I’m so happy to bring you today’s 20 Questions. Niki is one of the first bloggers I got to know way back in early 2009 when Just Nice Things was just starting out and she was blogging as MagicMaid. We quickly bonded over our common love of nail varnish and literature. In fact, many of the China Glaze polishes you see on here originated from Niki as I bought a lot of her collection when she downsized last year. Niki now blogs as Nightly Nails and you can check out her blog here

1)         Why did you start your blog?
I originally started blogging at Magic Maid because I wanted to do something other than YouTube – I needed a different outlet. I started Nightly Nails because I missed blogging about nail polish and wanted to get back into it!

2)         How long have you been blogging for?
I’ve been blogging since May of 2009 – obviously, I started out blogging on Magic Maid, and now I’ve been blogging on Nightly Nails since February of 2011.

3)         What do you enjoy most about blogging?
Interacting with my readers! They’re the reason I keep going, it’s so much fun to share a love of something with someone else.

 4)         What frustrates you most about blogging?
Probably the negativity and judgement I see.

5)         How much time a week do you spend on your blog / reading other people’s blogs?
Quite a lot.  I don’t get to comment on other people’s blogs as much as I’d like, but at least a couple hours every day.

6)         What advice do you have for aspiring beauty bloggers?
Be yourself. People will like you for who you are, and keep it honest. Don’t be afraid to let your own personality show, and don’t be afraid to say you didn’t like something. 

7)         What other hobbies/interests do you have?
I love to read! I’m a voracious reader and there aren’t many genres that I’m not interested in. I also love to cook.

8 )        How many bottles of nail varnish do you own?
Oh gosh. Well, at one point I had well over 1000, but now it’s upwards of 500.
           
9)         Do you set yourself a shopping budget, or do you purchase on an as-and-when basis?
Definitely as-and-when. I do budget myself as needed, for instance right now I’m on a low buy.

10)      What is your favourite make-up brand, and why?
I wear a lot of indie make-up – Meow Cosmetics and Fyrinnae are two of my favorites. My favourite “big brand” would be Urban Decay.  They might be a bit more expensive, but I feel like their quality is excellent.

 11)      Do you ever leave the house without wearing make-up?
I actually don’t do full make-up a lot in the summer – I’ll get by with a light dusting of powder and mascara! It’s just so hot here, I can’t make it last.
           
12)      What is your favourite beauty product and why?
Meow Pampered Puss foundation. I love this stuff.  A little goes a really long way, it’s good for my skin, and it was easy to find a perfect match. That’s been pretty impossible for me because my skintone is really unusual and hard to match.

13)      What is your favourite nail varnish of all time? (yep, only one!)
Oh, you’re KILLING me with only one! Okay, how about currently? Essie’s Ruby Slippers, which was a long time lemming of mine.

14)      Tell us about the best holiday you’ve ever been on?
I got a birthday trip one time to go to Boston for a weekend. We ate at all kinds of fun restaurants, and spent one day in Salem, exploring the shops and interesting spots. It was SO much fun. I love Boston and I don’t get to visit enough.

15)      What would be your ideal day off?
To not do anything unless I felt like it! Too often when I get a day off I have so much to do, I try to cram everything in at once.

16)      What is your favourite TV show?
Currently it’s True Blood, but I also loved Six Feet Under and Lost, and I watch all kinds of true crime shows.

17)      What music do you enjoy listening to?
Really, all kinds. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for classic rock, as it’s my original true love, and I really don’t enjoy a lot of rap.
           
18)      What is your favourite food?
Tiramisu.

 19)      Where would you most like to visit in the world? (money no object)
Can I cheat and say Europe?

20)      Tell us a secret…
I can only snap with my ring fingers. Apparently that’s an inherited thing – I’ve NEVER been able to snap with my middle fingers like most folks.

Thank you, Niki! Remember, if you have a blog and would like to participate in 20 Questions, please drop us a line.

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