Cargo Cosmetics - Suited to a Tea Cream Eye Shadow Palette// Review

It's not often the packaging for something sways my decision to buy it, but when I caught my eye on this Cargo Cosmetic's palette in TK Maxx, I knew it was something I had to have before I even saw the shades.

The packaging is made from cardboard and has everything I love on it; pastels, dainty illustrations and cake. The packaging doesn't actually close shut securely, unlike palettes with a magnetic clasp, etc, but this isn't too much of  a problem for me.

This cost me just £9.99 instead of the whopping £30 on feelunique. To be honest, I probably wouldn't have paid the full price for it,  but it does take a lot of thinking and persuading for me to buy anything make up wise that costs more than a tenner.

This palette is unlike anything I've owned before, due to the fact the shadows are all cream. I didn't actually notice this when I bought it and I did consider returning it. However, the shades are were just so pretty and curiosity got the better of me. I don't think I own any cream eyeshadows. I've had my eye on the Maybelline Colour Tattoos for a while, but never got round to trying them.

So what did I think? Honestly, a complete waste of money. I've tried using this about three or four times now, hoping each time I will realise why this palette is £30 full price, But nope. The shadows are really greasy and crease as soon as you apply them. Using a primer does not make any difference whatsoever. I tried setting the shadows with a powder and that made them last a little longer, but not much over an hour.

It's such a shame, because this would be such a lovely palette to own in the product was actually any good. The only pro I can think of, is that I tried using some of the shades as lip and cheek tints and it worked a whole lot better than on my eye lids. However, it's just not practical to carry this around and as you can imagine, it doesn't last that long on the lips either.

Overall, I do not recommend this product. I've seen it pop up in TK Maxx again, and it's just not worth the money. I will probably just use this as some sort of decoration when I move out and get a proper vanity, but until then, it will stay tucked away at the back of my other palettes.

Thursday Topic// Can You Be Feminist And A Beauty Blogger?

I am a feminist.

I first started to identify myself as a feminist at the tender age of sixteen when I started my AS levels. I had amazing teachers who encouraged us and invited debate and I started to realise that feminism and  women's rights were something I was deeply passionate about.

I think my brain's always been tuned to think this particular way. I remember reading Twilight for the first time and hating Bella because she was so passive and let the men in her life completely control her. I remember being completely outraged at school when one of my friends had her boob grabbed by a male student and no one blinked an eye because 'boys will be boys.' I remember being one of the only ones in my class who supported the 'pro-choice' abortion debate in RE lessons.

I think of all this and sometimes wonder whether I'm a hypocrite. I am a self-proclaimed feminist who writes a beauty blog.

I know feminism isn't black and white. Although in it simplest terms, feminism means supporting the equal rights of men and women. However, there's all sorts of tangents and arguments that will never be solved because there's no right or wrong answers.

As a beauty blogger, am I effectively promoting an industry that makes money exploiting women's insecurities? As I applied my makeup this morning, I realised how ridiculous the whole thing is. I was putting my self in pain by removing hair from my eyebrows. I was using a primer to eliminate the appearance of pores. I was using bronzer to make my cheekbones more pronounced and my nose slimmer.

I started to question myself why I was doing this. Was it to make myself more attractive?

Well, yes. I'd be lying if I said that wearing makeup didn't make me feel prettier. I think wearing makeup makes me look more alert, healthier, and I actually feel like I get more stuff done with makeup on. I'm not particularly self conscious without makeup; I've posted photos of myself on my blog without makeup on and uploaded a couple of youtube videos where my face has been bare. But, if I'm honest, I rarely leave the house without wearing makeup, even if it's applying a little concealer and lip balm to nip to Asdas.

Is this me conforming to societies perception of beauty? Am I wearing makeup because I want to make men and women think I'm attractive? Why do I want to make them think me attractive? Will they appreciate me more if I'm prettier?

I've spent the last five years studying literature that proves women are more than just a pretty face and something to be looked at. But by writing a beauty blog, am I just reinforcing this idea?

I know that makeup is more than looking attractive. It can be a form of self expression. I sometimes like to wear purple lipstick so dark it's almost black. My boyfriend and dad may not like it, but I do so I wear it.

For others makeup is an art form. It takes serious precision to create the perfect cat flick. Blending eye shadow is something that takes many hours of practice. I don't even want to think about contouring.

Makeup is also fun. I find enjoyment from doing my makeup, and even apply it if I'm not going anywhere. I love watching makeup tutorials on youtube, and testing lipsticks out in Boots. Can doing something that we enjoy be oppressive? After all, we're not being forced to wear makeup. We do it because we like it.

The beauty blogger community is dominantly female and is a community I feel is very supportive and friendly. Women have made careers out of beauty blogging (think Zoella Beauty, Tanya Burr etc) and this couldn't have happened without the support of other women and other beauty bloggers. Society has taught us that other women are our competition and we should tear them down (ever hear the stereotypical ' a group of women together leads to bitchiness) but I don't find this within blogging. Can something that leads to success for so many women be anti-feminist?

I could go on and on for ages as like I said, often with topics like feminism, there's no black and white answer and each opinion is subjective.

The beauty industry is complex, but so is feminism and so is life.

Beauty blogging is a hobby and something I will continue doing. Wearing makeup is a choice and something that makes me feel good, and something that makes me feel powerful. Making this choice implies ownership and states that I have complete control over my body. Yes, I may do it to look more attractive, but with women in the spotlight like Beyonce and Miley Cyrus, who use their makeup and fashion choices to own their sexuality, I feel there's nothing wrong with this.

The problem with makeup arises when women are forced to wear it. Whether this be at a young age to fit in with friends (this isn't a literal 'force' but more a peer pressure 'force') or because the beauty industry tells us we're not beautiful without it. It get's even more sinister when makeup is introduced as part of a dress code at work. I know there's even some jobs where you can get fired for having smudged lipstick (think air hostess.)

I know this is a long post and I applaud you if you read it all. I'm wondering what your views on the subject are? Whether you simply leave a comment, or write a long rambling post of your own, let me know because I'm interested.

Five Friday// 5 Reasons To Start A Blog

I've been blogging for a little over 8 months now and I honestly never thought I'd last this long. I've started blogs previously, but always posted twice then gave up. However, keeping at it, I've definitely noticed the benefits that come from blogging. So if you're considering starting your own blog, but aren't sure, read on for 5 reasons that might convince you.

1) It looks good on your CV!

It's no secret that it's becoming harder to get a job nowadays. As a recent graduate, I'm feeling the pressure of the competitive job market, but I feel adding 'blogging' to my CV has improved my employability. I recently got an interview with Boots. Not my local Boots, but at the head office! Unfortunately I didn't get the job, but I kind of expected it as it was for a management job and I have no experience with management (unless you count managing my beauty storage.) But that's okay, because I still find it crazy that I managed to actually get an interview for a managers jobs of one of the biggest beauty companies in the UK. I honestly think that talking about my blogging had something to do with it. That, or I somehow miraculously got every single question right on the numerical reasoning assessment.

2) Make some friends.

I've made so many new friends since I've started blogging, and even though I've graduated from Hull Uni, I still have a reason to go back there to see my fellow #Hullbloggers. I feel like I bore some of my other friends with fashion, makeup and blogging talk so it's nice to have someone to talk to.

If you're not sure how to get talking to fellow bloggers, I recommend getting a twitter account and using the #bbloggers hashtag to connect with other beauty bloggers (or #fbloggers for fashion, #lbloggers for lifestyle etc.) There's chats almost everyday for different topics. I believe the beauty chats are on Sunday and Wednesday 8-9pm.

You might even be lucky enough to have a blogger event in or near your local area. This is a great way to meet bloggers face to face. So far I've been to three meet ups and met so many new people.

3) Learn a new skill!

Although blogging is a hobby, it's hard work. As with any hobbies, whether it be playing an instrument or sport etc, the more you do it, the better you get. When I first started blogging, my photos were rubbish. They're still not as good as other's I've seen, but I've learnt a bit more on how to arrange my items and using a nice background to make my photos more appealing. I guess this is the part where I admit I have a photography A Level, however I hate digital. Give me a dark room and chemicals any day.

At some point, I also want to learn some basic blog design.

4) Events and samples.

There's often a lot of controversy surrounding this point, with the debate of bloggers vs blaggers. I'm going to be completely honest here. I didn't know that bloggers could get free samples to review when I started blogging. I thought that was something only celebrities got. However, I know that PR samples are a great incentive for some people to start a blog. It's like a nice reward after many hours of hard work. Imagine blogging for a year, then waking up to an email from a company you love, telling you that they love your blog and want to send you some products to review. You'd be over the moon. I work towards that goal everyday and I'm sure most beauty bloggers do.

I've also been lucky enough to attend three blogger meet ups and blog for Hull Fashion week since starting my blog.

I wouldn't say simply start a blog to get freebies, as that's not what I mean at all. However, the opportunity to work with brands and attend events is something to strive towards.

5) It's fun!

Despite all these reasons, the most important reason to start a blog is because it's fun!

I hoped you enjoyed reading this post and if you have any other reasons to start a blog, leave me a comment!