Good morning everyone. I’m pleased to bring you today’s featured blogger, Jen aka A Beauty Junkie in London. Jen is one of the first people I ever met, at the first ever event I went to, and she is one of the friendliest and most knowledgeable bloggers out there. We also started blogging at practically the same time so we’ve seen a lot of the same things over the past couple of years. If perhaps you’ve been living on Mars and aren’t already aware of Jen’s blog, then I urge you to check it out here.
1) Why did you start your blog?
I started my blog on an especially dull day at my last job. I missed the creativity of writing, so decided to start a blog, thinking at the time that it would just be my little creative outlet.
2) How long have you been blogging for?
Over two and a half years now… how time flies!
3) What do you enjoy most about blogging?
The community! I love chatting to like-minded make-up/beauty obsessives, online and getting to see them at events. I feel like I’ve made some lovely friends thanks to blogging.
4) What frustrates you most about blogging?
The drama! I wish more people would just relax a bit sometimes, as much as I love it at the end of the day it’s just make-up – not something worth getting your knickers in a twist over. That, and never having as much time as I’d like to blog.
5) How much time a week do you spend on your blog / reading other people’s blogs?
Oh hours! I pretty much dedicate a whole day at the weekend to blogging related stuff, plus an hour or two a few evenings a week, depending on what else I’m doing. It takes up a lot of time but totally worth it.
6) What advice do you have for aspiring beauty bloggers?
Blog about things you love and don’t feel that there are rules to conform to. It’s your blog, if you want to write about lip gloss one day and curry the next then that’s your perogative.
7) What other hobbies/interests do you have?
All the usual sorts of things, reading, food (eating it, not so much cooking it), seeing friends, trampolining (that’s probably not so usual).
8 ) How many bottles of nail varnish do you own?
Probably around 100 I think, I don’t dare count.
9) Do you set yourself a shopping budget, or do you purchase on an as-and-when basis?
I purchase on an as-and-when basis, but a budget would be far more sensible.
10.) What is your favourite make-up brand, and why?
Eek, I have to pick a favourite?! I have brands that are favourites for specific products (Revlon mascara, MAC eyeshadow, Benefit blusher…etc) but if I had to pick just one brand I’d choose Bourjois because the products across the brand are really lovely and consistently good quality, where some brands tend to be a bit more hit and miss.
11.) Do you ever leave the house without wearing make-up?
Of course, I happily go to the corner shop with no make-up on. Although any further than that and I would definitely want at least a little slick of mascara…
12) What is your favourite beauty product and why?
Mascara! It’s the one bit of make-up that I don’t think I can live without. My current favourite is Revlon’s Grow Luscious.
13. What is your favourite nail varnish of all time? (yep, only one!)
Ooh, that’s a tough one! I’d have to say Metro Chic from Sephora for OPI, it’s a blogger classic and the first nail varnish I paid over the odds for on eBay. So it will always have a special place in my heart – I even picked up four bottles of it to bring home and give to friends last time I was in America… have to share the Sephora love!
14. Tell us about the best holiday you’ve ever been on.
Another tough question, did I mention decisions aren’t my strong point? I love holidays and have managed to rack up a few really memorable ones over the past few years. But I’m going to say Paris ’08 was the best, because it was my first holiday with my boyfriend. It rained the whole time, I had cheap shoes that meant I might as well have been barefoot…and I chickened out of going all the way up the Eiffel Tower – but it was still the most amazing holiday in an amazing city.
15. What would be your ideal day off?
A lazy morning, an afternoon of budget-less shopping, and then dinner and drinks with my favourite people.
16. What is your favourite TV show?
Gossip Girl – I adore trashy TV.
17. What music do you enjoy listening to?
You can’t beat a bit of Britney, but currently loving Beyonce’s album, Katy B, Bruno Mars and Drake. So basically anything in the mainstream pop category…
18. What is your favourite food?
Pasta (especially with a mushroom sauce) can’t get enough of it. I’m a carb-addict.
19. Where would you most like to visit in the world? (money no object)
There are so many, Hawaii is one, as it just looks beautiful. But the ultimate dream holiday/trip for me would be a big American road trip, driving coast to coast in a Mustang.
20. Tell us a secret…
When I was at university I was a member of the Cheerleading society.
Thank you, Jen! If you have a blog and would like to participate in 20 Questions then please send us a message to the usual address.
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