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This week our 20 Questions have been answered by none other than Kelly from Vampy Varnish ! I started out reading Vampy Varnish when Just Nice
Things was just a glimmer of an idea, so she has definitely been a massive inspiration of mine, and also now a good friend. You can check out her fabulous site here – chock full of fab nail swatches and her gorgeous cats. Thanks to Kelly for taking the time to answer our questions!
1) Why did you start your blog?
I started Vampy Varnish because I wanted a creative outlet, which I don’t get in my job. I love nail polish, writing and photography, so I thought a nail polish blog would be a great way to combine those three things.
2) How long have you been blogging for?
Since September 2008.
3) What do you enjoy most about blogging?
Connecting with people, and finding things in common with folks from all over the world! I have made so many friends via the blog and Twitter.
4) What frustrates you most about blogging?
Overall the most frustrating thing for me is time management. I work a regular 5 day a week full-time job, so finding the time is always a challenge. More specifically to nail polish blogging, the most frustrating thing for me is swatching. I REALLY dislike it after doing it so much!
5) How much time a week do you spend on your blog / reading other people’s blogs?
Hours upon hours upon hours. I probably spend about 10 hours a week on my blog and then 5 hours on other people’s blogs. I read a ton of blogs both inside the beauty world and outside. I like to keep up with what’s going on so I read/skim about 100 other nail polish blogs weekly!
6) What advice do you have for aspiring beauty bloggers?
Find something that sets you apart from everyone else in that particular genre. There are so many beauty and nail bloggers out there now I feel a little something special is needed to stand out. Also be prepared to spend a lot of time on your site if you want regular readers. There are a lot of things people don’t take into consideration (I know I didn’t at first) when beauty blogging. Mainly I didn’t realize how much time it was going to take to edit photos on top of swatching and writing.
7) What other hobbies/interests do you have?
I read a ton and watch a lot of TV and movies. I could eat and look at cupcakes and cakes all day long (one of my fantasy jobs is a cake decorator). I also have 3 cats that keep me entertained at home!
8 ) How many bottles of nail varnish do you own?
Oh boy. I haven’t counted in awhile, but I am going to guess it’s between 1700-1900. Trust me I know, I know!
9) Do you set yourself a shopping budget, or do you purchase on an as-and-when basis?
I am not good with budgets with anything! I basically buy what I want (within reason of course) when I have the urge. Most of the nail polish you see on VV is sent to me for review, so I consider myself very lucky in that regard.
10) What is your favourite make-up brand, and why?
MAC. I have been an avid MAC fan and collector since I discovered them in 1991. I love them because their prices aren’t outrageous, the colour range is vast and most of their products are of really great quality. They are also very accessible both in stores and online, though I REALLY wish they would start selling at Sephora!
11) Do you ever leave the house without wearing make-up?
It’s a VERY rare thing, but maybe like 2-3 times a year I do. I’m a blond and pale, and I looked really washed out if my brows aren’t done and I don’t have mascara on. So if I do leave the house without those things on, I put on sunglasses and don’t take them off!
12) What is your favourite beauty product and why?
This sounds SO boring but it’s true. MAC Omega eyeshadow. I have been using it as my eyebrow filler color for 15 years and have never found anything that looks better on me or works as well.
13) What is your favourite nail varnish of all time? (yep, only one!)
CRIKEY that is a really hard question to answer. I think I am going to go with China Glaze Out On Safari for two reasons. One because it’s a gorgeous olive/khaki green, and I love really unusual colours. Two because it was so hard to find then so satisfying when I did. It was a long since discontinued color that I looked for for over a year. Then a wonderful nail blogger gifted it to me.
14) Tell us about the best holiday you’ve ever been on.
Helen I think you know the answer to this…it was London last year! Let me take a step back though. I also got married and had my honeymoon in Hawaii 3 years ago, but that wasn’t a “vacation” vacation so I am not including that here. London was the first time I had been to Europe and since I am utterly obsessed with anything and everything British, this was a dream trip for me. Harrods is hands down the best store on the face of earth. If I could live in it I would. 🙂
15) What would be your ideal day off?
It would be a nice warm day in the 80s with no clouds or much wind. I would sleep in until 9:30 and wake up to a lovely non-fat vanilla latte from Peet’s Coffee, handed to me by David Beckham, my husband. Just kidding! Really I love any day off when it’s nice outside, I’m not picky.
16) What is your favourite TV show?
Oooh this is HARD for me. Probably harder than it should be which goes to show what a TV addict I am. Ok my overall favorite show of all time is Seinfeld. However my favorite show that is currently on TV is Breaking Bad (for drama), 30 Rock (for comedy) and for pay channels I have to say Dexter. You see, I cannot pick a single one!
17) What music do you enjoy listening to?
I’m a rocker chick have been my whole life. I grew up with my dad and older brother listening to Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, etc. My fav bands include Metallica, NIN, Depeche Mode, Slayer, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Marilyn Manson, Iron Maiden, Dio, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Killers, etc. But I am also a HUGE Beastie Boys fan and actually like a lot of rap also like NWA, Dr. Dre, Obie Trice, Too Short, Missy Elliott, Eminem, Timbaland, etc.
18) What is your favourite food?
Italian, no question. I think deep down I am an old woman from Sicily.
19) Where would you most like to visit in the world? (money no object)
Italy but not just because of the food 🙂
20) Tell us a secret…
Me and a couple friends used to crank call Kirk Hammett (guitar player from Metallica) when we were 13 and before they were super huge! 🙂
Thanks, Kelly! If you have a beauty blog and you would like to feature on 20 Questions, please send us an email.
Wow, you got Kelly from VV. She is an icon! Well, she has iconic status is perhaps a better way of putting it…
Trust Kelly to choose an olive polish!
Wow, great interview. Loved that she has nearly 2000 polishes!!
awesome!!! vampyvarnish was one of the first nail blogs i got into (i sort of got into ALU/VV/polishaddict at the same time after discovering scrangie months prior) and she will always be one of the ‘big names’ in nail blogging and i will forever be but a humble fan! <3