Michelle

Spotlight Member of the Month:

Michelle- April 2014

Q: What does makeup & beauty mean to you?
A: Makeup means creativity and a way to keep my mind busy. It's more personal for me.

Q: When did you start getting into makeup/beauty/fashion?
A: My first memory of makeup was my Grandmother's red lipstick. She kept it in her bathroom, and I would always go sneak in there and put it on. From then, I was hooked! I didn't start using makeup until I was a teenager. I liked all the different makeup styles I saw in magazines but I didn't have a clue on how to make my makeup look that good. My routine back then was simple: face powder, lip gloss, one neutral eyeshadow just on the lids, and mascara. I didn't start getting serious about makeup until I was 27! Hahaha

Q: What’s your first ever beauty product?
A: My first ever beauty product was a brown and gold swirled chocolate scented lip gloss from BonBons! I started using it in middle school, and I still buy it today..just can't let it go

Q: What’s your favorite makeup brand and why?
A: I love Indie brands and there are several that I adore and use. But my first Indie brand I ever used is my all time fav. Pop Rox Cosmetics has the boldest and brightest colors. They have every color imaginable, great customer service, and Kevin (the owner and maker) really listens to his customers preferences and needs! He will gladly make a custom color for you. He has an awesome work ethic, high standards, and I love the eyeshadows and lip paints the most. I highly recommended Pop Rox Cosmetics! No matter what else I buy, I always end up going back to my Pop Rox collection.

Q: Name the one makeup product you cannot live without and why?
A: It has to be my Urban Decay Primer Potion eyeshadow primer. It is the best, long lasting eye primer I have tried. It always makes my bold eye looks really pop, and I always get compliments when I use this under my eyeshadows.

Q: What’s your best makeup tip?
A: I'm still learning new tricks everyday, but my tip is to ALWAYS wash off your makeup before bed! The hardest part for me is washing off makeup that looks so pretty I want to wear it forever. But washing is essential to good healthy skin.

Q: What’s the one thing your viewers don’t know about you?
A: I'm very open with my viewers and I am more than willing to share my personal experiences with them. But, many fans do not know that I'm a huge weather fanatic. I've always wanted to be a meteorologist or storm chaser. There's just something about weather that makes me feel alive.

Q: Do you have any special/hidden talents?
A: I can do a bit of everything, from sports to art. I can sing, draw, paint, sculpt with polymer clay...I'm awesome at video games like Dance Dance Revolution, and I love building houses of cards. I'm very musical too..I can play the piano, viola, and I'm currently learning how to play drums. And I'm pretty good at makeup.

Q: Why/When did you start posting videos/blog?
A: I started making Youtube videos in April/May of 2012. I wanted to inspire others who are ill or suffering. Just to let them know that I could relate, and that they are never alone.

Q: Who’s your biggest inspiration (YouTuber/blogger) and why?
A: My biggest inspiration is a youtube MUA that goes by Makeup440plus. Here's why... After having to give up my career as a nurse for 6 years due to Crohn's Disease complications and medication side effects, I was having such a hard time coming to terms with all the changes going on in my life. One day, while lying in bed feeling sorry for myself, I decided to watch some funny Youtube videos to cheer me up and pass time. I accidentally came across a makeup tutorial video. Never seeing one before, I was curious and started watching it. The lovely woman in the video was very polite and very good at applying her makeup. I was impressed and started going through her channel watching more of her videos. I learned that she was very ill too and was often tired. You could even see her hands shake from the medication side effects. Despite feeling sick, she continued her tutorial. At the end, she encouraged her viewers not to give in to their sickness. She said,"We can still fix ourselves up despite how we feel." Her words really hit home with me and gave me hope. I had to find my inner strength again! That day, I created my Youtube Channel and Facebook Page and I have her to thank for this. Keeping up with my page and channel keeps my mind off of my pain. She is and will always be my fav MUA. (Although, we don't call ourselves MUAs...just everyday girls next door who share a love for makeup) Her videos are my inspiration for the looks I do now. She showed me not to be afraid to use color and try different looks. I especially love how she just "wings it" sometimes. I learned ALOT of my techniques from her.

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