we heart mythbuster beauty

You may not know this, but before the launch of we heart this, Stef and I both spent years as makeup reviewers on the internet. Believe me, we have seen and tested almost every product out there and have read all the beauty blogs. It was through our love of blogging about beauty that we came into contact with the fabulous Jen Hill. At first, she was just one of the many beauty-obsessed friends we had in cyberspace and then, about a year and a half ago, Jen plunged into the blogging world and created her own site Mythbuster Beauty.

Jen should certainly be proud of her creation. The site is always an intelligent, fun and honest read that brings you detailed descriptions, pictures and how-to’s on the latest products in the beauty world. One reason we really love her site, is that she’s a real woman – five kids, husband, living life in Utah – her reviews are relatable and realistic. We always know that if Jen loves a product, it’s one that will be good for us as well. Another favorite feature on her site is the tips and how-to’s for “real people.” Mythbuster Beauty specializes in showing pictures of products in use on Jen or her amazing co-writers Mo and Decorative Diva, which is so helpful. I mean, any color looks good on a supermodel. How can you be sure it will work on you? Mythbuster Beauty to the rescue!

We’re proud to highlight Mythbuster Beauty in our inaugural sites we heart feature (more sites to follow). Let’s get to know Jen a little bit better:

wht: Have you been a make up addict all your life? Do you remember an early make up buying experience that got you hooked?
Yes, without a doubt, I was a beauty addict from a very young age. One of my favorite makeup experiences was to go with a friend to the local drug store and browse through the cosmetics section. That’s how I found early beauty favorites like Bonne Bell’s Lip Smackers and Love’s Baby Soft. (Does anybody remember the yummy lemon scent they had in the 80’s? I loved it ~ tyna)

wht: Why did you decide to launch your own beauty site? How did you prepare to launch?
The decision to create my own beauty site came very naturally. As I was compelled to read from several other sites, I kept thinking that I had a unique perspective and passion for the subject, and I had something valuable to add to the mix. I really had no experience blogging or web design. I didn’t know how it would work at first. I simply had a vision of what I wanted to do, created a name, purchased the domain and jumped in!

wht: How do you do it!? As a mom of five, you must have extraordinary organizational and time management skills. Tell us your secrets to getting it all done!
Not exactly! I am a little OCD when it comes to cleaning and keeping clutter in check. However, I do have a few places in my home that are considered hazardous waste dumps.
I do my best to keep a balance between working on the site and keeping up with everything else. For instance, many days I will treat myself with time to work on the site (because, seriously, I love working on the site so much that it really is a treat), after doing all the dishes, or folding a large stack of laundry. I pace myself and try not to take on too much at once.

wht: Describe your typical day…
I’m usually up between 6 and 7 am, and work on getting the kids out the door for school. If my little ones are still sleeping, I run to the computer to get a few minutes of work done before they wake up. Once they are up, I bounce between getting things done with the kids and working on the site (emails, comments, giveaways, posts, etc.).
In late morning, after I take my five year old daughter to Kindergarten, my youngest and I get some shopping done, visit a friend, or take a nap. Seriously, I love to indulge in a 20-30 minute mid-afternoon nap. By 3:00 pm, everyone is home and it is a shuffle of homework, lessons and other activities, and prepping for dinner. I love to cook, and rely heavily on my Le Creuset Dutch Oven, my crock pot, Costco, and occasional take out. This Christmas I received a Kitchen Aid Mixer and have been experimenting with making different types of homemade bread.

wht: Is your family supportive of the site? Are your daughters obsessed with beauty as well?
To be fair, yes the are generally supportive, but not always. My husband tries his best to be patient. The girls really try to be patient with their slightly obsessed beauty blogging momma. One thing that I think is overlooked with blogging is all the behind the scenes work that is done. The research, reading, correspondence with companies, site design and management, etc…
My girls are ALL beauty addicts! They love anything I send their way, although those that are under the age of 12 cannot wear more that lip gloss to school. My oldest daughter has the most covetous stash of cosmetics from Becca, Urban Decay, to wonderful mineral makeup! We both really love UD’s 24/7 Eye Pencils. (If you have these, consider buying UD’s Grind House sharpener. It’s worth every penny!)

wht: A unique feature on mb is the real life demos and pictures. Is it weird to put so much of yourself (i.e. close up pictures) out to the world? What demos/instructions can readers expect in the future?
Yes it is! One of the main reasons I demonstrate with actual pictures is that many times that is the best representation of what a product looks like and can really do. The proof is in the picture, I guess you could say. I am not a makeup artist, but my two contributors Mo and DecoDiva have vast experience in the field of makeup artistry and they have the most beautiful faces to demonstrate their looks.
In the future we will be including some tutorial videos. I will probably demonstrate some of the naturally curly hair care techniques, and Mo and Deco Diva will show you how to create some great cosmetic looks.

wht: Tell us what you think the big beauty trends will be in winter 09.
Well, the dark lip was big this fall, but I see it fading quickly. Lancôme is releasing a new spring lipstick called Pink Irreverence, which has a bit of black in it and creates an intriguing shade of hot pink/magenta/fuchsia.
The new trend is all about High Definition. Natural and flawless foundation, dewy and gorgeous glow, and lip and nail colors that would make your mailman blush. I’m thinking retro, classic jeans, beautiful pendants and earrings, and donning a smart handbag. I think hair styles are falling from straight to full and soft styles, and everything else good and free will follow into spring.

wht: You’re going to a promising cocktail party and are carrying a little clutch purse. You can only carry Three Beauty Items with you. List them:
Make Up Forever Microfinish Powder ($30) – ideal finishing powder, gives my skin soft focus and leaves it feeling like velvet.
NARS lip gloss in Rose Birman ($24) – a sheer cranberry – if you cannot go too dark, this shade and consistency is gorgeous! One of the best lip glosses on the planet.
Urban Decay lipstick in Hotpants($22) – luxuriously creamy and a beautiful medium pink shade. Some don’t like the scent or container, but the formula is smooth and the color divine!

wht: Not quite make up: What is your favorite and/or signature scent?
One of my favorite scents is from Fresh called Cannabis Rose, so lovely!
Although most days, due to sensitivies, I prefer not to wear a fragrance. I am incredibly addicted to handmade soaps from Herbaria (Ginger Neem, Sassafrass Birch, Lemon Avocado to name a few), and the body scrubs and lotions from SallyBSkinYummies.

wht: You can pick front row center seats to any concert at any point in time. Whom are you seeing?
I would attend Sting’s concert any day, any time. I also am attending a Michael Franti and Spearhead concert next week to celebrate my 40th birthday!!!

Thanks to Jen for letting us feature Mythbuster Beauty on we heart this. We hoped you just celebrated a fabulous birthday! Readers, make sure to bookmark this amazing site and get on over and say “Hi” to Jen, Mo and the Diva!

Filed in: beauty & fashion

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