I was browsing the web for a few different beauty blogger tags and came across one that Carina, a beautiful Finnish blogger from Carina’s Beauty had written. This tag is a little different – this time, Carina’s compiled her own list of questions and I thought they were really quite thought-provoking so thought I’d answer them in today’s post!
1. If you could use only skincare or makeup, which would you choose and why?
It would be a pretty tough choice in the respect that sometimes I prefer to wear makeup to give me a confidence boost, but I’d undoubtedly pick skincare! I think it’s so important to take care of your skin, and that way, if my skin was playing up, I could always treat it rather than just cover it up with makeup. I also think that makeup doesn’t have to be a necessity – shocker coming from a makeup artist, right?! I think we should all be able to feel beautiful in our own skin, unaltered no matter what, so really, at the end of the day, caring for the skin you’ve been given is much more important than covering it up with makeup.
2. Is it important to you that a product/brand is cruelty-free? How much does it impact your decision to purchase something?
It is hugely important to me and something that plays on my mind daily. However, I feel ultra hypocritical saying that when I still use MAC products, wear leather clothing and eat meat. Going Vegan is something that seriously interests me and something I’d like to think I could commit to in the future or even simply work towards. I’m in the process of educating myself on the topic and trying to eliminate non cruelty-free products from my kit and personal makeup bag too. Animal testing is something that I find absolutely horrific. I feel it’s a really controversial subject and it’s not as clear cut as I’d like it to be. I’d love if all beauty and makeup houses were cruelty-free – that would be perfect.
3. How old were you when you started wearing makeup? What products did you use back in the day?
I was around 12 when I started wearing makeup properly – much to the dismay of my parents! I used a Dream Matte Mousse foundation that was way too orange for me, thick black Miss Sporty Kohl liner and a metallic pink and silver eyeshadow combination from a BHS christmas set I was gifted. I was truly stunning as you can imagine! Some days, I’d just wear the thick black kohl liner that I sneaked into school with me (my parents tried to stop me wearing makeup so I figured I’d just take it with me and apply it at school!) without any other makeup and my hair gelled (cringe) back into a ponytail with two dangly bits at the front.
4. Do you ever wonder if people find you shallow because of your love for beauty/makeup?
I know that some people find makeup artists/beauticians/beauty bloggers and the likes shallow or even, dare I say it ‘air heads’ because I’ve witnessed that misconception first hand. But to be completely honest, I couldn’t care less if people think that about me because I know that’s not the case. My life is very fulfilled in other aspects too although beauty and makeup plays a huge part in it. The beauty and makeup industries are a huge inspiration for me and there is so much to learn. Everybody has a story to tell and a lesson to teach.
5. Could you ever imagine working as a makeup artist?
When I was younger, I used to play makeup artists with my friend and we’d pretend we had our own salon making people over. I used to love the idea of it, but never thought it was a viable career option. But here I am now working as a makeup artist and a beauty blogger and I couldn’t be happier.
6. Name three people everyone should follow on Instagram.
It’s tough to name just three but here are three I absolutely love! Firstly is Miss_Stryx – an amazingly talented makeup artist. Her Halloween looks are just incredible! Next is Hayana Sanquetta Makeup (Haysanquettamakeup) – a stunning makeup artist who blows me away with her beautifully elegant makeovers. Lastly, I love Agnieszka_Lorek’s instagram which is full of her decadently gothic photography featuring the most beautiful styling.
7. Do you alter your makeup depending on the season?
I alter my makeup depending on how I feel each and every day to be completely honest! It’s rare for me to stick with the same makeup look for a full week, I get bored too quickly and like to experiment with different looks. I love deep berry colours for autumn and winter though!
8. What is your least favourite makeup trend and why?
There was a real trend for almost white lips not so long ago and I absolutely detested it. Half the town was going out partying looking like death for a good few months and it was SO unflattering. I never saw one person pull it off. Not one!
9. What is your go-to lip product?
I always use Carmex on my lips without fail! I’ll use the vanilla scented Carmex on a plain balm day, or the Peach Moisturise Plus Carmex as a tinted balm on coloured days. It’s definitely my go to whether I wear it alone or with a lipstick over the top.
10. Name three things you love about yourself.
This is the hardest question by far and one that made me stop dead in my tracks. Why is it that we find it so hard to love things about ourselves but so easy to love things about others? It’s so tough to answer, but here goes. One of the main things I love about myself is my ability to feel empathy for others – I think it’s a really good trait to have and helps to keep me humble and grateful for what I have in life. It makes me sensitive to the feelings of others. The second thing is my vision – I have a clear vision of where I want to go in my life, and what I want to achieve and how I intend to get there even if it’s going to take a lot of tears and dedication. The third is my self worth. I spent a long time feeling inferior to people and letting them walk all over me, but in the last year or so, I’ve started to take a step back and realise that that’s not okay. I stand up for myself, I have strong morals and I don’t keep my mouth shut and my head down anymore when I feel unhappy about something. I won’t support those that don’t support me or waste my time, money and efforts on anybody who can’t be bothered with me no matter who they are.
I tag everybody who’d like to take part in this beauty blogger tag to do so, and thanks to Carina for these fab questions!
© This post is copyright of Rachael Divers 2016.