© 2011 Julian M Kilsby

1. How old were you when you started wearing makeup?
I started wearing makeup when I was about 14, but only ever eyeliner, mascara and eyeshadow. I got into makeup properly when I was 18.

2. How did you get into makeup?
When I heard about Jeffree Star. I’m not a fan of him, but I do adore his makeup skills. I researched what products he used and found out that one of the brands he used was MAC. So, when I was 18 and visiting the USA, I went to MAC and spent $1,000 on MAC makeup alone. It was crazy but I’ve been hooked ever since!

3. What are some of your favorite brands?
The brand that got me hooked; MAC. Of course! I’ve not really ventured out into other brands much. I tried a few things by Bobbi Brown but I wasn’t keen on what I found, though I do like their gel eyeliner. My favourite mascara is by Maybelline – I really don’t like MAC’s mascaras! I also really like Sugarpill and Barry M, but don’t use them anywhere near as much as I use MAC.

4. If you could only wear 4 products on your face what would they be?
Eyebrow pencil is my number one because my eyebrows are so light. I really feel that brows are the most important defining feature on a person’s face. The other three after that would be mascara, eyeshadow and blusher! If I were only allowed to pick one colour for eyeshadow, I’d choose a pearly white colour, like MAC’s Crystal Avalanche to contour my face with.

5. What does makeup mean to you?
I really don’t know any more! I’m just obsessed. I love lipsticks. I rarely wear lipstick but I can’t stop buying it. I have to buy at least one lipstick every time I go into any makeup shop. I tend to try it on and then never wear it. I buy shades that I know I will never wear just because they look so amazing. I think that part of it is because I love looking at lipsticks in the tube when they are brand new and perfect. One thing I know I love about makeup is that I can use it to express myself. I can do anything from a natural look to a gothic or punk look to convey my mood or state of mind. I also sometimes like to do makeup because I find it relaxing and therapeutic, almost like painting or drawing does.

6. What is your favorite thing about makeup?
You can make yourself into an entirely different person in a short period of time, if you know what you’re doing! Crazy transformations are awesome!

7. What do you think about drugstore makeup vs high end makeup?
I don’t see myself ever really spending lots of money on high-end makeup because it just seems over priced. I’m happy with the mid-range stuff. Drugstore makeup is almost always a no-go for me. I’ll buy it if I see something I really like but I usually come out of a drugstore empty-handed because I know that, usually, it won’t live up to my expectations. But, at the same time, I love trying new things so do occasionally go out and buy drugstore makeup when I want to try a new type of product I’ve never tried before. I’ll also do this with mid-range makeup but I’m always on the look out for new types of makeup, or less common things. If I don’t have it, I’ll probably buy it.

8. What is one tip of advice you can give to a beginner?
Don’t always listen to what the people at makeup counters say. Although they do know how the products work and they will know what will work for you, they don’t know you personally and so if you don’t like a look they’re saying will suit you, don’t buy the product! I’ve made that mistake in the past and ended up with products I wasn’t really sure I even wanted, and come out without the product I truly wanted. Listen to their advice, but you don’t have to take it!

9. What is one makeup trend you never understood?
To be honest, I don’t know. I can’t think of one! I love seeing diversity when it comes to makeup so I really can’t think of one thing that I don’t like. I think it looks tacky when people have orange faces and light pink lips. But I think that’s more of a makeup faux pas than a “trend”.

10. What do you think about the beauty community on YouTube?
I love it! If I’m not sure about something, I can always take a look on YouTube and see how to do something. Not only that but I love watching makeup tutorials when I’m bored or feeling a little bit low. It makes a nice distraction from the things I’m meant to be doing.