First Look Fridays: Delphine Burkes of Steeping Beauty

I am so pleased to bring you this week's edition of First Look Fridays, featuring the lovely and talented Delphine Burkes of Steeping Beauty! Delphine has such an interesting life story. Originally from Queens, she spent some time in the Navy -- where she met her husband! -- lived in Japan (where she fostered a love for skincare products) and now lives in Maine, where her husband is stationed. Steeping Beauty is one of this beauty chick's must-reads every day -- I love Delphine's honest, straightforward product reviews, and she always finds products that I'm dying to try. Read on to find out more about the fabulously talented Delphine!

Why did you decide to start your blog?
I decided to start my blog because I wanted to do something fun for me. I started out with a mommy blog where I'd blog about family issues and life. Posting family pics is fun but it is a little too personal and as children get older they may not appreciate all that info about themselves out there. So I looked for another topic, I narrowed in on beauty as something I would always be interested in and as a way to document my experience because I have a terrible memory!!

I love the name of your blog! How did you come up with it?
I knew I wanted "beauty" in the URL so I tried a play on words with Sleeping and evoking tea steeping. After a very long time looking for a URL this is what I came up with. I do love tea too BUT I don't really blog about it. Tea is not very exciting.

Do you have a "day job?" What is it?
I am a SAHM [stay at home mom] to three kids: boy 2001, girl 2004 and girl 2006! I view my role as a nurturer. I've breast-fed all of them for 18 months to two-and-a-half years, which is very time consuming but so worth it to me. Other than that I spend a lot of time teaching them skills, how to take care of themselves, their rooms and basically how to be self-reliant and kind. One more thing that is probably a shocking confession is that I don't primp a lot. In fact I put on a full makeup three times a week on average, it's important for me to show my kids that there's nothing wrong with not wearing makeup, the right clothes, the best jewelry, etc ... I would love to work from home some day soon.

What have been some of the highlights of having your blog?
I hold Total Beauty personally responsible for all my beauty blog highlights. I feel totally blessed to be part of such a phenomenal group and undertaking. Integrity is VERY important to me, I can't stand when companies lie about their products and create testimonials I don't believe. Total Beauty proves that women do care about the truth and are seeking information from other consumers, firsthand.

What are your top 5 beauty essentials?
1. Oral Hygiene -- new but total MUST is DentaBurst. It's a tiny little strip packet you could put in your wallet with a little paper tooth brusher that you can use on the go to get plaque off your teeth. Amazing little item, great for men and women.
2. T3 Dryer has changed my life. I use it on myself and the little ones, it is FAST and when you have to do three heads of hair every other day it is such a time saver.
3. Lancome Juicy Tubes Gloss is the best non-sticky gloss. I love the scent, the shine and color, please please try this people.
4. DuWop payoff eyeshadow intensifier will make you feel like a mad scientist. You use a dropper to put one drop on the eyeshadow, it makes it very intense and darker, I love this stuff. You can use this and one eyeshadow and have two colors.
5. mark Pro Glimmer Hook Up Lip Powder is really good as a lip base if you want to fill in lines and need your lipstick to last a long time. In high school we put eyeshadow on our lips so this is the same idea.

Playing with products must be fun -- but what are some things you do for fun outside of blogging?
I spend time with my kids! I love doing little things with them, reading books and baking cookies and cakes to bring to daddy's job. They also help me with dinner every night which we always eat at the table together. Piling into bed to cuddle and watch Little House and Gilligan's Island on a very regular basis. I cannot wait for the lazy summer afternoons ahead.

Are there any other beauty blogs you read regularly? What are some that you like and why?
YES! I love to visit my fellow beauty bloggers but I must admit it is very hard for me to participate as I'd like to right now so my list is short!!
1) Blogdorf Goodman: Annie's writing is so fluid and she always has gorgeous pictures and products. I'm still crying over that puff she showcased a long time ago, it haunts me so much I dream about it. I love powder and powder puffs are the ultimate feminine thing.
2) Beauty Blogging Junkie: Amber has a great flair for writing and I always want to run out and buy whatever she's blogging about. She's a great young voice of beauty.
3) Makeup Bag: Erika is an inspiration to me, I love the way she incorporates her girls into her blog and she seems to know about EVERYTHING first!
4) The Beauty of Life of course: Jamie you make it a fun visit, I love your picture up top because it really seems like you're talking to me as I read. It feels like I've just stopped by for a cup of sugar or something neighborly like that. I also love that you feature products that are accessible to many women via drugstores.

Thanks so much to Delphine Burkes of Steeping Beauty for the wonderful interview. Now that you know a little bit more about her, be sure to read her blog immediately!