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Mar 2, 2009 
So, you know, I’ve lived on a budget for my entire life, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t LOVE great beauty products. And once in a while, every female has to treat herself, so I was researching which lip gloss to buy but couldn’t find product reviews because nothing is worse than buying makeup that doesn’t go with your skin tone. And you can’t even return it! Luckily, I came across www.megsmakup.com and found a ton of reviews on top beauty products/makeup and everything is written in a snarky, humorous way. I fell in love. (Yeah, I’m dramatic. I know)
Anyway, I met Megan O’Brien who started the site, at a recent Girls in Tech Dinner, flipped out, and promptly needed to get an interview for the blog. And without further ado…
So Ms. Makeup, what’s the 411? Where are you from?
I’m from a small town outside of Boston called Ashland. It’s not as small now as it was when I was growing up there. I have to be honest, small town life didn’t appeal to me one bit! As soon as it was legal (18) I moved to New York City to become a model and work in fashion/beauty. New York is very nice but can be very cold come winter. I spent a year there and headed to South Beach, Miami. It was 1996 and just starting to emerge as a fashionable hub. I had a very good time there. I was still restless though, after a year there I moved to Los Angeles. I’ve been here for 11 years now and it is my true home. I don’t think I’ll ever leave!
Modeling! The connection to makeup is clear. Well, what age were you when you realized the fabulosity of makeup and its many wonders?
Early on I loved makeup. I always liked to draw and thought the idea of “painting your face” was genius! My mother told me not to shave my legs because once I started I’d never be able to stop. I think I was around 7 years old when I ignored that tidbit. I started to save my babysitting money so I could buy the $20 Chanel lipstick. I just loved great packaging and brands and beauty. I don’t think I’m alone here when I say that there’s nothing quite like opening up a new, greatly designed beauty item.
Amen, sista. How did you start Megsmakeup? Was it just some random idea that grew or something that you planned out?
Megsmakeup.com grew out of a necessity I had. I received a really expensive moisturizer as a gift. I didn’t know if I should keep it or return it to Nordstrom’s and get shoes! I couldn’t find any information on line about it. If I could find something I knew nothing about the person leaving the comment. How old was she? What was her skin like? I thought “How the heck, in the AGE OF INFORMATION I CAN’T GET ANY!!” It was then I started a blog that had reviews from all different types of women that posted there vital information-Age, Skin Type, Problem Areas. I tried to get really in-depth so the potential consumer could make an EDUCATED decision before they plunked down their hard-earned cash. Apparently, a bunch of ladies felt the same way I did. Megsmakeup.com grew and grew ALL ORGANICALLY. Word-of-Mouth is a strong catalyst. We’ve never advertised. Women found us-We’re honest and if I do say so myself-freakin’ funny.
That rocks. Well, we’re in a recession. Women are saving money, so what are the absolute essentials for any woman who wants to look/feel beautiful but is on a restricted budget?
You know what? I’m about to give you a quick economics class. I know, I’m no professor but LISTEN UP! There’s something called “The Lipstick Effect” No matter how much the economy is in the toilet, women continue to spend money on feeling beautiful. After September 11th, Lipstick sales DOUBLED. During the depression, people had issues buying food but cosmetic sales continued to grow! We may not be able to take fancy vacations anymore. Eating at Spago isn’t in the budget, either are $900 Jimmy Choos. I still need to feel good. I still want to look gorgeous. I can justify spending $15 on a mascara. The essentials are the same for every gal! A skin matching foundation, blush, eyeliner, mascara and a great gloss or lipstick will make a world of difference on anyone.
Yup. A girl’s gotta have her lipstick! So….Top 5 things in your makeup purse?
Here’s 6 because you need a brush/comb as well! 
Tarte Lights! Camera! Lashes Mascara
The Balm Balmshelter foundation
Benefit’s Stainiac (doubles as a lips/cheek stain so saves space)
Hot Pants Light Up Lipgloss (there’s a mirror on the side of the tube and a built-in light in the cap!) How brilliant! Makes application easy at night or in a car!
Stila eyeshadow in “Kitten” A shade that works for every women! GORGEOUS
Mason Pearson Bristle Brush (PRICEY but worth EVERY CENT!)
Good picks, Ms. Expert. Nutrition/beauty secrets?
I’m not even going to BS. Nutrition is something I need to work on. Beauty Secrets? Suki Exfoliating Face Scrub works AMAZING! You can find it at Whole Foods. Great skin gives you an easy canvas for your face. Every women should have this lemon scented, grainy but delicate and ORGANIC face scrub. Trust me. You can thank me later. The people I like are always more attractive to me. Beauty on the inside always projects to the surface. A smile is the cheapest and most effective beauty weapon!
I’ll be sure to keep that in mind. Are you a sunscreen fanatic like me? What are your top picks?
Nope, I’m not even kind of a sunscreen fanatic which is why I only buy foundation that already has it included. If it’s not in there I’m going to forget to put it on. Plain and simple. The Balm’s Balmshelter is an amazing foundation and it has SPF 18, and it’s easy to find. Here’s a secret weapon-it’s illegal in the states to sell because the SPF is so high! SPF 60 for you REAL SUNSCREEN FANATICS! Anthelios XL Sunblock - 60. You have to buy it online but if you want the strongest, most waterproof, SPF then there’s my tip. Go hog wild!
Haha. I will. You’re stranded on a desert island but can only bring 5 things. What are they?
The cast of LOST, A laptop for Perezhilton.com-I know, sue me. My dogs, some Perrier, a bunch of xanax.
Honesty. I like it! So, what’s your advice out there for any entrepreneur who has a passion and wants to start a site/business but doesn’t know how?
If you have passion you’ll do it. The rest will figure itself out. Seriously. The hardest part is the easiest. Look no further then the old Nike campaign “JUST DO IT” If something is a good idea to you, it’s probably a GREAT idea to millions. Get in the game, ask questions, I just ask myself “What’s the worst that can happen?” If the answer isn’t a lot of jail time or death then you should get off your butt and get going. We really only go around once, so make the most of it. There’s a great quote “When you look back at your life you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more then the things that you did.” Remember that and take a risk. You’re so worth it!
L’oreal! Meg, Your knowledge of makeup, beauty advice and the tech space have made your site so popular. Any bits of knowledge that you’d like to share with us?
Honesty is the key to my site. I mess up all the time. I’m human. I just admit when I do to thousands of women when I screw up. There’s not any judgment on Megsmakeup.com. We are just as honest about ourselves as we are about the products we review. There’s a nice comfort in the solidarity our community has. Megsmakeup parties happen all over the country between friends that have met through the site. My advice is to just stay true to yourself. If everyone likes you then you’re doing something wrong. I’m still learning the “Tech space.” It’s new for all of us. There’s no secret formula that someone has perfected. It’s a completely new frontier so it’s open to anyone that wants in.
Love it! Last Random Question… Karaoke anthem?
I can’t sing a lick, I think I’m tone deaf. I love Alana Davies “32 Flavors” I think it’s a good theme song to have.
Megan, thanks for sharing your beauty know-how with us and I will continue to stalk your site so I don’t waste my money on products that aren’t worth it. Keep getting your shine on!
