If you haven’t seen gypsydancermacaholic work her glossy magic on YouTube check her out here and of course, subscribe!  Or you can follow her blog here.

Q: What is your name? Do you go by any nicknames?
I’m actually a little weird about using my real name but I will say that I was named after a popular actress from the 60′s . My mom never liked nicknames so she made sure that my name couldn’t really be shortened. I have 2 really random ones from my oldest friends that make absolutely NO sense unless you knew the story behind them and their nicknames. I like making up names for people but am not really a fan of having a nickname, except for the 2 random ones that are, like, 20 years old.

Q: We always see you sitting down on camera! How tall are you?
I’m only 5’5 but I always wear heels so if you’ve never seen me barefoot you’d think I was about 5’7. My heels range anywhere from 2-5.5 inches. I own 1 pair of flats that I use for walking at work other than that my “flats” are 2.”Very few people know how tall I really am unless they see me without shoes on which is rare unless you come visit me at home.

Q: Does anyone ever tell you that you look like someone famous? If so, who?
This one is funny because it seems to be based on how my hair is at the time. About 10 years ago I used to get Esmeralda and Jasmine from the Disney cartoons which I always found amusing. I mean, who tells you that you look like a cartoon? I even had someone offer to pay me to dress up as Esmeralda for their daughter’s birthday because they insisted that I looked like her. Needless to say, I didn’t take the offer, but I was flattered. There were a few years when I had my hair its natural chocolate brown and I had some people tell me that I looked like Katherine Zeta Jones – of course, I loved that, but could only dream of looking like her. Recently, a fellow YTer said that I looked like Debra Messing in one of my videos but with dark hair. Again, very flattering! I think I see the cartoon comparisons more than the actual actresses.

Q: You talk about dance class in many of your videos. How long have you been dancing? Do you have any other hobbies?
I’ve been dancing for about 12 years, not including dance classes as a child. I’ve performed for a lot of those years and even taught Tribal Belly Dance for about 2 years. I started with Afro-Brazilian Samba and even got to perform in my city’s Carnaval Parade one year, I eventually transitioned to Tribal Belly Dance which truly is my passion and “my dance” (it came very naturally early on) and that was my focus for years, eventually I added Hula and Flamenco and those are really the 2 that I take classes for nowadays. I love to dance and find that it really helps with body acceptance and confidence. Plus, its the best exercise and you don’t even realize it since it is so much fun! I also love to read, make jewelry, bake (from scratch), make DIY-type crafts, learn foreign languages and about different cultures. I love messing around in PhotoShop and DreamWeaver and, of course, working on cars with my husband (hot rods not import tuners).

Q: Your dog is so cute! How long have you had him? Do you have any other pets?
My little man! He’s a family dog and we got him when he was 8 weeks, he just turned 6. I adore him so much. Unfortunately at this time, we can’t have any pets since we rent but once we buy a house the plan is to get 2 or 3 rescue dogs. I see my little man at least once a week though and sometimes he comes to spend the day at my house or we go shopping to dog-friendly malls. He’s an only child and sometimes we think that he forgets he’s a dog.

Q: Who are your inspirations for beauty and fashion?
No one in particular, really. I don’t follow fashion trends, never really have. That’s not to say that I won’t buy something trendy, but I will wear it however I want and not how it’s “supposed to be worn.” I still really love a glam rock or old school goth look (back when it was still Victorianesque and people didn’t wear color or dreads or Rocky Horror shoes). And, of course, I can’t forget Stevie Nicks. There’s just something very feminine and romantic about those looks to me.

I love the natural beauty of older actresses such as Sophia Loren and Raquel Welch. I also love an edgier look like Siouxsie from Siouxsie and the Banshees and Kat Von D.

I can’t say that I follow any actresses in terms of wanting to buy clothing similar to theirs. It’s hard to explain but I don’t buy fashion magazines to see what’s “in.” I actually prefer to avoid what everyone else is wearing at the moment. The majority of my wardrobe is black and classic pieces or items that can be worn today or in 7 years and it won’t look trendy or dated either way.

Q: You have mentioned that you have a thing for shoes. How many pairs do you have in your collection? Do you have any favorite pairs?
I’ve lost count of how many pairs of shoes I have but if I had to guess I’d say around 50-75 maybe. There was a period of time where I had close to 200 pairs but sadly I had to get rid of a lot over the years. 95% of my shoes are some form of mary jane and I actually do own a pair oft flats(also mary jane style) that I use for talking walks at work, nothing else, and then another pair that is like 1.5 inches that I got only because my acupuncturist told me I had to wear flats for a few weeks and I didn’t own any that I could wear (the walking ones are just for walking). I also have a pair of Vans that I wear only certain places, Converse/Chuck’s that I wear when I work on the cars and regular tennis shoes that I use for walking or if I go to the gym. I also have a few pairs of “granny style” boots and then of course strappy sandals for the warmer days. My current faves are my Via Spiga B&W Mary Janes that have a sort of spectator look to them, but really I think they are all my faves! LOL

Q: What are a few of your “obsessions” right now?
I’d have to say YouTube, Twitter in terms of online stuff and then, recording/documenting everything and video editing nothing too new or exciting. I go through phases. I love gadgets so if I get a new camera then I become obsessed with taking a ton of pictures and then messing with them in PhotoShop. I really want to start working on my car (a 1937 LaSalle) but need to save more but as soon as I have enough money to get started I know that will be my next “obsession.”

Q: You talk about work in a lot of your videos. What is your current profession? Do you like your job?
I’ve been an executive assistant for 12 years. It pays the bills and I love my current boss. I like what I do because I don’t have to take my work home with me and it allows me to still have an outside creative outlet. I was also a part time wardrobe stylist for a national subculture magazine for 6+ years. That did not pay the bills but allowed me the creative outlet that I needed as well as meeting some amazing people in the process.

Q: What got you started doing videos on YouTube?
I still question that, myself. I got hooked on the makeup aspect of YT because of my little sister. One day I was over and she showed me MonroeMisfitMakeUp and I was hooked. It was during a time that I was in a slump and had stopped wearing makeup but the love of it has always been there. After watching a few videos I started looking around and I found other gurus then my friend WhatsCooknGoodLookn started sending me videos of her dog and between the makeup and pet videos I decided to create an account. Then the more I watched make up videos the more I remembered how great I felt when I would go all out and wear makeup. After realizing that anyone could do makeup tutorials I decide to give it a shot. It’s always been a passion and something that I did for fun and I love learning new tips and tricks. I’ve worked with some amazing MUAs in the past and learned from them but after the shoot was over I couldn’t remember certain things so the videos were great because I could pause and rewind and really try new ideas on myself. I initially was only going to make a couple haul videos so that my channel didn’t look creepy since I would comment and subscribe to people but then I got the bug and with the encouragement of my husband and some great friends that I made on YT I just jumped right in.

Q: Do you have any future goals for your YouTube channel or your blog?
Not really. I do these things for fun not fame. I’m happy that people are actually interested enough in my channel to watch my makeup tutorials, reviews and hauls and that they subscribe. I’d like to think that I’ve inspired others to do the same and maybe even teach someone something new. As for my blog, I’d love for it to be a resource that people come to often, but since it’s something I do for fun and in my spare time I realize that it doesn’t have all the latest trends, plus that’s not my thing. My reviews are on items that I choose to try that may or may not be new and they are always brutally honest. Even if I am fortunate enough to have a company send me products gratis I’m not going to lie and sound like a commercial just to get more free stuff. I don’t see the point in being deceiving just to get something for free. Not saying others aren’t honest but I’ve noticed that a lot of reviews all sound the same and almost scripted and I can’t help but question it. I’m sure I’ll get a lot of slack for saying that but if you’ve seen my videos or read my blog then you know I don’t sugar coat things. If I love something I tell you, if I hate something I tell you and I tell you why and if I really don’t like something then you may never hear me talk about it because its just not worth it. I’ve found that a lot of people don’t like to hear negative things about products they love but everyone has their opinion and I don’t believe that everyone can love the same item, regardless of how amazing it may be to some.

My blog and my channel are an extension of me. I like to shop and try new things and tell people about them but I don’t buy things just because everyone else has them or is wearing them. Of course that’s hard to say with makeup but it’s true. Take nude lipstick or bronzer for example. I hate both, always have always will. Yet everyone is wearing them and its everywhere I look when I go shopping but I just can’t get behind it. I know what I like and what I don’t like. I like blood red lips day or night and pale skin. If you see a nude lipstick in my collection its simply to mix with other colors (you’ve seen my lip tutorials right?) and I admit to having 1 bronzer that I got talked into when I was looking to try a blush (I never really wore blush because I didn’t want color) and I wore it maybe 5 times. I just can’t stand bronzer, its painfully fake in my opinion and I can always spot it on someone.

Q: How often do you haul and has your haul frequency increased since starting YouTube?
It’s hard to say. I used to have a really bad shopping problem in my teens and into my mid 20s. When I eventually lived on my own, I realized that rent had to come first so I was forced to not shop as much. Once my husband and I moved in together and joined incomes, I realized that I could shop again but that I had to pay cash for everything (our rule). I would typically only do a major haul during Friends & Family sales then last year I went crazy after starting my channel and hauled monthly. It definitely brought my make up collection back to where it had once been and then some. This year though I’ve tapered back again and regained my senses. I still love to shop but have put myself on my own “budget” which means that unless its something that I’ve been wanting for ages i.e.: the Ben Nye palette or something that I LOVE the minute I see it, then I don’t need it. I don’t have as much make up as some but I have plenty. I don’t ever plan to do make up for a living, so there is no need to buy the entire Mac store. I want to start using what I have so that I can buy other things, like shoes! (maybe I still have a problem LOL)

Q: Do you ever have buyers remorse for spending all of that hard earned money on products?
Sadly I don’t. I like to refer to myself as a recovering shopaholic (unless you watch my Shopaholics Haul videos LOL). I’ve always worked hard so why not enjoy it? “Work hard, play hard” can easily be “work hard, shop hard.” I don’t buy more than I can afford and I believe in treating myself. I enjoy everything that I buy, even the impulse buys.

Q: For you, is makeup a hobby, an obsession, or something else?
It’s part of getting ready in the morning. Its part of me and what I consider maintenance. Its glamorous and girly and it makes me feel good. The women in my family were always all done up and dressed to the nines so to me it was just part of being a girl/woman. My grandmother always told me that we had to look our best at all times, she’d probably roll over in her grave if she new I have some videos of me without any makeup on or that I wear jeans now. Makeup is like underwear, you really shouldn’t leave the house without wearing either one.

Q: Okay, we are just going out on a limb here, but your name suggests you may be addicted to MAC. When did you start becoming obsessed with MAC and cosmetics in general?
I have been obsessed with cosmetics from as far back as I can remember. As mentioned in the previous question, beauty was big in my family so I was always surrounded by makeup and I was always allowed to play with it. I would spend hours in front of the mirror with my mom’s train case and just paint my face, then take it off then start over. I’d do each side differently and sometimes I’d even put makeup on my mom or grandma or aunt. Sometimes when I was bored with playing with my barbies or dolls I’d line up all the lipsticks and perfume bottles and nail polishes. I can’t remember why exactly but I know that it entertained me for hours.

I was first introduced to Mac in 1994 and I’ve been hooked ever since. I can still remember my first purchase! It was at Nordstrom’s during the holidays and they had a special set. It was a black mesh makeup bag (you can see this in my Purse tag video) that included Russian Red lipstick, Mystery eye shadow and Vino nail polish all for $29. I’ve been wearing both Russian Red and Mystery ever since and Vino was my signature color for years. I do own other brands of cosmetics but for me Mac is my staple and Russian Red is my signature color.

Q: What draws you to buy a certain product or brand of makeup?
Usually packaging. I’m very visual so if the packaging doesn’t appeal to me that I probably won’t look at it. Recommendation is always good too as I do love to try new products but so far I always go back to Mac.

Q: At what stores and websites do you most frequently shop for makeup?
Usually a free standing Mac store, sometimes a Pro Store and Sephora (store or on line). I like CCOs too but they are all too far away so I only go a few times a year. I like to spend money but I also like a deal so I tend to only shop where I can get a discount/deal. I don’t own much drugstore makeup but when I do buy it I usually go to Longs and I prefer to buy BOGO.

Q: What does your husband think about your YouTube channel and product obsession?
He’s extremely supportive in everything I do. At first, he thought it was a little weird but I always seem to get sucked into different online communities (wedding related when we were planning our wedding, weight loss when I was doing Weight Watchers, etc.) so he figures as long as it makes me happy. Now every time I come home from makeup shopping, he even asks if I’m gonna do a haul video. He has his own product obsessions, he wears hair grease/pomade and is VERY picky about the brand and weight (pomade comes in different weights i.e.: consistencies) so he understands my product obsession. His thing is Hot Rods, mine is makeup and shopping. As long as neither gets in the way of our relationship or makes us go broke, it’s all good.

Q: You mentioned a few months ago that you sell Arbonne. How did you get started selling Arbonne products? What are some of your favorites?
A little over a year ago, a friend had an Arbonne party and invited me. She used to work for a major cosmetic line but when she started a family decided that she wanted to be a SAHM. She started selling Arbonne and really liked and believed in the products and I trusted her opinion so I went to the party and decided to check it out. At the time they had a deal where you could sign up and pay a small fee to sell the line and receive the discount but you didn’t have to have parties. I’ve already mentioned that I love a deal so I figured why not? I’m not very social so I hadn’t really planned on having parties but since I use the products I figured that if anyone was interested I could tell them about it and they could buy through me if they wanted since you can only buy through a consultant. I don’t use everything but I do love what I do use which is the Re9 NutriminC line (cleanser & toner) and the anti-aging SPF30 moisturizing sunscreen. I also really like the face primer although I don’t use that daily since I hate putting a lot of stuff on my face. I’ve seen great results with the acne line and I love that they have a men’s line as well, which my husband uses and really likes. The products are somewhat on the expensive side but they last forever and really are great, at least for me and my family (everyone uses it).

Q: A lot of your subscribers have questions about your nails. Do they ever get in your way? Are there things that you have trouble doing because of them?
Funny that you ask… I started working at a young age for 2 reasons: I wanted my nails done and I wanted my own phone line, as the oldest child of parents who are also both oldests they were really hard on me and even though I was very spoiled (still am LOL) I had to work for everything. They wanted me to have a sense of responsibility and there were certain things that they were just not willing to pay for. So they told me that if I really wanted those 2 things that I would have to work for them, so I did! My nails have been much longer than they are now and I always worked in customer service (until my 20s) which meant being a cashier on one level or another. I refuse to let my nails get in the way of anything. And with the exception of picking up coins and credit cards/ID off a counter there isn’t anything I can’t do. Well I can’t play the piano or guitar because of them but those were never my instruments of choice anyway, I played wind instruments.

I type approximately 80 words a minute, I can do dishes even though I don’t, I can work jewelry clasps better than most people who don’t have nails and actually get asked by friends and family for help often. I, on the other hand, can put on all of my own jewelry! I even help my husband work on the cars. My nails are part of me just like my hair. I refuse to let them get in the way of life. One of my biggest pet peeves is when women get fake nails put on and then complain that they can’t do anything. In my opinion, if you can’t function then you don’t deserve to have them. Mine are real with an overlay (I explain this in my acrylic nail care video in more detail). I love being super girly and everything related to beauty and fashion and feeling glamorous, and believe it or not my nails do make me feel glamorous but I refuse to be stuck in that “helpless girl” stereotype just because I wear 5 inch heels and have “stripper-length nails.” I may look sweet and innocent but I can hold my own with the boys, too. But I refuse to wear that gross-color coveralls, we’re trying to find me a red pair!

Q: Do the haters get to you? What would you like to tell all of the haters out there?
Knock on wood, I’ve only gotten 3.5 to date. I say .5 because one of the most recent one was so asinine that it wasn’t even worth more than a delete and block. I’m not going to say that rude comments don’t get to me but after my initial thought of “F*@& YOU” I know that they are just pathetic souls that are jealous and lashing out to get some kind of attention that is lacking in their everyday lives. Just like bullies, they have the need to bully someone they see as “weaker” than them because they themselves are being bullied either at home or school or work etc. My observation is that on line the “hater” feels a sense of power since they can’t be seen so it allows them to say things they would probably never say in real life where they probably feel pretty helpless.

Q: Do you have any beauty secrets or tips that you think most other people don’t know about?
Not everyone NEEDS to wear foundation. I see girls/women who wear so much that it actually attracts attention to their face and not in a good way. I feel like a lot of make up artists will try to sell you foundation whether you need it or not. I’m all about being and looking dramatic but there’s also something to be said for natural. If you take care of your skin you won’t need to cover up much. My mom always told me to wash my face, do masks weekly, never to touch my face with dirty hands, moisturize, drink tons of water and stay out of the sun. That was before we became aware of how much sun damage we were being exposed. I do everything she told me plus I wear SPF 30 every day and have been since I was about 17. I’ve found that a lot of people forget to exfoliate which is very important but you don’t want to over exfoliate either. 1-3 times a week is enough based on your skin type. Also you don’t have to spend a fortune on skin care. I’ve already admitted that I’m a product junkie but for those who don’t have the money to buy $30 face wash you can use something gentle and reasonable like Aveeno (a definite drugstore favourite of mine), tone your face at night with apple cider vinegar (balances the pH) and make your own masks out of honey or honey and oatmeal or papaya or mango. I personally have done everything but the papaya and the only reason I don’t use the home skincare is because I’m lazy but if I suddenly had to cut back on what I spend on my skincare I’d definitely do the “make your own” route.

Q: In one of your videos you mentioned that you have a tattoo by Kat Von D! Are you willing to tell us about your tattoos and where any of them are?
I have 7 tattoos and the most recent was done by Kat Von D and no, I wasn’t on the show – we’ve kinda known her for a couple years (through business stuff) and my husband had arranged it with her as a birthday gift for me . I started getting tattooed in 1992 and it was on my right thigh, it is of 2 16th notes with a rose intertwined in the notes, then a year later I got a fairie holding an amethyst and that is on my right shoulder, I got my 3rd in the late 90s and that is on my lower back (before the “tramp stamp” term even existed) and that is of Isis sitting on a pedestal with the triple goddess symbol and flanked by 2 Bastets. I’ve been told that since it is so large it doesn’t fall into the “tramp stamp” category (5×6”) LOL. Considering I was getting tattooed before it became trendy I don’t really care. It was the only logical place for something of its size plus it looked nice when I performed as a belly dancer . The first 2 tatts were all done by the same artist, Nalla Smith who is now in NYC and has since been featured in a Taschen tattoo book as well as Jutapoz magazine. In 2004 we started my ankle project which ended up being 10 hours worth or work in 4 sessions and over 2 years. They are gladiolus wrapping around each ankle and tied into a bow in the front. I love bows and really wanted something on my ankles, the gladiolus were a flower that I really wanted as well so I told the artist that I wanted something that incorporated both and he designed my anklets. In 2007 my husband and I went to Kauai on a belated honeymoon and we both got tattooed on the island the day we came back home, we almost missed our flight because of it but it was so worth it! No, we didn’t get matching tattoos but we wanted something to commemorate the trip, that one is a row of Hawaiian flowers in the middle of my shoulder blades (hibiscus, plumeria, gardenia). And finally my Kat tattoo. I got that one in 2007 for my birthday and it is of Hathor, another Egyptian Goddess and it’s on my left shoulder. I have plans for 4 more large pieces and then 1 tiny one (it will be the only tiny one since all of mine are on the larger side) and one of those will definitely be another piece by Kat. Basically at this point my upper back is almost covered and by the time I’m done I plan to have my entire back done. For whatever reason I keep getting tattoos in places that I can’t see. Out of the 7 I can only see 3 without using 2 mirrors since the rest are on my back. Sometimes I even forget they are there until I catch a glimpse in the mirror.

Q: What is your most prized possession?
My jewelry. I wear a lot of jewelry daily but not costume jewelry and I wear the same pieces everyday even though I have others stashed away in drawers. I have some antique pieces that were given to me by my grandmother (a set – necklace, ring and earrings) who passed away in ’97 and she wore them as a teen and passed them onto me when I was a teen so they mean a lot to me and even though they are antiques I have to wear them daily or I don’t feel complete. I almost never take the necklace off. I always joke that I like to wake up decorated but its true. My jewelry is as much apart of me as my hair and nails. I would feel incomplete without those things.

Q: Can you tell us some fun facts that we probably don’t know about you?
Not sure I have any fun facts but I have tons of odd facts. I have lots of food rules and issues. I am a Sagittarius with a Libra Rising and a Pisces moon, I’m and INTP. I sleep with some of my jewelry on so that I always wake up decorated (all 15 earrings, 5 rings- 4 wedding bands, 1 engagement ring, 1 necklace and 6 bracelets). Moles gross me out. I have 3 sleeping disorders and one of them is narcolepsy. I slept through most of my art history class but still passed every test without studying. I’m convinced that I really do learn in my sleep. Despite the fact that I’ve performed for a good portion of my life and put myself out there on YT, I am in fact very shy and keep to myself.

Q: We want to play Pee Wee’s Playhouse. Will you slip a “secret word” into your next video for our readers? The secret word is “Fish-sticks”!
I hate fish! But I’ll figure out a way to sneak it in there.

(Images Copyright gypsydancermacaholic aka beautymaintenance.blogspot)