I finally achieved my dream -- launching my beauty brand, Purple Lab, on HSN. I've been chronicling the launch of Purple Lab here on StyleList, in my Beauty bLab column. And now I'm writing about what it's like to host a home shopping show.

The details of my first appearance are here. But here's the scoop on the rest.

It's Thursday night, February 18th at 8pm. This was the big Purple Lab presentation show I was waiting for. Yes, I had already done a 9am-er.

But that was kind of a warm up. The 8pm segment was the real debut. It was where I put all of my energy as far as promotion is concerned.

Let's talk about clothes and the set for a sec.

A) I wore a purple Lanvin dress with a ruffle detail.

B) With red patent six inch heels, of course!

C) I was really short next to Shannon, the host. She's taller than me...while sitting. After I noticed this, I started propping myself up on two pillows!

There was a massive amount of behind the scenes work for this hour.

1. Sharon, Purple Lab's in-house PR guru, and I had sent out the 30 parties in a box to friends, family, and bloggers across the country so that they could host their own screening parties

2. Sharon was hosting a big screening/shopping party for 200 guests in New York at Meet in Soho, where we set up "glam stations" with makeup artists showcasing the products.

3. Christine, the blogger from Temptalia, was on set with me. And these sets are usually closed, period. But they opened it for her to get the real inside glimpse.

4. My mom and dad had 30 friends over for the festivities

5. I was also announcing the winner of the model search contest - and surprising everyone who tuned in with the fact that in addition to the grand prize winner, the lovely Jessica Harlow, who is coming to HSN with me in April, I would be taking two other winners to model on air in July!

I was getting the groove of things but there was still a lot to learn. One thing I picked up (after the fact, sadly): If I'm showing a color or product on my own skin, I should hold my hand on the table and keep it still. I didn't do this once so when the camera zoomed in, my hand was already gone!

I learned for the next time. And each show got better and better as I felt more at ease with the flow. I didn't sleep a wink that night. I was way too excited -- and not just because I had a Susan Lucci sighting on my way out.

She's my kind of HSN idol!

Mwah!
Karen
Purple Lab Creatrix