Down and Out Beauty: New Column Intro

Layne working her magic before my wedding.

I'm really excited to introduce to you a new column + columnist here on D&OC. I've thought long and hard about bringing someone else on to help with a column and I specifically wanted it to be about skincare and beauty products. See, I adore trying new beauty products but I'm a little clueless about what to save and what to splurge on. I find myself going to my friend, Layne before purchasing anything. As a licensed esthetician and make up artist she's an expert in her field (she was a makeup artist for Carrie Underwoods wedding, eep!) and I'm so glad she's agreed to do a bi-weekly column for us.

Q&A with Layne
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I'm a licensed aesthetician and makeup artist working for Urban Sanctuary Spa in Athens, GA. I've done makeup for weddings, proms, and publications. Makeup is something that I've always had an interest in, even as a little girl I made babysitters let me put makeup on them.
2. Why did you choose this line of work?
My interest in esthetics started when I began having problems with my own skin. I spent so much time researching how to help myself and realized that my interest went farther than just my own skin. So I made a career change and have never been happier.
3. Is there any one beauty product you absolutely cannot live without?
I feel like I have to break this one up into two. Skin care wise, I couldn't live without moisturizer. Right now I'm using Suki nourishing pure moisture. Makeup is so much harder to choose! But I would have to say mascara. Nothing makes me feel prettier than having tons of eyelashes.
3. Favorite spring trend?
I'm loving bright eyeliners and colored mascaras for spring. Its a great time of year to experiment with bright floral colors and new techniques.

Layne's first post will be up later this afternoon. I hope you'll enjoy the new column! xo