Episode 2 of my guest blog Q&A series goes to beauty-expert, Nicole Collins. I’ve known Nicole for decades now and she has always been at the forefront of the beauty industry, most recently launching the first ever text-to-buy service called 213Deli. Consequently, Nicole is my go-to when I have any questions about skincare and makeup—especially with the close scrutiny brought by earrings! So, let’s tap into Nicole’s beauty expertise and learn about keeping your face as beautiful as your baubles.

I love your bio! “… a beauty junkie since she was a kid.” Ok, what’s your first memory of playing with cosmetics? 

As a co-founder of the game-changing website IPSY and now 213deli, how do you balance the demands of a start-up with being a mom of twins?

I don’t compromise on sleep. I sleep 8-9 hours every night. I take a fist full of vitamins every morning. I exercise 4-5 days a week, and I try to eat as healthy as possible 98% of the time. After all that I just breathe and pray. What else can you do?

Phew! That’s a lot. But you still have amazing style. Do you have a go-to “uniform” or do you enjoy playing with each day’s look?   

I live in resort wear. Most days you’ll catch me in a Natalie Martin dress. I live in LA where it’s mostly sunny all year round and our homes away from home are Oahu and the Bahamas so resort wear is my lifestyle and my vibe. I prefer to be barefoot and I love color.

Let’s talk about your jewelry. What pieces do you wear everyday, and when do you mix it up?  

I really don’t wear a lot of jewelry on workdays. I keep it simple with my wedding band, a sacred heart medal pendant my grandmother gave me on a gold chain and a pair of hamsa studs that I had made when my kids were born. My most prized pieces are my custom engagement ring by Daria DeK (of course) and a pair of one-of-a-kind Sea of Cortez Pearl Earrings also by DariaDeK. They are show stoppers, and I am always asked about them when I wear them. They were likely designed for the red carpet or a black tie party, and I wear them to those events, but I also wear them with a cotton dress in my backyard and barefoot in Hawaii. Only a fool saves things for a "special occasion.” Life is a special occasion!! The other pieces that I adore are a long string of Tahitian black pearls that belonged to my husband’s grandmother and an antique string of pink coral that my grandmother gave me. I also love to wear all of the gold bangles my grandmother gave me...all together.

Being “polished” takes a moment - flawless skin care, hair care, a perfect jewel, a signature scarf. What three things do you never leave the house without doing?

I never leave the house without nail polish on (usually red), my skincare routine, and I never walk out of the house without perfume. I adore scent, and I change mine based on my mood. I’ll use rosewater from the market and inexpensive fun scents, but currently loving Nasomatto Narcotic V. The brand describes the scent as the result of the quest for the overwhelming addictive intensity of female sexual power.

ABOUT NICOLE:

Since 2012, Nicole has been disrupting the beauty industry by propelling dynamic start-up companies to prominence. She’s an entrepreneur with a highly creative mindset who advises and consults for the beauty industry’s most innovative start-ups. Nicole was on the founding team that put ipsy on the map before co-founding 213Deli, the first ever text-to-buy service dropping the best in beauty once weekly via text. She went to USC (Fight on!). She’s a native Angeleno, adoring wife and mother of twin toddlers.