Beauty Blogger of the Week- The Pink Sith

This week we are featuring Elvira from the blog, The Pink Sith, a blogger who doesn’t just love blogging and taupe eyeshadow but a sense of community amongst bloggers. That is golden.

Let’s get started shall we?

1.  Introduce yourself and let us know what The Pink Sith is all about.

Hi: My name is Elvira (pronounced L-Veer-Ah) and I’m not the mistress of the dark. I am a beauty blogger that was born and raised in the Washington DC area.  I have lived all round the world but DC is my home.  I am a child of the 1970’s and 1980’s, I know what a rotary phone is and I am part of Generation X . I have been married to by best friend since 2001. We have a 5 year old son who I refer to as Darthypie on the blog from time to time. We have an 8 year old English Bulldog named Floyd and a 3-ish year old grey tabby cat named Cujo.  I started The Pink Sith Blog in July of 2008 and have been blogging ever since.

The Pink Sith blog is a funny and unique look at the world of cosmetics, skincare, nail polish and almost everything beauty. I have thrown in a small dose of “geekery” (made up word)  to make it interesting.   I have an unhealthy obsession with Taupe eyeshadow, an decent sense of humor and a great objective eye for what is good and what isn’t so good in the products I review. I am passionate about beauty and passionate about making makeup reviews less “clinical”.  The style of my writing can range anywhere from gushing over the latest taupe eyeshadow to a fairy tale story to describe a perfume. I try to maintain open and honest communication with my readers and I try to make reading a daily posts fun.

I decided on the name Pink Sith for my blog because I’m a huge Star Wars fan. My Husband is a member of the 501st ( a costuming organization for the Star Wars genre. It has become the leading force in fan-based charity events. The 501st, also known as “Vader’s Fist,” is truly dedicated to brightening the lives of those less-fortunate.) and my son is a budding Star Wars fan who loves Darth Vader. I added the “pink” so it could be recognized as something a bit more girly.

 

2.  Tell us about your first experience with make-up?

I have always loved playing with makeup.  I was in the theater as a child so I already had my own kit of stage makeup. I would play dress up and focus most of my efforts on the makeup rather than the clothing.  I had my first makeover when I begged and pleaded with my mother to get me one at Elizabeth Arden at the age of 11 and got my first box of Guerlain Meteorites at the age of 13. Makeup is in my blood. I dream about it. If you’re interested in launching your own makeup line, you should contact a cosmetic manufacturer to discuss production and packaging options.

 

3.  Is there a beauty blogger you admire or a make-up artist that inspires you?

There are many bloggers I admire. Annie from Blogdorf Goodman, Christine from Temptalia, Charlotte form Lipglossipping, are just a few.  Funny thing is, their style is opposite of mine. Their reviews are far more to the point and very journalistic. I admire their professionalism, perseverance, longevity and their ability to provide honest and reliable reviews of products. I also admire the fact that they gave me some wonderful advice when I first started blogging. They also gave me a lot of support. I now do the same for up and coming beauty bloggers. I love to provide advice and help out when I can. I don’t consider myself in competition with other beauty bloggers. I see it as more of a community….a really beautiful community.

 

4.  Why do you do it?  What drives your creativity and desire to have this as your niche area?

I love to write and I love makeup so it just seemed natural to combine the two. I spent years reading makeup blogs and thought to myself I could never do that. However, I would leave reviews for products on various consumer websites and they seemed to get a great reaction from other consumers.  One day, after reading my tenth review to my husband, he asked me why I didn’t have my own blog.  He pointed out that all the time I spent writing reviews for products on consumer websites I could use blogging and owning my work.  He was right. The rest is history.  Plus I can use the blog to explain why I have SO MUCH makeup and why I “need” to get the latest and greatest from the makeup counters.  It seems to work. Now no one recommends me for the “Hoarders” TV show anymore!

 

5.  What’s been the best/favorite experience you have had from blogging?

Oh my favorite experience blogging was when I was featured as one of eight bloggers selected to choose products for Neiman Marcus Beauty Awards.  I was so honored and thrilled that they selected me. I do spend most of my time in my local Neiman Marcus so it seemed almost fitting!  I’m not sure if I will make the cut next year, but the entire experience gave me some clarity in the way I want to build and grow my blog.

 * HOW FREAKIN” AWESOME is that?!  Go Elvira!!

6.  What is one product that you cannot get enough of and why?

Taupe Eyeshadow, Of Course. I’m known, informally, as the Taupe Queen. I have over 135 entries labeled with “taupe” on The Pink Sith Blog. I adore a good eyeshadow as I like to play up my eyes, but I also work and live in a fairly conservative area so running around with neon green eyeshadow isn’t really practical or professional.  Taupe shadow is a perfect neutral that can be dressed up or down depending on how you wear it. It looks great on almost everyone and there are so many different shades of taupe that owning 3 or 4 or 40 isn’t a problem, well…maybe owning 40 is a problem, but there’s no 12 step group for that yet, so I’m in the clear…for now.

I hear you! I just trashed four taupe shadows this week alone.  They were just past their prime, but I swear I deliberated about their demise for over a week.