Would you like to fix your teeth gap?
What are you looking for? Post whatever (fashion, beauty, etc.) you want me to find out for you and I'll either answer it in the comments of this post or dedicate an entire post to you (you choose!)
It's a win-win: You get what you want and I learn what you like to read about on blogs!
photo source: gabrielle haze
The Beauty Director for the Lookbook, Shannon Levy, reached out to me today to announce that the Lookbook finally has a beauty directory. Now until Friday, you can access this section of the Lookbook for free. After Friday, it is $12.99 a month for access to the thousands of updated beauty contacts listed. Do you know I was able to find the PR contact for Maybelline through this invaluable resource?! Yes, it was valid!
You can also subscribe to the fashion directory but since that is a separate section, it requires a separate membership. This section is $12.99 as well. The Lookbook also has an OnSugar blog so maybe, if you're lucky, the information that you need might be posted there. All I have to say is: about time.
But before I go, did you know that Shannon Levy created The Beauty Closet? Featuring 19 brands, The Beauty Closet contains a "tightly-edited" selection of cosmetics, makeup bags, brushes and other accessories.
Tired of using off-brand beauty sponges? The Beauty Closet has the ever popular BeautyBlender sponge and cleanser in stock. I have to buy this. I can't afford the TEMPTU AIRbrush Makeup System yet so this will have to do.
Then there's the Scott Barnes Beauty line. I knew that Gabrielle Union was a fan of his Flossy Glossy in Pretty Penny ($22) and the Illumineye in Chocolate
The Beauty Closet sells his famed Body Bling Platinum, which leaves a stunning, champagne shimmer on the skin. I'm starting to love champagne-hued shimmer for the face and body (like Susan Posnick COLORME in Champagne Shimmer) so I have to check this out. I'm also adding his original Body Bling to my list just in case I go through another J. LO phase.
Other brands include Kevyn Aucoin, Hourglass Cosmetics, Armour Beauty, Billy B Beauty, Kreat Beauty, RGB Cosmetics, Sara Happ, pur~lisse, Suresh Beauty, Shadow Shields, Paul & Joe Beauté and more.
You know, sometimes it seems like I have a million-and-one things going on here on Blaq Vixen Beauty. At the moment, I have my How to Stay Feminine in Uniform series, my interviews with beauty editors and people that I admire in general, Skincare Sundays and many more series that I started last year. So yeah, that editorial calendar that I started at the beginning of this year is definitely going to come in handy once my mind shows down and I get more organized. But here is the begining of another series.
What makes this one different is that I've asked some of the beauty editors that have inspired me to guest post on Blaq Vixen Beauty. That way, not only do you get my knowledge, but they're knowledge as well. And besides, at a year and two months (or 14 months), Blaq Vixen Beauty is barely a year old. I'm still learning how to approach things like giveaways, sponsored posts, advertising, link exchanges, social media - stuff like that. I'm also learning how to develop a thick skin and not be so sensitive. That's one of my weaknesses. I get hurt easily and I'm always trying to please people.
However, several wonderful people on Twitter and by email, reminded me that I started my site for myself. Asking absolute strangers for their thoughts will always lead me to second guess myself and try, in vain, to please them. That's crazy. They're right. Why stress myself out when there are people out there that would love to see me fail? I'll be damned.
The inspiration for this series came after I read an article on a group that I belong to. One of the members took the time to write a basic article on how to approach PR firms for samples. While I was reading it, I could tell it was written for the beginner blogger who was unfamiliar with the pitching process. However, I still found it useful. Unfortunately, one of the members found it appropriate to come off as the "goddess of beauty blogging," like you couldn't tell her anything about running an online publication.
She said that she was the creator of a site (even posted a link), and that she's been reviewing products for over 12 years online. This is the kicker (at least to me). She downgraded the quality of the article, calling it "ok" and "elementary." She referred to writing, reviewing and obtaining samples as a "fine art." She then said that you had to earn your contacts and respect from your online peers.
Before I read her comment, I knew of her. But after reading her comment, I didn't want to personally know her. Her comment wasn't even directed to me yet I got offended for the author of that article.
Let me tell you something: I do not care if you were the first official beauty blogger. It is not in good taste to belittle newer bloggers. Ever. If anything, she should have offered to write an article detailing the do's and don'ts of pitching if she had so much experience. If she found the article to be not to her liking, she shouldn't have commented. You may disagree but that's just the way I feel. She talks about earning the respect of the online community but yet she comes off as arrogant. That's not how you earn respect. "How ironic that bloggers who have been around much less have surpassed her in terms of traffic, readership and popularity?" Oh yeah, and they're humble.
So I found a more positive way to channel my disappointment: start a series for the beginning beauty blogger and here it is. I can document what I learned, neat sites and tools, etc. here. I'm happy that I had the courage to speak up. I'm also happy that I can now help other beginning beauty bloggers! If this appeals to you, tell me what you'd like to see so I'll have an idea of what to feature.
But before I go, I want to share Wendy Felton's "A Glossed Over Guide: Becoming a Big-Time Beauty Editor." This guide isn't meant to be taken seriously but it's entertaining. The whole site is entertaining in fact. I see it as a reminder to stay true to yourself and not be sucked in by the media.
This opportunity from the newly launched Tidal Labs couldn't have come at a better time with summer around the corner. Similar to BzzAgent and SheSpeaks, Tidal Labs was created to "empower companies to reach the most influential users online, and across social networks." To my surprise, I was tapped twice for their first campaign: the Neutrogena UltraSheer Liquid Daily Sunblock SPF 70 opportunity (a $30 value).
As I was told, Tidal Labs have teamed with Neutrogena to give away a thousand samples to bloggers and influential individuals in social media. In order to be considered as a reviewer, you have to take a survey. If chosen, you have to use your UltraSheer as directed for at least 4 weeks and submit two reviews, pictures or videos.
Tidal Labs is looking for people who meet the following criteria:
>>Between the ages 25-49
>>Have at least 300+ Facebook friends
>>Have at least 25+ Twitter followers
>>Doesn't spend time tanning (either in a salon or intentionally out in the sun without sunblock/sunscreen)
If you have a blog, they'll ask for the blog URL and how many readers you have. Since UltraSheer Liquid "absorbs instantly into the skin and wears beautifully under makeup," there was a question in the survey about how often do you wear makeup. Since starting my skin regimens, I've shied away from foundation, tinted moisturizer and even concealer. I'll probably wear tinted moisturizer with this sunscreen to see if it can actually be worn with makeup.
So I urge you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity so that you can "frost yourself" with sunscreen all summer long! By the way, if you're a blogger, you might want to sign up to become a publisher.
Ladies, I want you to get into the habit of promoting your pretty. A lot of the social bookmarking sites out there - Digg, Mixx, Stumbleupon, etc. - are not really ideal for beauty bloggers. Last I check, I have yet to encounter a post from a beauty blog on the landing page. So naturally, you would want to seek out social bookmarking sites that are geared toward women in general. Use the following social media bookmarking sites to promote your new series, giveaways, guft guides, and everything in between:
What are your favorite social bookmarking sites that you like to use?
Photo courtesy of IKeepMoving
