no pallid hues here!

A girl crush hit huge proportions a week ago after browsing around a few sites and coming across the Doe Deere Blogazine. The creator and writer of the site, Xenia, has many feathers to her bow, including being a self-taut makeup artist, selling her own range of products called Lime Crime, and she is even a recording artist. Her 'blogazine' is fabulous! For one thing, she has an insanely symmetrical and super pretty face so her photos are all gorgeous. Also she's a red head too with flawless, porcelain skin, yet has no fear of colour; her site bursts with it! Among the sweet and interesting articles and popping outfit posts, there are detailed makeup tutorials for looks that are all totally different and unique, but somehow are still accessableand admirable. They make me want to buy up every single eyeshadow colour on the planet! But for now, I emailed her just to say how lovely her site is and also to ask a few questions that I really wanted to know. Xenia kindly answered them all and here they are as you might want to know too!

 

So firstly, could you give a little bio of yourself? Where are you from, what do you do?

I was born in Russia but grew up in NYC. I moved here at the age of 17 with dreams of becoming the queen of the universe, or something. :) Well, that didn't quite work out so now I'm down to the next best thing - makeup artist and owner of Lime Crime Makeup. :) I also write and record music (electropop): http://www.myspace.com/doedeere.

 

-Tell us about the Doe Deere Blogazine...

 

Doe Deere Blogazine is a publication for and about women. It has a feminist bend to it, but I like to keep it modern! Plus, I'm a self-proclaimed estrogen junkie - my eyes turn into hearts at the sight of anything pink, glittery and girly! Oh, and I post weekly makeup tutorials on the blogazine, too.
 
-Where did your passion for makeup come from, and what made you take the jump into creating your own range?

In high school I used to be a tomboy and never wore makeup. Until one day a friend of my mother's, who happened to be a professional makeup artist, did my makeup for senior prom. I can honestly say that that day changed my life - for the first time I felt not only smart, but also... attractive. I wanted to repeat that experience and eventually bring it to others. I began posting makeup tutorials in 2006, because I think every woman deserves to be beautiful!

I love to wear bright colors, but unfortunately (or fortunately?) have always had trouble finding quality vivid eyeshadows. I've tried many, many brands but no matter how much I piled it on, it never looked bright enough. And so I started my own company, Lime Crime Makeup, whose slogan is "so bright, it's illegal!". My website is http://www.limecrimemakeup.com and I have lots of Holiday Edition colors!
 
-Where do you formulate your products and how do you test them?

I work directly with my supplier when developing colors for my line, and test everything myself. One time I went to the gym in full makeup and spent 40 minutes on a bike to see how my eyeshadow would hold up, haha. It stayed put, by the way. As someone who used to perform on stage regularly, my goal is to create super long-lasting product that won't melt under hot lights and stay fresh even after excessive sweating. My friends, some of whom happen to be models and performers, often become my guinea pigs too. ;)
 
-How did you learn to be so amazing! Is doing makeup a natural talent or did you take classes, read books, teach yourself...?

I am completely self-taught. Some of the most talented artists learned the skill on their own and didn't go to a cosmetology school. The truth is that creativity cannot be taught; it can only be developed on your own. I constantly learn new techniques by doing online research and looking at others' work. This is also where I get my inspiration - by looking at work of other talented artists.
 
-Something I want to know - how do you keep your skin in such beautiful condition? It's gorgeous! Do you use products from your own range, such as the primer?

My number one beauty secret is probably that I have never go to bed with makeup on. Never. I can be dead-tired coming home from a show at 2 in the morning, but the makeup must come off. I love makeup and wear it every day, but know the importance of letting my skin breathe at night!

My skin is also very sensitive and easily irritated (even by something simple like water - it gets all red and blotchy! Craziness!), so whatever products I come out with, I test them on myself first. My most recent invention is a Foundation Primer. It preps your skin by making it super-smooth, so your foundation and concealer glide on like a dream. I use it on my models and my own face everyday. It's one of my favorite tricks. ;)

My own needs are often the inspiration behind my inventions. For example: I've been looking for an eye-safe glitter for years, but couldn't find any. I don't understand why companies like MAC that do sell glitters sell the body version only (if you look at the label, it will say "not for use around the eyes"). But I want to put that stuff on my eyes!!! So my line offers glitters so fine, they are eye safe! Aren't you glad we don't have to risk blindness any more in the name of beauty?

-You have such a delightful style too, do you have many admirers and questions about your makeup when out and about?

I live in New York where getting a reaction for something you wear is damn near impossible. Still, I'll get comments sometimes on the street and girls ask me about my outfit and makeup. I'm always happy to chat about that kind of stuff. :)
 
-Any top tips on makeup for red heads?

I think redheads are magical. We are in all the fairy tales and paintings! Because redheads are so unique, they can pull off a natural look as well as dramatic. If you are going for a subdued look, the rule of thumb is to let your skin tone dictate the shades. If your skin is more yellow, stick to warmer tones; if it's more red, go for the cooler tones. None of this applies when you are doing a dramatic makeup. I've always said that the best color on you is the one *you* like, so don't be afraid of color!
 
-Whose makeup would you love to do of all the celebs and legends out there?

I would love to do Lindsay Lohan's makeup, Dita von Teese's, Lady Gaga's. Last weekend I got to do makeup on my friend and my favorite model Mosh. I had less than 20 minutes to come up with something show-stopping, so I went for lots of glitter and glossy red lips.
 
-Lastly, what does the future hold for Lime Crime? I'm hoping a huge range of all colours and products!

I currently carry 29 eyeshadow colors and 7 glitters, soon to add more glitters! I also have a setting powder and a foundation primer and a set of brushes. I am looking to expand into making pressed eyeshadow, glitter eyeliners, and a special glitter base I called Sticktacular! in the future. :)

Thank you Xenia!!

Comments

[chelsea]

*goes to play with makeup*

[Kater]

Oh em gee! I used to obsessively follow her LJ and site and makeup tutorials a few years ago, I've been wondering what she's been up to! I think I might have a skysalt CD somewhere!

[ambika]

Oh this is rad. & it's interesting to read that someone who was a tomboy later discovered make-up.

[Stephie]

great post! I haven't seen her site before (:

[WendyB]

I wish she could come over and do my makeup ever morning.

[Sunset]

Dude, I seriously love her stuff. I subscribe to her updates and always look at her makeup tutorials for inspiration for my performance group. So glad you posted this!! Xenia/Doe is seriously amazing. Thank you.

[julie]

i just discovered this blog and i LOVE it. i can't wait to talk about it at hipsterama. i have a post i'm planning about make-up and i will definitely link to you.
wonderful...
julie
www.hipsterama.com

[alicepleasance]

I found Lime Crime site just yesterday! Love the eyeshadows but my favorites are those blushes...wonderful colors! I have to buy one for sure!! Plus, Xenia is a real beauty.

[Parapluie]

Oh my god, she's amazing!

[Romeika]

I came across her through El Fashionista, she's gorgeous and so daring, a huge inspiration. Great interview!

[Carly]

Whoa how gorgeous is she?!

[jennifer]

Oh gosh, I'd completely forgotten about her! Like Kater, I used to follow her on lj a few years ago and she is just as amazing now!

[Chic Looks]

she is stunning!!! the make up and all her bright colours...love it

[Becca]

great post! her blogazine is fabulous - i love her makeup line as well.

[Martha]

I agree with her. redheads are magical and enchanting. And Xenia is so stunning and unique. I might check out her lime crime range =]

[The Clothes Horse]

She's so stunning and inspiring. I've just decided I'm wearing more brights in the near future.

[ams]

I love her tutorials as well - have been following her site for some time. I wish I could wear those mental colours!

[Chloe]

I used to go to her site all the time, but I haven't been for a while. The interview was really great! I never knew much about her, to be honest. She's really inspirational. I enjoyed reading this. ;]

[Zoe]

ahhhhh Doe! I used to adore checking her make-up tutorials on LJ and her site a few years ago. I still get the emails. Hurray for red heads! I'd love if she made a foundation for us girls.

[SOS!]

I love her pictures so much.. The colors are so vibrant, and I like her use of eyeshadows(which I'm obsessed with..)

[Eyeliah]

Loving her blogazine, I really want to buy some of her makeup too.

[Scheharazade]

Bonjour^^

pretty like a doll !

[susie_bubble]

Her eye makeup is amazing...!

[Mothersvea]

She really looks like a doll but I'm sure she hears that all the time.

[marian]

i miss your frequent-y updates, hope all is well. :C