Spotlight On A Blogger: Sabrina from The Beauty Look Book

The weekly feature of blogsphere roundup has become quite popular among my readers and friends, and with a good reason. Let's not even start with how much beauty and fragrance information and discussions one can find out there and how little time we all have to follow it all. The important thing is that our little group of bloggers represents some of the most interesting voices on these subjects- we are all different ages, style and skin tone, but equally focused on all things pretty and nice-smelling. And we have an almost obsessive need to talk about it.

Our group has thought getting to know the members might be of interest to our readers- who are the people behind the swatches and the lip gloss? Today we have a short interview with one of my very favorite beauty writers, Sabrina from The Beauty Look Book. Sabrina and I have similar tastes and preferences, but we tend to go for colors in the opposite ends of the spectrum, so I learn a lot from her about all the gorgeous nudes and peaches I adore but can't wear. However, when it comes to nail color I suspect are polish drawers look frighteningly similar. Here's Sabrina in person and in her own words:

When did you start blogging and why?
 It started with a hard-to-find brand called Le Métier de Beauté.  I'm curious by nature and when I noticed something new on neimanmarcus.com I googled the brand, but I could find no reviews or real photos anywhere about their products (except their mascara).  I took a risk and ordered some glosses sight unseen over the phone.  I was very nervous spending $30+ a tube on something I never had seen before, but I fell in love!  Karen at Makeup and Beauty Blog was asking for guest writers at the time and she published my first blog review!  She was so supportive and I had so much fun I was inspired to start my own.  I hoped that in writing about my discoveries and featuring comparisons, other women would be able to get a better idea of what a certain product looked like rather than relying on over-the-phone descriptions or sketchy online retail swatches.

Every blog seems to carry a special voice.  What's your special message on your blog?  
 The main focus is on the things I like; high-end luxury brands, some hard-to-find brands, a few outfit features here and there.  I try to feature things in a new and creative way, such as my color-focus features or monthly highlights.

Have you always been a beauty fanatic or did it come later in life and what made it blossom?
 At the age of 2 - I was a beauty disaster (aka every mother's nightmare).  I would pour shampoo down the toilet, twist up my mother's lipsticks and smash them, and draw all over the wall with beauty products.  I once cut my mother's hair while she was napping!  At age 4 I cut my 2 year old sister's hair when my dad was "babysitting" us.  Of course I don't remember any of this, but apparently I had a "thing" for scissors. In my teens I only wore makeup for ballet recitals and swore I'd never wear makeup or anything pink off stage.  Then I hit the age of 17 when I discovered Stila and MAC and my obsession with beauty products took off.  I'm not exactly sure why the drastic change, but I went from being anti-girly to girly overnight.

Tell us a little bit about yourself
 I'm 29, married, and just finished my master's degree.  I currently work full-time as a finance and marketing analyst.  No kids, but we have our pets (2 dogs and a cat).  I enjoy baking and cooking when I have the time and like watching TV.  My must-see weekly shows are 30 Rock, The Office, Fringe, Bones and The Closer.

What's your daily beauty routine?
  It usually takes me about 45 minutes to get ready in the mornings. I'm not a morning person, so I have to admit, sometimes I'm running out the door with only powder/foundation and finish the rest in my car at stop lights.  When I do have my act together the routine is:  straighten hair, wash face, prep skin with something (different every day), foundation/powder, Edward Bess highlighter or bronzer.  Next comes eye makeup.  I usually do the lips the last thing after breakfast or morning coffee.

How many lipsticks/glosses can be found in your handbag at any given time?
 Probably 4-6.  There are times when I clean out my purse and find 10 different lip products.  I usually throw in a couple per weekday, sometimes I forget to take the previous day's lip items out and gets out of hand.

What's the best beauty advice you've ever received?
  "It's just makeup, have fun, if you mess up you can always start over," from one of my favorite Chanel makeup artists.

What's the most surprising thing you have learned since starting your blog?
 There are good angles and bad angles for taking pictures, not just for your own face, but for products as well.