Another day, another interview. Normal nail service will resume shortly, but today is the monthly Beauty Blogs Backstage day again. I can’t believe how fast  it comes around! So, today, you can read the interview I did with Nicole, from the blog Lipstick and Luxury. I have to admit, I wasn’t aware of Nicole’s blog until we were partnered together for this month, but I enjoyed getting to know her, and I have to say, her site provides some great escapism for me. A New Yorker with a real eye for fashion, Nicole is also a fellow beauty addict.

Check out Nicole’s site here, where you will also find the answers to the questions she put to me…

Photo courtesy of Nicole Dantzler, www.lipstickandluxury.com

1) I was really interested to read all about your adventures at New York Fashion Week. Which designer inspires you the most, and why?
There were so many great shows at New York Fashion Week so it’s difficult to choose just one. I would say that the collection that stood out to me most would be Concept Korea. The pieces were so creative and different than anything that other designers had on the runway. Many designers showed the neutral trend using shades of beige, gray and white but Concept Korea certainly thought outside of the box and showcased fashion from three Korean designers that were anything but neutral.

2) I saw that you reviewed the Clarisonic a little while back. It’s currently experiencing huge success in the UK. How are you finding the results a month on?
As someone that has oily and acne prone skin, Clarisonic is a lifesaver. I find that my skin tends to break out less and feels incredibly smooth. I no longer need to exfoliate my face since I use the Clarisonic twice a day. It’s an expensive product but well worth the price.

3) Your blog emphasizes how everyone deserves a little luxury. What is your favourite way to treat yourself?
I treat myself by giving myself a gift once a month. I have a rule that if I love something, I don’t care how much it costs because I’m worth it. So every month I treat myself to some new makeup or clothing that I’ve had my eye on. I guess you can say that my indulgence is shopping…which is certainly a luxury in this economy.

4) What advice would you give to aspiring beauty bloggers?
Don’t be afraid to be different! There are so many beauty blogs online right now so it’s really hard to keep up with them all. However we each have our own voice and something that makes us different. Some beauty bloggers focus on hair, some on nails, some like myself tend to cover a little bit of everything. However I am never afraid to voice my opinion on product especially when I don’t like it. Some bloggers refuse to write a negative review if the product doesn’t work, I feel that it’s my duty to review a product even if it doesn’t work.

5) What are your key wardrobe items for Autumn?
I keep up with the trends so for me having a military jacket, riding boots, an animal print clutch and red lipstick are key Fall wardrobe items.

6) What are your favourite things about living in New York?
I am a New Yorker born and raised and I love my city. New York offers everything that you can imagine but what I love most is convenience. I can literally run out of my house at 4am and go out to eat if I wanted to. I am all about options and New York offers plenty of that.

7) Who would be your dream dinner party guests? And what would you cook for them?
If I could have anyone over for dinner it would be John Galliano, Anna Wintour, June Amrose, Karl Lagerfeld and Santino Rice. They are all giants in the fashion industry and I would love to chat it up with them and pick their brains. I would probably be way too nervous to cook so I would hire in catering from Balthazar in NYC.

Thanks, Nicole! Beauty Blogs Backstage will return at the same time next month!