Inspirational Interviews - Get Lippie

Hello lovelies! It's Saturday which means it's time for yet another Inspirational Interview! I have to say, one of the biggest shocks in putting together this series is that when I've asked some of my favourite bloggers to let me loose with a headful of questions, they've said yes. That was very much the case for this lovely lady, whose blog I've stalked followed since pretty much the very start. So please give a very warm welcome to the fantastic Louise of Get Lippie!

Hello Louise!

Thank you so much for agreeing to be interviewed! Firstly, can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

Ha ha!  Where do I start?  I'm a beauty junkie, accountant, ex-Club 1830 rep who currently does a bit of work for the government.  Kinda.  Maybe.  Sort of thing.  Oh, and I'm a blogger.

How long have you been blogging for and what inspired you to start blogging?

I've been blogging on and off for around eight years, but Get Lippie was born about 18 months ago when I was at a bit of a loose end.  My friends - who I've been taking shopping and doing their special occasion makeup for, for years - had been bugging me about starting a beauty blog for a couple of years beforehand, but I'd always resisted because I was a bit in awe of the (mainly US) bloggers I'd been reading at that time, and thought I didn't really have anything to say in comparison!  400 posts and no real signs of stopping later, it turned out I was wrong ... 

What are the best bits about being a beauty blogger?

I love the writing, the thinking of posts, and the whole feeling of getting my thoughts in order.  For me, blogging gives a bit of structure to my week, and also lets me justify my frankly terrifying beauty shopping habit!  Other things I love are the sense of belonging to an entire community that I never really knew existed, and the thought that I've made some amazing friends that I simply wouldn't have met any other way.  Also, I love reading other beauty blogs too, always finding new people's viewpoints is fascinating.

And the worst?

It's changed the way I shop, slightly.  Sometimes I find myself overlooking products in the supermarkets, simply because I can't get a blog post out of them!  Also, there's the occasional writers block I suffer from, which I find really frustrating when it happens.

What's been the highlight of your blogging "career" so to speak?

There have been a few things, really!  I was selected to be a judge of a national hairdressing competition earlier this year (other judges included John Frieda, astonishing for a small-town girl like me to be in such company!).  I've been to tea at Andrew Collinge's house, and I've had my makeup done in Harrods by Daniel Sandler.  All astonishing opportunities to meet amazing people that simply would not have happened any other way.  I've met so many amazing and wonderful people over the last 18 months or so, it's been really inspirational.

You recently had a run in with a dodgy hairdressing experience - have you had another other memorable product/treatment testing mishaps?

I'm generally quite lucky, I tend to know what works for me so product-wise I can usually avoid stuff that I know won't work.  What tends to be more memorable for me is the bad customer service that I occasionally encounter, I've written about bad service whenever I've found it, whether it's in Harrods, Selfridges or even that blimmin' hairdresser!  

And the weirdest thing you've even been sent/asked to try?

The only thing that really springs to mind is the painkilling foot gel that you had to use for three months before it started to work.  That email went straight into the delete folder!

You recently (well, not that recently) had your blog's first birthday - what inspires you to keep blogging?

Simply put, I love it.  I couldn't do it if I didn't, it takes up so much time and energy that what would be the point of doing it if I didn't?

If you could choose only one make up brand to use for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Gnargh!  I can't answer this!  It is so difficult to answer, but I think it would be a toss up between Chanel, and probably Le Metier de Beaute.  Maybe some Edward Bess? Oh, Rouge Bunny Rouge!  No, Becca.  Oh, I don't know. But if it's body care, then Haus of Gloi, no question.

If if you were going to rid the world of one?

I'm really not getting into that one!  I think most brands do at least one thing well, so this is actually far harder for me to answer than the one about my favourite brand!  

What can Get Lippie readers look forward to over the next couple of months?

Loads of stuff, keratin blowdries, eyelash extensions, plus the usual reviews and slightly googly faces of the day.  Oh! And the return of my makeover series!  Any volunteers? ;)

Ok time for some quick fire questions:

3 Favourite Items of Make up:

Currently, it's Le Metier de Beaute Le Cirq Palette, Guerlain Rouge G in Georgia, and Trish McEvoy's Jet Black mascara.

3 Favourite Foods: 

Steak, Wine and KFC (Hot wings, in particular).

3 Desert Island Items:

My iphone, I couldn't live without it! My bed (cheating, I know), and MrLippie.  Please don't tell him.

3 People who've inspired you:

My friends Sheonaidh and Sarah, without whom the blog would probably never have gotten started in the first place.  And there's Caroline Hirons, who is one of the most inspirational people I've ever met in my life.  But again, she doesn't need to know this, so, like, keep it under your hat, okay?

3 blogs you'd like to recommend:

Three blogs I read every day - and even when they do update every day, I wish they'd write more often - are, LondonMakeupGirl, JustNiceThings and BeautyLookBook

3 words of advice:

Write what you love, love what you do, and it'll all come together.  Eventually.  And don't worry about the word count.

Louise, thank you so much for taking part! You're such an inspirational blogger and I really do love your blog! Ladies, if you don't follow this lady yet then get over there now!