Hey Beauties,
I posted a picture on Instagram a few days ago asking you guys to leave any questions you guys had about me, my life, etc and I promised to get back to you all in a blog post so here it is…
P.S. Brace yourselves because this is going to be a longggggggg post 🙂 Enjoy!
1: What do you do for a living?
This was probably the most asked question on my post and I get this question ALL THE TIME!
Okay, so let me start from the beginning. I began my Instagram and blog about three years ago when I had just started attending UCLA as an undergraduate. I was really getting into makeup and learning a lot along the way so I decided to blog about it. Although this was mainly a fun hobby for me I am one of those people who puts either all or nothing into something, so my goal from the beginning was to make my page a huge success. I figured out all the ropes to the Instagram world, through personal research, I kept track of my stats to see how well I was doing and I also kept an eye out for what posts were more interesting to my audience.
I was doing really well, but it wasn’t until @vegas_nay reposted my picture that I boomed overnight (literally).
Since then, I have had a lot of success with my Instagram and blog. I knew from my continued success that I can definitely do something with this I just didn’t know what exactly. Thus, once I graduated with my bachelors I wanted to take a year off and explore my options. I realized that no makeup company wanted to hire me to work behind the scenes (creating products, marketing products, etc), because I had no experience, so I decided to go back to school. I applied and got accepted to FIDM for their Beauty Marketing and Merchandising program and was set to start school in June. However, between the time I got accepted and now I was fortunate enough to meet an individual whom I started a business with. Just like that FIDM went out the door.
UPDATE (2017): I am no longer the co-founder of this company.
2: How can you afford all the makeup you buy?
I get a lot of products sent to me. The ones I like I post about and the ones I don’t, I don’t.
I’m not always spending hundreds of dollars on makeup at once. I obviously buy new makeup ALL THE TIME, but I promise I’m not an addict. LIES. I’m a makeup freak! If only Sephora could sponsor me already.
Plus, what kind of a beauty blogger would I be without a huge collection of makeup in those adorable acrylic drawers lol.
3: What is your age?
I am currently 21. I will turn 22 September 8 (#virgobaby)!
4: What is the one makeup product you can’t live without?
Super easy, my Dior Nude BB which I’ve blogged about numerous times. However, the one complaint I do have about this product is that it only comes in 4 shades so I have to mix two colors (so not practical I know) but it really is an amazing product. I mix shades 01 & 02. You can also mix it in with a lighter or darker foundation to get more coverage.
5: Best mascara ever?
I always switch it up but my top favorites are:
6: What are you favorite TV Shows & favorite characters?
Okay so don’t judge me but I am all about Love & Hip-Hop I mean I swear by this show and my Mondays are not complete without it. I love all of them (NY, Atlanta, LA). I pretty much like all the characters except when they do shady things (like the fact that Peter is in love with 2 women STILL, or when the spouses cheat, etc). Oh and I actually saw Nikki at Bloomingdales last week with her mom and she didn’t have an ounce of makeup one and she is seriously gorgeous you guys. I don’t even care that she’s had plastic surgery done because she has a banging body and porcelain skin!
My second favorite show is Empire. UGHH I need it back in my life!!!!!! I love Cookie, duh lol!
I also love Shark Tank, this show is my crack! I love to hear the constructive criticism from the sharks and I keep those tips and mistakes in mind because I just might need it one day.
Chrisley Know’s Best is another one I love. Todd makes my life complete, he is hilarious!
Keeping Up With The Kardashions, Total Diva’s, Rich Kids Of Beverly Hills, Shah’s of Sunset, and are also some of my faves.
You might also be surprised to know that I absolutely love to cook so Food Network is pretty much all I watch in the mornings (aside from re-runs of Sex & The City). I love Chopped, Pioneer Woman, Barefoot Contessa, and Giada At Home. I don’t necessarily write down the recipes because I’m pretty good at eye-balling my ingredients (and even making up my own) but I watch it for the tips, tricks, and secret ingredients. I must admit I make a killer guacamole and since I love you all so much I am going to share my own secret ingredient. Are you ready for it???? It’s Balsamic Vinegar! Yes, I know super random but it’s just amazing and really gives your guac some depth and flavor.
7: What is your favorite makeup brand & why?
This is a hard one because I can’t really pinpoint one brand. But like gun to my head, probably Too Faced.
8: What was your very first lipstick?
Umm, I do not remember lol. I think it was a Mac lipstick, definitely a nude! I want to say either “Honeylove” or “Myth.” Yes, I was one of those girls who would wear Myth all over her lips no lip liner and no gloss, yuck! Isn’t it funny how we look back and cringe at some of our past beauty mistakes?!
9: What was your first big makeup purchase?
Dior Nude foundation.
10: Are you married?
No, I am not married. I do however have a boyfriend whom I have been with for 3.5 years.
11: Why don’t you have a YouTube channel?
Well, YouTube is a huge commitment in my opinion and as I mentioned before when I do something I like to put my all into it and I don’t feel like I can do that at the moment. I’ve also never had the urge or passion to do YouTube for a living so thats probably another reason why I don’t have one.
12: What is your favorite lipstick from MAC?
Japanese Maple.
13: What are some of your favorite drugstore lipsticks and beauty finds?
Hmm, I have a lot. Here are a few…
+ Wet N Wild “Walking On Eggshells” Quad
+ NYX Butter Gloss (I die for “Eclair”)
+ Jordana Best Lash Extreme Mascara
14: What is your favorite moisturizer?
I currently use the Kiehls Rosa Arctica Lightweight cream and this is my second tub I really love it!
Oh and recently I purchased the Josie Maran Pure Argan Milk Hydrating Treatment and I apply it every night. So far I absolutely love it and this is how I hydrate my skin overnight. Then in the mornings I’ll use my Kiehls.
Another great moisturizer I use underneath my makeup (if my skin is really dry and needs extra hydration) is the Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre.
15: What is you favorite foundation?
Hands down Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk! I am currently using shade 05. Their shades are a bit tricky so get a sample before you purchase or look at some watched online.
16: How did you become so successful?
Although I have a long way to go before I can consider myself “successful” I feel like hard work and consistency are the two most important things. If you have a passion for something then saddle up and go for it. Write up your goals and work towards them every single day!
17: Who is your biggest inspiration?
I have so many inspirations!!!! I get inspired by different things and it’s always changing.
My biggest inspiration is successful people (i.e. YouTubers, business owners, influencers, etc). Sometimes when I find someone inspirational online I will literally stalk their whole page and analyze their brand, content, marketing techniques, you name it.
Pictures are also very inspirational to me. I get a lot of my creativity by looking at content online and if I like something I try to recreate it with my own twist.
18: What is your advice to anyone who wants to become a makeup artist?
My best advice is to market yourself correctly. If your work is good it will grab attention (good lighting, clear pictures, etc) but marketing yourself is very important.
You shouldn’t…
+ post blurry images
+ Facetune the hell out of your work (it’s very obvious & it is my pet peeve; we all need a little blurring in some areas but there is no reason why your whole face should be blurred).
+ post images with a hundred people in the background…stick to one background and keep it cohesive (white is best for makeup).
You should…
+ take good quality pictures
+ post often
+ collab with other people (double promotion). Maybe DM a model on IG to do her makeup for free and all she needs to do is post.
+ do before & afters. People love a transformation.
+ have a professional website with your portfolio, contact information, testimonials, etc. Check out your favorite makeup artists website and take some pointers.
19: Who are your favorite YouTubers?
- KathleenLights
- LustreLux
- sonjdradeluxe
- RositaApplebum
- Wayne Goss
- Ingrid Nilsen
- Desi Perkins
- Shaaanxo
- WhatWouldLizzyDo
- Sona Gasparian
- Dulce Candy
- Nicole Guerriero
- Huda Kattan
- pixiwoo
- Maya Mia
- Lauren Curtis
- Carli Bybel
- Jaclyn Hill
- Chrisspy
- Michelle Phan
- Irene Mahmud Khan
- Chloe Morello
- Teni Panosian
Hope you guys enjoyed my Q&A!
XOXO,
Greta
Absolutely love your blog! Your reviews are honest which really helps me as I have bad skin so can see what will work for me! I have an oily t-zone and chin yet dry patches, what moisturiser, foundation etc would you recommend? Thank you and please keep doing what you’re doing, you’re fab 🙂 x
Hi Jenny,
Thank you so much for your sweet words!!! I would recommend a lightweight moisturizer try the Kiehls one I mentioned above or event the Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream. You should also use a gentle exfoliant 2-3 times a week. As for foundation I suggest priming your skin with a oil free primer and use mattifying foundations such as Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet. Let me know if you have any more questions 🙂
Thanks so much!!! I will thank you! I love trying new make up and skin care but have to be careful with my skin so advice like yours is fantastic! X
Sorry to bother you again but I can’t find anywhere in the UK to buy Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet 🙁 are there any other similar formulas? I’ve trying double wear which is okay but doesn’t seem to like the dry patches! Thanks again! X
Yes, the Estee Lauder Double Wear is a bit too heavy for dry patches. Again if dry patches are a problem no matter what foundation you use they will be enhanced so definitely exfoliate your face to get rid of them. As far as other foundations anything oil free should be compatible to your oily t-zone. However, it might be drying for your cheeks so make sure to moisturize with something lightweight, wait a few minutes for it to soak in, then use a primer. The best moisturizer under makeup is the Embryolisse one I mentioned above, it’s perfect for all skin types.
Perfect thanks so much!!!!