Every week, I post a Weekend Roundup with exciting features written by our beauty blogging friends. They post the roundup too. Some of them joined us recently, while others have been with us since the roundup's get-go. We thought it would be a great idea if you got to know each of us a little better to find out what drives the beauty passion we share. This week, we meet Amy from Café Makeup. I started reading Amy's blog this year, and now I wouldn't miss a feature!When did you start blogging and why?
I started Café Makeup in December, 2009, after a few people e-mailed to suggest it. My decades-long love affair with Chanel makeup, as well as my love of other high-end makeup, must have shown through. Also, I know a bit about European makeup, which I think is a little unusual for a U.S.-based blog.
Every blog seems to have a special voice - what's the message on your blog?
Lovely photographs - it's my passion. My husband bought me a camera system with several flashes at the start. I'll take hundreds of pictures, literally, before posting. I color check the product against my computer screen. I do my best to show the color as accurately as I'm able, as well as the texture and quality, because it's so important.
Have you always been a beauty fanatic or did it come later in life for you? What made it blossom?
My love of beauty came from shopping with my mother, who bought me a tiny bottle of Chanel No. 5 for my 18th birthday. Makeup is something so many women have in common - I've had so many great conversations with complete strangers about beauty.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I live in California, but my heart is in Paris. Every year, I try to spend a month renting an apartment there. Last time, I did a "makeup shopping in Paris" series, and I hope to do another one this year.
What's your daily beauty routine?
I wake up quite early, usually to check e-mail or read as preparation for my work day. Most days, I'll polish my nails then so I have a fresh coat at the start. After I'm up, I start with skin care, usually a serum and eye cream. As my skin care soaks in, I lay out the makeup for the day. Afterwards, hair and then running out the door at about 100 miles an hour. At night, I use Shu Uemura cleansing oil, the Clarisonic, and then follow with a toner. I really cleanse my skin thoroughly. I use Avene Diacneal at night, with an eye cream. I try to do extra skin care or a hair mask on Sunday mornings, when I have more time.
How many lipsticks/glosses can be found in your handbag at any given time?
What a great question! Never less than one, and never more than five. I'm very strict about it. One or two neutrals, a killer red, and a pink or two. My handbags are usually huge, but I already have a cell phone, iPad, and the rest. Five's enough for me - I change them really frequently.
What's the best beauty advice you've ever received?
Drink water and exercise - if you are healthy, the rest will fall into place.
What's the most surprising thing you have learned since you started blogging?
There are 1,000 things ranging from how Google works, dealing with trolls, how to stay true to yourself, and even some coding. How not to panic during a software upgrade. But most of all, how wonderful fellow bloggers can be. There are real people behind each of the beauty blogs, and many of them have great advice. Really, e-mails with my blogging friends really keeps me going.
Wouldn't you love to accompany Amy to Paris next time she goes?