Beauty Blogger Of The Moment: SmokeyPinkLeopard
Alexa Losey's vlog SmokeyPinkLeopard may have been born out of boredom, but this beauty guru's video posts are endlessly entertaining—and her 67,000 YouTube subscribers would agree!
Although Alexa is new to beauty (the sixteen-year-old only "discovered" makeup two years ago!), her videos are filled with valuable advice, like how to perfect the smoky eye or when to splurge on expensive blush. Looking to get the perfect grunge-chic hair for back-to-school flair? Want to learn how to get Lauren Conrad's glamorous ombre manicure? Alexa is a DIY darling when it comes to replicating Hollywood-worthy style at home. There are plenty of celebrity-inspired makeup looks and thrift store shopping tips to be found, but she doesn't just wax poetic about her latest finds; it's her smart and sincere musings about life that keep fans coming back.
This budding guru's haul videos are unexpectedly hilarious, mostly because she spontaneously breaks into song and frequently references Harry Potter. She's confident, she's goofy, and she doesn't care who knows it. Despite the makeup tips and product recommendations she doles out, Alexa is unfailingly comfortable in her own skin—the best beauty secret of all.
1/11Get to know beauty guru Alexa in this Q&A.
2/11Age: 16
Hometown: Laguna Beach, California
Date Started Blogging: Early 2010
Why did you initially decide to start a blog?
Pure boredom. I was sick while I was on a family vacation in Utah, and when my family hit the slopes, I made makeup videos and posted them on YouTube so I could avoid being alone all day.
3/11What is the story behind your vlog's title?
I made the account in November of '09 because I had to post a video project online for class and I didn't want to post it under my old, super humiliating username. I had my pink leopard bronzer and a smokey eye palette on my vanity and I thought, what the heck, I'm only going to use this once. Little did I know that "smokeypinkleopard" was going to be around for a while.
If your blog had a mission statement, what would it be?
Be yourself, be unique, be creative and respect everyone for who they are. Love who you are no matter what and don't let anyone tell you you're not fabulous. Don't ever change who you are to blend with the crowd. Cheesy, I know, but so true.
4/11Where are your favorite places to shop?
I'm a huge thrift store junkie thus Buffalo Exchange has become my second home. I also love Saks 5th Avenue, LF, Urban Outfitters and random little boutiques.
Are there any trends you're particularly inspired by this season?
I've been loving bold colors, in makeup and in fashion. I love wearing a really simple outfit and adding a colorful piece to really make it unique.
What trend from the past would like to make a comeback?
I'm obsessed with so anything from the '20s. I really want feathered headbands and flapper dresses to make a comeback as crazy as it sounds.
5/11How would you describe your style?
My style is random and it is constantly changing. I have a different style every day. I love taking trends and making them my own. I wear what I love, even if it’s not what the typical Orange County girl is wearing. My style is definitely unique.
What do you do when you’re not vlogging?
Acting. I’ve been acting since I was five but seriously studying acting for almost three years. I’m also obsessed with fashion blogging on smokeypinkleopard.com. And if I’m not doing either of those I’m studying. It sounds super nerdy but I really enjoy learning and I appreciate getting an education. I’m going to be a full International Baccalaureate student next year so I’m going to be hitting a library a lot.
6/11What are your personal favorite blogs and vlogs? Why?
I can't just choose a few. I have so many favorite blogs and if I listed them all it would go on for pages. I'm a huge supporter of the beauty community so I watch so many different channels. I'm also big on reading fashion blogs and I have bookmarked about 100 of them.
What kind of camera do you use?
A Sony C50.
7/11What are your can't-live-without items?
Sunscreen. It's so important to take good care of your skin and keep it healthy. I always have sunscreen in my bag.
What is in your travel beauty bag?
Lip gloss, chapstick and sunscreen. I think at one time I counted eight lip glosses in my bag. I have an unhealthy obsession.
8/11What are the best aspects of running your own Vlog? What are the hardest aspects?
There are a few things that make YouTube a great experience. Getting to interact with my viewers has by far been the best part. Hearing their stories has completely changed my outlook on life. I've also made some of my best friends through YouTube, crazy enough. YouTube has also given me so many opportunities, like this, that I wouldn't have been blessed with if I didn't make videos.
As for harder aspects, people in my personal life and online haters made it really hard for me to keep making videos in the beginning. I would get so upset if I overheard a group of girls talking negatively about my channel in the hallways at school. It also didn't help when I came home and I would find hateful comments on my latest video. It took me awhile, but one day I woke up and didn't care anymore. It gave me tough skin and made me into a strong person. I look at all the negativity as a blessing.
9/11How long have you been into makeup?
I didn't wear an ounce of makeup until the summer going into my freshman year of high school. But, when I discovered it, I was obsessed. I'm going into my junior year so that makes a two year makeup obsession.
**Any advice for anyone who wants to start her/his own vlog? **
Go for it with everything you got. Don't take it too seriously and be yourself. Never lose who you are in the process. I feel like so many people try to fit the mold of what people want them to be but I feel like the truly successful people are the ones that are completely themselves.
10/11If you had a thousand dollars to spend on makeup, what would you buy?
I think I would go nuts. I would stock up on expensive skin creams, lots of Nars, Urban Decay and Benefit products.
Do you prefer drugstore or high-end makeup brands?
It really depends. I have found amazing drugstore products for only a few dollars and horrible expensive high end products. Watching and reading reviews is very helpful in finding the best products.
11/11What is your most memorable makeup faux-pas?
One day I thought it would be a good idea to make my lips look fuller by extending my lipstick a little (okay, a lot) past my natural lips... It ended up looking more like a Kool-Aid stain.
Who are your makeup inspirations?
Bobbi Brown and Napoleon Perdis are huge makeup inspirations. They are both so insanely talented and I'm obsessed with their collections. I'm always pulling up pictures of their looks and trying to recreate them. I would feel as though I died and went to heaven if I got the chance to work with them.
What's your daily routine?
I start with tinted moisturizer and then I set it with powder. I lightly contour my face and then add my current favorite blush to my cheeks. I then proceed with my everyday eye makeup and I finish with lip gloss. It usually only takes about five minutes.
