Beauty Blog Backstage: The Gloss Menagerie

As part of the Beauty Blog Backstage feature, I'm interviewing Alyson of The Gloss Menagerie! I hope I did OK, it's my first time having to interview someone!



1. What do you love best about beauty blogging?

Definitely getting to try all kinds of new products that I'd never even heard of before. It's also opened a lot of doors to do things (like work a booth at IMATS!) that I never would have gotten the opportunity to do before.

2. If you didn't have a beauty blog, what would you be blogging about?

I actually do have other non-beauty blogs, and I mostly talk about what's going on in my life, recipes, and random stuff like that. In the past I've blogged about ugly shoes, haha. I've gotten a lot of requests to bring that one back but I haven't made the time. Maybe I'll bring it back as a feature on The Gloss Menagerie? :P

3. What's the best and worst cosmetic item you've tried?

The best is a lot harder to choose because there are so many makeup items I love! Definitely one of the most life-changing was Urban Decay Primer Potion. I never knew something like that existed and once I tried it I became a lifetime fan! As far as worst goes, probably a pantene shampoo & conditioner I tried a few months back. It made my hair feel like straw. Ew.

4. What makeup item do you think is overrated?

I'm probably gonna get something thrown at me for saying this, but Cover Girl Lash Blast mascara. I tried it, and while it's not a bad mascara, it got SO much hype when it came out that I thought was kinda silly. There are mascaras out there that work way better for me. It's funny how makeup is so personal and how one person's love is another person's worst ever, haha.

5. You love cats...do you love any other animals?

Absolutely! I'm a huge animal lover. I have 2 cats and a fish. My other main obsession is horses. I adore the ponies! I actually was on an equestrian team for about 5 years and hope to pick that up again one day. It's a very expensive hobby, especially in Southern California where boarding a horse is ridiculously expensive. I also would really like to have a dog of my own. I've never been able to because of my parents not wanting one or because of living in a small apartment, etc. I love watching Animal Planet! In fact my cat is sitting on my computer mouse and part of my keyboard right now!

6. What's the most out-there makeup look you've ever tried?

I generally play it pretty safe with my makeup most of the time, but there have been times when I went to work (in a pretty casual office) with dark blue or teal eyeshadow on my lids and gold eyeliner or something. I'm also not one to shy away from lipstick in shades like bright hot pink or purple.

7. What would you do if you could never wear eyeshadow ever again?

I would cry!!!!! But I wouldn't get rid of all of it because I would still be able to apply it to other people, right? Ahhh what a cruel question!!!