FOREWORD :
1. How did you first get into making polish?
Before I started making it myself back in 2012, the interest in making polish originally grew out of my own passion and crazy obsession for nails. I already had my own, beloved, ever growing collection of polishes, religiously read up on all of my favorite nail blogs everyday, and was much more active on the Facebook nail groups at the time. Through being so active on all of these community sources, I discovered Indies. I totally fell in love with what those first, pioneering makers were doing because I have always gravitated more to bolder, less traditional polishes, and was always looking for something new and different. They were creating all kinds of fun new finishes, textures, and combinations that you just couldn't find anywhere else. Being an artistic and creative person that works with pretty much any and all mediums myself, I was definitely inspired, and the next step that seemed natural to me was to dive in and marry this new creative outlet with my passion for polish. After some research (there was definitely much less info on this at the time, ha!) and some initial experimentation, "Intergalactic Super-Star" was born--my first polish! I was bitten by the bug, and I've been creating polish ever since!
2. What was the inspiration for the name "GRIM AND GLAMOROUS"? Is there a story behind the name?
I originally started creating polish under the name Slick Lacquer by Suzzie in 2012, but decided to take the leap and change over to Grim and Glamorous in January 2015. I wanted to create a foundation for my line that I felt more of a connection to, that would further allow me to be inspired by the things I love, and that would give me a chance to express myself more as an individual. I really wanted to share a piece of myself, of my personality, with my audience. So, Grim and Glamorous basically sums up my interests, style, and personal aesthetic. The switch has opened up the possibilities to share that part of myself, and connect with other Glamour Ghouls and Polish Fiends out there like me!
3. What inspires your collections (or where do you look for inspiration)?
I definitely get my inspiration from things that I am passionate about or stuff that I am really interested in. These inspirations can range from events or people in my personal life, movies or music I like, or specific themes or historical interests that I'm into. Some examples being "Head in the Clouds" which was inspired by my son earlier in his childhood, "The Insane Asylum Collection" which was inspired by my interest in the history and evolution of Medical Science and Psychiatry, and "Feejee Mermaid"/"Sideshow Freak" which were both inspired by my interest in the history and early years of the traveling circus and sideshow. Whatever the inspiration, I always strive to make all of the details come together to create one complete thought. From the color, finish, and texture, to the name, to the label--my goal for the final resulting polish is to clearly communicate the original theme and inspiration.
What inspired your latest collection?
This Halloween, I wanted to release a collection based on the various "scary-sexy" costumes that kind of play on that Grim and Glamorous theme in a different way. I jotted down a whole list of possible costumes to take inspiration from, but the four polishes in "The Scream Queens Quad" were the ones that ultimately made the cut.
Any hints/ideas about upcoming collections?
The "Naughty, Nice Duo" will be making a comeback to the shop for the holidays, and I am excited about some great changes, improvements, and new releases that will be coming to the Ultra Nourishing product line very soon. I have some other polishes in the works that I hope you guys will like, but you will just have to keep an eye out for those!
Wow, this is going to be tough, ha!
Alta Costura Vernis and Nail-Venturous were definitely a couple of my early favorites.
As for shops that are currently active, I really like Pretty and Polished, Emily de Molly, Dollish Polish, and Whimsical Ideas by Pam.
Most recently, I tried Anonymous Lacquer and Ellagee, and really loved everything that I acquired from both of them.
Really, it's so hard to narrow down--there are so many awesome brands out there trying new things and creating beautiful and unique products. I implore everyone with a passion for Indie polish, to dive in, dig deep, and seek out brands that are new to you. There are loads of talented makers out there--give them the opportunity to amaze you!
Favorite mainstream brand?
This may seem strange to some but, as far as mainstream brands go, I think I own more Funky Fingers than any other brand in my collection. Since I tend to be drawn to louder, bolder polishes, Funky Fingers seems to have the most selection and variety when it comes to that sort of thing.
5. What are your go-to products for nail/cuticle care?
Now that I am making mani bombs and cuticle oil, I do use my own Ultra Nourishing products for part of my care routine. Store bought products that are staples for me as well are Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream, Duri Rejuvacote, and Sally Hansen Maximum Growth. Remember that, no matter what your routine, it's most important to chose what products work best for you to restore and lock healthy moisture into your nails. Strong, healthy nails have flexibility. If your nails are too dry or hard, they can become brittle and will be more prone to peeling, splitting, and snapping.
I am not really a seasonal color kind of person. My favorite colors stay the same throughout the year. Pink and black are definitely my top two colors, followed by neon/lime green and gray. I especially like pairing bright, bold, neon colors with black or gray to create that extreme contrast that makes them "pop".
7. This may be hard--but which are your 3 favorite creations so far?
This is tough for sure! I had to determine these by looks alone and not by inspiration, or else this would have been impossible, ha! I think two of my current favorites would have to be a couple of my most recent creations, "Zombae" and "Glamour Ghoul". For the third, I will go with "Some Majestic Beast".
8. Do you have any other hobbies? Are you involved with any other clubs, associations, or recreational activities?
My hobbies really revolve around art and creativity. Anything I can design or make something out of, I pretty much do it all. Painting, drawing, sculpting, making masks, photography, digital photo manipulation, designing and sewing clothing, costumes, and other odds and ends, etc. Similar to my nail art hobby, I also love designing and executing beauty makeup, SFX makeup, and cutting/coloring/styling hair.
9. What is your most favorite thing about being an indie maker?
My favorite thing about being an Indie maker is creating things that I can share with others that have similar interests and passions as I do. When you can see someone getting excitement and joy out of something you made, it's a really wonderful feeling.
What are some of the challenges?
Doing research, testing, and finding new supplies that play well together to execute the best final product. Also, finding new inspiration and not hitting a creative wall is certainly a challenge.
What advice would you give to people considering starting their own brand?
Yup, you guessed it--I'm probably going to restate what has already been said by other makers. My advice would be to understand that this takes a lot of commitment, time, money, research, and testing. You definitely have to have a passion for it because this is not a money making venture, especially not overnight. Most of the money from sales goes right back into funding your next creation, not profits, so you really need to be motivated by your love of the creative process. You really want to have all of the little details thought out and prepared before you start selling. It takes a lot of self promotion, and it is not easy to become recognized. Ultimately, whether you just want a small, intimate following, or you strive to be more widely known, you need to know what your personal goals are and have a plan for reaching them. It's not easy, but if making polish is something you feel strongly about pursuing, don't be discouraged and go for it!
Overall, are you happy with your decision to get into the indie polish world?
Definitely! The satisfaction of sharing these little treasures with others, and brightening up someone's day with something special that I made, makes it all worth it. It's a pleasure to have that connection with the people that support me!
Astrological sign : Taurus
Favorite comfort food : Probably not considered comfort food by most, but an Original Cappuccino Blast from Baskin Robbins with whipped cream and cinnamon on top makes me happy! Perfection! Yum!
Favorite beauty item besides polish : Hair dye
Favorite fragrance : The fanciest one I own is probably "Bombshell" by Victoria's Secret, so I'll go with that.
Favorite vacation destination : I haven't traveled too much, but I have enjoyed visiting Canada a few times, and would like to go again.
Favorite candy : Pixie Sticks
Favorite celebrity : Henry Rollins
Favorite family member or friend (you can pick one of each) : Being a doting mother, of course my son Ethan is my favorite family member, and my supportive husband Chris is absolutely my best friend ever! Also, a special little shoutout to my Mom and Dad--they are pretty special people, too <3
Most recent read : I am currently reading Freak Show by James St. James.
Most recent movie you loved : I don't get out to the movies much, but the most recent films I ventured out to the theater to see were The Imitation Game and Ex Machina. I enjoyed both of them.
Favorite TV show and character : There have actually been a lot of shows that I have really liked on TV recently but, if I had to go with the most recent stand out--especially choosing by character, I would go with Rustin Cohle and the first season of True Detective.
If you won a million dollars, first thing you would buy is : A new house with a little more room for my family.
Before I started making it myself back in 2012, the interest in making polish originally grew out of my own passion and crazy obsession for nails. I already had my own, beloved, ever growing collection of polishes, religiously read up on all of my favorite nail blogs everyday, and was much more active on the Facebook nail groups at the time. Through being so active on all of these community sources, I discovered Indies. I totally fell in love with what those first, pioneering makers were doing because I have always gravitated more to bolder, less traditional polishes, and was always looking for something new and different. They were creating all kinds of fun new finishes, textures, and combinations that you just couldn't find anywhere else. Being an artistic and creative person that works with pretty much any and all mediums myself, I was definitely inspired, and the next step that seemed natural to me was to dive in and marry this new creative outlet with my passion for polish. After some research (there was definitely much less info on this at the time, ha!) and some initial experimentation, "Intergalactic Super-Star" was born--my first polish! I was bitten by the bug, and I've been creating polish ever since!
2. What was the inspiration for the name "GRIM AND GLAMOROUS"? Is there a story behind the name?
I originally started creating polish under the name Slick Lacquer by Suzzie in 2012, but decided to take the leap and change over to Grim and Glamorous in January 2015. I wanted to create a foundation for my line that I felt more of a connection to, that would further allow me to be inspired by the things I love, and that would give me a chance to express myself more as an individual. I really wanted to share a piece of myself, of my personality, with my audience. So, Grim and Glamorous basically sums up my interests, style, and personal aesthetic. The switch has opened up the possibilities to share that part of myself, and connect with other Glamour Ghouls and Polish Fiends out there like me!
3. What inspires your collections (or where do you look for inspiration)?
I definitely get my inspiration from things that I am passionate about or stuff that I am really interested in. These inspirations can range from events or people in my personal life, movies or music I like, or specific themes or historical interests that I'm into. Some examples being "Head in the Clouds" which was inspired by my son earlier in his childhood, "The Insane Asylum Collection" which was inspired by my interest in the history and evolution of Medical Science and Psychiatry, and "Feejee Mermaid"/"Sideshow Freak" which were both inspired by my interest in the history and early years of the traveling circus and sideshow. Whatever the inspiration, I always strive to make all of the details come together to create one complete thought. From the color, finish, and texture, to the name, to the label--my goal for the final resulting polish is to clearly communicate the original theme and inspiration.
What inspired your latest collection?
This Halloween, I wanted to release a collection based on the various "scary-sexy" costumes that kind of play on that Grim and Glamorous theme in a different way. I jotted down a whole list of possible costumes to take inspiration from, but the four polishes in "The Scream Queens Quad" were the ones that ultimately made the cut.
Any hints/ideas about upcoming collections?
The "Naughty, Nice Duo" will be making a comeback to the shop for the holidays, and I am excited about some great changes, improvements, and new releases that will be coming to the Ultra Nourishing product line very soon. I have some other polishes in the works that I hope you guys will like, but you will just have to keep an eye out for those!
4. Do you have a favorite indie maker(s)?
Wow, this is going to be tough, ha!
Alta Costura Vernis and Nail-Venturous were definitely a couple of my early favorites.
As for shops that are currently active, I really like Pretty and Polished, Emily de Molly, Dollish Polish, and Whimsical Ideas by Pam.
Most recently, I tried Anonymous Lacquer and Ellagee, and really loved everything that I acquired from both of them.
Really, it's so hard to narrow down--there are so many awesome brands out there trying new things and creating beautiful and unique products. I implore everyone with a passion for Indie polish, to dive in, dig deep, and seek out brands that are new to you. There are loads of talented makers out there--give them the opportunity to amaze you!
Favorite mainstream brand?
This may seem strange to some but, as far as mainstream brands go, I think I own more Funky Fingers than any other brand in my collection. Since I tend to be drawn to louder, bolder polishes, Funky Fingers seems to have the most selection and variety when it comes to that sort of thing.
5. What are your go-to products for nail/cuticle care?
Now that I am making mani bombs and cuticle oil, I do use my own Ultra Nourishing products for part of my care routine. Store bought products that are staples for me as well are Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream, Duri Rejuvacote, and Sally Hansen Maximum Growth. Remember that, no matter what your routine, it's most important to chose what products work best for you to restore and lock healthy moisture into your nails. Strong, healthy nails have flexibility. If your nails are too dry or hard, they can become brittle and will be more prone to peeling, splitting, and snapping.
6. What are your favorite colors? In general? For summer? For fall?
I am not really a seasonal color kind of person. My favorite colors stay the same throughout the year. Pink and black are definitely my top two colors, followed by neon/lime green and gray. I especially like pairing bright, bold, neon colors with black or gray to create that extreme contrast that makes them "pop".
7. This may be hard--but which are your 3 favorite creations so far?
This is tough for sure! I had to determine these by looks alone and not by inspiration, or else this would have been impossible, ha! I think two of my current favorites would have to be a couple of my most recent creations, "Zombae" and "Glamour Ghoul". For the third, I will go with "Some Majestic Beast".
8. Do you have any other hobbies? Are you involved with any other clubs, associations, or recreational activities?
My hobbies really revolve around art and creativity. Anything I can design or make something out of, I pretty much do it all. Painting, drawing, sculpting, making masks, photography, digital photo manipulation, designing and sewing clothing, costumes, and other odds and ends, etc. Similar to my nail art hobby, I also love designing and executing beauty makeup, SFX makeup, and cutting/coloring/styling hair.
9. What is your most favorite thing about being an indie maker?
My favorite thing about being an Indie maker is creating things that I can share with others that have similar interests and passions as I do. When you can see someone getting excitement and joy out of something you made, it's a really wonderful feeling.
What are some of the challenges?
Doing research, testing, and finding new supplies that play well together to execute the best final product. Also, finding new inspiration and not hitting a creative wall is certainly a challenge.
What advice would you give to people considering starting their own brand?
Yup, you guessed it--I'm probably going to restate what has already been said by other makers. My advice would be to understand that this takes a lot of commitment, time, money, research, and testing. You definitely have to have a passion for it because this is not a money making venture, especially not overnight. Most of the money from sales goes right back into funding your next creation, not profits, so you really need to be motivated by your love of the creative process. You really want to have all of the little details thought out and prepared before you start selling. It takes a lot of self promotion, and it is not easy to become recognized. Ultimately, whether you just want a small, intimate following, or you strive to be more widely known, you need to know what your personal goals are and have a plan for reaching them. It's not easy, but if making polish is something you feel strongly about pursuing, don't be discouraged and go for it!
Overall, are you happy with your decision to get into the indie polish world?
Definitely! The satisfaction of sharing these little treasures with others, and brightening up someone's day with something special that I made, makes it all worth it. It's a pleasure to have that connection with the people that support me!
10. Fun facts :
Astrological sign : Taurus
Favorite comfort food : Probably not considered comfort food by most, but an Original Cappuccino Blast from Baskin Robbins with whipped cream and cinnamon on top makes me happy! Perfection! Yum!
Favorite beauty item besides polish : Hair dye
Favorite fragrance : The fanciest one I own is probably "Bombshell" by Victoria's Secret, so I'll go with that.
Favorite vacation destination : I haven't traveled too much, but I have enjoyed visiting Canada a few times, and would like to go again.
Favorite candy : Pixie Sticks
Favorite celebrity : Henry Rollins
Favorite family member or friend (you can pick one of each) : Being a doting mother, of course my son Ethan is my favorite family member, and my supportive husband Chris is absolutely my best friend ever! Also, a special little shoutout to my Mom and Dad--they are pretty special people, too <3
Most recent read : I am currently reading Freak Show by James St. James.
Most recent movie you loved : I don't get out to the movies much, but the most recent films I ventured out to the theater to see were The Imitation Game and Ex Machina. I enjoyed both of them.
Favorite TV show and character : There have actually been a lot of shows that I have really liked on TV recently but, if I had to go with the most recent stand out--especially choosing by character, I would go with Rustin Cohle and the first season of True Detective.
If you won a million dollars, first thing you would buy is : A new house with a little more room for my family.
So there you have it, my darlings! A little glimpse into the world of Suzzie of Grim and Glamorous!
I will have a review of some of her polishes very soon but in the meantime, don't forget to enter our giveaway on my 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
I will have a review of some of her polishes very soon but in the meantime, don't forget to enter our giveaway on my 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
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