There are so many great beauty blogs on the internet today, it’s hard to keep up with all of them. Because I’m part Asian, I’m especially drawn to blogs that focus on Asian beauty like Makeup For Life, a two year old beauty blog written by Phyllis Li.

I sat down with Phyllis and got the scoop on why her blog is so successful and what her plans are for the future.

Makeup Bag: When did you start Makeup For Life and what inspired you to start it?

Phyllis: I started Makeup For Life back in 2006 because as an Asian living in the US, I find it hard to relate to the Caucasian/African-American features that we see in magazines and on TV. I also thought the blog would be a great way for me to share what I know and learn from other people who share the same passion.

Makeup Bag: Your makeup skills are incredible. Are you a professional makeup artist?

Phyllis: Aww thanks. Like most of my readers, I am a self-taught beauty addict who loves makeup. Getting professional training helps but a lot of great makeup artists like Pat McGrath never went to beauty school and that did not stop them from succeeding. It is all about practice and being creative.

Makeup Bag: You seem to have lived in every country! Tell me about some of your travels and places you’ve lived.

Phyllis: Yeah thanks to my parents, I have been traveling ever since I was a toddler. I have lived in Hong Kong, Los Angeles, London, Chicago and visited over 20 countries. I am planning on going to Egypt next.

Makeup Bag: Keeping up with a beauty blog is much harder than it seems. How many hours a day do you devote to Makeup for Life?

Phyllis: Tell me about it! *lol* Like the fashion industry, things come and go in the beauty industry, which is why I try to devote at least two hours a day on the blog so I can keep my readers updated.

Makeup Bag: You seem to have insider scoop on all the brands. How do you stay in the know when there are hundreds of brands to keep up with?

Phyllis: It is hard but having lived in different places, knowing people from all over the world and speaking 3 languages definitely helps.

Makeup Bag: How do you organize your makeup?

Phyllis: I keep my makeup in those 3-drawer organizers you can find from Target and I organize everything according to color.

Makeup Bag: What are some of your favorite products from 2008?

Phyllis: I really liked NARS’ Multiple Duos (they create such a nice glow to the skin!), MAC’s Penultimate Liner, Rimmel’s Glam’Eyes mascara and needless to say, the BB creams that I raved about.

Makeup Bag: What can we expect from Makeup for Life next? Maybe videos??

Phyllis: An expanded blog with more content and hopefully a video section soon.

Makeup Bag: Any exciting plans for spring?

Phyllis: I’ll be heading back to LA for a makeup show in March. Hope to see you there!

Thank you Phyllis!

Be sure to visit Phyllis at Makeup For Life for her creative daily makeup looks and insightful product reviews.

photo: Makeup For Life

Anne Hathaway donned a beautiful white Grecian-inspired dress with gold detail at the neckline and waist at tonight’s SAG Awards in Los Angeles. Celebrity makeup artist Kate Lee created a dramatic smokey eye by applying dark eyeliner to the upper lash line and blended it on the eyelid. To make Anne’s eyes pop, she applied several coats of Lancôme Ôscillation Mascara in Black for a faux-lash effect. Kate opted for a soft, stained pout. She applied Lancôme Le Lipstique lip liner in Sheer Natural to the entire lip, then coated the lips with Lancôme Color Fever Gloss in Seductive for a glossy finish.

photo: wire image

Kate Winslet looked gorgeous at tonight’s SAG Awards in a vibrant blue Narciso Rodriguez gown and dazzling Chopard jewels. Celebrity makeup artist Jillian Dempsey played up Kate’s eyes with lots of black eyeliner, mascara and shimmering shadow paired with a soft neutral palette on her lips and cheeks. Jillian used Lancôme Artliner in Noir on the upper lash line and then lightly dusted Jillian Dempsey Professional for Avon Eyeshadow Trio in Pebble Wash on the eyelid. She finished the eyes with a few coats of Lancôme Ôscillation Mascara in Black. For the lips, she used Serge Lutens nude lip liner and filled in the entire lip. Finally, she applied Color Fever Gloss in Engaging, a very sheer nude shade, for a high-shine pout.

Kate’s glamorous low bun and side swept bang was created exclusively by Frederic Fekkai stylist Renato Campora using Fekkai products. Here’s how to create this look:

Apply FEKKAI MORE ALL DAY DENSITY MOUSSE to wet hair for added volume. On the bottom portion only apply FEKKAI COIFF MAGNIFIQUE to ends for a smooth blowout and to protect hair from the heat of styling tools. Using the FEKKAI EXTRA LARGE ROUND BRUSH blow dry hair and part on the right side. Once completely dry, use a one inch curling iron throughout hair to create tousled movement with dimension. Apply FEKKAI TECHNICIAN GLAZE to ends working it through with fingers for texture that is not too heavy. Tease the top of the head ever so slightly to create a touch of height. Next pull hair back into a low ponytail. Create a loose braid and twist it around to form a bun. Secure with pins. Making a braid helps to keep the bun from appearing to severe and gives it the soft modern touch.

photo: wire image

Angeline Jolie looked stunning tonight at the SAG Awards in her dark, navy blue Max Azria gown that highlighted the actor’s blue eyes. Celebrity makeup artist Mary Burton wanted to create a 60’s look and chose to focus on Angelina’s eyes by applying lots of eyeliner and mascara. She used a liquid eyeliner (Lancôme Artliner in Noir) just above the lash line. To compliment Angelina’s eye color and to make her eyes really stand out, she applied a bluish grey eyeshadow (YSL Ombre Solo Double Effect Eyeshadow in #3 Blue Silk) to the eyelid. Finally, she applied several coats of Lancôme Courbe Virtuôse Mascara in Black. Mary added a touch of pink to the apples of the cheeks using Shu Uemura blush in M Pink 31. To create ultra-shiny and luminous lips, Mary used Lancôme Color Fever Gloss in Rose Jolie.

While Angelia was gorgeous, that mustache of Brad Pitt’s is really starting to bug me. Isn’t it time to shave that thing off?

photos: wire image