First Look Fridays Interview Series: Beauty Blogger Kathryne of TheFabZilla

A few months ago, I discovered beauty blogger Kathryne of TheFabZilla. I quickly became entranced by her in-depth product reviews and her superb makeup tutorials (be sure to check out her recent Halloween series for proof of how awesome they are). I feel like every time I read her blog, I learn about a new product or makeup tip! It's quickly become one of my must reads on a daily basis. Keep reading to find out how Kathryne came up with the name of her blog, the makeup brush she can't live without and so much more.

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Happy Halloween! Orange & Black French Manicure with Maybelline and Zoya

Happy Halloween, everyone! Now, I'm not going to lie ... I'm not the biggest fan of Halloween. As a kid, I LOVED it -- but I think that was directly proportional to how much candy I collected while trick or treating. Once I got too old for that pastime, I sort of let Halloween fall by the wayside. I still dressed up for college parties and everything, but it's just never held the same magic for me. What I DO love, though? Expressing a little Halloween spirit through my nails! And this year, I decided to try something completely new by attempting my very first French manicure, using Maybelline Color Show Nail Lacquer in Orange Fix and Zoya Storm.

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Throwback Thursday: Going Through Early Life with Bangs

Showing off the signature bangs of my childhood, circa 1983. Also, I really loved that dress.

Until I turned 18, I had bangs. Really and truly ... I had them for my entire childhood and young adult life. Now, this might not seem like such a big deal -- but because my hair is the way it is (curly, wavy and straight all at the same time, all while being thick and coarse), bangs were a CHALLENGE.

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Overnight Sensation: First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Overnight Mask

My latest obsession over the past year or so? Overnight face masks. I love slathering them on and waking up to clear, soft, radiant skin. And when it's the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Overnight Mask? Well, that pretty much means I'm guaranteed to fall immediately, head over heels in love.

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#ManiMonday: Zoya MatteVelvet Nail Polish in Veruschka

Okay, WOW. To be honest, I wasn't expecting to love the Zoya MatteVelvet Collection just as much as I do. I typically am not a fan of matte nail polishes, but this collection? STUNNING. I started playing around with all of the colors last night and was immediately blown away. It was honestly very difficult to settle on one color to use for my manicure today, but I finally went with Zoya Matte Velvet nail polish in Veruschka.

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Throwback Thursday: The Momentous Summer I Worked at Bath & Body Works (And Met a Lifelong Friend!)

The summer after my freshman year of college, I worked at the Bath & Body Works in Cleveland's Golden Gate shopping plaza. I had long been a fan of the shower gels and lotions from this self-perceived beauty mecca — I was that mallrat girl who went in every Saturday during junior high and high school and just HAD to buy something — so it was a dream come true to actually be able to WORK there.

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A Hairy Situation: TRESemme Fresh Start Renewing Dry Shampoo

So here's the thing. I typically only wash my hair once a week. Okay, twice if it's really starting to bother me. But I can go a good four or five days before my hair gets oily or greasy, even at the roots -- so I don't really even use dry shampoo! If I want to try and extend my blowout at least one more day and I'm really feeling lazy, though? I reach for TRESemme Fresh Start Renewing Dry Shampoo.

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#ManiMonday: Deborah Lippmann Billionaire

In the mood for a deep hunter green manicure? Well, I was ... so I reached for Deborah Lippmann Billionaire. And let me tell you, this nail polish did NOT disappoint.

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First Look Fridays: Beauty Blogger Kimberly Nissen of The Plastic Diaries

From product reviews to spa coverage, beauty blogger Kimberly Nissen of The Plastic Diaries does it all. I also especially love her in-depth beauty glossary of terms you might not know. Plus, she's from Australia, so she has a very different take on some beauty products than I do -- and I learn so much about products and brands that aren't available in the United States. Keep reading to find out how she came up with the name of her blog, her top beauty tip for your eyelashes and so much more.

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Throwback Thursday: My Obsession with Purple Lipstick

Hanging out with my college roommate (and still best friend!) David at a party in college. And, yes, rocking purple lipstick.

So when I was in college, I went through a mild obsession with a very specific beauty product ... purple lipstick. But not just any purple lipstick. No, I was truly, madly, DEEPLY in love with my purple lipstick from Bath & Body Works.

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Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend: Zoya Magical PixieDust in Cosmo

I don't know if you're anything like me ... but when I try a nail polish for the first time and it translates perfectly from bottle to nail, I get incredibly excited. And when it exceeds expectations and looks even more fabulous than I anticipated? I pretty much just want to squeal with glee. That's how I feel about Zoya Magical PixieDust in Cosmo.

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First Look Fridays Interview Series: Beauty Blogger Phyrra of Beauty for the Bold

If you're into reading beauty blogs (and, if you're on this site, I really hope you are), then chances are you've heard of Phyrra - Beauty for the Bold. Phyrra has been one of my favorite beauty blogs for quite some time, thanks in large part to the fact that when she says bold, she MEANS it. Where else could you find a beauty blogger with purple hair and the willingness to wear black or purple lipstick -- and who looks AMAZING doing that? Phyrra's swatches are unparalleled, and I love that she features cruelty free beauty products, which gives her a unique take on the beauty industry. Keep reading to find out how she came to start her blog, the eyeshadow primer she can't live without and so much more.

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Throwback Thursday: The 5 Fashion and Beauty Products I Wish I Had

When I was growing up, I didn't really want for many things. My family made sure I had pretty much everything I wanted (within reason, of course). But there were still a few fashion and beauty products I never had, for whatever reason, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little wistful. Behold, the 5 fashion and beauty products I wish I had.

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#ManiMonday: Essie For The Twill Of It

You know those nail polish colors that you love so much, you think you could be content only wearing them for the rest of your life? Okay, maybe I shouldn't go overboard, but really. The ones that give you a feeling of joy every time you look down at your nails, the ones you end up reaching for again and again. Well, that's how I feel about Essie For The Twill Of It.

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Fun Times with the Wendy's Frosty

My grandpa caught in one of his huge belly laughs.

Is there anyone in the world who doesn't love a good old fashioned Wendy's Frosty? (Especially when you dip your French fries into it?) Well, I am definitely completely enamored of the Frosty and always have been. They make me think of my grandfather, who I was very close with growing up (and sadly passed away last August at the age of 90).

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Throwback Thursday: Meeting My Beauty Idols

Listening to makeup artist Tom Pecheux break down his beauty look for Chado Ralph Rucci during Spring 2010 Fashion Week.

I've been a beauty blogger for close to 8 years. In that time, I've had the opportunity to meet quite a few of my beauty idols -- the hairstylists, makeup artists and manicurists whose work has graced the pages of the top magazines and advertisements, the people who work on all the biggest fashion shows, the people who create the products I love to use over and over again. I recognize just how lucky I've been to meet so many of the people whose work I've respected for so many years -- like makeup artist Tom Pecheux, above, who I watched work his magic for many seasons at New York Fashion Week. I hope you'll take a trip down memory lane with me as I revisit some of the experiences I've had meeting these fabulous and talented people.

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