

I often get asked questions about myself and my work so I thought I would try to answer some of them.
How old are you?
I am the oldest of four. Me - 32 (the opinionated one), Nic - 29 (the crazy one), John - 21 (the sensitive one) & James - 21 (the witty, clever one).

Where did you study?
Both Nic and I went to the same college. The College of West Anglia (formerly NORCAT)
We both studied a 2 year BTEC in Media Make-up and Hairdressing.
Apart from a summer job cooking doughnuts at Banham Zoo it is the only job I have ever done.
My Tutor was Louise Young, Yes thats right....the brush lady!
What makes you laugh?
Nothing makes me laugh like my family.
They are the single most important thing in my life.
My brothers and their girlfriends still live at home with my mum and her partner, Brian.
If we could, Danny and I would take the girls and move in too.
Mums house is full of love and laughter but its always bloody cold because she's tight with the central heating.

Where do you get your jewellery?
I have a healthy obsession with Jewellery, Hats, Shoes, Sunglasses and Bags.
Being a good size 14 and quite busty not every fashion suits me but accessories don't discriminate, they will always fit me no matter how much weight I put on or lose.
I get most of my jewellery from a shop called Soho Hip in Norwich but some of my favorite rings come from Hoxton Boutique in Old Street, London. I also love Vivienne Westwood earrings and Butler and Wilson for a bit of bling.
What motivates you?
I can't really say what motivates me without exposing aspects of my life that are incredibly private but suffice to say, what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger.
I also think that everyone has something that they are really good at, Nic and I are really good at make-up which is just as well because we suck at most other things.
What inspires you?
Beautiful images.
I get inspired by films, shows, shoots and campaigns. I live and breathe Make-up. It is my hobby and my career which is a little tiny bit tragic.
Are you glass half empty or glass half full?
For years the glass was half empty but its been full since I was about 22.
I think it was a defense mechanism, If I thought everything would go wrong then it was a bonus if it turned out Ok.
I distinctly remember one of my best friends saying to me that she couldn't deal with my negativity and that stuck with me. From that moment I decided to change my thought process.
I really believe that positive people get more opportunities and make things happen for themselves.
Why did you start your YouTube channel?
I made my first tutorial in October 2008 when I was heavily pregnant and bored. My face was the only part of me that still looked ok.
I didn't know anything about YouTube. I didn't know about subscribers or hits or the partner program. I just did it to make myself feel better and to relieve the boredom.
I still make tutorials for myself. I cannot create a tutorial if I am not inspired by the look or don't like the subject.
That is not to say that I don't listen and value the people that subscribe, comment and message. It is great to be able to share our knowledge and receive such amazing feedback from so many of you.
Eliza asked 'Do your family and friends watch you on YouTube?'
Mum watches us religiously but thats about it for family. As far as my make-up artist friends go, I am sure that they have checked it out but I don't expect they have tuned in more than once.
To be honest, I haven't asked them but I am pretty sure that after shooting all day the last thing they would want to do is watch someone else put make-up on.
Lizz asked 'Do you ever go out bare faced?'
Yes, but I hate it. Anyone who has kids will understand that sometimes you have to be somewhere at a certain time and before you know it you have 5 minutes to get out the door and you've spent the whole morning reasoning with your daughter about the skirt she doesn't want to wear. When this happens, I just hope that I don't bump into anyone I know.
Kerry and 3ate4 asked 'How did you change your attitude from negative to positive?'
It was a spiral, things happened when I was growing up that made me expect the worst but I hadn't realised just how negative I was until my friend told me and I had to look at the situation from other peoples point of view.
Negativity affects the people around you just as much as yourself. I reassessed what was important to me and made a very conscious decision never to be a victim.
To me, negativity is fear, fear of failure, fear of the unknown... I will not live my life in fear, it will taint every success.
Ultimately, I am responsible for every choice I make, my own happiness and destiny.
I could blame others for my short comings but whats the point, I don't want to waste my life in bitterness and regret.
Hence, What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
Wow...I should write a self help book!
Jools asked 'If you had to use just one cosmetics range what would it be and why?'
Hmmmm...tough one.
I think it would be Estee Lauder or Jemma Kidd.
I think that they are great all rounders.
For example, I love Chanel foundations but the colour (shadows, blush etc) bores me.
I love MAC colour but the majority of skin products are vile. (Just my opinion)
If you have any questions that you want answered leave them as a reply and I will add them to this post.
This was a great post, its great to get to know the artist behind the art.. love the spongebob pics! haha xx
ReplyDeleteNice to get to know you a little more.
ReplyDeleteI think You are so right about the positivity, I need to start being more positive, and I am going to try from now, Thanks!
Your photos are great too, nice to have a little insight into your world.
Sophie xx
I love the fact that you took time out to write this post. Thanks for stating where you get your inspiration from, I never know where to look for it but from now on I'll stare at everything!
ReplyDeletexx
I love this post, for at least two good reasons:
ReplyDelete1. it is lovely how you still take time to anwer questions from your subscribers, and it is also lovely to actually SEE what your life is like.
2. I like the way you write/speak. It shows that you're also an educated person, which does not happen so often anymore, and it is also a way to show people that women with a passion for makeup are not all "dumb blondes" (no offence to blondies, it's just a saying).
You keep being a source of inspiration, and I am sure you're a very good woman and mom.
a hug from Italia,
Lydia
This was realy interesting, im the same with inspiration, when i see amazing make-up i just want to do it myself straight away lol
ReplyDeleteLove your videos too theyre great!
Sam xoxo
That was a thoroughly and completely enjoyable read. You, more so then Nic, are quite an Enigma. You come across as mysterious, which is alluring and intriguing but it was so lovely to get to know the woman behind that gorgeous face of yours. I am the same as you in the size of our bodies and 'BREASTicles' and I agree with you, Jewelry, makeup and shoes are very forgiving and comforting when I just cant squeeze my butt or boobs into the latest fashion. I also have two daughters though mine are teenagers now.
ReplyDeleteIt really is nice to see a connection with someone you admire and I think we all admire you and Nic equally.
Fab post.
GEEZ I rambled on.
I loved this post! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is really nice to know a bit more about you. xoxo
Great post. I love the fact that you have only had 2 jobs. It must have taken a lot of guts to have followed your dream from an early age.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing :)
Emma
I came here JUST to get some more 'background' on you, so this is a great post. I think you are a truly inspiring person. I love makeup. I don't wear it often day to day because I don't have the minutes in the morning to put it on, but I love experimenting with new looks and techniques in the evenings when the kids are in bed and you have such a great attitude.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for taking time to do this post. I agree I have felt that you were a bit of an enigma and I have been trying to figure you out. You give us some small insight to yourself in every video, and it leaves us wanting more. I love your looks, and watching them makes me feel good. Since I was diagnosed with MS last year at the age of 34 and not being able to work anymore I spent a lot on the net. It started just to keep me occupide, and I stumbled on to your website, and I started to look at make up in a different way. I now use it to make me feel beautiful and good inside. Before it was just something I slaped on before work or going out, and now I almost see it as art.
ReplyDeleteSo thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
you are so talented. I am just a make-up lover and still struggle to apply a liner..:)
ReplyDeletekeep the good work...:)
this is so great. thanks for doing this, i already feel like i know you even better. just half an hour ago i was telling my mum about you - she's looking for a new foundation and I mentioned to her how much you and Nic love Chanel :) She got Clinique but at her counter they have 7 shades only and the one she got was too dark. anyway, lovely to see you guys in those photos. Your family is gorgeous :) xoxo
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Your family are beautiful but slightly mad too lol. I love the Spongebob outfit xx
ReplyDeletesoho hip is the best shop, i can spend so long in there just staring at the beautiful jewellery! x
ReplyDeleteAww nice post. You have a very gorgeous mum!
ReplyDeletexx :)
Thanks for sharing Sam :) You make our worlds more positive and colourful :) x x x
ReplyDeleteThankyou for sharing, you have a beautiful family. x
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this post! Loved hearing more about you! And what a stunning family you have! Your mum is gorgeous! Im very similar size 14 and have the sames loves as you! Adore Butler and Wilson also!xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Sam! You mentioned you're a healthy 14, however, you forgot to include that you are one hot looking mama!! Always a joy to watch and learn from and you're my first go to channel. Thanks for keeping us on our toes. xxNadia
ReplyDeleteGreat post Sam - I really enjoyed reading this. Like probably tens of thousands of other people I find your channel one of the most enjoyable and inspiring on you tube, and long may that continue! Thanks so much for sharing with us. xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing, you are one beautiful family. Your partner is hot to trot, he really should join you for the live chat!!
ReplyDeleteYou have such a healthy attitude and don't come across vain or anything like that.
Your videos are amazing, I have body issues and on a recent holiday I was not the skinny minny but once I put my face on I felt much more confident. Your tips and tricks did the trick as so many people now comment about how well I look etc
Maybe not so good for my credit card, love going out and buying items you use in videos.
Just wanted you to know that the time you take away from your family to put these videos and blogs together is VERY much appreciated!
Irishbliss
Such a beautiful family. I think what I love most is where you talk about how much love & laughter there is in your family. They're is nothing more important.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to learn more about you all! I have always appreciated that you both keep it to mostly tutorials, but it is nice to see more of who you are and what's important to you (though I totally respect keeping as much as possible private). You have a beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteThis was amazing to see pictures of your family :) Is the second one your husband & kids? Adorable! I'm a negative person like you were, always half empty but i would love to know how you changed that around because now you seem so happy-go-lucky! x
ReplyDeleteYou're beautiful Sam!!! :)
ReplyDeletegreat post...love the pictures, they are so adorable...it is so nice to get to know you better...you are amazing...xoxo
ReplyDeletegreat post, thank you for all the info, i love the pictures! and i also wanna thank you for your videos girls, you inspire me so much!!! so yeah, thank you and keep making great videos! kisses from Slovakia! J :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us all. The photos are so funny and sweet.
ReplyDeleteQuestion wise I would like to know do your MUA friends (or friends and family in general) what your YT vids?
Ex
I loved this post! It's so lovely to find out more about you and your family- and all the photos are fantastic!
ReplyDeletexxx
Love the pics Sam. I'm a size 14/16 clothes look crap on me but I rock lipstick and a smokey eye :D
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing one of your first youtube vids when you were up the duff and thought you were so funny, normal, pretty and talented - before then I think I owned maybe about 6 makeup items. crikey that has increased I can tell ya!
I have never left the house without some form of makeup on , tinted moisturiser, mascara, lipbalm just to go to the gym.
My Q is.. do you ever go out bare faced?
Cheers
Lizz
I LOVED reading this. You have one of my favourite youtube channels to watch. I appreciate your talent and I love your makeup. I was very VERY nice to get to know a little more about you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the interesting post!
ReplyDeleteAs for the bare face - I am really afraid that one day a man will fall in love with me and if he sees me without make up he'll go away screaming in horror...
As for you - you look really good without make-up!!
Thanks so much for taking time out of your schedule and telling us more about you Sam!
ReplyDeleteI think you look beautiful with or without make up. You're definitely one of the best gurus on YT and enjoy watching all of your videos. You're really an inspiration to watch. I love that Spongebob outfit Nic is wearing, haha. I love how close you are with your family. ♥ I really enjoyed reading this post, thanks for sharing!(:
loved reading this - your channel is pretty much the only YT channel I watch religiously ... it's always guaranteed I will be inspired by your looks!
ReplyDeleteYour mother is absolutely gorgeous! good genes ;) xx
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing a part of your private life with us. I thought you were much younger and never thought of you being married, your Hubby and Daughters are adorable, as is the rest of your family.
ReplyDeleteIf you had to use just one cosmetics range what would it be and why :0) xxxJoolsxxx
Are you ever in the States ? I would love to meet you and Nicola.
ReplyDeleteKnowing more about you is so nice.
You are by far my favorite make-up artist, and I hope to be as good as you one day.
I am going to Cosmetology School,
I would love to be a make-up artist and do hair also (but make-up mostly) :)
oh and, Did you ever think about you and Nicola making your own line of cosmetics, brushes, and stuff ?
sorry for a long post.
<33
Thanks for the post, I really enjoyed it. I just wanted to add one thing... you look AMAZING in the first photo :)
ReplyDeletewhat is your favourite scent?
ReplyDeletewhat is your favourite music band?
name 3 things that you would buy first if you had 5 billions:)
thank you:)
Really enjoyed this post, great idea :)
ReplyDeleteWhere all have you travelled? Where is your favourite place?
ReplyDeleteHi Sam,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say thanks for the post and most of all thanks for the inspiration. I'm at college at the moment studying make-up artistry after graduating with a BA in film direction and scriptwriting and working in the commercial industry for a while. I've managed to put myself through college, and your vids have been really instrumental in my search for my own passion.
I would love to know who has been your inspiration over the years, and what impact have they had on your career?
It's important to me to have people to look up to and admire because it only pushes you to be better.
Thanks to you and Nic.
Lots of love
Alexa
From not-so-sunny-kinda-overcast South Africa.
Hey Sam, really enjoyed the post and thanks for sharing some "intimate" details with us. I'd like to ask out of yourself and Nicola who is the "better" make-up artist and in what way, for example your strengths and weaknesses (there doesn't seem to be any!!) thank you :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Sam! Your family is beautiful. I would've never guessed that you had been a negative person, in your YT videos you come off as so positive so it shows you've come along way. I love your vids because they're so easy to follow & you make it look so easy.
ReplyDeleteStay fabulous! xoxo
thanks so much for writing the post and exposing a more personal side! so appreciated. I was wondering if you could do a blog post with photos of your eyes in the different estee lauder colored mascaras. if you're too busy that's okay, but i'd like to see their pigmentation sans-the photoshop they use in their ads.
ReplyDeleteyou have a gorgeous fam! i love how u tell it how it is! keep up the good work! ur such an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteHi, it was fun getting to know you a little better. Also, I was hoping you could suggest a more affordable alternative to the Chanel foundation. $50 is a little steep for me! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSam how tall are you? what zodiac sign are you? =]
ReplyDeletegood morning, i'm in chicago and i must tell you every since i found your page it's been a habit everyday i must see what u have done. even the old tutorials i watch them over and over it never gets old. i'm ordering my first louise young foundation brush today all thanks to you. i see where u and your sister get your good looks from your mom is amazing. thanks for all the great tips keep up the good work i'll be watching. there was an add posted on your site page from c-l-d fashion and i was wondering if this is a legal company that sells great designer shoes. i would hate to give my card numbers and their not legal. can you please help me with this matter. thanks.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your tutorials! I have a one-year old daughter and usually don't feel very pretty haha It really helps to watch the videos and get my creativity back and inspire me to doll up :)
ReplyDeleteI did have a question, though- What is your job exactly? I can't figure it out.
Cheers,
Audrey
Love your blog you're both absolutely stunning! I have a question after you studied how hard was it for you to find work as a makeup artist, how long did it take? Because I seriously want to go into the industry.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Tanya
I love reading and watching your posts! My husband probably wishes I wouldnt because i am constantly buying all these fabulous products you recommend :) I have really come a long way in applying makeup thanks to you girls! you have such a beautiful family! keep up the amazing work! xoox
ReplyDeleteLove your blog you're absolutely stunning! well this post is very special for me because all the things u said about positive and negative points of view about life, are the things that i think, and i´m 22 right now and i was a neagtive person too but i´ve already change!! so thanks!!!!!!!!!! kisses!!!
ReplyDeleteMonique!!
I've been watching your videos for a few months now and I just discovered your blog. I have to say, you are a very down to earth and real person. I would always get little snippets of your sincerity and genuineness in your makeup tutorials, but to read your writing and thoughts is very uplifting. I wanted to thank you for the the positive body image you promoted so heavily in many of your videos and on your blog. I greatly value your opinion, as I'm sure many people do, thus I think it's so important to have someone who is so highly regarded re-enforcing the need for a positive body image.
ReplyDeleteI watch Nic and your makeup tutorials religiously and I will now be just as faithful to your blog. Thank you for inspiring me, reminding me to stay true to myself, and motivating me embrace my differences through color, fashion and makeup.
All the best,
Jessica
luved ur post. Thanx 4 taking the time. I'm new to all that is Pixiwoo, just discovered it two wks ago when I discovered ur brushes and I'm totally hooked. I luv that ur honest and down to earth and I find ur story very encouraging since I tend to be a 'glass half empty' kind of person. Not anymore!! Also, I think ur sister and urself have the prettiest faces i've ever seen!! Good for business. All the best.
ReplyDelete