FOREWORD :
1. How did you first get into making polish?
I had a modest collection of polishes, and needed a creative outlet (in general). Of course by then, I had vision of the polishes I wanted and didn't know where to get, so I started just making them.
2. What was the inspiration for the name "Doctor Lacquer"? Is there a story behind the name?
It's actually pretty simple, and goes well with my first (tooth) logo. I graduated with a degree of Doctor of Dental Medicine, hence the tooth, and the doctor. I wanted to put them there so that I'm constantly reminded of my inspiration. It may sound weird because polish and teeth are unrelated, but had I been in any other field, I doubt I would be making polish as I am today. P.S., I am not a practicing dentist yet.
3. What inspires your collections (or where do you look for inspiration)? What inspired your latest collection? Any hints/ideas about upcoming collections?
I've always been a geek. Initially I wanted to keep them medically relevant, but i also didn't want to name polishes with weird, forgettable and complicated names. So I kept the general science theme. I started with my "Microcreatures" and currently have my "Something Spatial" series. Both from the very small and the very grand. Isn't that neat? The "Something Spatial" is a series and not a collection, which means... the next ones, though are not going to be multichrome flakies any longer, will be of the same theme, but different.
4. Do you have a favorite indie maker(s)? Favorite mainstream brand?
I don't have a favorite indie maker per se, as I like to try and support new brands when I can. However, I've swapped with a few including Different Dimension, Ooh La La Lacquer, Sindie Pop! and they are amazing ladies with amazing polishes! Of course also those that I've met in person like PMTG and Daphine Polish.
For mainstream, most of my collection is OPI and Sinful Colors. Let's just say there was a time I went crazy whenever SC went on sale for 99c! Haha! I would bike to the nearest Walgreens and Rite Aid and get as many as I could lug around!
5. What are your go-to products for nail/cuticle care?
I'm not very caring with them. So sorry! But I do have Burt's Bees Almond Milk Beeswax hand cream and lemon butter cuticle cream in my purse all the time.
6. What are your favorite colors? In general? For summer? For fall?
Purple. Teal. All bright colors. All bright colors. I had this one occasion when it was so strange that I favored greens and browns - never got to use them actually. That has only happened once though.
7. This may be hard--but which are your 3 favorite creations so far?
Ha, it is! I would probably change my answer if you asked me again, but as of today, Dopamine, I'm Lavender Rain, and an upcoming one called Betelgeuse. I have a special place in my heart for customs that I make. For one, I love the recent Rudolph collection that I was asked to create (I think it's in the customs album in my FB page)!
8. Do you have any other hobbies? Are you involved with any other clubs, associations, or recreational activities?
I used to bike a lot back in DC, and just generally walk around the city. No club though, just casual city/trail biking with friends. I'm currently doing a lot of baking because of the holidays, and looking to volunteer in a dog shelter too.
9. What is your most favorite thing about being an indie maker? What are some of the challenges? What advice would you give to people considering starting their own brand? Overall, are you happy with your decision to get into the indie polish world?
The most fulfilling part, and really what's keeping me in the business is the overwhelming support I have from my "patients". It always warms my heart to see repeat customers, and even just those who constantly interact and like/share my posts. Of course there's also that part when I make something I'm truly in love with, and super nervous to release. But once I do, I'm always very surprised and equally grateful when other people feel the same way about the product as I do. I take very long in designing my polishes, and even more when in a funk. This process takes months, plus testing. Plus there's also the naming and the theme of the collection. Sometimes naming comes first, sometimes the creating comes first. It really depends on my mood. However, by the time I'm ready to release, I'm very nervous as to how people would react to them - if they'd love it or feel they were just mediocre. It's a constant nerve-wracking experience, in all honesty. Another thing I love about being in this whole nail polish community is meeting new people! I have made good friends with a few, and looking forward to meeting more!
As for the challenges, a real major thing would be getting out of a design funk, and a very critical one is making sure that customers are always happy and satisfied. As much as I love and appreciate USPS, sometimes they are the source of frustration too.
For anyone wanting to try out the industry, my only advice would be to only release polishes they would be willing to buy themselves. If it doesn't make that cut, I don't think it should see the light of day. :)
Overall, I'm very happy and grateful for the opportunity to be in this industry and be able to share my creations to all. They may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I'm still very happy to know that I share a lot of things in common with a lot of people too!
10. Fun facts :
Astrological sign : Sagittarius
Favorite comfort food : I recently baked *my* best version of chocolate chip cookies and chocolate crinkles so I would say that.
Favorite beauty item besides polish : Eye serum/cream and moisturizer/sunscreen, so boring!
Favorite fragrance : Juicy Couture ,I think, the one with the pink square glass bottle and a black bow on the neck! I don't really wear perfume, but my dad got it for me and approved of the scent.
Favorite vacation destination : Any snowboarding mountain, or any tropical beach in the Philippines!
Favorite candy : Can I say chocolate? Hershey's Dark Chocolate.
Favorite celebrity : Paul Walker :): (happy sad face) I think he has uncanny resemblance with my boyfriend. Hahahaha!
Favorite family member or friend (you can pick one of each) : Ha! I'm going to answer safely and say all of them <3 I love them all! ;)
Most recent read : Uh oh. It's been awhile. I'm currently trying to finish A Song of Ice and Fire: A Game of Thrones, but it's proving to be difficult because I've seen the series and get bored easily since I still remember what's going to happen!
Most recent movie you loved : Will Big Hero Six count? How about Guardians of the Galaxy? Both have made me laugh out loud and bawl uncontrollably, so they definitely take the cake!
Favorite TV show and character : I have a definite answer!!! Futurama! I recently finished the entire series and bawled several times. John Zoidberg is the best!
If you won a million dollars, first thing you would buy is : A 3D printer so I can print my own bottles, and a printer that has white ink, so I can print my own white labels! That way Doctor Lacquer would be as home/handmade as it can get! :P Oh, and possibly have my own lab so I can make and tinker with my own lacquer formula too!
So there you have it, my darlings! A little glimpse into the world of Angelyn of Doctor Lacquer!
Remember to get your last entries either through the blog HERE OR on my INSTAGRAM! You can check out Angelyn's other creations HERE.
As always, I'm thrilled to hear from you, so don't hesitate to leave me your thoughts in the comments section below!
Until next time,
<3
B
Favorite comfort food : I recently baked *my* best version of chocolate chip cookies and chocolate crinkles so I would say that.
Favorite beauty item besides polish : Eye serum/cream and moisturizer/sunscreen, so boring!
Favorite fragrance : Juicy Couture ,I think, the one with the pink square glass bottle and a black bow on the neck! I don't really wear perfume, but my dad got it for me and approved of the scent.
Favorite vacation destination : Any snowboarding mountain, or any tropical beach in the Philippines!
Favorite candy : Can I say chocolate? Hershey's Dark Chocolate.
Favorite celebrity : Paul Walker :): (happy sad face) I think he has uncanny resemblance with my boyfriend. Hahahaha!
Favorite family member or friend (you can pick one of each) : Ha! I'm going to answer safely and say all of them <3 I love them all! ;)
Most recent read : Uh oh. It's been awhile. I'm currently trying to finish A Song of Ice and Fire: A Game of Thrones, but it's proving to be difficult because I've seen the series and get bored easily since I still remember what's going to happen!
Most recent movie you loved : Will Big Hero Six count? How about Guardians of the Galaxy? Both have made me laugh out loud and bawl uncontrollably, so they definitely take the cake!
Favorite TV show and character : I have a definite answer!!! Futurama! I recently finished the entire series and bawled several times. John Zoidberg is the best!
If you won a million dollars, first thing you would buy is : A 3D printer so I can print my own bottles, and a printer that has white ink, so I can print my own white labels! That way Doctor Lacquer would be as home/handmade as it can get! :P Oh, and possibly have my own lab so I can make and tinker with my own lacquer formula too!
Remember to get your last entries either through the blog HERE OR on my INSTAGRAM! You can check out Angelyn's other creations HERE.
As always, I'm thrilled to hear from you, so don't hesitate to leave me your thoughts in the comments section below!
Until next time,
<3
B
Fantastic interview! Thanks for sharing.
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