First Look Fridays: Actress Christine Lakin

If you grew up in the 90's, chances are you lived for TGIF. Family Matters, Boy Meets World, and this beauty chick's personal favorite, Step by Step. So I'm completely thrilled to bring you today's First Look Fridays, with none other than Step by Step's cutest tomboy ever, the gorgeous Christine Lakin! Christine has acted in dozens of TV shows and movies since (Whatever It Takes, Valentine's Day and even a voice on Family Guy, just to name a few). Read on to discover the cleanser Christine can't live without, the makeup tip she picked up to really make her eyes pop, the fave blowout spot we have in common, and so much more.

How did you get started as an actress?
I moved to Atlanta when I was 6 and my mom had me enrolled in some dance classes at a studio. They also had acting classes and I begged her to let me take one. I was obsessed with Carol Burnett at the time (still am), and the thought of a class where I could play characters thrilled me. The teacher, Lynn Stallings, saw something in me and asked my mom if she could send me out on a few commercial auditions. Thinking nothing would actually come of it, my mom obliged my overwhelming enthusiasm and so we went. After booking several commercials and loving the experience, my parents cautiously went about getting me an agent in Atlanta and the rest is sort of history. I was also performing in Lynn's live shows with The Atlanta Workshop Players and one summer when I was about 11, I was spotted by an agent from Los Angeles who ultimately brought me out for the Step By Step audition. So long story short, I sort of fell into the biz but certainly by my own desire.

What's your typical beauty and skincare routine? And does it change when you're on set or in a show?
I'll be honest. I'm really diligent about taking care of my skin. Even if I've fallen asleep on the couch at 3am and wake up, I'll wash my face before I pass out in bed. I've used Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser and Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser for the last few years along with my Clarisonic, which I totally love. It's like a toothbrush for your face.

I also love Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant for a gentle exfoliation. And La Mer is absolutely the creme de la creme ... if you can get it!

I get facials every few months from Robin McDonald. She's the BEST and her skin is a testament to that.

What are the best makeup tips you've picked up on set?
Line the water line of your eyes -- both lower and upper to really make your eyes pop. I like to use a deep purple rather than black as it makes the green in my eyes stand out.

I also like to take strip lashes and cut them in the middle to just use on the outer edges of my lids, especially if I'm going to an event.

And dry shampoo might be the best invention ever created. Adds volume or saves a 2-day-old blowout. I know it's not a makeup trick per se but had to add it. I keep a travel bottle in my car because I get busy and a girl's gotta be able to refresh!

Any tricks for removing really stubborn makeup?
Baby oil on Q-tips works really well for eye makeup and I also love Mary Kay eye makeup remover. The Clarisonic is truly the best way to really get off hours of foundation. A nice hot towel is pretty good too. And after a long day, it's a cheap way to decompress.

What are your top 5 beauty products?
1) Kiehl's lip balm

2) Dove body wash

3) Jemma Kidd Tinted Moisturizer: The perfect glow without being sparkly, [and it's] at Target!

4) Bed Head Tigi smudge eye pencils: Soft enough for the water lines, perfect smoky eyes.

5) M.A.C Cremesheen Glass in Boy Bait: My go-to for everyday.

Are there any red carpet beauty tips you've incorporated into your normal routine?
In the winter months I mix a little oil in with my lotion. Keeps my skin really hydrated during the day and helps avoid cracked knuckles and ashy knees -- not cute!

I also recently just tried Drybar, which I loved! For $35 you can get your hair washed and blown out and it lasts several days. I did it for my birthday but it's an easy way to treat yourself or your friend. Plus they give you snacks and have girly movies on ... it's total beauty shop fun.

For fans of Step by Step (including me!), I just have to know -- what was it like playing tomboy Al?
It was a wonderful experience. I had never done a TV series before and certainly never lived in Los Angeles before. So it was definitely a whirlwind start for a little girl from Atlanta. I'm an only child and suddenly having 5 brothers and sisters to play with every day on set and in our schoolroom was a dream come true for me. Lots of laughter, pranks, inside jokes ... it was just a lot of pure fun.

I loved playing the part of Al. I was a bit of a tomboy myself and always have been I guess. I thought she was super cool and kind of a badass. I loved that she kind of became a little boy crazy too ... but didn't take any crap from them. Sort of pseudo feminist for a teenager if you ask me!

Being an actress must be fun -- but what do you do in your spare time?
It is fun! Especially when you have a great job you love, and I'm always thankful to do what I love. It's hard work too ... I'm producing a lot more now and a lot of my "other" life includes creating my show, Worst Audition Ever, which is a live show where actors, directors and performers share some of their most vulnerable moments in artistic humiliation. These are the stories behind the scenes from people you know, about people you know! We've done 4 sold-out shows in L.A. and have another weekend coming up (February 17 and 18) at a little underground space called Casita Del Campo in Silverlake. It's my baby of sorts and I so love the art of storytelling. When you combine a bunch of actors and comedians, this crazy business we live in and a few margaritas ... you'd be wowed by the crazy -- and TRUE -- stories people share. It's a blast.

In addition I perform with The Troubadour Theater Company, an amazing and wacky band of merry players that are like my family. So, yeah ... I don't have a lot of spare time. But I wouldn't have it any other way!

Look forward to seeing Christine in a recurring role on VH1's Stevie TV, starting March 4! And you can follow her on Twitter here!