Top Seven Beauty Brands That Are Changing Lives

Hello beauties,

To start off today, I have a few words for you. Clarifying. Detoxifying. Rejuvenating. Sound familiar? These beauty buzzwords and skincare clichés adorn the labels of all our favourite cosmetics. But it would appear that a new phrase has been added to the list, a phrase we never thought we'd see on a tube of moisturiser. And that is: life-changing.

Yes, you heard me. Although the cosmetic industry continues to bombard us with unrealistic aspiration, more and more brands these days are beginning to adopt the concept that beauty is not skin-deep. Using their influences as catalysts for social change, these companies are attempting to challenge outdated ideals, embrace positive body image and raise awareness of world issues.

Admittedly, I am a little bit of a cosmetic junkie. I love trying out new products and turning my skincare regime into a mini pamper session as I find it really therapeutic and it sets me up for the day. Moreover, my sister works at L'Oreal, meaning she often returns home, baring a whole farrago of free samples, which is a luxury I could get used to. Between us, we've now built a miscellaneous collection of cleansers, toners, serums and face masks, large enough to start up our own shop or spa.

In spite of the freebies, I still find that skincare is expensive. Therefore when choosing a brand, I never just buy into the product; I also take into account the ethics of the company to ensure my purchase is worth every single penny. So, for all you beauty lovers, I thought I would compile a list of all the most game-changing brands to look out for.

1. Philosophy

Founded in 1996, this authentic beauty brand is renowned for its stunning range of bath and skincare products along with their refreshing fragrances. Enriched with a blend of powerful ingredients, their formulas strive to boost well-being and invigorate the soul.

Back in 2014, Philosophy launched Hope & Grace, an initiative dedicated to raising $10 million for combatting mental illness. With every purchase, know that 1% of profits will be donated to mental health charities, particularly those that support women facing conditions such as Postpartum depression and PTSD brought on by domestic abuse.

www.philosophyskincare.com

2. Neal’s Yard Remedies

In an industry that is rife with synthetic products, the transparency and holistic approach of Neal’s Yard is like a breath of fresh air. What began three decades ago, as a small, apothecary-style shop in Covent Garden, has since flourished into a prestigious franchise of organic skincare, favoured by the likes of Kate Moss and Jennifer Aniston.

In recent years, the brand have also received international acclaim for their efforts to conserve the planet. Currently, they are in the midst of their latest #SaveTheBees campaign which aims to support 50 million bees by 2020. Although many of us, including myself, may be absolutely terrified of these creatures, it cannot be denied that life would be pretty, well, non-existent without them. So, to help protect these buzzy little dudes, why not indulge in the Neal’s Yard's Bee Lovely range of lip balms, hand creams and body butters? Packed full of nourishing ingredients such as honey, beeswax and uplifting orange essential oils, this nature-inspired range is a total feast for the skin. Plus, for every product you buy, 3% of profits go towards bee-friendly causes.

Bee Lovely Range: Starting from £6.50

www.nealsyardremedies.com

3. GlowBiotics

If your skin's looking a little tired and in need of some TLC (#relatable), then GlowBiotics is your fairy godmother to glowing skin.

Helping women to radiate confidence from the inside out, this clinically proven brand harnesses the power of nature and probiotic technology to create high-performing products. Additionally, you can feel even more fabulous at checkout because for any product or kit you buy from their extensive line, GlowBiotics will give 1% of profits to mental health charities such as Bring Change To Mind.

www.harveynichols.com

4. Soap Co

One of these beautifully hand-crafted soaps, body lotions or bath oils would make the perfect prezzie for a loved-one.

The award-winning soap brand, based in East London, advocates 'ethical luxury' at its best. Free from parabens, their products only contain the finest ingredients, natural botanicals, skin-loving vitamins and essential oils, helping to supercharge the skin's radiance. And oh, did I mention? They smell pretty divine too.

Identifying a gap in the market, the company set out to produce 'soaps that are good and do good'. Whilst being environmentally conscious, Soap Co aims to promote inclusion and diversity in the workplace by employing people of all differences and walks of life.

www.thesoapco.org

5. Mac

Ah MAC, quite possibly the holy grail of cosmetics.

While we may hold them solely accountable for feeding our make-up splurges, there is at least one thing we have to thank this Canadian cult-favourite for. And that is the signature MAC lipstick: a sacred gift from God and an invention which deserves full history book esteem. With their intensely pigmented punch and long-lasting finish that not even a vat of hot chocolate, coffee and cocktails could budge, it's no surprise that the MAC lippy has become a cherished staple in every make-up lover's bag. And when it comes to colour, boy does MAC love to spoil us. Offering hundreds of hues from subtle nudes, to frosted pinks, to vampy purples and ruby reds, you're guaranteed to find the perfect lipstick that was inexplicably made for you.

But the next time you find yourself wondering which shade to add to your resplendent assortment, why not consider Viva Glam? Launched back in 1994, this classic, red lipstick was the inspiration and driving force behind The Viva Glam line. In those 24 years, MAC have released five more gorgeous shades that have been worn by the likes of Ariana Grande, Nikki Minaj and Sia. What's particularly remarkable about Viva Glam is the fact that 100% of RRP minus VAT, will be donated to the Aids Fund which supports men, women and children living with HIV/Aids. To date, Mac has raised a jaw-dropping $470 million for the Aids Fund. Therefore, you can be satisfied that your cash has been well spent.

M.A.C Viva Glam: £16.50

www.maccosmetics.co.uk

6. Clove + Hallow

Both cruelty-free and PETA-certified, this indie make-up brand is definitely one to have on your radar. When I first stumbled across Clove + Hallow, I was drawn straight away to their nourishing lip products. As well as being pigmented, the lipsticks are formulated with moisturising jojoba oil and shea butter, helping to boost the lips' hydration. With Autumn approaching, a time when the lips are generally dryer, I think one of these lipsticks would be the perfect asset to your regime. Better still, any time you buy a lip crème in the shade of Psych, 15% of sales will be donated to the Georgia chapter of Mental Health America, where funds will be used for advocacy, outreach programmes and education.

Psych Lip Créme: £34

www.feelunique.com

7. Lush

It's fair to say that Lush has revolutionised the way we apply skincare, elevating it from a standard daily ritual to a full-fledged, multi-sensory experience. If you're feeling down in the dumps, you can always rely on one of Lush's kaleidoscopic and glittering creations to inject a healthy dose of sparkle back into your life (and your bath water). Meanwhile, the exquisite aromas that fill our bathrooms are enough to lift our moods and send negativity packing.

Ever since I received my first bath bomb, my love of Lush has spiralled into something of an addiction. It doesn't matter how hard I try to resist it. Every time I pop into a Lush, I find myself gravitated to a stack of bubble bars and then leaving half an hour later, gleefully clutching a brown paper bag stuffed full of goodies. With Lush though, the customer service is always outstanding. Is it just me or are all the staff at Lush the nicest people ever. Plus you can always be certain that your money is going towards some pretty amazing causes, which helps to soften the blow as you take in your bank balance.

To this day, Lush continues to be one of the leading giants of fresh, hand-made cosmetics. Aside from being innovative, their products are notably vegetarian and cruelty-free, meaning they never test on animals. The brand also gets our stamp of approval for their remarkable contributions to be sustainable through the minimal packaging approach.

Something you might not know about Lush however is their work with charities behind the scenes. Over the years, Lush has raised millions of pounds to fund initiatives, charities and organisations fighting for environmental protection, animal welfare and human rights. In 2007, Lush launched Charity Pot, a rich hand and body lotion that does a whole lot of good. Delicately scented, this sumptuous cream is crafted with fair trade ingredients such as Columbian, cocoa butter, olive oil and shea butter. With every purchase of Charity Pot, 100% of proceeds, minus VAT, will be donated to support grassroots organisations all around the world.

Another of Lush's charity products is Fun, the nostalgic, mouldable soap that resembles play dough. 10p from a bar of Fun or 17.5p from a bar of Rainbow Fun will help to fund recreational activities for children who were affected by the 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan. Pretty amazing, huh?

Oh and to top it all off, Lush just launched their debut clothing line called Lush Swag. This iridescent collection of quirky tees and totes aims to challenge the fashion industry as we know it and raise awareness of clothing with a conscience.

Charity Pot: Small tub £1, medium tub £6.25, large tub £13.95

Fun: £5 for Fun or £6.25 for Rainbow Fun

www.lush.com

So there you have it: the top 7 beauty brands that are changing lives. I think a serious shopping spree is in order, don't you? Go treat yourselves because you've earnt it xxx

How To: Beat A Troll In 4 Easy Steps

Hello beauties

Before I get into today's post, I just want to ask you a few questions. Hands up: how many of you have been bullied or harassed online? If the answer's yes, was the troll:

A. One of the mean kids from school

B. Somebody you considered a friend; or

C. A complete and utter stranger

Looking back to that moment, when it all began, what was your initial reaction? Did you feel scared, angry, humiliated or all of the above?

And lastly, wherever you are in that dark situation, whether that be at the climax or headed towards a resolution, I want you to take a long, hard look at yourself. I want you to be 100% honest with yourself as you answer this final question. Right now, right this second, how do I really feel? Maybe it's all over but you're still wandering aimlessly round and round in circles. Or perhaps you're worried a friend might be in danger and you don't know what advice to give them. Either way, we're here to help.

From day one, there was always that kid who became infamously established as the class bully. Despite being horrible, they tended to be the most popular kids as for many, being friends with the bully seemed like a much more appealing option than enduring years of callous name-calling, mocking laughter and abuse.

If you did become one of their victims, school quickly turned from a place of fun to a prison-house of trepidation. And yet, although the thought of going to school made you feel sick to your stomach, at least back then, you could go home at the end of the day and escape it all for a while.

Now, with the addition of social media, bullies can target us at any time of day or night. In a matter of seconds, they can bombard us with an endless chain of abusive messages, comments and pictures, all from the comfort of their own living rooms.

And I don't know about you, but I just find it all so, so cowardly. Instead of seeking help, these bullies use their own insecurities as ammunition in a desperate attempt to damage us. Naturally, they would never dream of saying those repulsive words to our faces. But for some reason, shielded by their screens, they feel they're unvanquishable.

In this day and age, it can feel pretty daunting posting a photo of yourself online. As human beings, we know all too well that there are people out there who will get a kick out of criticising us or making humiliating comments. Moreover as girls, we know some of us can be incredibly judgemental and bitchy when it comes to our appearance, weight, taste in clothes and friends. (I don't care if Mean Girls is a made-up movie. Every one of us have encountered a Regina George in our lifetime.)

Regardless of how thick-skinned you are, we'd be lying if we said negative comments didn't get to us on some level. Even months after the bullying has stopped, the words are still embossed on our minds, corroding away at our self-confidence. So what should you do if you are being harassed online or if you are struggling to move forward with your life?

1. Firstly, understand you are not alone.

These sad lowlifes aren't just targeting you; they're targeting millions of other gorgeous people like you including pretty much every famous person on the planet. Take your idol for instance, mine being Oprah Winfrey. To us, these individuals are amongst the most talented, successful and influential people of all time. Along with thousands of other like-minded fans, we admire them immensely and wish we could learn to be like them. Yet despite all that, these people are trolled on a daily basis for everything from how they look, to what they wear or what they represent. So it just shows you: it doesn't matter how awesome or how admired you are, unfortunately there will always be toxic people out there who will try to bring us down.

2. Try not to retaliate.

It can take every ounce of control not to fly off the handle because you want to defend yourself and stand up for yourself. However, you don't want to shoot back a furious reply in the heat of the moment which you will regret as soon as you've clicked 'send'. The thing is, this coward is trying to provoke you. They're trying to get a rise, a reaction out of you. So if you don't give them a reaction, then they've lost and you've won. The thing is, you haven't done anything wrong here, therefore do you really want to stoop to their level? Plus, why not save your buckets full of sass for people who matter?

3. Don't let a troll get away with it.

If you receive a comment on social media that makes you feel in any way uncomfortable or distressed, then don't hesitate to hit the report button. It's time that person got the comeuppance they deserve. Reporting them will not only protect yourself but will also protect others out there who could potentially be targeted by that same user. In addition, it's important you screenshot the message or comment, just in case you need it as evidence. Then by all means, go ahead and hit 'block'. Above all though, tell your family, friends and teachers because no-one should have to go through this alone.

4. Finally, don't let a troll's opinion define you.

Who cares what they think? You're amazing: end of. Whatever they're saying, it's never a reflection of you. It's always a reflection of that individual's deep-rooted insecurities. Most of the time, they're actually jealous of you or they feel so bad about themselves that they want to make everyone else feel rubbish too.

Now I fully appreciate it's easy for me to sit here and tell you not to care. From experience, I know how difficult it can be to shake off negative comments. However, speak to the people who love and care about you. Listen to them and try to focus on how they see you as a person, not what an irrelevant loser thinks.

In general though, we need to be a lot kinder online.

My message to all you trolls out there would be: stop with the nasty comments. It's not cool and you're not doing yourself any favours. You might think you've got away with it this time yet sooner or later your actions will without fail come to bite you on the bum. And believe me, when they do, it won't be pretty. You might think you deleted all those snide remarks on other girls photos back when you were at school, going through the 'bitchy' phase. Nevertheless, while they may have disappeared from your profile, your words are still engraved, lurking somewhere in the aether of the internet. Also, for all you know anyone could have screenshotted that comment to use as evidence against you further down the line.

Be careful what you say and do on social media because your actions really do define you. Every single post, comment, like and mention is documented in black-and-white, a testimony of your true colours for all the world to see. Therefore, when applying for jobs, your employer can easily log onto your profile and find out exactly who you are in a matter of minutes. If that employer doesn't like what they see on your profile, then you can kiss goodbye to that position. And frankly, if you are or plan on being a troll, you might as well give up on your life dream (if you have one) right this second since no-one, and I mean no-one, will ever employ a bully.

To everybody else in the world, my message is just be you. There's no need to be something you're not because in the words of Bruno Mars, “you're amazing just the way you are”. Also, never 'like' a nasty comment. It doesn't matter if you wrote it or not; by liking it, you are agreeing with the troll which makes you just as bad. Conversely, we need to be more supportive of each other and compliment people more. I think as Brits in particular, we're very reserved when it comes to compliments and we find it awkward expressing how we feel. But if you think someone looks fabulous in a photo, then I cannot emphasise enough the fact you should tell them that in the comments! Don't just click 'like' because what does that even mean? Equally, don't just send a string of inane emojis (as much as I love them). Instead, write a personal and sincere message since I can assure you it will brighten up that person's day no end and you'll feel better for it.

Be kind to others and above all, be kind to yourself. Spread the love and leave your sparkles wherever you go.

The Art of Learning To Love Yourself: Part 2

Hello beauties,

Welcome back to part 2 of your self-love journey. Yesterday I introduced you to the potentially damaging impacts social media is having on our body confidence. But today's the day we put that behind us and I help you start to realise what a truly fabulous human being you are. All you have to do is sit back, take mental notes and enjoy the ride.

So where to start? Well, one solution many experts recommend is abstaining from social media altogether. However, before you fall to the ground, dramatically questioning the point of humanity, as your world implodes around you along with your 500-day streaks, let me tell you something. I don't agree with that solution one little bit. Yes, I might not have a PHD to prove my braininess. And yes, I might not have the title of Dr to instantly validate my opinion. But I like to think I have a little common sense. The reason why I don't agree with their solution is primarily owing to the fact I don't believe it solves anything. Instead of running away from our problems, we should be tackling them head-on. Plus, cutting social media completely out of your live is just plain unrealistic. Whether we like it or not, we live in a world now that relies heavily on social media. We use it for everything from keeping in contact with friends, to raising awareness of world issues, to marketing global brands. And although social media may not be a life necessity, it's certainly a tool which in many ways makes our everyday lives that bit easier. Consequently, you can breathe out a sigh of relief as I'm not going to advise you deactivate your Insta quite yet. I believe there are steps we can take to reap the positive benefits of social media whilst simultaneously learning to love ourselves. Just keep reading to find out how...

1. Even Supermodels Are Human.

The media creates the illusion that these perfect images are natural. It insinuates with a strict diet or gruelling fitness regime, the 'perfect' body type is fully attainable. And I think the first thing to establish here is that these images of our favourite celebs are often anything but natural.

Behind the scenes, a lot of work has gone into those selfies to airbrush blemishes, digitally enhance features, illuminate complexion, smooth out fine lines, sharpen cheekbones and shrink figures. In fact, a staggering 68% of images you will see on Instagram have been edited or touched up in some way.

To me, it would appear that beauty has mutated into the 'Russian doll effect' where the majority of stars online are choosing to hide behind idyllic filters, camouflage flaws with layers of make-up and reconstruct themselves through means of degrading cosmetic surgery. Yet if we strip all of that away, you are left with still an equally beautiful person but this time a human being who just like you or I, has imperfections and insecurities about their body image. So while celebs might seem like these total gods and goddesses, in reality they're simply ordinary people like us.

2. Just because your friends edit their photos, doesn't mean you should edit yours.

Nowadays, we don't have to fork out for a high quality camera to make our photos look good. While phone cameras have improved dramatically, there are now a plethora of photo editing apps, not to mention the 40 Instagram filters to choose from. Within a couple of clicks and swipes, we are now able to create our very own virtual doppelgangers.

When all your friends and family are touching up their selfies, you can feel pressured to do the same. But try not to succumb to that pressure because:

A. Whether you believe it or not, you are absolutely gorgeous and you don't need to change a thing about yourself. Although your appearance is partly down to genetics, I believe God or whoever, made you the way you are for a reason. They don't just decide these things willy-nilly like a child with a colouring book. Everything has a meaning and a purpose so you might not like your nose right now but someone out there might find it the most attractive nose there ever was.

B. You're not a sheep. You are your own person and you do things because that's what you want to do, not because other people are doing it. Therefore, if you think you look pretty awesome in a photo, don't edit it!

C. Being yourself is so much more empowering and inspirational to other girls. And I know some people are going to roll their eyes at what I'm about to say. But if you are posting genuine selfies, you are potentially making a huge difference to another person who is also struggling with their body image, because you're telling them it's OK to be yourself.

3. Surround yourself with other positive media influencers.

Believe it or not, amongst the narcissistic and diet-obsessed preachers, there are in fact thousands of bloggers and Instagrammers who are doing incredible things for promoting body confidence. One of my personal favourites is the lovely Stacy Solomon who if you haven't heard of, you should definitely check out. In her social media posts, she readily embraces her imperfections and empowers other women to be proud of their bodies.

Another one to check out is Loose Women. This ITV daytime talk show features a group of female panellists who discuss topical issues and ongoing debates. People out there might say this programme is primarily targeted at adults however I believe it's aimed at teen girls too. What I especially value is that the show has a strong, authentic focus on body confidence and mental health. Last year, they did a campaign called Body Stories where the panellists stripped down to their knickers and were photographed without any filters or airbrushing. They also have social media accounts and a YouTube channel where they regularly post positive and motivational content.

In general, my advice would be to follow people who make you smile and make you feel good about yourself. Unfollow the negative people because they are so not worth your time or headspace.

4. Beauty isn't skin-deep.

A lot of the time, I think we become so fixated and caught up in the images that we forget to even read the caption. And whilst sites such as Instagram may predominantly be built on imagery, we have to remember that social media is not just a gallery of aesthetic beauty. It's an ever-growing community where individuals can inspire, empower and support one another. A transcendent platform where anyone and everyone can express themselves, voice concerns and share their opinions (obviously without slagging anyone off, let's just make that clear).

Undoubtedly, we are beautiful but there is so much more to us than that. There are so many other amazing qualities such as our sass, our intelligence and our ambition to name a few. So when you're on social media, remember that.

• Follow people who inspire you because of who they are, not because of how they look.

• Dare to be a little different. Mainstream is so boring.

• Post content which is meaningful to you and which motivates others.

• Stay true to yourself because there's only one of you in the world which makes you pretty damn rare.

• Spread the love and smile xx

The Art of Learning To Love Yourself: Part 1

Hello beauties,

I hope you're all fabulous and enjoying the British sunshine. Oh hang on, I forgot: it's not sunny anymore, is it? I've literally lost the will to live with the British weather. After weeks of sweating like a pig in a tropical heat, with no warning the weather reverts back to torrential downpours and generally being miserable. And you know what that means? Leaving the house in a crop top, pair of denim shorts and flip-flops, only to find it's absolutely chucking it down. Nice. If you're reading this from an LA beach, I am, to say the least, very jealous of you right now.

Anyway, back to the blog post in hand. Today I thought I'd talk about body confidence because I think it's something we can all relate too. As human beings, we know that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. But is it just me or has the media come along with its cookie cutter and stamped out one ingrained definition?

A decade ago, we would pick up a glossy magazine and the front-cover would be plastered, festooned with images of these seemingly over worldly women who had shining hair, flawless skin, washboard abs and the tiniest waists. Either you would snatch it up, pay for the magazine and then avidly read it cover to cover, trying to absorb every single beauty secret from those gorgeous goddesses. Alternatively, you would place the magazine back on the shelf and leave the shop, empty-handed.

Whilst myriads of magazines continue to print these disingenuous fantasies, there now prevails a whole new can of worms which makes avoiding images a near impossible feat. And that is the ubiquitous world of social media.

Every day, our news feeds are inundated with a sporadic barrage of digitally altered selfies. You'll just be there, blissfully scrolling through your bestie's holiday selfies when BAM, a new photo pops up of some reality star in a bikini, flaunting the flattest abs you've ever seen. And just like that, you go from dreaming about the Spanish sun, Haagen-Dazs ice cream and all-you-can-eat paella, to being gripped by sudden nausea.

Your mind starts racing. You're thinking 'when am I going to go to the gym?', 'how am I ever going to be beach body ready in time?'. Subconsciously, you start comparing yourself, doubting yourself, berating yourself 'why don't I look like that?'.

For hours afterwards, that one image can dictate your mood or dominate your outlook. And over time, frequent exposure to those dazzling ideals can feed our insecurities, morph our body image and pretty much blind us to our own beauty, making us despise what we see in the mirror.

Studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between negative body image on social media to the development of reduced self-esteem, anxiety, depression, eating disorders and a number of other mental health conditions.

Growing up, I had very low body confidence and I feel the media was a huge factor of that. I used to worry profusely about all sorts of things, my skin and my weight in particular. Looking back, I can see now I was worrying over nothing. In spite of my imperfections, I was then and still am gorgeous. But unfortunately, our minds aren't always that rational and we can end up being our own worst enemies.

When I talked about my struggles with body confidence, I think a lot of people were quite shocked. As a girl with a visual impairment, many assumed I would stop caring what I or anything around me looked like. People my age would often say to me that I was lucky I couldn't see these images in the media since that meant I wouldn't be affected by them. And I just think this misconception about blind people not caring what they look like is just so ridiculous and almost laughable. Whether you can see or not, it makes no difference to how you dress or how superficial you are. I pride myself on how I look and that's just the way I roll because I'm normal. Even though I cannot see them, I still take loads of selfies of myself so of course I'm going to feel the same pressure as everyone else on social media. Perhaps I'm not affected by each individual image. Nonetheless, I can still visualise and relate to the ideals that these images portray, the narrow principles of what society considers to be beautiful.

Although I still worry from time to time about my body image, I have learnt to love myself and embrace my flaws. It does take a while to master the art of loving yourself, however with a few easy changes in your daily lifestyle, you will be well on your way to the destination of self-love and acceptance. Starting with social media.

Tune in tomorrow for part 2 of The Art to Learning to Love Yourself, where I, your motivational coach, will enlighten you and help you navigate your inner fabulousness. Oh dear, I'm beginning to sound like one of those old, bearded, hippy dudes (how extraordinarily tragic of me). Anyhow, tomorrow your carriage to body confidence awaits so be there or be square. Just joking, obvs. If you're busy watching Made In Chelsea Croatia, then fair play to you as that's precisely what I'll be doing. All the same, I would love it if you tuned in. Have an amazing day and see you soon xx

My Story

Hello beauties,

My name is Charlotte, I am 16 years old and I live in London. But that tells you nothing, right? You're probably wondering, who is this girl, what's her story, should I even stick around to wait and see? Well, let me tell you a little bit about me.

I'm a feminist; writer; all round chatterbox; and proud owner of a very cute yet mischievous miniature schnauzer called Suki.

I love:

• My family

• Books

• Fashion

• Skincare

• Avocados

• Armani perfume

• Peach Bellini’s

• Made In Chelsea

I hate:

• Patronising people

• Wasps, bees, flies, basically every insect on the planet

• China dolls

My ideal man: Hands down would have to be none other than Shawn Mendes (I mean could you be more perfect?)

3 things I can't live without: Dark chocolate; Pilates; and sparkle.

Dreams:

• To start my own magazine

• To work in New York City

• To empower girls to be themselves and accept how utterly fabulous they are

Just Chilling

Anything else you should know? Hmm, let me think. I'm a sassy girl who just happens to be blind.

Yes I know what you're thinking: that was a bit of a plot twist. The reason why I just threw in that fun little fact at the end is purely because I don't think my disability is relevant. As a girl with a visual impairment, I have come across people who have criticised me  and underestimated my abilities. I've been made to feel inferior, inadequate and somewhat shunned at certain points in my life. But the most common reaction I get from new people is that they simply do not know how to act around me. Often I'll meet people for the first time and they will speak to me as though they would speak to anybody else. Yet as soon as they realise I have a disability, they become visibly uncomfortable. It's like the filter to their brain disappears. They start babbling, making random comments, asking weird questions or worst of all, they stop talking altogether. And the thing is, disability shouldn't be this game-changing, deal-breaking and out of the ordinary thing because I'm still 'me' with or without the sight. Look at it this way. People might think disability is this exclusive club but believe me it's really not. Any one of us on this planet could potentially acquire a disability at some point in our lives, whether that be at birth or as an adult. Today you may be without a disability and tomorrow that may not change. Yet in reality, you just don't know what the future holds. So if you look at it like that, disability is just normal.

I decided to start this blog for a number of reasons. First and foremost, I wanted to tackle the many misconceptions surrounding disability and I figured what better way to do that than just be myself. Unfortunately, much of our media is built on a myriad of one-dimensional stereotypes, images and ideals which need to be challenged and erased. But whereas once upon a time, we had little control over media misrepresentation, nowadays we are more powerful than we know. Through means of blogging or social media, we can now create our own image and portray ourselves how we want to be portrayed. So I suppose this blog is a kind of statement to the world about who I am and what I'm about. Additionally, I wanted to help ensure that every girl has the opportunity to make her voice heard. For too long now, it would appear that women and girls with disabilities have been excluded and marginalised from the feminist narrative. Therefore what I am hoping to achieve from this blog is the creation of a new, inclusive and supportive community. A place where all you sassy gals can come together and share your stories, your experiences, your opinions and tips on everything from life, feminism, beauty, fashion, fitness and more.

What people need to understand is that  disability may be a part of us but it does by no means define us. Although it may change the way we do certain things, disability cannot change who we are in any shape or form. It cannot change the fact that we are bold and beautiful, that we are strong and independent, that we are influential and empowering young women in our own right. It cannot control us or dictate our lives. After all, we are the ones who make the decisions. We are the ones who make our futures. And sitting back, letting others be the ventriloquists of our society is not enough for us. Because we are women. And we are strong women at that. Yes we may deal with our disabilities in different ways and yes, at times things may not be easy. But ultimately the struggles and the ups and downs that we go through in our everyday lives are the same as every other young woman living in the 21st century.

So what can you expect here at Miss Honesty? Well for one thing, there will be no sugar-coating. Here at Miss Honesty, we say it exactly how it is. We might not agree with each other all the time however we accept that every one of our voices are valid. We strive to support, entertain and empower girls to be proud of who they are. We encourage and motivate one another to always dream big and never let anybody stand in the way of our ambition. Most importantly, we embrace and we celebrate our every flaw. Personally, I have come to find this pressure we are putting on ourselves kind of claustrophobic. Right from the moment we are born, society has ingrained in us an insatiable desire to change ourselves, to fix ourselves, to spend our whole lives chasing after an unattainable perfection. But the thing is, we don't need to do that. We don't need to airbrush or hide our imperfections because we are real and for that reason, we are stunning and we are striking. As a sisterhood, we need to help each other feel confident in our skin and learn to love our bodies. We need to stop criticising and just tell each other how gorgeous we are.

Before I leave you, I have one more thing to say. Each and every one of you have a voice so don't ever be afraid to speak out. Be honest with others, and above all be honest with yourself. If times get tough, please don't suffer in silence. Tell someone you trust because believe me things will get better as soon as you make that first step.