The Life of A Ladybug: Beauty Blogger of Color: Erica!

Beautiful Ones, I am happy to continue my Beauty Blogger/Lover of Color series by introducing you to Erica! Click on her name to visit her wonderful blog!

1. How were you introduced to makeup? When did you fall in love with it and why?

I remember seeing my mom getting ready to go out. It was a process. First, she had a bath, which filled the whole upstairs with the most intoxicatingly delicious scents. Second, she creamed her skin with lotion containing equally arousing scents. Third, she would use body powder, deodorant and finally, makeup. My mom is a lover of face powder and she always used it to minimize shine. She also always uses blush, even when many women of colour didn’t. The last was mascara. She didn’t use foundation, lipstick or eye shadows, but what struck me the most is the process. It was as though this preparation was a celebration of self; she taught me that taking care of yourself was of paramount importance. This is where my love of products comes from—it is all part of that process.

2. What do you love most about makeup?

I am a believer in the old adage, “variety is the spice of life”. I love the variation in colours, textures, patterns (think of all of those summer compacts, aren’t they cute?) and shimmer. They can be combined in uncountable ways to create the subtlest to the most daring looks. What’s not to love when makeup is also housed in the cutest packaging?

3. Do you tend to be traditional/classic in your makeup styling or are you more experimental? What are your favorite techniques or looks? What are your favorite products/beauty lines?

I tend to be classic from day-to-day, yet I love experimenting with new techniques. Here’s what I do: I will visit a makeup counter and have the artist make me over. While they are putting on the makeup I ask questions pertaining to techniques and colour choices. On the other hand, I may have a certain look in mind that I want them to recreate. From that I learn a lot about technique, colour choice, what’s good for my skin type, etc.

I don’t have a favourite look, per se. It depends on my mood, who I’m meeting, the weather, how lazy I feel that day—there are so many variables. I never plan a look. I always decide when I’m at the mirror.

I think nearly every woman has a special place in her heart for MAC, as do I. I also love NARS, Giorgio Armani, Bobbi Brown, Dior mascara, Cargo gloss, OPI, Fruits & Passion—I could go on and on.

4. Which products do you think every woman should have?

Every woman should have blush, face powder (translucent or not) and gloss. These three items are every woman’s friend. I forgot one: an eyebrow shaping technique. It’s like an instant facelift.

5. What do you think about the beauty industry and its relationship to women of color?

It’s definitely improved over the years. Women of colour have never been the bastion of beauty in our society, so we had very little that catered to us. What has changed over the years is the increased economic empowerment of women of colour and greater representation in the

Hollywood

community, from whom beauty is marketed. I also believe that the trailblazers, such as MAC, have proved the positive relationship between a line’s “crossover” appeal and its profitability.

Conversely, the beauty industry’s relationship with women of colour has not improved enough. I am tempted to think that any line or product that comes out, which doesn’t have colours that work for darker-skinned women, excludes us purposefully. The same goes for any beauty editor that claims that a product “works on all skin tones” or is “universally flattering”, yet does not work for any woman who is a visible minority. We still have a way to go.

6. Share anything else you'd like to share: info about you, your business (if you have one), what area of the country you live in, etc.

I started my blog because I have trials and tribulations with my skin, body and hair. This is a catalogue of the products that work for me and those that don’t. I am not a beauty insider or makeup artist, so the information that I collect is from questions that I have had and that I have researched. My hope is that what I have experienced helps someone else.