Ah! I hate losing sleep, so as we all spring forward, at least we get more sunlight. (This is me being positive. ) It’s been a really good weekend, as Alan Moore’s “The Watchmen,” came out and I actually ended up liking it as it kicked ass at the box office this weekend with a $55.7 million in business.  Directed by Zach Snyder, the film was gorgeously violent and filled with characters that toed the line between good and evil.  To be honest, it was a bit long and I definitely need to a) Read the Graphic Novel b) Watch it again after reading the Graphic Novel.   Ya know?  There was this fantastic scene on Mars though… you should check it out.

In other news, I’ve been getting a lot of e-mails from readers who ask…

1) I don’t get your blog.  What do you exactly do?

2) What’s with the obsession with hip hop karaoke?

3)  Do you think that you can help me find my high school girlfriend/boyfriend? (This is random!!!)

4) You’re an actor/writer? What have you done?

5) Nice job on “The Office.”  Were you the unmarked or marked Benihana Waitress?

6) Can you do my homework for me? It involves documents. (Uhhh…..)

So, in order to clarify this information, I decided to embed an interview I did with Ploomy, a funny, smart men’s lifestyle blog. (Run by Anthony and the team up in SF. They’re bomb.)

Ploomy Girl – Kathrien Ahn – Free Legal Forms

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!

For anyone who has ever glanced through Teen Vogue, to peruse the articles about the latest teen pop sensation, tabloid darling, or just like to look at the ridiculously stylish teens who have fashion forward closets (and wallets), you’ll be psyched to read this next interview with Eva Chen, the beauty director of Teen Vogue. Check out the interview where she dishes on what its like to work at the former offices of Whitney and LC, her very simple beauty secret, and ahem, is she a karaoker?

Eva, so glad you could do the interview. Tell us where you’re from? Native New Yorker?
Yes, I was raised in New York. I grew up in the village, right around Washington Square Park. It was great to have such a multi-cultural and diverse experience as a child!

Tell the readers of girlatastartup about how you started on your path to becoming the Beauty/Health Director for Teen Vogue. So, when you were 10, were you really into beauty products and stuff, or did
you start off in one arena and end up here?
I never would have guessed that I’d end up as a beauty editor. I actually was very much interested in medicine as a teen and went to Johns Hopkins University to be pre-med. The reality of pre-med didn’t quite agree with me though and after three years, I took a break and accepted a summer internship at Harper’s Bazaar in the features and beauty section. It was love at first sight! I had a great experience. Senior year, I went to Oxford University and studied Shakespeare instead (as I had enough credits to
graduate already) and then afterwards, got my first job in magazines at Lucky, in the fashion department. Then, I got a position at ELLE as the assistant beauty editor. I stayed at ELLE for three years, eventually leaving with the title of editor, before coming to Teen Vogue as the beauty and health director.

Very Cool. So onto the health questions, I’m a 20-something, but still read your blog for its great beauty tips/finds. What’s the biggest difference in offering beauty/health advice to teens vs. 20-somethings?
We absolutely have readers in their 20s (I’m in my 20s too and SO many of my friends “confess” to loving Teen Vogue!). The main difference between teens and 20-somethings is that teens are still very much learning, so they like to learn about the basics. That said, teens are MUCH more open to experimenting too. How many 28 year olds are brave enough to try the Agyness Denn pixie cut? Whereas teens are fearless!

Wow, anyone who can pull off a pixie cut gets a gold star in my book. So.. what about mentors? How crucial are they and how do you suggest that people go about finding mentors in their fields? Also, did you have a mentor who guided you to where you are today?
Finding a mentor is definitely helpful. The best way to find a mentor is through internships (where you establish connections) or through reaching out to people via email. You can email people just to say you admire their work and ask whether they’d have 5-10 minutes for a spot of advice. I’ve found, given the proper wording/manners, most people are kind and gracious enough to grant time, even to a stranger.

Eva, give us some skincare secrets and don’t be stingy. You obviously have billion-dollar skin.
The most important thing is to set up a routine. Wash your face 2x a day religiously, drink a LOT of water, and wear SPF like it’s the most important thing in the world (which for skin, it actually is). Oh, and look into retinoids. I’ve found that they’re the one thing EVERY derm agrees on, in terms of acne reduction and elimination of fine lines.

Check. Tell us…what’s the coolest part about working for Teen Vogue? Is the the free products/perks? Going to Fashion week? And added on to that, are you a fan of the Hills, and is working there, hm…, a bit more intensive than its portrayed on the show?
I love working at Teen Vogue for so many reasons! It’s great to talk to young women/teens every day and hear that we’re really affecting their lives. Of course, free products aren’t bad either, especially for a product addict like me! Fashion week is wonderful but very frantic, so I’m grateful that I only have to cover New York.

Okay, so in the state of the recent economy, how can a girl be fashionable on a budget?
Ebay, ebay, ebay. And H&M!

Yes! H&M on 34th St is the best! And, as a former NYC resident, I miss the summer NYC fashion. What’s in style for summer 2008? Give us some of your favorite outfits.
This summer I’m pairing cute flats with little shorts and billowy tops, or I’m wearing long maxi dresses and a little chapeau (must protect the skin!). I’ve been lucky enough to go to Paris a few times this year, so I’ve picked up quite a few cute looks from Sandro and Maje.

You obviously love your job. So, what inspires you in your daily life? And if you could give advice to young women out there who are searching for their talents and passions, what would you say?
I find inspiration everywhere, from the New York Times Science section (great source for cool studies for my health section!) to the streets of Milan and Paris and New York. And, of course, the legions of cool and awesome girls out there who email me! My advice to girls out there is to not be afraid to try a lot of things. After all, I did pre-med, pre-law, pre-everything, pretty much, before landing in a field I love! And the more things you learn that you DON’T like, the more you are honing in on what it is that you do. Always write thank you notes, be down-to-earth, and be patient.

That’s so true. Thanks Eva, so how about some random questions?
Are you a downtown girl or an uptown girl? (Had to ask)
Downtown girl but with with the occasional taste for an uptown splurge.
What’s your Karaoke anthem?
I am the most tone-deaf person ever so I try not to agonize anyone with my voice!
And because this blog is entitled, Girlatastartup, how tech-savvy are you, Ms. Chen?
Just the basics… Emailing, word processing, and internet. Enough to get by. I wish I was more so, though!

Girl, you have the basics down. Thanks for sharing your inspirational and beauty tips with us, and I will CONTINUE to peruse that cute little mag of yours. Check out Eva’s Beauty Blog to read more about the latest beauty/health/fashion trends.