Thanks so much to the wonderful BeautyliciousStyle for nominating me for the Liebster Award. It’s for new bloggers and is a great way for us to get exposure, reach out to new subscribers and generally expand our horizons. Without further ado, let’s get to the questions she’s asked me to answer:
Q. What is your favorite season for makeup and why?
A. I started to say spring, because I love the reemergence of corals and pinks and lavenders, but in actuality I prefer winter. I’m a pale-skinned lady, so I love contrasting that paleness with lipsticks and blushes in plum, burgundy and red. I also like the opportunity to use golds, silvers and other shimmery eye looks during the winter, although I use moderation because I’m 56. How did that happen, by the way?
Q. What is your favorite makeup/fashion brand? Which do you have the most of or do you want to have the most of in your collection?
A. I’m a big fan of Marc Jacobs Beauty and in particular of the Le Marc Lip Creme lipsticks. I have about 10 of them and they never fail me. The formula makes my lips look fuller and juicier, and I’m all for that! I also enjoy Natasha Denona’s eyeshadows — incredible depth and payoff — as well as Guerlain’s Kohl Kajal eyeliners. They smudge so effortlessly and perfectly!
Q. What are your future plans for your blog? How far in advance do you plan?
A. I would love to build my readership among older women, primarily because so many give up or lose interest in cosmetics as they age. For that reason, I want to focus on both skin care and makeup, because even the most expertly applied and expensive cosmetics can “fail” if the canvas — the best skin possible — isn’t there. As for planning in advance, I’m terrible at that! I am a former newspaper reporter and editor, so I’m used to thinking and writing on the fly.
Q. What is/are your favorite springtime fashion and/or makeup items?
A. I am completely into this year’s warm-weather fashions. Perhaps it’s the 70s in me, but I love the lace I’m seeing everywhere. I also love the bohemian looks that come into play during festival season. For example, I so enjoy checking out what the younger generation is wearing right now at Coachella. Of course, women my age can’t wear most of those items, so I adapt the looks to fit my lifestyle.
As for spring makeup, I very much enjoy the corals, roses, pinks and — this year — the greens and subtle blues. Oh — and peach! I love rose gold and peach tones. The new Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette is lovely, although I wish it had more variations on the peach tone. There are a lot of browns mixed in!
Q. What is the weather in springtime like in the country you live in? What fashion items are must-have items where you live?
A. I live in the deep south of the United States, so our springtimes are short. The weather goes from mild and pleasant to humid and hot far too quickly. When the weather starts to turn warm, I reach for my summer “uniform” of maxi dresses and sandals. I have a lot of each! I never wear shorts — always sundresses. I don’t own even one pair of shorts.
Q. Other than blogging, what activities/hobbies do you enjoy most? This applies to all year round.
A. I’m a writer, so I keep a journal. A lot of people will be surprised at what they read about themselves — and about me — when I’m gone. I kind of think I’ll enjoy watching their reactions from wherever I am!
I love birds and wildlife and I work from home (I’m a writer), so I fill my feeders and sit outside to watch them flit back and forth. Also, although I probably shouldn’t, I put food out at night for the raccoon that meanders over from down the street. The couple on the corner rehabilitate raccoons and lets them out at night. Last night, I had two raccoon visitors at once.
I’m also an avid reader. I stay up on current events, probably due to my background in news reporting, and I read a lot of fiction too. I love gathering quotes and mixing them in with photos on my Instagram page. I find people really respond to the ones that touch on their experiences or situations. Oh — and I love music. I listen to a lot of southern rock and am a huge Rolling Stones fan.
Q. If you could only use five makeup items for your entire face, what would they be?
A. Lancome Teint Idole 24 Hour Foundation, Cover Girl TruBlend Blush in Medium Rose, Tom Ford Cream and Powder Eye Color in Naked Bronze, Benefit They’re Real Mascara, and NudeStix Lip & Cheek Pencil in Whisper
Q. What do you always have with you in your makeup bag in your handbag?
A. I always, always have my Napoleon Perdis Camera Finish Powder Foundation in Porcelain Girl; it’s perfect for spot touch-ups. Also, Visine for eye redness or dryness, Benefit Boi-ing Concealer, a Bobbi Brown Beach perfume rollerball, a NudeStix Cheek & Lip Pencil in Whisper, a mini Too Faced Waterproof Eyeliner in Perfect Black, Charlotte Tilbury lipstick in Bitch Perfect, and a mini version of Josie Maran’s Coconut Water Cheek Gelee in Poppy Paradise.
Q. What is your idea of the ultimate beauty blog? What should it feature, show/tell its readers and what brands are you most interested in? What is most important to you when reading a beauty blog?
A. The perfect beauty blog should be inclusive of women of all ages and backgrounds, contain a combination of makeup and skin care tips, feature honest reviews of both new and classic products, include both high-end and drugstore brands, and just be fun to read. I like it when bloggers inject a bit of their own personalities with favorite quotes, music and movie recommendations. Personality is important to me! I’d like to eventually get the opportunity to review products from skin-care brands such as Zelens, Sunday Riley, Mai Lindstrom and other top-shelf brands. Unlike the “big time” bloggers, I’m still paying for my products from my own pocket!
For the next Liebster Awards, I nominate:
Makeup Plus 50 
Great job! I really enjoyed your answers! XOXO!
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