Thoughts On A Thursday #4 - Fomo & Life Envy

Living in a world dominated by Social Media means that we are constantly exposed with the in's and out's of other people's lives, where they're on holiday, what they're having for dinner, what they're wearing that day etc etc.

With 60 million pictures uploaded to Instagram everyday and thousands of tweets per second on Twitter it makes it difficult for us to be satisfied with our own lives. Watching celebrities go about there stylish, exciting day to day lives in exciting places like Hollywood, Los Angeles, Chelsea - eating in 5* restaurants, visiting 5* luxury hotels, can lead to 'Life-envy' upon opening these social media sites.

Many people feel absolutely fine about themselves, and fine about there lives until they see what there friends or other people are up to on Facebook, a recent article told me. Once you've seen that your Facebook friend has had a brilliant weekend and is loving life, it makes you feel the need to share your most exciting memory from the past few days on the internet - just to prove you are not boring old sod. This comes under the FOMO addiction, which stands for the fear of missing out.

People today, due to the over powering need to check social media, have become connected to this fear of missing out. Even if out with friends, shopping or on a date, people feel an overpowering need to check facebook, twitter, snapchat etc just incase something interesting is happening, just incase there missing out on something, just incase somethings happened that they NEED to know.

The addiction also includes updating social media on what you yourself are up to, the need to share with others that you are on holiday, or eating out because if you don't your internet friends may think well.. what? Why is it that we feel we need to share so much of our lives with the internet? Why does your 789 Facebook friends need to know what your at McDonalds with your cousin? Or that you enjoyed your cup of tea watching Coronation Street.

Will we ever be completely satisfied in our own lives or are we going to continue to be swamped in the importance of others. The scariest thought is that technology is still in its early stages compared to the possibilities for technology to come in the future.

The main point I'm wanting to stress in this post is that i think we should all take a moment to step back, and appreciate life for what it is, we all have interesting and unique lives, each different to the next. You may be jealous of someone else for eating in a certain restaurant or for visiting a certain place, but they might be just as jealous for something you've done. The concept of FOMO is interesting and scary, but we should embrace it rather than letting it take over. Allow it to better ourselves, do better in ourselves, not to appear better on the internet.

Disclaimer: I promise I do not hate technology, I realise that this is the second post i've done on the negative sides of technology, but I do value it too. I just value real life more.

A*BC

A week later, and i'm finally updating you on my results. If you've been following my blog for a while, you'll know that i've been studying my A-Levels and taking exams, you may remember a post last year where I was confused on what to do next.

A few months back, I decided that if I got the grades I would go to university, as I found a course which is really, really exciting and sounds like it will suit me and get me into the area of work I want to go into. The course is based around media and communications, and i'm hoping to study modules in Journalism, PR, Events Management and potentially Radio and TV. I'm not going to go into what University i'll be attending as that is a little dangerous considering this blog is accessible to anybody on the internet (scary thought).

Fortunately, I got offered a place at the Uni at my interview and I was over the moon, and accepted the place as soon as I got home as my firm choice. I had an insurance choice on UCAS just incase anything went wrong but I had my heart set on my first choice, and planned to work for a year and have a year out of education and try again if I was unsuccessful in my exams.

However, somehow I managed to get grades Distinction* in Health and Social Care, which is equivalent to an A* in terms of grades. I got a B in RE which I was a little disappointed in as I know I could have done better! And I got a C in English, which was what I was expecting. Therefore I got into the Uni! I was extremely relieved and happy when UCAS updated my application and confirmed my place.

Now all i've got to do is wait for my joining details. The University is about an hours drive and 30 minutes train journey from where I live so I will be staying at home and commuting to and from Uni. Some of you may think this is boring and i'll be missing out on 'Uni life' but i'd much rather be at home and around all my friend's, family, boyfriend - it also means I can keep my job here and still earn money whilst studying.

Hope all of you reading who have had exams got the results you wanted and were successful in whatever you plan to do next, whether that is going to University or starting an apprenticeship or looking for work.

And to all of you waiting for GCSE results which I believe come out tomorrow GOOD LUCK!

Celebrity Inspired Make-Up - #1 Iggy Azalea

My Boyfriend has a big celebrity crush on Iggy, and don't we all? Her make-up and style is always bright, bold and exciting. On this miserable, raining afternoon (great start to August ay) I was debating what to do with myself, so I looked through my blog post ideas list and came across 'celebrity inspired make-up' and immediately Iggy popped into my head. I typed her name into google images and scrolled through the pics! My favourite look of hers is the bright pink lipstick and big bold eye-liner look that she does oh so well. So I gave it a shot. At first, I did consider filming me attempt it, and half way through my phone lost battery (note to self - always charge phone before filming) so unfortunately pictures will have to suffice. 

Below is the picture I chose to use of Iggy, I had it in front of me to look at throughout.

 Her face makeup is quite simple so I chose not to use foundation, instead I hid all blemishes and discolouration with concealer. As you can see the make-up artist has used highlighter and contouring to exaggerate Iggy's cheek bones, to imitate this I used my No 7 bronzer just below my cheekbone. 

As I am naturally blonde, my eye-brows are blonde and can hardly be seen. I used 'Cinnamon' from my Estee Lauder eye-shadow palette to colour them in, making them stand out a bit more as Iggy's do. I then used my BROWdrama from Maybelline to set them into place. For a base on my eyes I used Studio primer. Then covered them in 'Freestyle' from my Urban Decay Palette. On the lid of my eye I used 'Cinnamon' again as the lid of Iggy's eyes is clearly darker than under her brow. I then used Ted Baker liquid eyeliner to create flicks on my eyes and coloured it in, a lot thicker than I am used to but I think it looks good, especially for a night out. I then used my normal mascara's that i've spoke of in the past, Illegal Length by Maybelline and Scandal Eyes by Rimmel London. 

On my lips I used a product I got given at London Fashion Weekend last year. I haven't really worn in it very much, but I am definitely going to start to wear it more. This lipstick really completes the look and ties it all together. The lipstick is 'Fuchsia Flash' from Maybelline, if you can get your hands on a bright lipstick I think it's definitely worth it as your lip colour can completely change your face. 

           

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Leavers Prom 2014

Leavers Prom 2014 

This post is long overdue, my prom was last month and I have meant to do this post for a while but I have just been so so busy. The post will be a mixture of "What's On My Face" as well as all about my dress and the accessories I chose! 

Whats On My Face:
I did my own makeup for Prom using all my own products. My friend Hannah (who also did my hair) helped me aswell as we were running a little late and had like 15 minutes to do my makeup ! Stress !
Face:
No 7 Colour Calming Primer, No 7 concealer in 'Cool Vanilla', Dior Foundation in 'Nude', No 7 Pressed Powder in 'Translucent', No 7 Bronzer, Rimmel London Blusher in 'Pink Rose'
Eyes:
 Urban Decay Eye Primer, 'Cinnamon' Eye Shadow from my Estee Lauder palette, 'Barlust' and 'Kinky' from my Urban Decay smokey eye palette, No 7 Stay Precise Liquid Eyeliner, Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara in Black, Rimmel London Scandal Eyes mascara in Black and finally BROWdrama in Dark Blonde on my eyebrows
Lips:
Mac Lipstick in Creme Cup and Rimmel London Royal Gloss in 'Yummy' 

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Hair: 

 Hannah is a hairdresser so she kindly came round to do my hair. After many different styles we practised we went with 4 french plaits back to half way across my head with little bits curled at the front. The back plaits crossed over and joined each other and we put little diamonds in there. The rest of my hair was loosely curled. 

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Outfit:

My dress (above) was a peachy colour, full length and strapless. It was very different from my Year 11 prom dress (which was black). I thought it was a bright, stand out choice. 

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Accessories: 

My shoes & bag were matching and both from Next. The clutch bag was given to me as a birthday present from a lady at work, and it miraculously went very well with my prom dress as the colour of my dress was hard to match! The shoes we then found in next when shopping with my mom, it was all very lucky! Both the bag and shoes were a metallic shimmery colour, and quite subtle yet set the dress of nicely (I thought). Up until I had my dress on prom day and was ready to go downstairs I had no accessories I assumed that because my hair would be down I wouldn't need a necklace, how wrong I was. Once the dress was on and my make up and hair was done, I panicked - I definitely needed some accessories to go with it! My friends were coming round in like 10 minutes time and I had no accessories to wear - stress (again). My mom saved the day by rummaging through her many draws and accessory boxes and found the matching necklace, bracelet and earrings that she has had 'for years' apparently but hardly wore them. I couldn't believe how well they matched my dress and how much they completed the whole outfit, we were all in shock!

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Thoughts on a Thursday #3 - Technology Takeover

You've left your house and you're 10 minutes away from wherever you need to be, you're already running late. You're rummaging round the bottom of your bag trying to feel for your phone. You can't feel it, you start to think back to when you left your house, you start rummaging through your bag quicker. Your heart starts beating faster, you're getting slightly annoyed with yourself and even more panicked. Where is your phone? You can't find it. You've definitely forgot it. You suddenly remember seeing it on the work surface at home in your kitchen, you walked straight past it. What now? What do you do? Can you cope the day without your phone? Can you make it to work/to school/to uni to wherever you're going without it? Or is it so important that you turn back, risk being late and grab it.

For most of us, the connection to our smartphone, iPods, tablets, laptops etc is borderline obsessive. They contain our whole lives, they give us access to our friends, family etc and potentially they are used for our jobs and hobbies. But surely this is normal now right? It's normal to walk down the road and for people to be attached to their electronic device, to have earphones in their ear, to be reading of a screen or talking into their phone.

Technology advances every single day and to some extent, it has become a necessity in our lives;  iPads and computers are used in schools, apps are used to monitor our health and fitness, you can order your shopping online and you can manage your bank account via your phone. Therefore it is easy to see why technology is well and truly taking over our lives, in today's society it is difficult to live without it.

So when is it a little too much? Many will agree that it is rude to text when with other people, it is antisocial to check Facebook or twitter for the billionth time when sitting having a conversation with another living, breathing human being. I know that I feel a bit put out when I'm with my friends and we're talking and having fun and suddenly I realise there not actually listening to me instead there scrolling through Instagram or texting somebody else, and then you feel a sense of unimportance, that your friend would rather interact with this tiny little device than you. It becomes even more overwhelming when your sitting in a room with 3 other people, or in a restaurant and you look up and realise every single one of you is engrossed in their phones. Probably reading a tweet that they've read before, or that they could read later. Then I realise we are wasting valuable time, time where we can learn about each other, share opinions, laugh and have fun. Instead we're all staring into a tiny little screen, looking at things that probably aren't as interesting as the people sitting in front of us.

I am as much interested in technology as the next person, and I am in no way trying to insinuate that we should go back to living without technology. I just think everybody needs to calm down a little bit, and make sure we appreciate whats in front of us before it is too late (a little morbid haha). Some suggestions from me, have a certain time in the day when you do not use you're phone at all, example dinner time, there is no need to have your phone next to you whilst sitting having your family meal of an evening. Secondly, turn your phone completely off when you go to bed, there is no need to be woken up-to texts or reminders. Read your reminders before you turn it off and use a real alarm clock in the morning, this way you are more likely to have a good nights sleep without any interruptions. This is also good for the phone as it allows it to recharge. Lastly, leave your devices alone, there is no need to take your phone with you to go on a run, embrace nature, leave it in another room. I promise you it won't run away!

I know that in todays world technology plays a big, big part, but we must be careful that we still are the ones in control, don't be controlled by a tiny little machine!

Thoughts on a Thursday #2 - #LikeAGirl

This is kind of a weird post as it was inspired by the YouTube advert by 'Always' which I know is a brand which sells girly products and the boys reading are gonna be like eww this is about periods and what not, however it's not. The advert is basically about sexism, about how the phrase 'Like a girl' (run like a girl, throw like a girl) is seen as humiliating, and that being a girl is seen as negative.

Which led me to think about sexism, sexist behaviour and what it truly is to be a woman in the 21st Century. Society has come a long, long way - women no longer have to stay at home washing and cleaning, it is no longer unusual for women to earn their own money. Men and women are of the same status, and although there are some people who still believe men are superior and women inferior, generally as a society we see men and women as equals.

The advert led me to think, what is it about throwing like a girl that is so negative? Running like a girl? Kicking, punching, screaming, acting, etc etc. Is this because us 'girls' are supposed to be weak, and a throw by a girl will be a weak throw, a race ran by a girl will be a slow race?

      

Young girls these days have many strong, powerful women they can look up-to and aspire to be like. With the ever-growing media emphasis on our lives, you do not have to look far to see women in the spotlight doing women proud. Young girls may watch sports channels on the TV and see women performing at the Olympics, showing that running, kicking, throwing like a girl is definitely not negative. They might tune into the apprentice and see women owning business', making lots of money for themselves in their own name, their own way. Or they may turn on the music channels and see Women dominating the charts.

There are many organisations just for women; Girl guiding for example, girl guiding is at the forefront of empowering women and giving young girls opportunities to develop and grow, and give them confidence within themselves. Being a girl, a lady, a woman is certainly not something to be humiliated by, being a woman opens many many doors. Sure, being a man has its benefits, but in my opinion, being a girl is fab, and if anything something to be extremely proud of and happy about. 

I could talk about this a whole lot more but these "Thoughts on a Thursday" posts are not meant to drown you in my opinions, just short and sweet snippets of what's in my mind! Check back next week for #3 ! :) 

See the advert that inspired this post here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs 

Whats On My Face?

This edition of 'Whats on my face' (see my previous post here) focuses on Summer make-up! 

I have recently bought a few new products that I wanted to share with you all, and I have also found an old blusher that I use to use, and have rekindled my love for it!  

The products I've already spoken about on Blondiei are part of my everyday makeup. 

1. No 7 Stay Perfect Super light Foundation in 'Cool Vanilla'
2. No 7 Concealer also in 'Cool Vanilla'
3. No 7 Perfect Light Pressed Powder in 'Translucent' 
4. Rimmel London Exaggerate Eye Liner in Black
5. Maybelline New York 'Illegal Length' Mascara in Black
6. Rimmel London 'ScandalEyes' Mascara in Black
7. Mac Lipstick in 'Creme Cup' 

The above are obviously all my favourite everyday necessities, and i'd recommend them to anyone. If you're going to get the No 7 face makeup i'd suggest speaking to one of the makeup artists at the counter as they can do a match for you. 

Okay, now to the exciting bit. The new products i've been using..

No 7 Perfectly Bronzed Bronzer, this was recommended to me by the lady in No 7 I explained my skin colouring and about how i'd run out of my Ted Baker bronzer and she suggested this and I couldn't be more happy with it. It is smooth on the skin, the colour is perfect and it is really easy to use and apply! 

Natural Collection Blusher in 'Peach Melba'. I found this when sorting out my old make up bag, there was still a fair bit left in so I thought why not bring this into my current make-up bag!? And i'm glad I did, its a lovely light pink colour and gives a gorgeous colour to the apples of my cheek. 

Maybelline New York 'BROWdrama' in Dark Blonde, I was always very sceptical about colouring in my eyebrows as my eyebrows are very light. So I've always been nervous about doing it. I saw this product in boots and thought why not give it a go? And i'm really happy with it. I use just one coat on my eyebrows and its colours them and shapes them all in one go. Also I saw Rosie talk about these in her youtube video on 'Drugstore Starter Kit' and she raved about this which reassured me :)
(https://www.youtube.com/user/MsRosieBea)

                                                           
Maybelline New York Super Stay Lip Gloss in 'Delicious Pink', This is a really cool idea, firstly you put on the lip colouring which then stains your lips, you leave it to dry for a minute or so then apply the gloss which gives it a shine! It lasts all day and I love the colour!