An excerpt about Brian:
Brian is a make up enthusiast & the writer of the Cosmetic Viking blog. He also does video tutorials on Youtube.
The Interview:
Favorites
Foundation: Illamasqua's Rich Liquid Foundation in RF120
Blush: MAC's Bite of an Apple
Mascara: Rimmell's Lash Accelerator in Extreme Black
Eyeliner: NYX's Black Bean jumbo pencil
Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion/ Kat Von D's High Voltage Eye Primer/ Fyrinnae's PIxie Epoxy
Eyeshadow: Sugarpill
Lipstick or Gloss: Lipstick, but no particular favorite.
Q: How did you come up with the name Cosmetic Viking?
A: Not the question I'm used to getting, actually. Most of the time its why 'Cosmetic Viking'? I used to like to come up with word gabs so for the longest time, the bio for my Twitter just said 'VIKING'; eventually I got the idea to put two and two together and BOOM.
Q: What made you decide to start blogging?
A: A lot of people I knew were doing it. Before, I was mostly doing YouTube but I was a little discouraged with my presentation so eventually I flocked myself over to Blogger and here we are.
Q: Do you have any tips for readers who want to start a blog and/or get more followers?
A: Modesty and presentation; leave ego out of the equation and put your best foot forward. Try and be relatable and really put yourself out there. Its your blog so really anything goes; its your world and you make the rules. Don't heed to anyone else's thoughts or opinions unless you're looking for constructive criticism, which in some cases most people are very kind about. There's always going to be a handful of people who enjoy getting under your skin but a few rude individuals versus potential hundreds or even thousands of dedicated readers is a fair trade. Just be yourself.
Q: Some issues discussed in the makeup blogosphere can attract a lot of heated debate. How do you, personally, control comment wars?
A: Well, I would say just don't intentionally write or post about a legitimate issue without thinking it through first but I know that doesn't stop a lot of people. If things get out of control, then close the post and if you want to, post a notice explaining your reasoning. However, even if those circumstances do apply, that's your blog and again, you make the rules. If a person cannot respect or understand that fact, I'd give them der Stiefel.
Q: What are your top three favorite blogs to read?
A: Gothique, Phyrra and Temptalia.
Q: What are some of your favorite posts to write?
A: FOTD's, I think. Reviews seem to confining. While its good to stay on topic, I always find myself floating off or meshing into another subject. With makeup looks I can just BS about whatever and then discuss the look at hand.
Indie VS Commercial brands
Q: Which do you prefer?
A: Indie.
Q: What do you like the most about commercial brands?
A: Eh...can't think of many pros when up against Indie.
Q: What do you like the most about indie brands?
A: Variety and creative freedom. While most Indie brands aren't on the path to creating 'revolutionary' liquid foundation, blahblahblah, many of them have amazing and creative eyeshadows (and if you know where to look, fantastic and unique lip products or face products). Basically, its a free-for-all and you don't have some prissy woman in a boring outfit and neutral and safe makeup telling you what and what not to wear for this season's HOTTEST trend!
Q: What would you suggest consumers do before purchasing from an indie company?
A: Check around for reviews first. If there isn't anything available, look around for accurate swatches to see if someone didn't just have a field day with the sponge brush in saturation mode and some random stock photo. Be aware of the 'repackaging' concept, too, so you don't purchase overpriced product that the seller put no effort into blending or creating themselves.
A big thank you to Brian for taking the time to do an interview with us!
-Tina
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