First Look Fridays: Kathryn Graulty of Budget Beauty Love

I am pleased to bring you this week's edition of First Look Fridays, featuring Kathryn Graulty of Budget Beauty Love! Kathryn lives in Sacramento with her fiance and their two cats, and her fabulous blog features tons of products at fantastically low price points. Kathryn is always on the lookout for great drugstore finds, and her FOTDs are always so much fun -- my favorite to date was definitely her look inspired by a green spotted puffer fish! Read on to discover what makes Kathryn tick.

Why did you decide to start a blog?
I wanted to start my blog because there weren't many blogs out dedicated to budget cosmetics. I personally feel that there are quite a few fabulous budget cosmetics out there, you just have to look. So I figured I could help readers look, giving advice on what worked well for me, what didn't, and tips on how to use their new products.

When did you start your blog?
I started in about October of 2007, around the time I quit my part-time job and had a lot of time on my hands.

I love the name of your blog! How did you come up with it?
I came up with the name of my blog quite quickly actually. I never really liked the terms, lower end cosmetics that much, and I don't always focus on drugstore products (I sometimes find department store stuff for cheaper) so I decided the words budget beauty summed up what I was going for. And the 'love' part is because I love budget beauty products!

Do you have a "day job?" What is it?
Well, I'm a stay at home girlfriend! Just kidding, though it feels that way sometimes. I am a college student studying journalism. I hope one day to become a beauty writer for a magazine.

What have been some of the highlights of having your blog?
I love meeting new people through the internet. I am so thrilled to have people comment on my blog, and then get to look at their blog and comment back. It starts a kind of conversation and I made a few friends doing this. I also love meeting people via networks, like Total Beauty. I have found so many sweet people with a love for beauty products, like you!

What are your top 5 beauty essentials?
My top five essentials don't have a specific brand, they are just beauty products I can't live without! They are: brow wax/gel, translucent loose powder, mascara, lip balm, and tweezers.

Playing with products must be fun -- but what are some things you do for fun outside of blogging?
I love, love, love shopping, for just about anything! I also enjoy renting movies, playing with my cats, traveling (especially cruising), and just hanging out with my family and fiancé.

Are there any other beauty blogs you read regularly? What are some that you like and why?
I read just about everything that catches my eye that I see featured on Total Beauty (which I am a proud member of) or the Beauty Blog Network (which I am not a member of, but hope to be someday). That way I am exposed to a lot of different blogs, all of them great. I also love reading new up and coming blogs that I find by chance or that someone recommends to me.

Thanks so much to Kathryn for participating in this week's First Look Fridays column! Now be sure to check out Budget Beauty Love ... you're sure to make it a must-read!