The magazine I absolutely have to read cover to cover when it arrives in my mailbox every month? Teen Vogue. This magazine is, without a doubt, one of the best ones on the newsstand today. And my favorite section is -- of course! -- the beauty section, headed by fabulous Beauty Director Eva Chen. Eva also writes Beauty Blogger, the Teen Vogue beauty blog, which is chock full of fun and interesting info including interviews with top hair and makeup artists and in-depth product reviews. So I am absolutely and utterly thrilled to bring you this week's edition of First Look Fridays, featuring the one and only Eva Chen of Teen Vogue! Read on to discover how she got her start in the industry and her favorite part of being on the Teen Vogue staff.
Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
I grew up in New York City and went to college at John Hopkins University in Baltimore. Unsurprisingly (or perhaps so, considering what I'm doing now), I was pre-med. I was pre-med for about three years. I took a summer off to do something completely "crazy" and off-the-cuff for me. So I interned at Harper's Bazaar. I was a joint intern between features and beauty. It was amazing!
How did you first become interested in beauty?
Well, that internship really opened me up to the possibility of working at a magazine as a career. I think, at least when I was growing up, there was a premium placed on "pre-professional" jobs like doctors, lawyers, bankers, etc. It never even occurred to me that working at a magazine was a possibility. My first day at Bazaar consisted of brainstorming beauty trends, writing a memo for my supervisor, organizing the beauty closet ... it was heaven!
And, in retrospect, I realize that beauty has always been a passion for me. I was That Girl who could spend hours and hours perusing the makeup counters at Bendel's or even Duane Reade!
What is the most fun part of being the Beauty Director at Teen Vogue?
I love that every day is different. And, of course, interfacing with teens. They're inspiring!
Writing for teens is so much different than writing for adults. How do you approach beauty to make it more fun?
The great thing about the Teen Vogue reader is that she's sophisticated. I find that I don't have to write differently at all to her -- she is just as easy to talk to as a woman in her 20s! However, the topic matter can be different. Say, Robert Pattinson versus George Clooney. (Editor's note: Ah, a beauty editor who understands the glory that is Robert Pattinson!)
How did the Teen Vogue beauty blog come to be, and what is your favorite part of writing for it?
The blog came about out of sheer overabundance! There are hundreds of thousands of products I love, but simply not enough space to put them in-book. I wanted to find a way to write about beauty in a quick/easy/conversational way. It's also more personal -- I write about my likes, dislikes, what's on my wish list, the list goes on and on!
What have been some of the highlights in your career?
Each year, Teen Vogue does a program called Fashion University, in which thousands of teens come to listen about careers in fashion/magazines. I LOVE meeting these girls and seeing how passionate they are! Creating the blog and getting a cadre of loyal readers has been really fulfilling as well. And working with everyone here at Teen Vogue -- the photographers, stylists, etc -- has been amazing! Hopefully there are more highlights to come!
What are your top 5 beauty essentials and why?
1) SPF. I like Clarins Bright Plus Daily Moisturizer and Aveeno Calming SPF. Skin cancer runs in my family, so...
2) Retin-A. EVERY derm I talk to says that a topical retinoid is the best thing outside of the fountain of youth.
3) Healthy diet. I try to eat mostly vegetables and a lot of fish. All the cells in your body are built on the food/nutrients you give it.
4) Shu Uemura lash curler. I would not be able to survive without it!
5) Sleep. I need at least 8 hours a night to function! Plus, my skin looks super-dull if I'm sleep-deprived.
What brands can you simply not live without?
Dr. Hauschka for lip balm, Aveeno for bath powder, Neutrogena for sunscreen, Cle de Peau for eyeshadow, Paul Mitchell for body lotion ... too many to count!
Playing with products must be fun -- but what are some things you do for fun when you're not at Teen Vogue?
Yoga, pilates and I love to travel ... even though it wreaks havoc on skin!
Do you read any other beauty blogs reguarly? What are some that you like and why?
Sadly, I don't read too many other beauty blogs regularly ... mostly, I'm on style.com and Gawker when I have spare web time ... that is, when I'm not researching new stories!
Be sure to check out Beauty Blogger by clicking here.
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I've loved Mary Steenburgen since the early 90s. Remember her fabulous turns in Parenthood and Back to the Future 3? I've always thought she possessed an extra-special something that just stood out and made her all the more beautiful. And at the Atlantic Theater Company's Spring 2009 Gala on April 27, she just looked radiant.
