First Look Fridays: Lianne Farbes of TheMakeupGirl

This week's edition of First Look Fridays features one of my very favorite bloggers, Lianne Farbes of TheMakeupGirl. Lianne's blog is the perfect mix of fantastic product reviews, exciting beauty news and fabulous beauty deals, and it's written so well that I just keep coming back for more! I also love the blog's motto, which is: "When life gives you lemons: cut them half and rub them on your elbows and knees." How creative, right? Lianne is a professional makeup artist and even modeled in the past -- and she's lived everywhere from Nashville and St. Louis to Los Angeles and New York! (She's currently based in Washington, D.C.) And my favorite fun fact about Lianne? She's addicted to Bonne Bell LipSmackers just like I am! This self-confessed product junkie was kind enough to share a bit about herself and her blog with this beauty chick -- keep reading to find out more.

Why did you decide to start your blog?
At the time, I didn't think there were many beauty blogs that were written by African-American women. There were some but they just weren't that popular, certainly not any that were as popular as, say, Beauty Addict. I wanted to write my blog from the point of view of a makeup artist and not a woman of color. That way I could provide information for all women, not just women that identified with me or my skin tone.

I love the name of your blog! How did you come up with it?
My sister and I were talking about it on the phone. I wanted makeupgirl but the domain was taken, so I threw the "the" in front of it and the rest is history ... LOL!

Do you have a "day job?" What is it?
That information is classified ... LOL. No, seriously, I do have a day job and I will just say that I work for a Digital Marketing company in Project Management.

What have been some of the highlights of having your blog?
Wow ... where do I begin? Having access to all of the newest products before they hit is a definite perk, but the biggest thing has been being able to attend industry events like Fashion Week in NYC and the relationships I have made with other women who share the same maddening obsession that I do! It's like a secret sister society, you are either beauty product obsessed or you are not.

What are your top 5 beauty essentials?
1) Some kind of lotion of body cream (I have too many to name brands)
2) Sunblock with SPF 30 or above (the fountain of youth)
3) Lipgloss (too many to mention)
4) Ojon Restorative Treatment for my hair
5) LORAC eyebrow pencil

Playing with products must be fun -- but what are some things you do for fun outside of blogging?
I like traveling, cooking (yes, I am a foodie), movies and wine tasting.

Are there any other beauty blogs you read regularly? What are some that you like and why?
The blogs I read are ones that inspired me and that I have always been a fan of past and present:
1) Beauty Addict
2) All About the Pretty
3) Product Girl
4) Shake Your Beauty
5) Temptalia

Thanks so much to Lianne of TheMakeupGirl for sharing a bit about herself with this beauty chick! Now be sure to check out her blog!