, which are our local beauty stores.)
4. What are five local brands/products that you can’t live without? Sofina Primavista Long Keep Base – My T zone is so oily, but this base magically stops my facial oils from invading. I have to use this whenever I put on foundation, (which is every time, haha!) I haven’t found other bases that work as well. Majolica Majorca 4-pan eyeshadow palette– Prettiest eyeshadows ever! Most of them aren’t matte and they have quite a lot of shimmer. The packaging is really nice and they’re really affordable. I personally find them really buttery and smooth. I also have one of their single eyeshadow, color payoff is excellent, but of course there are some which lack pigmentation. Heroine Make Mascara – Toughest mascara I’ve ever used. Not even the Biore makeup wipes can take them off. Instead I need to use their Mascara Remover, which is good if you live in humid places, which I do. NOYL Eye Charm (Eyelash Glue) – I am a big fan of eyelashes, cause my natural ones are so short. Fake lashes instantly oomph up the whole look and can really open up your eyes. Etude Eyebrow Sketch Pencil – I love the look of a well defined brow, it just really completes the look, especially on photoshoots. I’m using No. 33, which is a brown. Besides using it on the brows, I also like using it to draw a fake crease line, not that I don’t have one, but sometimes the fake lashes hide them.
5. What can we find you doing in your free time? Cosplaying definitely, it’s also the hobby that first introduced me to makeup. I have a few comrades-in-arms. I used to stick with Japanese anime, but in the recent years I find myself steering towards to English movies and cartoons. I’ve always loved the English language, which could explain my eventual change in interest. Lately I’m interested in photoshoots, with just a theme and not from anywhere particular. I like attending private photoshoots with my friends than public events.
6. Who makes up your family? Any pets? My parents and brother. Up till now, I have had 3 cats, and boy I’ve loved each and every one of them! They were Seal, Lucky, Birman. Birman currently lives with my aunt, he’s such a darling and has such a big bum. Lucky was a Scottish Fold, sadly he was diagnosed with liver cancer at one and passed away.
7. What’s your favorite quote? “This is the only sun you ever see again. But a millennium of night will be yours to see light as no mortal has ever seen it, to snatch from the distant stars, as if you were Prometheus an endless illumination by which to understand all things. ” I will hug anyone who recognizes where this is from. This book brings tears to my eyes. Armand, such a psychopath, but that doesn’t stop us fans from loving him. He might be a psychopath, but he’s a broken psychopath in need of love!
8. What’s your favorite color? Red or blue!
9. What’s in your makeup bag? These are the armaments I use every time for photoshoots or events: Sofina Primavista Long Keep Base, Majolica Majorca eyeshadow, Etude Eyebrow Sketch Pencil, NOYL Eye Charm, MAC Soft Ochre paint pot, MUFE Aqua Cream No.4, Bourjois 10 Hour Sleep Effect Foundation, Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer, Vaseline, MAC 217 219, Shiseido Benefiance Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam, Biore makeup remover wipes, contact lenses.

Q&A with Kimberly

1. Where are you from? What do you love about your locale? I am from Sydney, which is the capitol city of New South Wales in Australia. It is a beautiful harbour city that perfectly represents Australian culture. There is diversity in every suburb, picturesque landscapes and the hustle & bustle of a thriving metropolitan city.
2. Where did your passion for local beauty products come from? My passion for local beauty products came about purely due to a lack of access to well known brands. In Australia, internationally owned and produced products cost a great deal more, so I learnt to find alternatives at a young age. Now that I am a little older, and the market is substantially bigger, I now realize the amazing offering we have locally. The offering from Australian brands is remarkable, and we have led the industry in a multitude of avenues, including product and ingredient development.
3. What are five local brands/products that you can’t live without? 1. Australis Cosmetics – Their Paparazzi Perfect eye shadow palettes are so pigmented and funky. 2. Face of Australia – The Face Base primer is my go-to daily primer. 3. Le Tan – I am an avid sun protection fan, and this brand has the widest range for every personal preference. 4. Alpha-H – Amazing skincare products that really show results. 5. Ciccone Cosmetics – They have this amazing range of lipsticks, and their clear gloss is my go-to at the moment.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? I love eating, and if there is one thing we are really spoilt with in Australia, it is good food! Being a beauty blogger, my obvious hobby is trawling through a department store beauty floor. So, if I am not window shopping or at home playing with nail polish, you will find me at any one of Sydney’s finest café or restaurants. This questionnaire is making me hungry!
5. Any pets? Oh, boy, do I have pets. I have six beautiful doggies, four of which are rescues. Jake, Chloe, Levi and Dylan are Shih-Tzu’s, Chanel is a Silky x Toy Poodle and Chani (pronounced Honey) is a Chihuahua x Silky.
6. What’s your favorite quote? A very wise man once said: “Every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain”. — Homer J. Simpson
7. What’s your favorite color? Purple …. but only specific shades of Purple. Whereas I like all shades of Pink. Hrmm, maybe I need to reconsider which is my favourite color?!?
8. What’s in your makeup bag? I am going to share the contents of my day-to-day handbag makeup bag, because as you can imagine, my regular one is just enormous. Stila Garden Bliss Palette, CLEAN Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Cream, Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat in #2, Lancôme L’Absolu Crème de Brillance lipgloss in Le Rouge L’Wren #127, New Cid i-pout lipstick in Pink Bliss, Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Hibiscus, M.A.C Studio CareBlend Pressed Powder in Light Plus, Sephora Blotting Papers, Estée Lauder retractable eyeshadow and blush brushes

Q&A with Lulle

1. Where are you from? What do you love about your locale? I am from a major city in France, conveniently situated close to the Alp Mountains as well as to the French Riviera. What I really love about France is that we have an incredible diversity of landscapes, cuisine, lifestyles, foods, architecture, traditions packed in a relatively small space: you can see a lot of different things in just a couple hours drive.
2. Where did your passion for local beauty products come from? I fell into beauty quite late, when I was about 25 years old and decided it was time for me to start taking care of my skin more regularly. At that time, I was living in Istanbul, Turkey, and I really loved exploring small shops selling rose water, olive and laurel soaps, accessories for hamam and other locally produced beauty gems! Back in France, I’m still into brands and products that have a real story to tell: some are based on strong traditional roots, others have become part of popular culture, and talented individuals are often behind the curtain for the most innovative ones.
3. What are five local brands/products that you can’t live without? My favourite French brands are Institut Esthederm for face skin care products, Couvent des Minimes for body, and Bourjois for their makeup. I also NEED 2 traditional products in my life: lavender oil produced in Provence and olive oil soap made in the South of France, called Savon de Marseille.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? I love to play with makeup and blog about it of course! I like to walk around town and have a drink at a nice terrace, play with my infuriated cat, read, eat, go to the museum or exhibitions, to the movies, travel as much as I can, meet with friends… I’m also a tea lover, and I don’t have a TV at home!
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I live with my American fiancé, who’s going to become my husband very soon, and my cat. Kitty is a traveler: he was born in Turkey and came back to France with me. He really hated the flight… So we’re a pretty multi-cultural household!
6. What’s your favorite quote? I never really thought about that… I particularly like the last sentence of a poem by Charles Baudelaire: Mais l’implacable Vénus regarde au loin je ne sais quoi avec ses yeux de marbre. (But the merciless Venus stares at something in the distance with her marble eyes).
7. What’s your favorite color? I really like purple!
8. What’s in your makeup bag? The bag I carry around? Well, there are blotting papers, and about 5 different lipglosses and tinted lipbalms. I’m a lippie addict, but I don’t really do touchups for the rest of my makeup during the day. Too lazy!

Q&A with Mehak

1. Where are you from? What do you love about your locale? I am from New Delhi, India. If I had to list 5 things I love about Delhi it would be – the street food, the cold wintery weather in December, the people, the shopping haunts, and how the city looks like when it rains. I think it’s a city which combines a lot of heritage, and modernity together and that’s what makes it special!
2. Where did your passion for local beauty products come from? Until about five years ago, there were hardly any international beauty brands in India. Watching my mom use local brands made me want to experiment with them.
3. What are five local brands/products that you can’t live without? My five favorite local brands in beauty/skincare are: Colorbar, Lakme, Forest Essentials, Lotus Herbals, and Elle 18.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? When I am not blogging, I am painting, dancing, shopping, or spending time with people I love. That includes my family, my fiancé, and my friends.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? Oh yes!! I have one real brother who is younger to me, but I live in a joint family – so all the cousins stay in one house. It is super fun, super crazy and I like to call ourselves the Big Fat Punjabi Family. I am a bride to be however, so the family dynamics are going to change in the coming year! I have a black lab called Buzo. He is overfed, and over – pampered and in his head, he thinks he is a featherweight butterfly so he goes jumping and prancing around on people. Not too many people take kindly to that!
6. What’s your favorite quote? Favorite Non Beauty Quote: “Success is getting what you want. Happiness wants what you get.” – Dale Carnegie. Favorite Beauty Quote “It’s best to Look Natural. But it takes makeup to look natural.” — Coco Chanel.
7. What’s your favorite color? Turquoise, Coral, Purple. I like bright, feminine colors!
8. What’s in your makeup bag? Ponds Tinted Moisturizer, Colorbar I-Glide Eye Pencils, Lakme Eye Kohl , Clinique Quickliner for Eyes, Mac Peaches & Springsheen Blushes, Mac Lipsticks in Cosmo & Mocha, Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara, Himalaya Lip Butter, Chambor Glitzy Glosses, Nyx Glow, Tea Rose Cream Blushes, Neutrogena Light Night Cream, L’Oreal Gel Liner.

Q&A with Melanie

1. Where are you from? What do you love about your locale? I’m from Sorocaba, Brazil. I’ve lived in lots of different cities, though, because of my dad’s job. Well, I love Brazil for 3 things specially: nature, we have wonderful places, animals, plants… It’s also a huge country with so much to see and experience; people, Brazilians are known for being happy and welcoming, and I’m proud of that; and future, though we’ve come a long way, our country has so much to achieve and we’re working on getting there. I look forward to contributing to that.
2. Where did your passion for local beauty products come from? When I was first interested in makeup and they were the ones I could reach more easily. Even now, I like to prioritize Brazilian brands cause I feel we have great products that are quite underrated.
3. What are five local brands/products that you can’t live without? My first make up collection was from Contém 1g, so I’m kind of emotionally attached to them. I also like Natura, o Boticário, Mahogany, Duda Molinos.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? I loooove to read. I’m that kind that ALWAYS have a book near me for when boredom strikes. I also love to play videogames. Dancing and writing are awesome too. When I’m out with my friends, I like “cultural” events, like theater, movies, exhibitions, concerts… I’m not much of a party person!
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? My family is composed by my parents and one little sister, Mayla, who is 15. I also like to consider 3 of my cousins as my sisters, cause we’re so close. I have 4 pets and I love them very much! 3 dogs (2 old ladies, Judy and Luvinha – who have been with me since I was 10 – and an hyperactive boy named Dudu) and a turtle, named Touché (original, huh?).
6. What’s your favorite quote? “Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” — Maya Angelou
7. What’s your favorite color? White! It’s so classy and natural at the same time.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? My favorites of all makeup basics (foundation, blush, mascara…), eyeshadow duos (easier to create with), lipbalm and hand cream.

Q&A with Polly

1. Where are you from? What do you love about your locale? I’m from England, and have spent my whole life here! Some things I love about England are my friends and family, the pretty countryside, shopping in London, afternoon tea and yummy English breakfasts! The downside, it has to be said, is the weather!!
2. Where did your passion for local beauty products come from? I love English brands because they are the ones which made me fall in love with make up! My first ever make up purchase was a Natural Collection mascara, and I will always remember discovering Barry M’s dazzle dusts when I was 16 – that was when my make up obsession began.
3. What are five local brands/products that you can’t live without? Some English brands that I love are Barry M, Illamasqua, MeMeMe, 17 and Soap & Glory.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? When I’m not looking for more make up to spend my money on, I enjoy studying Japanese, reading, and spending time with my friends and family.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I have two younger sisters, and 20 cousins! I love having such a big extended family and am always so excited about our next gathering! I have a black miniature poodle called Oboe, who I love to pieces!
6. What’s your favorite quote? Don’t forget to smile!
7. What’s your favorite color? Pink!
8. What’s in your makeup bag? Unfortunately, the days in which all of my make up would fit into my make up bag are long gone, so I try to keep my everyday essentials in there. I have a weakness for pretty powders, lipsticks and loose eyeshadows – despite the fact that I find pressed ones so much easier to use! Oh, and cute packaging gets me every time.

Q&A with Rae

1. Where are you from? What do you love about your locale? Canada. Alberta, to be more specific. Born and raised! I’m hugely appreciative of (and, okay, a little bit in love with) our healthcare system – no, I’m not kidding, – and you can’t beat a prairie sky. So maybe we don’t get any sunsets over the ocean, but we do get some ridiculously gorgeous clouds and colours. It almost makes up for all the bad weather!
2. Where did your passion for local beauty products come from? It just kind of… happened. All of the local products I’ve fallen in love with – it’s never been because they’re local; it’s always just been because they’re amazing. The local part is simply the cherry on top!
3. What are five local brands/products that you can’t live without? It’s a pretty big assortment of products – a lot of Marcelle, a bit of Annabelle, some brushes from Quo, and one or two products from LiveClean and Green Beaver. But Annabelle and Marcelle are definitely the two “big ones” that I can’t live without!
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? Who said anything about actually having free time?
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? Yes to the family (the regular parental units, one sister, and a grandmother about twenty minutes away), but no to the pets!
6. What’s your favorite quote? I’m sort of terrible at picking favourites, and quotes even moreso. I believe I went with «Vivre et créer. Jusqu’aux larmes,» for my yearbook quote, ages ago – does that count? (Albert Camus; live and create. To the point of tears.)
7. What’s your favorite color? Again, not so great with the favourites thing. I’m really into neutrals – beige, blush, champagne, taupe. Really bright whites. Grey.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? It changes on a daily basis! Right now, I have a tube of Hard Candy Glamoflauge concealer, three lip products (Marcelle Rouge Xpression in Paris Rose, Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry, and Annabelle VolumeLip in Coralicious), a travel tube of Vaseline, and a little jar of German Nivea.

Q&A with Ria

1. Where are you from? What do you love about your locale? I’m originally from the East Coast of the US, but I’ve been exiled in the northern region of Europe for a long time – Finland to be exact!
2. Where did your passion for local beauty products come from? I’ve been a beauty buff for many years. When I started following different beauty blogs and forums, it dawned on me that many of the cult brands people love and talk about aren’t sold in my country! I started branching out and found my own personal favorites from the local brands offered in my region.
3. What are five local brands/products that you can’t live without? I love Scandinavian brands Make Up Store, Gosh and Isadora as well as European brands like Illamasqua and Essence.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? A lot of my free time is taken up by work and school, but I always find time to surf the internet or indulge in my ultimate guilty pleasure — reality TV!
5. What’s your favorite quote? I don’t have one, but I love to quote movies!
6. What’s your favorite color? Turquoise.
7. What’s in your makeup bag? Colgate tooth paste, Illamasqua cream blush in Rude, Essence lip gloss in Pink Candy,
   Make Up Store Eye Pencil in Black, Lumene Anti-puffiness Roll-on Eye Serum and a couple of Mac brushes. I tend to carry a lot of lip products in general!.

Q&A with Samantha

1. Where are you from? What do you love about your locale? I’m born and raised in Hong Kong, a very densely populated area. My favourite thing about the city is that everyone walks like they’re in a hurry. Although the shoving and nudging on the streets can get irritating sometimes, I’m a naturally fast walker so the city’s fast pace suits me quite well.
2. Where did your passion for local beauty products come from? My passion for local beauty products began when I discovered the online beauty community and realised that such a wide array of Asian brands was accessible to me. It was then that I began to explore the choices I had and to take advantage of what was right in front of me.
3. What are five local brands/products that you can’t live without? Lioele, Majolica Majorca, Canmake, KATE and Dollywink.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? I try to find the fun in whatever I’m doing, but I particularly enjoy craft projects, photography, playing the guitar and, above all, spending time with my family and friends.
5. Who makes up your family? I’m a single child and live with my mom, dad, uncle and grandma. I am so grateful for having such a supportive and loving family. I’m also lucky enough to have an amazing boyfriend, even though he is 8,000 miles away for a good part of the year.
6. What’s your favorite quote? People close to me know that I live by many quotes so here are some of my favourites: “Do what you want and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” “Don’t worry about the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn’t happen, you have worried in vain. And if it does happen, you have worried twice.” “Love doesn’t mean inseparable, it means being separated and nothing changes.”
7. What’s your favorite color? My favourite colour really depends on my mood. I like bright colours like orange and lime green but I’d say blue, or navy more specifically, is a colour that I never have a problem with. Now that I think about it, pink and purple are pretty colours too… Okay, my answer is: I pretty much like all colours!
8. What’s in your makeup bag? A handful of products that are easy to use for when I’m on the go or need to touch up. The contents of my make up bag stay the the same for the most part, with a couple of items that get swapped in and out. Things that I make sure are always in my makeup bag are a concealer, an eyeliner and some sort of lip and cheek product.

Q&A with Sheila

1. Where are you from? What do you love about your locale? I grew up in Vancouver, Canada but I am from China. Growing up in Vancouver has made me appreciate the multicultural world that we live in; this includes the Asian influence even in the beauty products that get imported into Canada. The products I use very much reflect my multicultural upbringing. I love to use a mix of Western and Asian brands both in my skincare regime and in makeup.
2. Where did your passion for local beauty products come from? My passion for local, non-mainstream products when I became more aware of the ingredients put into mass-market beauty products. After I started carefully reading the ingredients lists of the products I was using, I realized I wanted my products to be less chemical and more natural. Thus I started my search for products that avoided the ingredients on my “blacklist” and it led me to mostly non-mainstream brands.
3. What can we find you doing in your free time? I enjoy blogging and watching police dramas in my spare time. I love a night filled with new eyeshadow palettes with a side of Criminal Minds. I am also trying to practice my photography skills by taking photos when I can, and reading Wikipedia to fill my mind with new and interesting things.
4. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I am living with my family with a younger brother. I do not have any pets, but I would love to own a dog or a cat. I just can’t decide if I love dogs or cats more.
5. What’s your favorite quote? My favourite quote is, “those who fail to remember the past is destined to repeat it.”
6. What’s your favorite color? My favourite colour is PINK, which matches perfectly with the theme of Temptalia.
7. What’s in your makeup bag? My makeup bag is almost non-existent. I usually keep a mirror, oil blotting paper (I love Clean & Clear Pink Grapefruit scented Oil Control Film!), lip balm, and a lipstick for touch-up.

Q&A with Tamara

1. Where are you from? What do you love about your locale? I’m from Hamilton, Ontario which is about an hour west of Toronto. I love it for all the green space, the numerous waterfalls, the relatively low key vibe and all of the revitalization of the smaller shopping districts. Not to mention the fact that it’s just as easy (and quick) to get to Toronto as it is to get to Niagara Falls and cross-border shopping!
2. Where did your passion for local beauty products come from? It started in a round-about kind of way. With the many blogs and YouTube channels that focus on beauty products, I found myself often wanting for brands that weren’t available in Canada. It’s a unique kind of frustration to see something that looks amazing, only to have it unavailable to you. However, once I started looking into what was available; I realized just how many Canadian beauty gems are out there.
3. What are five local brands/products that you can’t live without? Annabelle: This brand has been around a long time, but their recent revamp has made them the edgy, cool kid of the drugstore makeup aisle. In particular, the Smoothie Eye Shadow Pencils are my new favourite eye shadow base. Lise Watier: I don’t have a ton of experience with the brand, but their mineral eyeshadow in Folie Douce is the perfect subtle highlight on face & eyes for darker skin. MAC: What can really be said? It’s an ionic brand and had a heavy influence in terms of inspiration and vast product options. I adore their blushes, lipsticks, pigments and pressed shadows. The lipsticks in particular (and a few helpful MAC Arists) were instrumental in changing my perception of wearable lip colour. Marcelle: A sister brand to Annabelle, this is the classic and polished older sister. I’ve had nothing but good experiences with their skincare; in particular the Hydra-C line. It’s reassuring to know that even sensitive skin can find excellent skincare options at the drugstore. QUO: This is the in-house brand of the Canadian drugstore; Shoppers Drug Mart. My very first proper makeup brushes came from QUO and I still have them after all these years. Great quality at a reasonable price and they frequently go on sale too.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? When I’m not in beauty geek mode; you can find me catching up with the natural hair community, indulging in some PC gaming, curled up with a book, shopping with my girlfriends or exploring the lounge scene in Toronto.
5. What’s your favorite quote? “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” — Paulo Coelho
6. What’s your favorite color? Grey.
7. What’s in your makeup bag? A mirror, powder foundation, cheek colour, blot film, lip balm, lip gloss, lipstick, lip liner, eye liner, eye shadow trio, eye shadow base, mascara, a travel brushes.
]]> https://www.temptalia.com/welcome-temptalias-local-contributors/feed/ 46 https://www.temptalia.com/welcome-temptalias-industry-insiders/ https://www.temptalia.com/welcome-temptalias-industry-insiders/#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:00:27 +0000 Christine http://www.temptalia.com/?p=31915 Welcome Temptalia's Industry Insiders! We now have a variety of beauty industry insiders contributing monthly to Temptalia, and they're going to let you in on some of their secrets, favorite products, and give you an insider's perspective. From cosmetic chemistry to makeup artistry to all things nails, they're here to help with their expertise! Angela Umelo, United Kingdom, Cosmetic Chemist | One of the leading brains behind beauty, Angela is an industry-renowned Cosmetic Chemist with over 11 years training and experience in developing cosmetics and toiletries. Having been immersed in the wondrous beauty world from an early age, she was Continue Reading… ]]> Welcome Temptalia’s Industry Insiders!

We now have a variety of beauty industry insiders contributing monthly to Temptalia, and they’re going to let you in on some of their secrets, favorite products, and give you an insider’s perspective. From cosmetic chemistry to makeup artistry to all things nails, they’re here to help with their expertise!

Angela Umelo, United Kingdom, Cosmetic Chemist | One of the leading brains behind beauty, Angela is an industry-renowned Cosmetic Chemist with over 11 years training and experience in developing cosmetics and toiletries. Having been immersed in the wondrous beauty world from an early age, she was instantly captivated by the rituals, the artistry and the allure. This initial intrigue soon developed into an unequivocal beauty obsession partly fuelled by teenage skin dilemmas but also stemming from a deep seated creativity and desire for self expression.

This was quickly followed by a behind the scenes role in new product development where she formulated make up and skin care for an array of global brands. Still not content with the industry offerings, especially those for women of colour, she still indulges herself with customised formulations to suit her specific beauty needs! Despite her wealth of scientific knowledge Angela takes what she calls a “feelosophical” approach to the industry. So whilst analysing ingredients and technologies, addressing safety fears and generally aiming to reveal the truth she never loses sight of the one essential thing about beauty and that is appreciating how it simply makes you feel! Check out her blog Beauty Feelosophy!

Chantel J, Virginia, Esthetician | Chantel is a licensed esthetician who recently moved to Virginia. She attended University of Utah as a ballet major and earned her esthetics license while living in Washington. She is currently teaching dance and hopes to start a skincare business in her new area. Chantel is results-driven when it comes to the treatments and products she uses on clients and herself. She has worked as an esthetician in spas, salons, and medical spas. She hopes to share her experience and knowledge with others to help make skin care less overwhelming.

Dustin Hunter, Washington, Makeup Artist | Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Dustin Hunter has been designing various media since his early teen years. Studying several different art forms, Hunter’s creative background ranges from illustration and photography to fashion and interior design to music production and makeup artistry. He has worked for over a decade as a professional illustrator and his retail interior design concepts have been featured in nation-wide publications, receiving recognition for their uniqueness and creativity.

An avid musician, songwriter and producer, Hunter’s education in audio production combined with his experience in advertizing have garnered him the opportunities to work as the creative director for an Internet-based radio station, design various radio ad campaigns and produce music for himself and other artists around the country.

As a makeup artist, Dustin Hunter combines his love of music and visual art to construct images of experimental beauty for both stage and photography; creating avant-garde makeup looks for photographers, performers and musicians. Check out his blog and YouTube channel!

Edith (Edie) Bryan, 27, United Kingdom, Nail Care Expert | Edie is 27-years old and hails from the beautiful country that is Wales, in the UK. She’s an esthetician and has been trained in all aspects of beauty, from waxing to skincare, but she specializes in nails. She discovered her talent for nails at 17 and worked as a junior technician. In 2005, she started her own business running a nail salon in her home town. She found creating beautiful nails was the perfect way to combine her natural creativity and her obsession with fashion and beauty into one.

She hopes to develop her own beauty brand, so she is currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Management. In her free time, Edie tests out, researches, and reviews beauty products and stays up-to-date on industry-specific training. Check out her blog Touch Beauty and follow her on Twitter!

Kacie, 28, California, Esthetician | Kacie is a 28 year old born and raised California girl. She’s spent her entire life in the San Francisco bay area, save for a one year stint in Los Angeles. After realizing life was too short to spend time doing anything other than what you truly love she enrolled in cosmetology school and found out she had a certain affinity for esthetics. She also plans on returning to college to complete her degree in literature (in no small part to appease her mother).

Her other passion in life is being part of the fight to end breast cancer. After losing her grandmother to complications from breast cancer in 1990 Kacie dreamed of being part of ending the disease. Every year she raises thousands of dollars and walks 60 miles in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure in memory of her grandmother and so one day she can tell her future children that she was a part of creating a world without breast cancer. She is also on a fitness journey to be “hot by 30.” You can go along for the ride at her blog, Project: Hot by 30.

Kathy S., Georgia, Makeup Artist | Kathy was born a long, long time ago in the Sonoma Valley in California but grew up in the South, which is where she resides currently. Her passion for makeup goes back to when she taught her babysitter to curl her eyelashes at the ripe age of six! When Kathy was 13, she received her own makeup set–she says she looked like a cross between Stevie Nicks and Rocky Horror, but “it was the 1970s, so no one noticed.”

Kathy has been doing makeup for personal clients, with some print and promotional work thrown in! Her advice for readers is, “Don’t stop learning; there is always something new and fascinating out there–go find it! If you have an idea, share it! Life is short, have fun!”  (The photo included is of Kathy’s work!)

Nita J., 27, Virginia, Makeup Artist | Marnita Joy Wiggins, also known as Nita J., has been a part of the makeup, beauty and fashion world for over seven years. She began her career as a freelance makeup artist and beauty consultant in 2002. Since then, she has participated in numerous fashion shows, photo shoots, and has even worked with VH1 reality TV personalities and recording artist.

Just as an artist’s paintings are dear to him or her, so are Nita J’s many clients and their finished looks after a beauty session. Nita J is a Beauty Educator and Product Trainer for Steelo Cosmetics and founder, creative director and editor in chief of GlamFetish Magazine. She is also a member of the Paint and Powder Pro Team headed by Emmy Award winning makeup artist Susanne Patterson

Nita J is a strong advocate that true beauty lives in each and every individual. To her, makeup just enhances beauty and should never be used to mask the beauty that a person was born with. With her knowledge of makeup, cosmetic brands, marketing and the beauty industry, Nita J hopes to contribute as much as she can and instill in the minds of others that confidence and true beauty is soul-deep. You can check out her portfolio and her blog!

Sarah Cormier, Ohio, Makeup Artist | Sarah Cormier is a self-taught makeup artist in Cincinnati, OH. She mostly does wedding makeup but also has experience working on various photo shoots, fashion shows, and films. In addition, she is a freelance artist for her favorite line, MAC!

When she isn’t busy with makeup, she teaches Spinning classes at her local gym, and also attends Body Pump, Pole Fitness, and Cardio Kickboxing classes. Her other hobby is shopping, favorite stores are Nordstrom, the MAC store, Lucky Brand, and White House Black Market. Sarah is happily married to her wonderful husband of two years, Nate. Check out her blog, Sarah C. Makeup and sarahcormier.com.

Victoria Sun, 19, Massachusetts, Theatre Makeup | Victoria is a 19-year old college sophomore who attends school in Massachusetts for Engineering, but she’s an avid Theater Makeup Artist and has worked on a variety of shows, from dance shows (think intense, flamboyant glitter) to periodic musicals. She aims to combine her “nerdy” passions with her artistic ones: to overanalyze the mathematics of reshaping the face, learn the science of why a product works better or worse.

She’s a romantic dreamer who enjoys re-imagining herself in a soap opera, pretending one day a prince is going to come riding in on a dragon and take her away. Until then, she’s planning to use her makeup brushes and colors to force her friends to be the stars of her imaginary fairytale. You can follow her on Twitter!

Let’s get a little more personal with our industry insiders!

Q&A with Angela

1. Where did your passion for beauty come from? I have been inspired by my Mothers rich African culture. I also have a sister who is a make up artist and a sister who is a model. I always had that yearning desire to want to be grown up just like them! Also I suffered from acne as a teenager so was desperate to find a cure or least cover it up!
2. How has your perspective changed since becoming an industry insider? I still love cosmetics just as much as before from the visuals, packaging and the experience of trying out new things. But I know that looking after skin need not cost too much as price really does not mean performance necessarily. However I can also see more clearly how truly powerful the marketing machine can be in getting people to buy into concepts and also I know to beware of the beauty blagger (especially those trying to sell you something!). There are many “experts” who actually offer bad advice and perpetuate common misconceptions about beauty products.
3. What is your industry? How did you get started? I am a Cosmetic Scientist. I started by studying science Chemistry, Biology and Physics then went on to study Cosmetic Science at University.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? I play guitar, go to gigs, and seek out new music. I also do voluntary work mentoring young people.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I have two sisters and one brother–no pets yet, but I want to get a Pomeranian puppy soon!
6. What’s your favorite quote? The love of beauty is taste; the creation of beauty is art.
7. What’s your favorite color? Blue – there isn’t another colour under the sun has so many hues for so many moods.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? Right now, I have pre-branded samples of products from the lab which includes foundation, liquid concealer, primer, blusher and loose and pressed powder. Plus branded stuff: 3 mascaras (Max Factor False Lash Effect, Dior Show and Benefit There Real), Urban Decay Pocket Rocket Lipgloss, Suquu Lipstick, Laura Mercier Camouflage Concealer, MAC Studio Fix Concealer and a tube of Lanolips – yes, my make-up bag is pretty big (and heavy!).

Q&A with Chantel

1. Where did your passion for beauty come from? My passion for beauty started when my mom allowed me to start wearing mascara. I was amazed at what a difference it made! I started to notice women’s makeup in movies and on television and became intrigued in the behind the scenes beauty of those flawless faces. After becoming an esthetician, my passion grew as I had opportunities to help women enhance their natural beauty and increase their confidence!
2. How has your perspective changed since becoming an industry insider? Before becoming an esthetician, I used to focus primarily on the cosmetic appearance of the skin. I now have a new appreciation for preventative care and the overall health of the skin. Of course, proper skin care certainly helps the cosmetic appearance too!
3. What is your industry? How did you get started? I am a Licensed Esthetician. I’ve always been a skincare enthusiast, spending hours reading up on different products and treatments for the skin, and trying product after product. When my husband and I moved to Washington State 2 years ago, I was finally able to attend esthetics school and become a licensed esthetician. It was one of the best experiences of my life and gave me a great foundation to cultivate my passion!
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? My very favorite thing to do in my free time is cuddle up with my dogs and husband! My hobbies include health and fitness, and learning new vegetarian and vegan recipes. I also have a passion for dance, specifically ballet.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets?My husband’s name is Jared and we have two dogs, Dolce and Gabe. I also have a great family back home in Utah, 3 brothers and 2 sisters! I have two maltipoo dogs, Dolce and Gabbana (Gabe for short). They are both boys and are very, very spoiled with love!
6. What’s your favorite quote? “Happiness is the secret to all beauty. There is no beauty that is attractive without happiness.” — Christian Dior
7. What’s your favorite color? Pink.
8. What’s in your makeup bag?In case of a quick touch up I usually carry something along the lines of concealer, mascara, blush, powder, and lip balm.

Q&A with Dustin

1. Where did your passion for beauty come from? My passion for makeup started at a very young age. I must have been in Kindergarten the first time I saw Michael Jackson’s Thriller video. After the video there was an interview with Rick Baker talking about how he got started in special effect makeup and showing some of the work he had done. I loved the idea of makeup as a means of transformation; turning something ordinary into something extraordinary.
2. How has your perspective changed since becoming an industry insider? My relationship with makeup (experience and education) has built up so slowly over a period of so many years that it’s hard to say how my perspective has changed because I can’t remember what it was like that long ago! Just like with anything else in life: the more you know, the more tools you have in your toolbox, the bigger and better things you can create. I still get excited about new products and brands so my passion for makeup hasn’t died down with time and experience.
3. What is your industry? How did you get started? I got started doing beauty makeup in high school; doing friends’ makeup looks on photo day, school dances and costume/theme parties or events. I remember in art class, taking my water colors and painting on friends instead of paper (I got sent out into the hall for that one). I hear a lot of makeup artists talk about how they landed in this spot by accident and I think the same is true for me. I’m a graphic artist first and foremost; a visual artist. I illustrate and create characters and images using traditional art tools. Makeup art is a way to take those two-dimensional drawings and turn them into something that can get up and walk around the room.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? I’m still a professional illustrator and graphic artist. I’m also a recording musician with a background in audio production. If you don’t count making videos for my YouTube channel, I would say that I spend most of my free time writing and recording new music. I enjoy the “conception” part of the creative process the most.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and still live here. My family is small. I’m an only child and was raised by my mom and step-dad. I met Jay (who I still just refer to as simply “Jay” because he’s not my husband, we aren’t in business so I hate to say “partner,” but after 10 years “boyfriend” doesn’t really cut it) in 2000-something something and we live in a house surrounded by trees with two large dogs. Paolo, who definitely has some kind of hound in him (he looks like Santa’s Little Helper from the Simpsons) was our first dog. Bali (a hundred-pound Doberman mix) came a year or two later. One was from the pound and the other was a rescue dog from an animal hospital. I love the look of some pure bred critters but I’m a firm supporter of animal rescues and shelters.
6. What’s your favorite quote? Question everything.
7. What’s your favorite color? My favorite color is orange but in clothing I look best in blacks, pure whites or true reds (my natural complexion is very “Snow White”). When I’m shopping for makeup I can’t seem to pass up a purple or orange lipstick (or blush for that matter) and I adore blue and grey eyeshadows.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? Jack Black Lip Balm, my own lip plumper, a compact mirror (the new black one by MAC), MAC “Beguile” Brow Set, MAC “Super” Kissable Lipcolour, MAC “Bubble Tea” Plushglass (I also like “Big Baby”), Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat #1 “Luminous Radiance”), Maybelline “Ebony Black” Define-A-Line Eye Liner (it’s like 10 years old I keep it for luck, LOL), and a pocket knife (always be prepared).

Q&A with Edie

1. Where did your passion for beauty come from? I have always been a very creative, artistic and expressive person, and as a teenager I discovered that make up was a perfect way for me to express my personality. I spent hours creating bold make up looks on myself and my friends, and my obsession with all things beauty began there.
2. How has your perspective changed since becoming an industry insider? I am still amazed at what a HUGE industry it really is! It is so fast paced. I think that being an ‘industry insider’, rather than a consumer, you can see the huge pressure on consumers to keep up with all the trends and new products. I love to learn about products, but picking the real ‘worth the money’ products, out of all the mega marketing strategies big beauty brands employ, is difficult. I try my best though! I guess I have learnt not to believe the hype.
3. What is your industry? How did you get started? I am a qualified beautician, but have more training in nail care than anything else. I started training as a nail technician at age 17, after I saw a job advertised at our local salon. I thought it would be perfect for me, as I always enjoyed painting intricate nail art on my own nails.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? Well, having a young baby, I have very little free time at the moment! when I do get some downtime, I love to cook and bake cakes. I spend a lot of time reading, researching and writing, and my latest obsession is shopping in charity shops!
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I have two beautiful children, my son Dylan aged 8, and daughter Isabelle who is just 6 months old. My mother adopted (stole) my gorgeous Bengal cat, but I still refer to him as being mine! His name is Tiggy, and he is stunning and totally crazy.
6. What’s your favorite quote? Believe you can and you’re halfway there.
7. What’s your favorite color? Okay, if I REALLY have to choose – then I will choose red, because it is the best colour for lipstick.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Fresco, Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Coromandel, Estee Lauder Artists Eye Pencil in 01, L’Oreal Lash Architect Mascara, a whole load of liquid eye liners, as well as about a million other things!

Q&A with Kacie

1. Where did your passion for beauty come from? I grew up rough and tumble, climbing trees and getting scrapes. I didn’t want or need to wear a ton of makeup, saving it for special occasions like prom or winter formal. As I got a little older things that hadn’t bothered me before started to. The rosiness in my cheeks gave way to redness and a decade of late nights (studying and partying) coupled with genes made my dark circles go from annoying to embarrassing (to me – I’m sure nobody else cares as much as I do, if at all). My passion for makeup and skincare grew from there.
2. How has your perspective changed since becoming an industry insider? While I do believe that there is a degree of natural ability in most aspects of beauty I also think it’s important to educate yourself as much as possible. Your professional education should not end the day you graduate from cosmetology school, or the day you get licensed. I have my eye on a half dozen classes in 2012 (waxing, makeup and hair). You say overachiever, I say featured in Allure’s “Best of” issue by 2015.
3. What is your industry? How did you get started?I am a brand new cosmetologist but I have a special place in my heart for skincare, especially waxing. I don’t know how or why, but I do love removing hair. I could happily do it all day. In 2009 I spent some time soul-searching and decided I wasn’t happy with almost any aspect of my life, so I spent 2010 changing it. I enrolled in cosmetology school, kept my nose to the grindstone and finished with a 97% overall. In addition to waxing I specialize in hair color (particularly corrective color) and have a small bridal makeup business. I am still building up clientele and plan on spending most of 2012 doing more of the same.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? A huge chunk of my free time is spent fundraising and training for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, especially for 6 months of the year. I love to laugh (so much that it’s usually part one of my new year’s resolution every year!) and my family is incredibly important to me. As far as hobbies go, to put it mildly I’m a Halloween enthusiast. Fall is my favorite time of year and there may or may not be upwards of 20 pumpkins lit up in our yard from September 15 to November 1 (mostly artificial). I’m also newly addicted to Zumba and I love to sew.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I am constantly in awe of my parents. My dad is hard-nosed and stubborn but also the hardest working man I’ve ever known and THE constant in my life. I am freakishly linked to my mother. She represents everything I aspire to be and a few things that drive me crazy. I have an older sister who is also in the beauty industry and a fantastically supportive boyfriend. I have a couple of cats who seem to be perfectly happy to eat and sleep and occasionally do something mind-blowingly cute.
6. What’s your favorite quote? “Humankind. Be both.” I have no idea who to attribute this to, nor does Google.
7. What’s your favorite color? I used to be one of those “no favorite color” kind of people but since getting so involved with Susan G. Komen I have been so connected to the color pink that I now associate it with all of the best aspects of my life.
8. What’s in your makeup bag?The always in my bag staples: moisturizer, Garnier Skin renew anti-dark circle eye roller, Smashbox green primer, Stila perfect & correct foundation, MAC in well-dressed blush, MAC MSFN, UDPP, a few neutral shadows, black liquid liner, mascara, bold lipstick. Everything else rotates in and out.

Q&A with Kathy

1. Where did your passion for beauty come from? I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t fascinated by the beauty industry, especially makeup. At 6 years old, I showed my babysitter how to curl her eyelashes, so it’s a life-long passion. The thing that most fascinates me about it is its transformative power; I’ve seen people who look one way – rather plain and unimpressive – get transformed into someone quite strikingly beautiful. When all it takes is a few steps and some paint to enhance someone’s features and bring out their beauty, it’s hard not to be at least mildly intrigued. Makeup is the closest thing to real magic that we’ll ever see.
2. How has your perspective changed since becoming an industry insider? My relationship with the people who sell makeup has changed over the years. I used to be very intimidated by the people at makeup counters, but at the end of the day they’re just selling a product like anyone else. In some stores they need to keep their sales numbers up or they are penalized, so I let them know up front if I need help or if I’m just looking. I do between 2 to 4 hours a night of product research, so I usually know what it is, what it does and why I want it. I can be a bit scatter-brained when I actually get to the store or the counter, though, so I make shopping lists ahead of time. It’s actually a running joke with some of the artists at MAC, because I just give them the list. Everyone knows that I’m a makeup artist, so I don’t get a lot of raised eyebrows when this NC 15 walks up to the counter to buy NC 50 foundation.
3. What is your industry? How did you get started? I’m a professional makeup artist. I was working in the mall with an amazing woman named Suzanne. She had gone to fashion school and taught me some makeup techniques. Our store was opposite the Merle Norman store and so, because we were obsessed with makeup, we went for makeovers. The staff was actually pretty good and we hit it off and they would pass along new tips and tricks as well. This was the 1980’s and we had a lot of women who would come in because they were going back to work after their children started school. They would come in and look kind of lost, as if they had a goal, but couldn’t quite figure out how to get there. We would put them in outfits from our store and, eventually other stores as well and this was how our wardrobe consulting business started. They would like our makeup and want to know how to get it. At first, we could send them to the counter where we’d learned it, but eventually what we were wearing became this mélange of techniques from various companies, so we would show them. That’s how we became wardrobe consultants and makeup artists.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? I’m working on an art fusion project called Pretty Evil and designing the looks takes up a bit of my time. I’ve cut back on getting new clients until the shooting is over. I read pretty extensively, but I work two jobs and have a family, so that’s all that I have time for.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I live in the metro Atlanta area with my husband and son, a dog and a cat.
6. What’s your favorite color? Red!
7. What’s in your makeup bag? I carry an amazing amount of things in my makeup bag. On the unlikely chance that my husband will send the baby to grandma’s for the weekend and whisk me off to Paris, I could get through about a week until I got bored with what’s in there. I have Revlon Colorstay face powder in my shade and translucent one; a sample size of Tarte’s Park Ave. Princess bronzer and their blush in Exposed; a Milani mineral blush in Bellissimo Bronze; MAC’s Warm Soul and an elf blush in Tickled Pink. I have MAC Browset in Girl Boy and some clear mascara for brows; an eyelash curler and a sample size of Tarte’s Lights Camera Lashes mascara; Urban Decay’s eyeliners in Mildew and Baked; Wet n Wild’s icon trio in Knock on Wood and a few miscellaneous shadows in neutral colors; lip pencils by MAC and Rimmel and too many lipsticks and lip glosses. I generally keep some in pinks, peaches, nudes and one lone red just in case. The one lip item that always stays with me is Caqui from MAC’s Blogger’s Obsessions collection. It looks perfect on.

Q&A with Nita J

1. Where did your passion for beauty come from? I actually remember the day I began my love affair with makeup. I was 15 and my mother got me my first makeup palette and brush set. I literally sat in my room for hours and hours, days and days that Summer, coming up with different makeup looks, teaching myself different techniques of how to apply the products and mastering blending. I became obsessed. My mother created a monster! After that I started reading up on everything that had anything to do with beauty and makeup and collecting lots and lots of makeup. I just loved how the possibilities with makeup were endless and that made me so happy!
2. How has your perspective changed since becoming an industry insider? Since beginning my journey as a makeup artist, I have learned that the concept of beauty and makeup go much further than just putting on a gloss or touching up mascara. It sometimes creates a sense of pride and confidence in certain individuals that may have not been there before. I love that!
3. What is your industry? How did you get started I am a professional makeup artist specializing in glamorous and artistic beauty…with an EXTREME obsession with anything pertaining to makeup products. I started off experimenting on friends and family, studying absolutely everything I could about makeup and the business side of things. I started getting hired for weddings and photo shoots and people started to notice my work and recommending me to others. After that, everything just took off from there.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? I love thrift store shopping, taking roads trips, listening to live music, poetry, and movie nights with my son.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I am the oldest of 4 children, i have 2 brothers and1 sister. I have a 5 years old son who is my WORLD. My mommy and daddy still spoil me rotten!
6. What’s your favorite quote? “Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them.” — David Hume
7. What’s your favorite color? Indigo!
8. What’s in your makeup bag? I never leave home without my CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara, L’Oreal Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner, Milani Baked Blushes, Hard Candy Bronzer and Revlon ColorBurst Lip Glosses.

Q&A with Sarah

1. Where did your passion for beauty come from? I am not really sure, its just always been there. I was always into the performing arts from a very early age. I did children’s theater as a kid, and then show choir and drama in High School. I had to do my own makeup for every single performance. Over the years, I just grew to love makeup more and more.
2. How has your perspective changed since becoming an industry insider? I definitely think that there are two “versions” of beauty; there’s what I consider to be the real version – everyone’s own unique version of it, and the “societal” version – the perfect skin, perfect eyes, perfect everything that everyone feels they have to strive to be. Of course none of us are “perfect” (as the images that have shaped the societal version are airbrushed and modified), and yet every single face I have ever worked on has something about it that is beautiful. I honestly think every woman is beautiful in her own way.
3. What is your industry? How did you get started My industry is makeup artistry and after discovering my passion for it early in life, and building my skills, I decided to pursue it as a side gig about 2 years ago. I was hired by MAC Cosmetics as a freelance artist and spent the next year building my business and getting established. I am still on the payroll at MAC, but do a lot of freelance work for photoshoots and fashion shows. I am also currently a member of BRIDEface, a Cincinnati-based team of professional wedding and special event makeup artists.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? Makeup artistry is a job for me, but it’s also a hobby! Other hobbies are shopping and working out.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I am married to a wonderful husband! We have no kids, but we plan to start a family within the next year or so. I also have a sister who is also married and has a 9-month old son. Two adorable cats.
6. What’s your favorite quote? Laughter is the best cosmetic.
7. What’s your favorite color? Pink!
8. What’s in your makeup bag? I have a medium MAC Soft Sac in my purse that contains the following: Aquaphor, whatever lipstick/liner of the day, MAC Studio Careblend Pressed Powder, mirror, tweezers, a few hair clips and rubber bands, tube of drugstore concealer (for emergencies!), bottle of contact lens re-wetting drops, Listerine oral care sheets, and nail clippers. You would think a makeup artist would have more makeup in the makeup bag, but I don’t like to schlep a bunch of stuff all over the place so I just keep the essentials on hand for touch ups.

Q&A with Victoria

1. Where did your passion for beauty come from? My passion for beauty came initially from my own personal insecurities. I used makeup to cover acne and make myself feel better. Soon, however, I grew to just love it! It’s so much fun to play with colour and texture and use it to change the body into however you want.
2. How has your perspective changed since becoming an industry insider? My perspective on beauty has changed, but I don’t think it’s a consequence of the industry so much as it is my own growth and maturity. I love makeup not only for its ability to change the face, but for its ability to give people confidence. Since working in this industry I have met amazing people who defy the idea that makeup is nothing but a mask for one’s insecurities – rather, it is artistic expression, and another way to express oneself.
3. What is your industry? How did you get started I work and study theater makeup – that is, I help performers get ready for the stage by making them look as close to their character as possible. I started because I was an avid dancer in high school, and I was really fascinated by makeup and how it was able to change the face so dramatically.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? I’m lucky that makeup is such a huge hobby of mine – I’m a ridiculous collector. I love collecting limited edition products, especially if they are high quality. I also love to read and write – I adore collective writing, fan fiction, and role playing. I love dance and drama, especially musicals.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? My family currently lives in Southern California, so far away! In addition to my parents I have one older sister. I have two dogs and a cat – my dogs are named Bagel (he’s an adorable beagle) and Dino (a Belgium Shepherd). My cat is Mocha and she’s a vicious one!
6. What’s your favorite quote? “No I don’t want to battle from beginning to end, I don’t want a cycle of recycled revenge, I don’t want to follow death and all of his friends.” – Coldplay, “Death and All Of His Friends”
7. What’s your favorite color? Coral!
8. What’s in your makeup bag? I wear makeup regularly but I try to avoid carrying lots of it with me everywhere. I generally hold onto the lip colour I’m wearing that day and my go-to nude, MAC Mocha. I usually also carry MAC Wonder Woman Lipglass and a Urban Decay 24 Eyeliner in Zero just in case I need to amp up my look for night! I also bring Maybelline Dream Matte Powder and the Ecotools Retractable Kabuki for touchups.
]]> https://www.temptalia.com/welcome-temptalias-industry-insiders/feed/ 34 https://www.temptalia.com/welcome-temptalias-teen-beauty-contributors/ https://www.temptalia.com/welcome-temptalias-teen-beauty-contributors/#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:00:11 +0000 Christine http://www.temptalia.com/?p=31913 Welcome Temptalia's Teen Beauty Contributors! We have three talented young women who will be sharing their favorite products for school, budget-friendly items, and how to deal with several teenage beauty concerns! I look forward to sharing their contributions in November! Makeup Morsels, 17, California | Makeup Morsels is a pseuodnym, and if that seems a little bulky, just call her MM! She resides in California and on her last year of high school. She has black hair, brown eyes, and pale skin (think NC15), and often has people tell her she looks like a corpse! She's guilty of having a Continue Reading… ]]> Welcome Temptalia’s Teen Beauty Contributors!

We have three talented young women who will be sharing their favorite products for school, budget-friendly items, and how to deal with several teenage beauty concerns! I look forward to sharing their contributions in November!

Makeup Morsels, 17, California | Makeup Morsels is a pseuodnym, and if that seems a little bulky, just call her MM! She resides in California and on her last year of high school. She has black hair, brown eyes, and pale skin (think NC15), and often has people tell her she looks like a corpse! She’s guilty of having a slight obsession for both sunscreen and lipstick (both of which she says she needs to stop hoarding). You’ll typically find her stalking drugstore aisles for bargains or lurking around high-end makeup counters to window shop. MM also enjoys cooking (and eating), food photography, reading, and exploring the world of makeup. Check out her blog, Makeup Morsels!

Madeline, 17, California | Madeline is 17-years old and currently attends high school in southern California. She’s also lived in D.C. and a Connecticut suburb of NYC. She loves to read, write, as well as shop, travel, play golf, and spend time with her family and friends. She’s excited to go to college and hopes to attend university on the east coast. Despite living in California now, she feels like a New Yorker! Check out her blog, This Little Preppy Goes West!

Sam, 14, Georgia | Sam is 14-years old, lives near Atlanta, Georgia with her mom and two (of three!) older brothers. She was born and raised in Georgia, but her family originally hailed from Illinois. You will find her busy meeting new people and enjoying teen soap operas/dramas (like Vampire Diaries)–and of course, she’s madly in love with all things beauty. When she’s not playing around with makeup, you’ll find her with headphones on listening to everything; from classical to rap, pop to heavy metal, and almost everything in between (though she favors rock!).

Learn a little more about our trio of teen beauties! 

Q&A with Makeup Morsels

1. Where did your passion for beauty come from? I think I’ve always had a passion for beauty in general, and makeup really is the ultimate expression of beauty. Around sophomore year of high school, I was looking for a new creative outlet, and I ended up discovering some beauty blogs and YouTube channels that I still follow today. The whole world of makeup was really fascinating to me from the beginning. I love so many things about it, from experimenting with trial-and-error makeup looks, to ogling the newest product releases. The funny thing is, learning about makeup actually made me feel a lot more comfortable walking out my door with a naked face* (something I like to take advantage of to get those extra 5 minutes of sleep). Eventually, I thought about starting my own beauty blog, and realized that I could combine everything I loved into one package. It was a win-win situation.
2. What are five beauty products that you can’t live without? I can’t live without my Bioré UV Aqua Rich sunscreen, Therapino Lip Balm, E.L.F. Powder Brush, lipstick (yes, in general), and Rimmel Stay Matte Powder.
3. What are your top beauty concerns? I have dry skin with an oily t-zone, oily skin around my eyes that often causes mascara to smudge, and very dry lips. My skin is also on the sensitive side, although I realize that it could be a lot worse.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? I devour books, so I’d definitely place reading at the top of my ‘hobby list.’ I also love to lug my camera around in my free time, especially to take pictures of food (coincidentally, I love to cook! And eat).
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I’m an only child! I’ve always wanted siblings, but no brothers or sisters.
6. What’s your favorite quote? I’ve never had one permanent favorite quote, but lately it’s been “My preciousss.” — Gollum, Lord of the Rings
7. What’s your favorite color? Most shades of green.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? Right now, I’m carrying 2 Goody Spin Pins, a Band-Aid Friction Stick, Dior Addict Lipstick in Diorkiss, lip balm, hand cream, and a mirror.

Q&A with Madeline

1. Where did your passion for beauty come from? My passion for beauty ultimately came from my passion for fashion, as cliché as that sounds. Growing up in close proximity to New York City, I was exposed to such an abundance of culture, and the fashion and beauty worlds were included in that. I have always loved style, even as a young child, and as I grew older, I came to love beauty as well. I love that makeup can enhance one’s natural beauty and boost confidence!
2. What are five beauty products that you can’t live without? I do hope that I never actually have to choose JUST five products, but I would have to say my ultimate favorites are: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, Topshop cream blush in crushed berry, MAC All That Glitters eyeshadow, MAC lipstick in Please Me, and OPI nail polish in Miami Beet.
3. What are your top beauty concerns? My main beauty concerns are finding a way to make my makeup last all day and figuring out how to make my skin as naturally glowy as possible.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? I am currently a high school student, so I truly don’t have too much free time. However, most of my hobbies/passions are somehow involved with school anyway. I am on my school’s newspaper, and although that takes up a lot of time, I absolutely love being a part of the paper. Writing is a great passion of mine, and I plan to pursue a career in journalism. I am also on my school’s golf team. I enjoy golf, and while it isn’t my biggest passion, I am still very competitive and strive to do well. I also love to read, shop, travel, and spend time with my family and friends.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I live with my mom, dad, and twelve-year-old little brother. I am lucky to be very close to my family, and I am so thankful for that. I love having a little brother, and somehow it seems that we get along better than many other siblings do. I think that we just genuinely like each other. I am also close to both of my parents. My mom and I definitely bond over our love of blogs, she even has a relatively successful one (Most Lovely Things)!
6. What’s your favorite quote? Without a doubt, this quote/title of a poem from Shakespeare is my favorite: “All the world’s a stage.” I think this quote is so true; no matter what you do or where you go, you should always put your best foot forward and put full effort into everything that you do.
7. What’s your favorite color? I love this question because I have a very, very specific favorite color. My absolute favorite color is dark-fuchsia-berry-pink. Basically the color of Helen Ficalora jewelry boxes, which is where I got my necklace and earrings that I wear all the time.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? On a day-to-day basis, I don’t typically carry makeup with me. I have a small cosmetic bag in my purse that holds random sundries, though I do include a travel-sized mascara and the lip color I am wearing that day, if I remember that is.

Q&A with Sam

1. Where did your passion for beauty come from? It probably started when I was a really little girl. We have those cliché photos of me when I was three or four years old playing with my mom’s makeup. I don’t remember actually doing it, but you can clearly tell from the picture that I thought I was caught red handed! Experimentation with beauty became more consistent when I was around eleven or twelve and I had discovered a stick of eyeliner. I was God awful at applying it, but I learned with practice! And now I’m a beauty junkie and look for any excuse to do makeup.
2. What are five beauty products that you can’t live without? 5) Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer. 4) Urban Decay Naked Palette. 3) My 15 Piece Professional Crown Brush Set. 2) Jack Black Intense Lip Therapy in Natural Mint. 1) Josie Maran Argan Oil.
3. What are your top beauty concerns? My skin is probably my biggest “concern” at the time being. I have combination acne-prone skin that seems to develop a tolerance for whatever I throw at it! I’m still looking for those magic products that will work great and continue to work. But I try my best not to focus on what I do/don’t want. Instead I stay positive and shift my focus on what I already have and love!
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? Anything and everything that has to do with music is my greatest passion. I listen to it all day, every day. I started playing guitar a little this year. Hell, I even designed my bedroom around a music theme! Other things I love to do in my free time include writing, drawing, taking photographs, and reading. If I have a creative outlet for my imagination, then I’m a pretty happy teenager.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I have three older brothers and one sister-in-law. I am the youngest. We have two dogs and a cat. We’ve had Carl (a pug) for nine years, I think. We’ve had
6. Kacey (a miniature chihuahua) for about five. And our cat, Sassy (American Short Hair/Calico), is going to be a year old at the beginning of November.
7. What’s your favorite quote? “Just believe!” — my brother, Dave
8. What’s your favorite color? I’m torn between black and teal!
9. What’s in your makeup bag? 3 Urban Decay Eyeshadows (Midnight Cowgirl, Lounge, S&M), 5 MAC Eyeshadows (Hocus Pocus, Jealousy Wakes, Shale, Woodwinked, Vex), 5 NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils (Milk, True Gold, Oyster, Velvet Purple, Rocky Mountain Green), Too Faced Shadow Insurance, 2 Jack Black Lip Balms (Natural Mint, Lavender/Vanilla), A Sample of Lancome Juicy Tube in Golden Rose, 4 Urban Decay Mini 24/7 Eyeliner Pencils (Zero, Whiskey, Stash, Random), Maybelline One-by-One Mascara, and Betsey Johnson Tweezerman Tweezers.
]]> https://www.temptalia.com/welcome-temptalias-teen-beauty-contributors/feed/ 13 https://www.temptalia.com/welcome-temptalias-hair-care-contributors/ https://www.temptalia.com/welcome-temptalias-hair-care-contributors/#comments Sun, 16 Oct 2011 23:15:45 +0000 Christine http://www.temptalia.com/?p=31914 Welcome Temptalia's Hair Care Contributors! Have you ever despaired of the lack of hair care and product-related posts here on Temptalia? Fear not, we have three amazing women who will be contributing their two cents (and then some!) on all things hair. They each have different concerns but all share a passion for hair, which they hope to pass on to you! You can expect to see posts from them in November :) Amanda Allington, Washington D.C. | Amanda Allington was born in Vancouver, B.C. in Canada but her family moved to southern California when she was just five years Continue Reading… ]]> Welcome Temptalia’s Hair Care Contributors!

Have you ever despaired of the lack of hair care and product-related posts here on Temptalia? Fear not, we have three amazing women who will be contributing their two cents (and then some!) on all things hair. They each have different concerns but all share a passion for hair, which they hope to pass on to you! You can expect to see posts from them in November

Amanda Allington, Washington D.C. | Amanda Allington was born in Vancouver, B.C. in Canada but her family moved to southern California when she was just five years old.

She’s lived along the west coast, including Hawaii but has just moved to Washington D.C. Amanda has been married to her husband for four years and they have a two-year old son. Her husband is part of the military, so she and her family move around often, but she really enjoys it, because she can experience different places and people! Luckily, no matter where she has moved, she always finds other people who are as beauty obsessed as she is!

Leili, 19, New York | Leili is a 19-year old New Yorker who is obsessed with beauty, chocolate, and celebrity of the trashiest kind. Her drawers look like the stockroom of a hair salon! She’s currently enrolled in her second year of college but still trying to decide on her major.

When she’s not worrying about that, she’s either at home with a good book, baking scrumptious goodies for her family, or exploring new restaurants with her friends. Check out her blog, Materialistic Musings!

Marla Oddoye, 23, Georgia | Marla is based in Atlanta, Georiga. Having been on a healthy hair journey for the past few years, she has learned the ins and outs of hair care through research, product sampling, and trial and error. Marla is a recent graduate of Emory University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and minor in English. Her interests include spending time with family and friends, reading, volunteering, the arts, and cooking and baking.

Since her family is originally from Ghana, West Africa, she hopes to take a much needed vacation to visit for the first time soon. And while in the midst of applying to medical school and working as a freelance writer, she is a beauty and fashion lover – simple, feminine, and sophisticated aesthetics – who won’t leave home without a good lip balm and mascara. Marla is also a writer for the beauty and fashion forums on AskMissA.com, an online women’s magazine where “charity meets style.”

Get to know our trio of hair mavens! 

Q&A with Amanda

1. Where did your passion for hair come from? As my passion for makeup grew, I started to become more interested in hair and fashion too. I used to think that my mane was a tangled unmanageable mess, but as I have learned about hair care and products, I have learned how to style my hair into something that is easy and beautiful. I think a lot of women find self-confidence by being proud of their looks and makeup and hair care help us to look the way we want to.
2. What are five hair products that you can’t live without? Redken All-Soft Shampoo & Conditioner, Thermafuse Dry Oil Serum, Big & Sexy Volumizer, Ceramic Straightener.
3. What kind of hair do you have? What are your hair-related concerns? I have fine, mousy brown hair of a medium length. My hair is very easily dried out which causes it to be come frizzy and tangled easily. It also can become weighed down with products easily giving me that flat top with a bushy bottom. I want soft, touchable hair that looks healthy and styled so dealing with the dryness, frizziness, and volume without my hair getting heavy or oily are concerns for me.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? I love to cook and bake and am especially into organic, all-natural foods. I regularly visit local farmers markets for inspiration and food treasures, am part of a CSA and occasionally find satisfaction in helping on the farm. I also love makeup and researching the latest color trends, then experimenting with shadows, lipsticks and polishes. I like fashion, especially window shopping for it, although I usually come home with a sweater or shoes. I’m very social and enjoy meeting new people and visiting new places like restaurants wineries and farms.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I have one younger sister who is just as much a fashion bug and makeup addict as me. I have a wonderful husband of 4 years and we have a beautiful 2 year old son. One brown dog (they call him a brown island dog in Hawaii) whom we rescued from the Humane Society in Hawaii and named Tobi. I also have a giant fat cat named Jerry who was my original main man for over 6 years now.
6. What’s your favorite quote? “Virtue is insufficient temptation.” — George Bernard Shaw. “If I were to die and I could come back as anything, I would want to come back as one of your tears. What girl wouldn’t want to be conceived in your heart, born in your eyes, live on your cheek, and die on your lips.”
7. What’s your favorite color? Red, like OPI’s I’m Not Really A Waitress red.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? Dior foundation, MAC eye shadow in cork, vanilla and mystery, Buxom glosses, Eternity roller ball, and always a different type of mascara, still looking for that “one” for me.

Q&A with Leili

1. Where did your passion for hair come from? This is a little pathetic, but when I was going through the awkward stages of middle school, I was uncomfortable with the way my face and body looked—so I figured if there was one area that could look nice, it ought to be my hair. I’m over those self-esteem issues today, but my love of hair care is here to stay!
2. What are five hair products that you can’t live without? Batiste Dry Shampoo, Biosilk Silk Therapy, Redken All Soft Conditioner, Bed Head Ego Boost Split End Mender, and either the Davines NouNou Nourishing Repairing Mask or the Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque (can’t quite choose between the two!).
3. What kind of hair do you have? What are your hair-related concerns? It’s about 4 inches past shoulder length and usually pitch-black but is now accidentally color treated (the results of a funny/embarrassing experiment with Sun-In). Texture wise, it’s wavy and somewhat full, but very flat on top. It seems my hair has just about every type of problem it could naturally have: oily scalp, dry shaft/ends, frizziness all around and limpness at the crown.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? Aside from reading and eating, I’m also an avid fan of karaoke, despite not having any talent for singing, dancing or even shaking a tambourine. I might be the most sedentary person you’ll ever meet, so my so-called “hobbies” are frightfully inactive. I’ve probably wasted several weeks of my life watching movies on my computer in bed and I bake with what might be called fanaticism.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? Not one of my own, but I have an older brother, my mom and dad, and hordes of cousins I’m very close to.
6. What’s your favorite quote? “The right thing to do and the hard thing to do are usually the same.” It’s not the most eloquent or inspirational of quotes, but it’s served as a good moral compass for me. “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”—Confucius. I think this is something everyone needs to keep in mind at some point—that it’s not about what you know so much as it’s about what you don’t know.
7. What’s your favorite color? Gray or black. (How cheerful!)
8. What’s in your makeup bag? E.L.F Translucent Mattifying Powder compact, EcoTools Retractable Kabuki Brush, Dior Addict Lip Glow, Almay Makeup Removal sticks, a small bottle of Paul Mitchell’s Super Skinny Serum, a lip gloss (or three!), blotting papers, bobby pins and hair elastics.

Q&A with Marla

1. Where did your passion for hair come from? Having struggled to maintain healthy hair after frequent heat use, years of relaxers treatments, and just not really understanding my hair, I decided to learn more about it a few years ago. In the process, I came across the YouTube hair care community and a couple of hair care websites that taught me the science behind hair and how to really achieve and maintain the health of my particular hair texture. Since staring my “healthy hair journey,” my hair has become longer and healthier than ever. Last year (2010), I decided to take the natural route to rid my hair of all harsh chemical processes – no more relaxers! My journey continues and has changed, but that’s what makes it fun. I owe all my hair care successes to all the YouTube “hair gurus” I’ve watched, organic hair oils and products, trial and error, protective/heatless hair styling, patience, and time. If a woman’s hair is her crown of glory, I might as well understand it, love and nurture it, and have the best crown possible for me.
2. What are five hair products that you can’t live without? 1) Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Leave-In Conditioner, 2) Suave Naturals Conditioner, 3) Hair oils, 4) Shea Butter, 5) CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray
3. What kind of hair do you have? What are your hair-related concerns? Thick and coarse. My hair is a ball of waves, curls, and kinks and I love it all. I’ve always wanted thick hair. Even though I’ve learned how to maintain healthy relaxed hair, the process still slowly wears and thins your hair over time. Because of my thick hair desires, I hoped for the best and started to grow my relaxer out in hopes of having naturally thick hair. My dream came true! So in the process of transitioning to my natural hair texture after years of relaxing, I’m slowly cutting my straight ends off as my natural hair grows in. I’m so used to long hair that a drastic cut is just too scary for me. Breakage, shedding, and split ends are issues I’ve managed to overcome. I’ve recently been researching the benefits of aloe vera for hair.
4. What can we find you doing in your free time? Hanging out with friends and family, volunteering, watching movies, reading, finding new music to listen to, or working out!
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? My immediate family consists of my parents and younger brother. My extended family is huge. My brother bought a hamster recently and somehow I ended up handling all the care taker responsibilities, so he just gave her to me, and I’d have it no other way. She’s the cutest and sweetest girl with a VERY curious spirit. Her name is Brownie. I’m hoping to get a puppy soon.
6. What’s your favorite quote?  I love a good quote and there are too many. I’d say a recent beauty/fashion favorite is “Strength is built by one’s failures, not by one’s successes.” – Coco Chanel
7. What’s your favorite color? Purple!
8. What’s in your makeup bag? Pangea Organics lip balm, neutral color Lancome quad, Cargo Lash Activator Mascara, Fashion Fair foundation (as an eyelid base), Wet n’ Wild eyebrow brow. I’m very minimal these days.
]]> https://www.temptalia.com/welcome-temptalias-hair-care-contributors/feed/ 20 https://www.temptalia.com/welcome-temptalias-fragrance-contributors/ https://www.temptalia.com/welcome-temptalias-fragrance-contributors/#comments Sun, 16 Oct 2011 22:04:44 +0000 Christine http://www.temptalia.com/?p=31911 Welcome Temptalia's Fragrance Contributors! I'm so pleased to introduce five new noses to you--these talented folks will be covering all that is fragrance, from tips and tricks to favorite scents and everything in-between.  I hope you'll take a moment to get to know them, and you'll start seeing their contributions in November! Aleta, 26, Virginia | Aleta is the associate editor of a national history magazine (World War II), and an unapologetic fragrance nerd. Growing up on a farm west of Portland, Oregon, she spent many summer nights attempting to make perfume by soaking flowers in cups of water (if Continue Reading… ]]> Welcome Temptalia’s Fragrance Contributors!

I’m so pleased to introduce five new noses to you–these talented folks will be covering all that is fragrance, from tips and tricks to favorite scents and everything in-between.  I hope you’ll take a moment to get to know them, and you’ll start seeing their contributions in November!

Aleta, 26, Virginia | Aleta is the associate editor of a national history magazine (World War II), and an unapologetic fragrance nerd. Growing up on a farm west of Portland, Oregon, she spent many summer nights attempting to make perfume by soaking flowers in cups of water (if only her mother had let her use the vodka). Her most prized possessions include a bottle of French cologne brought home by an American GI after World War II (L’Ardent Nuit by Cotay), a signed copy of Perfume: The Guide, and a handwritten “enjoy your purchase” note from perfumer Mandy Aftel. Other obsessions include lipstick, Pellegrino, Adirondack chairs, and yoga. Her website: worldwarII.com.

Caitlin Miller, 25, Pennsylvania | Caitlin recently completed her master’s degree in British Literature at St. Andrews in Scotland. She’s just moved back to the U.S., currently residing in Pennsylvania, and now works for a local non-profit. She studed French during her undergraduate years and even lived in Paris for a years. She loves traveling, but now that she has to hold down a “real job” now, she travels by way of new perfumes. She says fragrance has a way of transporting you to a new place, which is one of the reasons she loves perfume! You can follow her on Twitter!

Chelsea Nusbaum, 28, California | Chelsea grew up in Los Osos, California, which is a small coastal town. She completed her undergraduate degree in Literature/Writing at University of California, San Diego, and while studying fell in love with the city, and she met her boyfriend, a mechanical engineering major, while there. She recently completed her master’s degree in Rhetoric and Professional and Technical Writing. Chelsea currently works as a proposal editor for a local defense company. She loves to freelance and edit, but between her full-time job, boyfriend, and six awesome pets, what little time she has left she devotes to fragrance!

Jamila, 22, California | Jamila is a graduate of Spelman College, native Atlanta peach–but with a California Girl personality. She loves to smile, laugh, and enjoy her life to the very fullest. She’s been a beauty fanatic since her teenage years. Jamila feels every day is a blessing and believes in living beautifully–carpe diem!

Sam, 18, New York | Sam is am 18-year-old freshman at New York University, who is double majoring in Russian Literature/Language and Psychology with a minor in Vocal Performance. Were you to seek him out outside of class, you might find him brushing up on his fencing techniques (épée) at the local academy preparing to try out for NYU’s Division I after a two-year hiatus from a national team. He may be on set at a photoshoot, pursuing his career as high fashion model (you just might spot him walking the runways of NYFW soon!). Or he could be restaurant hopping, hitting up Balthazar for their terrine de lapin, Momofuku for a quick pork bun, and Café Boloud’s lounge side for a cocktail and hideously overpriced dessert. And maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch him belting out “Later” (from “A Little Night Music”) or “Purpose” (courtesy of “Avenue Q”) in the streets or dorm halls. But you can always catch him breaking his diet and sorting though a bag of almond M&M’s, snagging only the blue and green ones. Yellow if he’s desperate! You can follow him on Twitter!

Get up close and personal with our fabulous five fragrance contributors! 

Q&A with Aleta

1. Where did your passion for fragrance come from? I have always cherished childhood scent memories, like snapping piles of green beans from the garden with my mom, or making orange pomanders with my dad during the holidays. I first started to love fragrance in middle school, when I got a bottle of Soda Pop Fizz by Smell This; things kicked into gear after I read an interview with Stella McCartney about her vision for Stella—I felt like I would die if I didn’t have a bottle.
2. What are five scents that you can’t live without? Chanel No 5 Eau Premiere, Aftelier Cepes and Tuberose, Estee Lauder Private Collection, Les Nez The Unicorn Spell, and Bvlgari Black.
3. What notes do you tend to gravitate toward? Unabashedly happy notes like jammy citrus, fizzy aldehydes, and blackberry. But also quirky things like rubber, bonfire smoke, and cut grass. Though nothing beats a really good violet.
4. What do you love to do in your free time? What are your hobbies? Yoga and long baths to de-stress, then knitting fisherman sweaters, playing piano, and cooking when I’m feeling creative.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? Soon-to-be husband (October 29). Two rabbits, Fawn and Domino.
6. What’s your favorite quote? “Don’t be afraid to do ugly” —Tyra Banks on America’s Next Top Model, encouraging the contestants to take risks that go beyond conventionally beauty.
7. What’s your favorite color? Today: dandelion yellow.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? Argan oil, Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, Alima Pure Brown Sugar eyeshadow and Seychelles bronzer, and Kate Spade Fuchsia Fête Supercalifragilipstick.

Q&A with Caitlin

1. Where did your passion for fragrance come from? I’m sure this is the cliché answer, but I’ll say it anyway: my passion for perfume began during my year abroad in Paris. Paris is a whirlwind of different smells—not all of them pleasant! It’s a place where the stale close air of the metro mixes tantalizingly with Shalimar and No. 5. I have to say, I usually prefer to smell like Chanel & Guerlain rather than like the Paris metro!
2. What are five scents that you can’t live without? Jo Malone Nutmeg Ginger, Diptyque Eau Duelle, Kilian A Taste of Heaven, Hermes Un Jardin sur le Nil, and Guerlain Jicky.
3. What notes do you tend to gravitate toward? I tend towards the spicy/woodsy end of the spectrum. If any spices are listed in the ingredients, I’m in!
4. What do you love to do in your free time? What are your hobbies? When I’m not sniffing around for new perfumes I enjoy reading, traveling, going out to eat (especially for dessert!) and drinking wine. I’m also a television addict, and am currently hooked on The Vampire Diaries and missing Mad Men like crazy.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I’m the oldest in my family and my younger sister & brother love to mock me for my love of ‘smelly things’ as they call my perfume-obsession.
6. What’s your favorite quote? “The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.” — Jane Austen
7. What’s your favorite color? I favor purple, green, silver and black.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? Guerlain meteorites travel compact in teint rosé, Soleil Tan de Chanel in bronze rosé, a mini l’Occitane hand lotion, Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Fetiche and a sample of Jo Malone’s Wild Bluebell.

Q&A with Chelsea

1. Where did your passion for fragrance come from? When my beauty obsession was gaining momentum, I gravitated toward products that smelled beautiful, ordering soaps, lotions, and even foundations online just to see what they smelled like. But once I was knowledgeable about ingredients in skincare, bath, and body products and cosmetics, I had to let most of those products go. Scented products and sensitive skin do not go well together. I still wanted to fill the fragrance void, though, and perfume was the obvious next step! I read Chandler Burr’s Scent Notes column, which led me to “Perfumes: The A – Z Guide” by Luca Turin and Tanya Sanchez. I couldn’t read about a fragrance without wanting to try it. I went on local sniffing expeditions to Sephora, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus. I bought decants online so I could sniff even more perfumes, ones not available in San Diego or even in the U.S. I sniffed everything I could and wanted to learn more about what I was smelling, which is how I found perfume blogs such as Now Smell This and Perfume Posse. Now I love perfume not only for its smell, but for the endless opportunity it to learn something new.
2. What are five scents that you can’t live without? There are many fragrances I love, and some that are favorites, but only five I can’t live without. L’Artisan Parfumeur Thé Pour un Été: Soft, rounded, and quietly ravishing, I reach for this blend of tea, jasmine, and citrus more than any other fragrance in my collection when the thermostat tips into summer temps. Bvlgari Black: A truly unisex fragrance. The rubber top note is weird and exciting while the vanilla base keeps it wearable. Guerlain Apres l’Ondee: A classic perfume you can wear to the office and a lesson that perfume doesn’t have to be heavy or challenging to be top-notch. Chanel No. 19 (eau de toilette): My favorite note is iris, and my favorite iris perfume is No. 19. Robert Piguet Fracas: The grand dame of white florals and a glamour girl (Marilyn Monroe was a reported fan). My staple for weddings.
3. What notes do you tend to gravitate toward? I always gravitate toward floral notes, particularly rose, carnation, and tuberose, but anything with ivy, tomato leaf, iris, tea, honey, vetiver, or bergamot is bound to catch my attention.
4. What do you love to do in your free time? What are your hobbies? I’m a voracious reader, and usually have two or three books going at once. I also devote a lot of time to beauty and fashion. When I need to get out of the house, I like to go thrifting or to a restaurant I’ve never tired. If I’m in the mood for canine company, I’ll take my dog to the beach or the park.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I have a sister and a brother–I’m the oldest! My parents still live where I grew up, in tiny town that no one’s ever heard of called Los Osos, near Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo. No husband, but my boyfriend and I have been together nearly six years. We met during our last year of college. I have a zoo. There’s my pit bull mix, Violet; two house rabbits, Messi (my boyfriend is a soccer fan) and Maeby (and an Arrested Development fan); and three birds, a Jardine’s parrot whose given name is Cricket but we just call her Baby, a red belly parrot named Belle, and a Pacific parrotlet named Eli. During the summer, we have a revolving door of foster kittens.
6. What’s your favorite quote? “Never complain, never explain.” — Kate Moss. It’s simple, but it says a lot about putting your head down and doing what needs to be done, and doing it with class. Coming from a literature background, I have a treasure trove of good quotes, but this is the one I try every day to live by.
7. What’s your favorite color? Red! It’s the color I’m most attracted to. But for makeup I’d have to go with coral.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? Paul & Joe Lip Lacquer in Bouquet, NARS blush in Orgasm, and a sample vial of Parfums de Nicolai L’eau Chic in addition to my makeup bag staples: Chanel Correcteur Perfection concealer in Clair, Chanel Poudre Universelle pressed powder in Clair, Too Faced Retractable Kabuki Brush, MAC Pro Lash mascara in Coal Black, and Burt’s Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm.

Q&A with Jamila

1. Where did your passion for fragrance come from? My passion from fragrance came from my mom. As a child, she always lotioned me up with some of the most amazing and fragrant soaps and lotions. I was always known as the girl who smelled good by family, friends, and even strangers.
2. What are five scents that you can’t live without? 5 scents I can’t live without – Shea, Chamomile, Lavender, Rose, Vanilla Bean.
3. What notes do you tend to gravitate toward? Florals, light musks, fresh & feminine, orientals with a touch of sweetness and warmth.
4. What do you love to do in your free time? What are your hobbies? In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I love traveling, cooking and exploring city eateries. I am also a music lover, writer, animal lover and of course a beauty fanatic. Which secretly describes my shopping passion/hobby/sport, yes it does exist.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I am an only child with 3 immediate cousins. My mom is 1 of 5 and my dad has a brother. My family is absolutely amazing!
6. What’s your favorite quote? “A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.” — Chinese Proverbs
7. What’s your favorite color? Gray, lime green, and pink.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? All black everything! I am a MAC fanatic. Blush, Bronzer (powder/loose), eye liner, fluid liner, makeup remover, eye shadow, palettes, pigments, mascaras, and of course, perfume. I would die without my babyboobag!

Q&A with Sam

1. Where did your passion for fragrance come from? In eighth grade, I popped in to a local Sephora in search of a skincare product, and walked out with two fragrance samples: Juicy Couture’s Dirty English and Aquolina Blue Sugar. The first I threw away immediately after testing; it smelled, well, rather dirty, and in a “I haven’t washed in days” sort of way rather than the “come hither” experience I was expecting. The second, however, delighted me, and when my small decanter was empty, I promptly bought the largest full-size bottle I could find. It wasn’t long before I realized that this spicy, syrupy scent wasn’t appropriate for all, or even most occasions, however, and having become enamoured of the aura a cologne could produce, I set out to find more to suit every level of formality, change of season, and motive of action.
2. What are five scents that you can’t live without? Jean Paul Gaultier Fleur du Mâle, Annick Goutal Ambre Fetiche, Dior Eau Sauvage, Marc Jacobs BANG, BVLGARI Black
3. What notes do you tend to gravitate toward? Orange blossom, amber (non-gourmand), white and pink peppercorn, hay, tar, violet, fig, lime, cedar.
4. What do you love to do in your free time? What are your hobbies? Fencing (épée), modeling (currently signed with Cosmopolitan Management in NYC), eating out (favorites in the city include Balthazar, Momofuku Ko and Noodle Bar, Pastis, Vanessa’s Dumplings, and Café Boloud), playing/reviewing video games (PS3), reading (favorite genres: high fantasy, philosophy, and plays), and studying Krav Maga.
5. Who makes up your family? Any pets? I’m an only child, though there is a young woman I treat as a sister. Before I was born, my mother managed a catering company in San Francisco that this young woman’s aunt worked for. My mother’s boss (who was in turn the mother of my father’s best friend), would ask her to watch after her granddaughter on occasion, and, as this other young girl was about the same age, my mother began to take her along with them. The girl spoke very little English, but using the small amount of Spanish she knew, my mother found out that the girl had been sent by her parents to America from El Salvador after an accident in the factory where she worked to live with her aunt and uncle and receive medical care. However, her relatives both worked full time, and didn’t have the means to send her to school (which is why she showed up at the catering company with her aunt every day). Right after I was born, my mother and father decided to take her in (essentially, they adopted her without any official papers), and she came to live with us until we moved to the East Coast. My parents helped send her to school, and then to college, and I grew up with her as an informal baby-sitter, but more importantly, as a sister. I have a Rhodesian Ridgeback (African hunting dog) named Tess, and two Devon Rex (hypoallergenic mutations of an English barncat) names Char and Gracie.
6. What’s your favorite quote? Serious: “How people see you first is what they hold hardest in their minds. It is the way of the world. You can step down from a throne, and even if you behave like a farmer in a pigsty, some part in each of them will remember that you did descend from a throne. But if they see only a young man first, a country man, they will resent him stepping up to his throne later, whatever his right, whatever his power” – Robert Jordan. Silly: “A six-pac and a silver speedo are all you need to get by at NYU.” –Grace McLaughlin
7. What’s your favorite color? Deep, rich purple.
8. What’s in your makeup bag? Make Up For Ever Duo Mat Powder Foundation, Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer, Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix, Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm, Dermadoctor Tease Zone.
]]> https://www.temptalia.com/welcome-temptalias-fragrance-contributors/feed/ 18