Friday, November 20, 2015

First Look Fridays Interview Series: Beauty Bloggers Marcia and Lisa of Beauty Info Zone

Beauty Info Zone, Marcia Friedman, Lisa, beauty blog, First Look Fridays interview series, beauty bloggers
Want a blog whose name really tells you exactly what you're going to find? Head to Beauty Info Zone. Lisa (on the left) and Marcia (on the right) run this blog that is chock full of interesting, fabulous beauty information -- not to mention spot on reviews and perfect writing! Read on to find out how they got started, the beauty products they can't live without and so much more.

Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
We take turns writing, plus team up for some articles. We are from the greater Detroit area. Marcia grew up in Detroit, graduated from University of Michigan with a degree in education and got her Master's Degree in K-8 education from Wayne State University. Lisa grew up in a rural northern suburb of Detroit, then went to Bowling Green State University and become certified as a teacher. She then got a Master's Degrees from BGSU and Oakland University and is currently a high school counselor at an International Baccalaureate school.

How did you first become interested in beauty, and what led you to become a blogger?
Marcia: My sister and I always played "makeup" and it's what brought us closer together. After I became a teacher, I continued her love of cosmetics by becoming a makeup artist and working for M.A.C, Paula Dorf and Ulta.

Lisa: My mom threw me a Jafra party when I was teen and that started my obsession with skincare. I supplemented my income as a makeup artist for the theater and wedding parties.

In the early 2000s, we met online through Makeupalley. (Marcia was infamous as the most prolific swapper of all time.) We ended up arranging an epic swap and decided to meet to exchange goodies. It was love at first sight! Marcia then introduced Lisa to product reviewing on another cosmetics website, and eventually we decided to partner together on our own blog.

I love the name of your blog! How did you come up with it?
Marcia: This was a long process. We knew we wanted the word beauty in the title so there was a lot of brainstorming to do. You have to check to make sure no one else has the name before you can register it. A friend of mine actually put together some of our ideas and came up with Beauty Info Zone. When we realized we had an acronym, BIZ, we were pleasantly surprised.

What are your top 3 favorite beauty products?
LISA:
Beauty Info Zone, Marcia Friedman, Lisa, beauty blog, First Look Fridays interview series, beauty bloggers, BlendSmart Doll 10 Rotating Makeup Brush
BlendSmart Doll 10 Rotating Makeup Brush. I can't believe how this has changed my life! It makes every single foundation I have look amazing. It's truly the best foundation/concealer applicator I've ever tried, and it does wonders blending away any makeup oops I might make with too much blush or bronzer.

Beauty Info Zone, Marcia Friedman, Lisa, beauty blog, First Look Fridays interview series, beauty bloggers, BeautyBlender Solid Blendercleanser
BeautyBlender Solid Blendercleanser. So I still probably don't clean my brushes often enough, but if wasn't for this super easy to use and effective brush cleanser I would be in big trouble!

Beauty Info Zone, Marcia Friedman, Lisa, beauty blog, First Look Fridays interview series, beauty bloggers, Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara
Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara. This mascara encases lashes in a tube that lengthens, volumizes and never ever smudges. Plus it's easy to remove.

MARCIA:
Beauty Info Zone, Marcia Friedman, Lisa, beauty blog, First Look Fridays interview series, beauty bloggers, BECCA Under Eye Brightening Corrector
BECCA Under Eye Brightening Corrector. This brightens my under eye area instantly and lasts. It's the pick me up that I need daily.

Beauty Info Zone, Marcia Friedman, Lisa, beauty blog, First Look Fridays interview series, beauty bloggers, Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum
Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum. I love liquid eyeliners and this is the easiest one to use. So few liquids come in a true brown but this one does. It doesn't fade on me or wear away.

Beauty Info Zone, Marcia Friedman, Lisa, beauty blog, First Look Fridays interview series, beauty bloggers, Artis Oval 7 makeup face brush
Cosmetic Brushes. They're my thing. I am a diehard fan of them and live by the adage, “the more the merrier.” My current favorites are by Artis since they are soft, luxurious and very unusual.

What are your top 3 beauty tips?
LISA:
1) Don't just use your eye cream under your eye. Also use it on your eyelid to prevent dry, crepey skin.

2) To thin out your nose, put a strip of highlighter down the center and brush some bronzer or contour powder on the sides.

3) If you are short on time, skip the complicated eyeshadow look and use your finger to apply a neutral M.A.C Paint Pot to the entire lid -- I like Painterly or Laying Low -- plus pencil liner to the upper lid and a quick coat of mascara. In about a minute you'll have a polished eye look that works for day or night.

MARCIA:
1) Think about what's under your makeup more than your actual makeup. If you need to splurge on something make it your skincare and eye cream. That will pay you back in spades as you age.

2) Just like with jewelry, sometimes you need to remove one thing before you leave the house. Go into a different room and look at yourself. Is your blush well blended? Are you smudged under your eyes? Does your lipstick look right with the colors you've chosen? Different lights help to see how you look to the world.

3) Just because something is trending, that doesn't mean it's right for you. Don't contour just because it's the thing, same with matte lips. If you don't feel comfortable in those looks, don't do them.

Being a blogger must be fun, but what do you do in your spare time?
LISA:
I love spending time with my daughters (16 and 11), watching old movies and reading books. My latest awesome read was Louisa Meets Bear by Lisa Gornick.

MARCIA:
Spending time with my 4-year-old grandson and 2-year-old granddaughter is the joy of my life. I take care of them at least one day a week and whenever I'm needed. I love to read and subscribe to a lot of magazines. My iPad is my best friend since I read novels on it and do crossword puzzles.

In addition to your blog, how can The Beauty of Life readers find Beauty Info Zone on social media?
You can find us on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

8 comments:

  1. OMG, this was sooooo interesting! I can't believe the way that Marcia and Lisa met! What are the chances?

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  2. What a great interview! I remember Marcia telling me how she and Lisa met– it's such a great chance meting, and who what have guessed that it would have resulted in one of the very best beauty blogs in the BIZ! :-)

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  3. Other than the "green" picture I'm pleased that you chose to interview us. I'm always reluctant to have any picture of myself online so I hope you readers will be kind!! Thanks for including us in your wonderful series.

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    1. I love the photo AND your blog! Thanks so much for wanting to be featured!

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  4. LOVE their blog, and I also love the Doll10 Beauty brush! <3

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  5. What fun to meet up over swaps! I'm a huge fan of BIZ. Now I have a longer wishlist after reading their favourite products. Will get the Artis brushes next year!

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  6. Love this! I really didn't know much about Lisa or Marcia, but it's so interesting how they go their start blogging.

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