The Rise of the Beauty Bloggers

Online blogging has become a favourite pastime for many young people today, when once we put pen to paper, and wrote our thoughts in a personal diary, we are now able to share our opinions, interests and even intimate stories with the world. Blogging has shaped the way the Internet is used, people can reach out to others, make a name for themselves and put their words to good use. It is easy for anybody to become an online sensation if they really want it. With over 100 million blogs worldwide, there must be something special about this popular hobby.

One particular type of blogging which is has soared over the past decade is the glitzy community of the Beauty bloggers, whether it be written or via YouTube, it is something that has inspired thousands girls, to take what they love to do most, and share this with others. Funnily enough, it seems to be working, Every day, young girls are logging in to You Tube, watching these videos, reading these blogs, and taking note, Even Product Company’s are reaching out to these bloggers, asking them to review a product, and some even offering money.

One woman in particular whom has had huge successful with her YouTube videos, and is queen of the beauty bloggers, is 23 year old, Elle Fowler, also known as ‘AllthatGlitters’, she made a name for herself via makeup, skincare, fashion and general chit-chat. From uploading her first video in 2008, She now holds an online empire, with over 747,269 subscribers and a whopping 118,564,330 channel views, she is an online sensation.

Beauty blogger, Laura, from Leeds, has been a dedicated fashion and beauty writer since 2008, while she was studying Journalism at university. “I’d always been interested in fashion and beauty journalism but obviously only the more serious subjects get covered as part of your degree, the blog was a great outlet for my musings on fashion, beauty and style.” Laura’s blog helped her gain experience within the fashion and beauty industry, and also got her into various events  “my blog has opened doors in other areas – I was able to attend London Fashion Week in February which was an amazing experience.”

24-year-old Beauty Blogger Lucy, who works in advertising, from Leeds, started her blog in 2009, and states that it ‘changed her life’; “it’s more than just a hobby now as it forms a second income.I wouldn’t say I was ready to go professional just yet, but I make time every single day to work through my emails and try to blog every other day.”

Lucy uses her blog to write about current products on the market either drugstore or higher end, she receives comments and emails every day as her blog’s popularity increases. She encourages other girls who are into beauty to join this booming hobbie, “I’d definitely advise people to blog, it’s a fantastic community and a creative outlet if you’re that way inclined. Its does take a long time to become well known in the blogging industry and for the most part it isn’t until you’ve got a very popular blog that it can affect careers. That said, I’m all for putting my blog on my CV! It shows dedication, commitment and creativity.”

The rise of beauty blogging may be in reaction to the recession, in which we are more careful with out money and take far more into consideration before purchasing certain products. With thousands of blogs and more surfacing, there is now a whole community of people building and growing, that has never been available on such a platform before with a great following.

Check out Lucy and Laura’s Blogs here!

http://www.aforteforfashion.co.uk

http://www.misslucyloves.com

Happy Social Media day!

You may feel slightly confused by the title of this post, and that indeed was the purpose, this piece of writing is in fact centred around valentines day, a little late yes, however I will not be addressing in great detail the concept of valentines, which is to give and receive a dozen roses a soppy card and more chocolate than you’d care to eat, I will be discussing what this phenomenon does to us via the world of social media.

As someone from the outside looking in, it isn’t necessarily the actual event of valentines that has my head in a spin; it’s the opinions, response and often harassment of others against that one day which comes around once every 365 days. Come Valentines Day the world goes social media mad, whether one is for or against the tradition, those views are written and put online for millions of people to then see and respond either positively or more usually, negatively.

Take twitter for example, one of the current top media platforms for any person, organization or celebrity, once the 14th of feb comes around, my feed is suddenly plagued with relentless hopefuls either whining about how they are single and that it is a con, or those loved up, tweeting pictures of their presents whilst cuddled up to there partner. Either way I find that over the past two years I have recently started to associate valentines day with social media, before twitter and face book was born people got on with it and the whole idea of it seemed a lot more personal, but now its like a huge tidal wave that instantly hits the internet, and no longer can we just enjoy it, it has to be shared with others and sometimes ruined by others.

Its like I now expect to be grieved by these people who think that writing a sarcastic bitter tweet will gain them twitter points, when really they just become bombarded with abuse because essentially they are making themselves seem like an internet troll for pushing the send button. I myself had a lovely valentines day as I am in a relationship, however I do not feel the need to throw around my personal experiences and prefer to keep twitter as a work and blogging platform. I am somewhat glad the day is over, so now I can read my feed without feeling hassled from these over opinionated individuals.

My Weekend and PANCAKE DAY!

This post is going to be a little different to my usual beauty obsessive posts, I thought I would try and get a bit more personal with you all, as I have now proudly reached 66 followers which is magical and such an amazing feeling knowing people want to read what you have to say. It’s also even more magic when you receive over 3 comments in one day. Ill just be sitting in a lecture when *ping* goes my email to find some lovely follower or newbie to my blog has commented on a post, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside and brightens up my day, (awww)

So this weekend myself and my boyfriend celebrated his 20th birthday, woo! We went to see django on the Saturday which might I just non subtly add was absolutely fabulous, like literally no jokes the best film I’ve seen in a long time, and Jamie Foxx UHH need I say more? Anyway we had a cute stay in a hotel on the Saturday night, which was lovely and relaxing, and then went on to wagamamas for drinks and food. It was such a tranquil and slouchy weekend, just my boy and me, however I felt a slight pain from not blogging for 3 days (obsessed or what?) but obviously I’m making up for it this week.

And hoo-rah it’s Pancake Day today! Yes that one chance when scoffing 10 pancakes is considered a talent, and no one can judge you for drowning them in golden syrup, nutella and squirty cream (just me?) I made some fabulous girly pink pancakes with my housemate, which was great fun, we nearly managed to blow ourselves up though by microwaving a jar of nutella haha, but nethertheless it was such a feast, I just need to now think about what I will be giving up for lent… I was going to hop on the bandwagon of sweet treats or fizzy drinks but I just don’t think I’m strong willed enough, ah well I will have a ponder and let you know.

What will you be giving up for lent?

My Winter Tanning Routine

 

Its no secret that when January rolls around every inch of happiness is slowly zapped from us, whether it be that depressing trek back to work after the festive season, looking worse for wear as a result of the winter sniffles, or simply feeling low as the new year resolutions don’t quite go to plan, it is purely evident we all need a little pick me up to get through the next few months.

The A-list seem to be making it even harder for us to get back into a regular routine and to remain body confident, as we sip on our lattes and slip on cosy socks, celebrity’s are jetting off to various tropical locations in a bid to get away from these harrowing winter months. Tweeting body shots while they catch some rays can make us feel even more down in the dumps (thanks guys!) and it makes us feel paler than ever which doesn’t bode well with our overly lumpy bits after the Christmas season (humph).

However much it may not in anyway be on par with lying on a sun lounger all day, I’ve found that this winter doesn’t have to be one where we stick to full body armour and cover up our legs like our life depends on it. Why cover our selves up just because we feel like it’s that time of year where no man wants to see woman’s white bits? There is something else, fake tan! Well gradual tan… I have discovered the way to make yourself feel a little more like you over the next few months, sod all other resolutions and get your tan on!

Over Christmas and at the moment I have been in a great routine of using a gradual tan to keep myself feeling relatively happy about my body, who says January isn’t a party month? With doves summer glow gradual tan it sure can be! Voted No1 gradual tanner in Britain, and a product that I have abided by for many years, it really does do the trick in creating that winter glow in minutes. The product acts as a tanner and moisturizer in one, and I love it so much that I have aborted my much loved St moritz, which I used for many years for quick touch ups before nights out, but the dreadful smell of the stuff after a night out left me wanting to try something new, something that wouldn’t get so streaky, smelly and dry on the skin, so I discovered this little beauty. I honestly feel that gradual tan is the best way to go, instant is great if your in a rush, but if you have a little time, why not pamper your self and go all the way with a scrub a rich body butter to start anew and make way for your tan.

The dove moisturizer is great as it doesn’t leave that horrid biscuit smell, don’t get me wrong, it does smell slightly more tanny than any other moisturizer, but in no way does it match up to the smell of an instant, it has a much more fresh and fruity scent to it, which is bearable and actually ok to have on. You can purchase this in two shades, light to medium, and medium to dark, I get the medium to dark as I felt the lighter one took a lot more application and effort to get a nice tanned skin tone, in the end I decided just to get the darker one and get a much faster tan, the smell does not differ with the different shades, it just depends on skin tone and what type of shade you prefer. The lotion is easy to apply as you do not need a tanning mitt as remember it is a moisturiser, just apply with finger and rub in, the lotion is easily absorbed, however be sure to rub in well as it may leave a few patchy areas, but it wont do that unless you just leave a blob lying on a patch of skin you’ve forgotten about. The product has a thin consistency, but can feel slightly sticky on the skin when first applied so I would take a couple of minutes for it to absorb properly. However after the first application you see an instant effect, your skin has a lovely healthy glow to it and you look a lot more fresh and ready to face the day.

My tanning routine goes something along the lines of this, Firstly I have a bath or shower and I use my body shop scrub in coco all over my skin, I apply this with a hand mitt which really gets rid of all those dead skin cells to make way for the tan to apply on fresh soft skin, I then rinse off and when I get out of the shower I apply my body shop body butter over dry areas of my body, so hips, chest, knees and thighs, be sure not to apply this all over as it may leave your skin feeling slightly greasy if you add the tan too. I then apply my gradual tan after the butter has absorbed thoroughly, I apply everywhere, even my face (that is why I always look so tanned) if you would prefer to buy a separate face tanner be my guest, however this lotion does work just as well on the face and doesn’t clog up pores like an instant would do, as remember it acts as a moisturizer too, and so it won’t harm or leave your skin feeling dry and patchy. I do this routine of an evening before bed, to let the tan properly absorb while I’m sleeping, then when you wake up I guarantee you will feel like a new woman!

I have used other gradual tanners such as Garnier and Johnsons summer body, however I felt this was the best for a natrual finish and long lasting colour. The Tan is available from many stores including Superdrug boots and online, it is priced at a measly £4.99 which is a great price for such a fantastic and feel good product, the body butter is usually priced at £12.00 however I got mine for £6.00 in the Jan sales! And the coco scrub came as part of a pack but I believe it is priced at £12.50 for a large tub and £6.25 for the smaller one.

Anyway ladies I hope this review helped you to get rid of those winter blues, and realize that there is life beyond this notoriously depressing month, whether your off to a party or your boyfriends feel good about yourself and be body confident with Dove!