Sharing the Love #23: Interview with Simone from Simone Loves Makeup

Hello Everybody How are you all today :) 

Today I have the Lovely Adorable Simone.  I have been following Simones blog and Youtube channel for quite some time now and she is amazing.  She does lots of different post and videos.  From reviews to OOTD to amazing affordable finds in clothing beauty cosmetics everything.  She writes articles for magazines such as Grazia, friday magazine and Ohlala Magazines.  Her Blog is full of of everything I love it.  She even writes about where she lives and has some amazing photos to show how beautiful Dubai is and most of all she is Irish :) :) She is also a busy mum :) :) phew im exhausted even thinking about how busy her life is but If I were her I would be loving it too.  :)  Here is my interview with Simone I hope you enjoy :) 

1.  Hey Simone Welcome to my blog :) :) Can you tell us a little about yourself :) 

  I'm from Galway originally but I live in Dubai with my husband and our one year old son. I've been here for a year and before that we lived in Bahrain and Singapore. I got into makeup when I was really young and have been addicted ever since. Being able to try out different brands and being exposed to different makeup looks and trends in really diverse areas of the world has been absolutely amazing. I have some really crazy makeup in my collection!

2.  Tell us a little about your blog 

 I started my blog Simone Loves Makeup when we lived in Singapore and originally, it was a bit of a mish mash of everything. By the time we moved to Bahrain it was full on beauty and I was blogging almost every day about new product discoveries, monthly favourites and lots of other slap related topics. I actually emailed Jane from British Beauty Blogger around this time and she gave me lots of amazing advice (which she still continues to do!) and helped me to really get my foot into the beauty blog scene.

3.  What inspired you to start up your blog 

 It was an even balance of wanting to blog about living away from home and my love for makeup. I trained as a makeup artist quite a few years ago and so I would often get messages on Facebook and emails from friends asking me about different products and what sort of look they should wear to events and so on, so it just grew from there. 

4.  What is your dream job?

  I'm one of those sickening people who actually works in their dream job would you believe! I work in publishing here in Dubai, I'm an Editor for a lifestyle magazine in the general consumer sector. Before that I worked for an Arab owned fashion and lifestyle magazine and I was previously on the payroll at Grazia magazine. I love my job and I love going to work every day. I meet some great people and get to do lots of cool stuff.

One of Simones Photos of Dubai

5.  Can you share with us some of your favourite blogs to read ?

 Yes! I love Happily Grey by Mary Seng and Lyla Loves fashion by Zahra Lyla, they both have amazing style and Zahra lives in Dubai most of the year so I can nag her about where she bought everything! I check Viva Adonis every day as Sinead and Dee are good friends of mine and they always blog about gorgeous products. Love Taza is another favourite, a super cute family who blog about their day to day lives and Steffy's Pros and Cons is my latest obsession - she has amazing style and takes beautiful pictures. 

6.  Your favorite skin care, hair care and makeup products?

 Guerlain Orchidee Imperiale and Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water with rose petals are my absolute skincare additions. I think I'm already on bottle number five of the micellar water. Chanel Le Volume De Chanel Mascara is my all time favourite, Laura Mercier Silk Crème Foundation, Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Liner and Bourjois Rouge Edition lipsticks are in my day to day essentials drawer. I'm all about long-lasting, heat and humidity resistant products, and they do the job. For haircare, I'm a bit obsessed with having massive hair so Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, TIGI Queen for a Day volumising spray and John Frieda volumising blow-dry lotion are always on rotation. I also use Davines Refreshing Mist Dry Shampoo, it's water based and absolutely sensational at perking up two or three day old hair and adding volume. I also use Davines Glorifying Shimmering shampoo, which is amazing. 

7   If you could give one piece of advice to someone who is thinking of starting up their own blog what would it be?

To blog about whatever you want, in whatever style you want, whenever you feel like it. A blog is a really personal thing and you should enjoy doing it. From a more technical side of things, it's important to make good use of social media channels as it will get your blog out there more. 

8.  Can You tell us what is in you handbag?? (hehehe I like been nosey?  Include a picture ?

 There is a lot of crap in my handbag! An iPhone, Jane Iredale facial mist, makeup, keys, too many lipsticks and dettol wipes!

9.  Where else apart from your blog can we find you aka twitter facebook etc. 

I have a Facebook page which I'm on quite a lot www.facebook.com/simonelovesmakeup and I am an instagram addict www.instagram.com/simonescribes. 

Youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/simganno

10  Any last words for us :) 

 Thanks for featuring me Nina, I'm so thrilled that you asked me to be part of this series as you have interviewed some amazing Irish bloggers. 

Thank you so much Simone for agreeing to take part I really enjoyed reading your answers.  I hope you all enjoyed the interview and if you own a blog or channel or both and wish to take part comment below or email me at dear-nina@hotmail.co.uk I have available slots and will be awaiting your mail 

Until next time 

Lots of Love Luck and Laughter 

I love love love hearing from you all :) I make it my duty to read each and every one of you comments and every time i get a comment from you it highlights my day thanks so so much to you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sharing the Love #22: Interview with Jennifer Florence

Hey my beautifuls How are you all doing today.  Wow i have had such an emotional week with my kiddies starting back to school and my twins first time starting playschool (preschool).  I will get used to it in time :) :)  Today I have another share the love visitor for you This is Jennifer but I know her as Jennybug as that is what her channel was called before she changed it and Jennybug will probably be what i will use when talking about Jennifer, you know the way names just stick to you :) :) 
Jennifer is a dote and so down to earth :) I hope you check out her channel and let her know you popped by she is a young mum doing what she loves and working hard Any mum would be proud to have a daughter like Jennifer :) 
Here is my interview with Jennifer :) 

1.  Hey Jenny Welcome to my blog :) :) Can you tell us a little about yourself :) 

  Hi Nina, thanks so much for including me in this, it's a wonderful idea! Well, my name is Jennifer, and I'm a 24 year old qualified makeup artist, and mammy to a beautiful little girl Alex. I'm a bit mad, or so my friends say :) Love meeting new people and trying new things, cause you only live once!

2.  Tell us a little about your blog 

 I have a channel on Youtube, which up until recently had been under the name 'jennybugx' however I've just started using my full name instead 'Jennifer Florence'. It's a channel for makeup tutorials, hauls, reviews, and whatever other random things might be on my mind! I really am a makeup fanatic, so that's what you'll mostly see. I'm always willing to do requests on what my subscribers would like to see too, as the channel is for them!

3.  What inspired you to start up your blog 

  I had been watching makeup gurus online for about 3 years, and one day I came across Sinead Cady's channel. Through her channel I found many other Irish Youtuber's. I hadn't realised there were so many. I thought to myself 'Maybe I could give this a go'. My two main inspirations were Sinead and Leslie from LACxO, who unfortunately is no longer making videos.

4.  What is your dream job?

  I definitely want to do something to do with makeup! Ideally with a little girl it'd be great if I could be freelance , so I could work around my own schedule. I'd also be delighted if I ended up doing makeup for TV and film. Last year I was makeup artist on the Iris film 'The O' Briens' and I loved every moment. It was the first time in my life I didn't mind getting up at 6 every morning!!

5.  Can you share with us some of your favourite blogs to read ?

 Although I do occasionally read blogs, I really am more of a video girl. I love watching Sinead Cady- http://www.youtube.com/user/TheMakeupChair, Laura O' Sullivan-http://www.youtube.com/user/LaurzBeauty, Julia Graf-http://www.youtube.com/user/MissChievous, http://www.youtube.com/user/MissBudgetBeauty/ (I can't remember her name!)and Wayne Goss-http://www.youtube.com/user/gossmakeupartist. And of course yourself Nina, please come back to making videos soon! Anyone you I follow on Youtube that has a blog linked in will of course be followed too!!!

6.  Your favorite skin care, hair care and makeup products?

 Oh god this is such a tough question!! When it comes to skincare I'm loving the Boots Botanics range at the moment as it's so gentle on my skin and after I had a bad reaction to a product a few months ago, it really saved my skin.I also use quite a few Oriflame products as I used to sell them and built up quite a stash! When it comes to hair, I swear by Dove hair products. They leave my hair so soft and fresh. And makeup....I don't know where to begin!! I love L'oreal and Illamasqua foundations. When it comes to eyeshadows Sleek are amazing and so affordable. I also adore Catrice, especially their lipsticks. Again super cheap, and great products.

7   If you could give one piece of advice to someone who is thinking of starting up their own blog what would it be?

Just do it! I was so nervous when I started. The idea that anyone in the world could be watching my videos and judging me was slightly overwhelming, but once I got past that initial fear, I couldn't get enough of it. It's so fun, very addictive, and when you started to build subscribers and get good feed back, you realise it's all worth it!

8.  Can You tell us what is in you handbag?? (hehehe I like been nosey?  Include a picture ?

  I actually have two handbags on the go at the moment, and neither are clean enough to be pictured!! Let's see, in my main one is my wallet, my passport, two perfumes, a few Catrice lipsticks,a pair of kids sunglasses, random bracelets, chewing gum, powder and a powder brush and other random rubbish!!

9.  Where else apart from your blog can we find you aka twitter facebook etc. 
Well my Youtube channel is http://www.youtube.com/user/jennybugx, and I've just reached 300 subscribers so I'm super excited about that! I don't have a blog as of yet, but definitely hope to make one soon. I'm also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jenniferflorencemakeup where I post lots of random stuff!!

10  Any last words for us :) 

 All I can say is I'm so happy I started a Youtube page. It's a great experience, I've met some wonderful people through it, learned so much, and I hope I'll be doing it for many years to come and that my subs will enjoy it as much as I do. 

So there is the lovely Jennifer :) I hope you enjoyed the interview with her and if you have a blog or channel or both and want to take part in my Share the Love Interview let me know below :) :) 
Until Next Time 
Lots of Love Luck and Laughter 

I love love love hearing from you all :) I make it my duty to read each and every one of you comments and every time i get a comment from you it highlights my day thanks so so much to you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sharing the Love #21: Interview with Karen from Lovely Girlie Bits

Hey My Beauties How are you all today :) 

I am so so excited to reveal our next guest in the share the love series :) 

I am sure you all know them especially if you are an Irish reader but its the one and only 

Karen from Lovely Girlie Bits.  She and her sister write an absolutely amazing blog which is one of my all time favourites plus they have started up a channel on YouTube in which I LOVE they are hilarious together I always watch their videos over and over when I need some cheering up or just want a good laugh and Karen is so funny they way she goes on Plus they do amazing detailed reviews and everything else beauty wise :) :) I love these girls to bits and so delighted they are part of my share the love series and guess what I have had the privilege of meeting both Karen and Joanne not once but twice :)  They are just as lovely in person :)  Ok I am rambling :) Here is my interview with the Lovely Karen :) 

1.  Hey Karen Welcome to my blog :) :) Can you tell us a little about yourself :) 

  I'm Karen, a thirty-something who loves all things beauty and has a dog Bailey who thinks he's a person.  He's me in doggy form, so basically a brat!  But I don't wee on the carpet in the spare room.

2.  Tell us a little about your blog 

The blog is mainly a beauty blog with a smidge of fashion!  I write like I'm my reader and write posts I'd want to read on a blog.  It's really important for me to get my personality across which can be hard in text, but most of the readers get me, so I'm happy out!

3.  What inspired you to start up your blog 

 I started the blog as a distraction from everything that was going on in my life at the time.  I figured I'd so much makeup and will never run out of anything to blog about and three years later, I'm still going strong!  It's a second job now really.  One I don't get paid for, but I absolutely love it and can't see myself stopping anytime soon!

4.  What is your dream job?

 I'd love to be able to blog full time.  That's my dream job in a nutshell.  Getting paid to do what you love is the dream!

5.  Can you share with us some of your favourite blogs to read ?

 I love reading lots of blogs and some of my favourites are Fluffandfripperies.com, Emeraldeyeliner.com, Totalmakeupaddict, bloodspot.ie, Cherrysuedointhedo.com and of course yours Nina!

6.  Your favorite skin care, hair care and makeup products?

I'm lucky that I get to try lots of fantastic products and I have to give a shout out to Origins Clean Energy Cleansing Oil, La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5, La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Mask, L'Oreal Mythic Hair Oil, Trevor Sorbie Smoothing Spray, Bourjois Rouge Shine lipsticks, Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder, Smashbox Eye Brightening Mascara.  I could go on, believe me!   

7   If you could give one piece of advice to someone who is thinking of starting up their own blog what would it be?

I could talk for Ireland on this!  But if I could just give one piece of advice, it would be to prepare to work hard.  When I started blogging, there were a handful of Irish beauty blogs and now there are hundreds.  This means that it can be hard to stand out in a crowd of girls who are all blogging about the same thing.  There are no shortcuts in becoming a successful blogger, well, no honest ones anyway, but if you plug away, write about what you have if you can't afford to buy new products and let your personality shine through, then there's no looking back!

8.  Can You tell us what is in you handbag?? (hehehe I like been nosey?  Include a picture ?

 My handbag is a holy mess right now.  I have actual handbag shame... I think if I took a photo of my house, it would have less than what's inside my bag!  And I wonder why I have a sore shoulder!  Ideally I'd like to carry just my wallet, sunglasses, little makeup bag and keys.  In fact I have everything ever made in it and really should clear it out or start bringing my carry on suitcase around with me!

9.  Where else apart from your blog can we find you aka twitter facebook etc. 

   I'm @lovelygirlybits on Twitter 
Blog is http://www.lovelygirliebits.com/
Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lovelygirliebitscom/142891099093615
 Instagram is @lovelygirliebits and I think that's it!
YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/Lovelygirliebits?feature=watch

10  Any last words for us :) 

 I just wanted to say thanks a million to Nina for having me do this interview!  I don't know how she does it with all the chiddlers and puts me to shame!  Her blog is my absolute favourite for swatches and the time she puts into each post really shows.  So if you're a new blogger, take some time and root around her blog!

Thanks Nina!

There you go make sure not to miss out on some amazing reviews and just amazing positive vibes from both these ladies you wont regret it :) I was even lucky enough to be asked to do a guest blog post on their blog about a month ago I was so delighted and if you missed it check it out here Its a Mac Lipstick Dupe and costs less than €5 ;)  

Until next time 

Lots of Love Luck and Laughter 

I love love love hearing from you all :) I make it my duty to read each and every one of you comments and every time i get a comment from you it highlights my day thanks so so much to you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sharing the Love #20: Interview with Ashley from Cosmetic Eye

Hey My Beauties How are you all today :) :) 

Wow I cant believe I am at Share the Love #20 I cant believe How well this series is doing its brilliant and not only did you meet new people through this but I have too I love it :) :) :) 

Today I have Ashley from the Cosmetic Eye.  

I have Known Ashley through blogging for a long time now :)  She is a really lovely woman.  If you like to save money on cosmetics and are always looking out for reviews and deals Ashley is the woman for you :)  Here is here interview with me I hope you enjoy :) 

1.  Hey Ashley Welcome to my blog :) :) Can you tell us a little about yourself :) 

 Hi Nina thank you for this great opportunity I am so thankful. 
A little about me is I'm a almost 27 year young Mother of 2 beautiful children which are 6 and 4 and they are my everything. I am a Canadian but I live in Ireland now and have lived here for 6 and 1/2 years now. My husband is Irish and we meet, dated and married in Canada. (Long story) :)
I have a strong passion for makeup. I love buying, trying and talking about makeup. I would love to buy, try and review makeup for a living I truly love makeup. I love when people ask me for advise or any questions they have and it amazes me that they will trust my opinions on products. I love that feeling of helping people out. 

2.  Tell us a little about your blog 

Well the name of my blog is CosmeticEye because my husband says I truly have an eye for cosmetics and when we shop I always have to look at cosmetics. So yes my husband came up with the name for me. :) When I started my blog It was a hobby for me that when I had time I would write in it, but now my blog and youtube channel are still my hobby but even means more to me then I thought it would. I would love to keep going and help people out and truly I love to help people and talk to people around the world about cosmetics. I am not a makeup artist but I do have a strong passion in makeup and love knowing that I help people out and meeting great people through my blog and youtube channel. 

3.  What inspired you to start up your blog 

What inspired me to start my blog was the passion for makeup but also when I moved to Ireland I didn't know anyone and it was hard. I just had a baby only less then 2 months before we moved. I was 20 and married which is rare in Ireland. It was hard to get out there and make friends. I needed to find something I was into that could give me something to do. I needed a hobby, and it took me a while to get my blog going but after I was more settled in Ireland and got a okay camera I started to do my blog. I believe my blog has really helped me to feel more confident and I feel more stronger as a person. I was a little nervous that no one would like me and follow but my blog is growing and people do comment and that makes me so happy. 

4.  What is your dream job?

My dream job would have to be working with a makeup company, trying there items out and reviewing them. I would love to maybe one day have my own makeup brand or something like that. 

5.  Can you share with us some of your favourite blogs to read ?

Where to start I have so many blogs I love to read so okay I love of course Nina's blog,  Makeup by Dyna (http://www.makeupbydyna.com/) , Makeup by Saz (http://makeupbysaz.blogspot.co.uk/) , The Makeup Chair ( http://themakeupchair.blogspot.ie/), Dulce Candy (http://dulcecandy.com/) , Christine from Makeup, Beauty & Fashion ( http://christineiversen.blogspot.ie/),   
Those are a few that I love to read. 

6.  Your favorite skin care, hair care and makeup products?

-I am actually using Avon skincare still even though it left Ireland now. I am using there 25+ day and night cream got it just before they left Ireland and just started using it. :) 
-For my hair I am using Herbal Essence Shampoo for dry/damaged/frizz hair and then when out of the shower when my hair is still damp I use some Moroccan Argon Oil from Avon. 
-My favorite makeup right now, this is tough...... MUA right now but its back and forth with e.l.f. I am loving my FashionistA blushes right now as well which you can get on the MUA online site. 

7   If you could give one piece of advice to someone who is thinking of starting up their own blog what would it be?

I would just say if you want to start up a blog do it its so fun and rewarding.

8.  Can You tell us what is in you handbag?? (hehehe I like been nosey?  Include a picture ?

 Of course I have a pink sunglasses case which I also have hair elastics in as well. My wallet which has no money in it right now. :) I have my makeup bag which is pink with brown strips and has tweezers, EOS lip balm, Vasaline, whatever lipstick or gloss I am wearing that day, a mirror. I also carry my house and garage keys. 2 little Kleenex pack and my camera which isn't in the picture as I am using it to take the picture. Some days I have more in it like a grocery list and pens and lots of other items. I just cleaned out my bad 2 days ago so its not to fun it there at the moment. 
Here is the picture hope its okay.

9.  Where else apart from your blog can we find you aka twitter facebook etc. 

   Yes I have a Youtube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and I would love for people to check them out and follow. Its free and every time I get a new follower it truly makes me happy and makes my day. 
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/tiernanashley
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TiernanAshley
Instagram: http://instagram.com/ashley_tiernan#
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashleytiernan/262003057164134?ref=hl

10  Any last words for us :) 

Yes Thank you so much Nina for this great opportunity and thank you to everyone who has read this and are thinking i might check out her blog and other pages, I would love if you did and gave me a chance. Hope you all have a great day and Keep Calm and Blog On :) 

Cheers

~Ashley~ 

I hope you enjoyed this interview

If you have a blog or youtube channel and you want to take part in my share the love series comment below or email me on dear-nina@hotmail.co.uk you are more than welcome to join in :) 

Until next time 

Lots of Love Luck and Laughter 

I love love love hearing from you all :) I make it my duty to read each and every one of you comments and every time i get a comment from you it highlights my day thanks so so much to you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sharing the Love #19: Interview with Niamh from Anonymous Melon

Hey everyone how are you all today.  Well its that time again Sharing the Lurrvvveee :) :) 

This time I am introducing Niamh from Anonymous Melon :)  She is a newby and its also my first time getting to know her I have really enjoyed reading her answers to my interview I hope you enjoy too :) 

1.  Hey Barbie Welcome to my blog :) :) Can you tell us a little about yourself :) 

 Hi Nina! Thanks so much for having me. 

I'm a 23 year old Media Officer with a passion for all things beauty and fashion. I'm from Belfast and studied at both Queen's University and the University of Ulster. I'm a qualified journalist currently working in Marketing and I'm loving it. I do graphic and web design as part of my job which is awesome. (I'm a multi-purpose employee!)

My passion is make-up! I love it. I love buying it, wearing it and writing about it. It's amazing that since I've started my friends have been asking me for make-up advice. It's lovely to know that people trust my opinion. 

2.  Tell us a little about your blog 

My blog is called Anonymous Melon  - bit of a strange name I know - but hey, it's unique right? As my tagline says it's just a little beauty blog. I throw in the odd rambling or fashion piece but really I just write about products I like, or dislike. I'm by no means a make-up artist so I rarely do tutorials but occasionally I show some of the looks I've created. (Pic attached)

3.  What inspired you to start up your blog 

I'd been feeling quite down at the start of this year so I decided to give myself a hobby to keep my mind off things. In Feburary I bought the domain www.anonymousmelon.com but it wasn't until April that I wrote my first blog post. I was a little nervous at first but I've kept going and now I feel great whenever someone likes a post or leaves me a comment. 

4.  What is your dream job?

 I love make-up (I think I've mentioned that...) so I'd love to do marketing for a big brand like Benefit Cosmetics. I think their packaging is so quirky and fun so to be able to be involved in the design would be fabulous.

5.  Can you share with us some of your favourite blogs to read ?

Well, apart from yours Nina, I love Makeup by Saz (http://makeupbysaz.blogspot.co.uk/), Dazzledust08 (http://dazzledust-08.blogspot.co.uk/) and Miss Budget Beauty (http://missbudgetbeauty.co.uk/) . These girls give really down to earth and honest opinions. That's what I'm looking for whenever I'm on the hunt for a new product.

6.  Your favorite skin care, hair care and makeup products?

Oh it's so hard to pick favorites! I am loving the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm at the minute (http://www.emmahardie.com/product.php?xProd=6&xSec=2) My skin is so dry and sensitive that this works a treat as it's not too harsh.

For haircare - I am enjoying the L'Oréal Professionnel Potionizer Bi-Phase Leave In Spray Conditioner. It's great to make my hair shiny between washes :)

(http://www.feelunique.com/p/LOreal-Professionnel-Potionizer-Bi-Phase-Leave-In-Spray-Conditioner-Fine-Hair-250ml)

My favourite make-up company is Benefit Cosmetics! It's actually impossible for me to pick a definite favourite - but I do love Brow-Zings. Can't leave the house without it! (http://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/product/view/brow-zings) 

7   If you could give one piece of advice to someone who is thinking of starting up their own blog what would it be?

Just go for it! It's amazing once you start and you won't regret it. 

8.  Can You tell us what is in you handbag?? (hehehe I like been nosey?  Include a picture ?

 Oh goodness! It's so so messy - I'm too embarrassed for a picture. But I can tell you I've loads of make-up and my Slimming World manual. Always keep these in my bag.

9.  Where else apart from your blog can we find you aka twitter facebook etc. 

   I have a Twitter, Facebook and Youtube. Follow, like and subscribe :) It's free and I'll be super happy.  

http://www.anonymousmelon.com/

https://twitter.com/AnonymousMelon

http://www.facebook.com/anonymousmelon

http://www.youtube.com/user/NiamhMaryFerguson

10  Any last words for us :) 

 I'd just love to say thanks so much for having me on your blog and to anyone who's reading this thinking 'my goodness, I could never start a blog' - just go for it! It's one of the best things I've ever done. I've met so many amazing people. It's so worth it!

Isnt she sweeeeet !!!! :) I hope you enjoyed and show Niamh some Love by clicking those follow buttons :) ;) 

Until Next Time 

Lots of Love Luck and Laughter 

I love love love hearing from you all :) I make it my duty to read each and every one of you comments and every time i get a comment from you it highlights my day thanks so so much to you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx