The art of self discovery through Divergent…….

Hey Gal Pals (and Guy Pals I guess…),

Whenever reading a good novel, I find myself fully absorbed in the protagonist's life. Even weeks after finishing it I ponder over what it would be like to be in such a world, and I also feel a sense of being apart of it as I go about daily life, thinking about what that main character would do in that situation…Weird huh? Well I think this is an experience that most of us book readers have as we explore the life of an imaginary soul, even if our experiences are different.

Having just read the Veronica Roth series: Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiant, as well as the prequel (Four), I found myself distracted by the dystopia that Tris Prior experienced. Immersing myself in the life of a young woman discovering herself whilst fighting for what she believed to be true, caused me to ponder. I didn't simply ponder over the fictional character of Tris, instead, I found myself coming to a realisation (shall we say) about the world we live in, as well as a sense of 'self discovery' (corny I know)...

The 'at first' seemingly functional world that Tris lives in, which ultimately crumbles, caused me to re-recognise the issues and cavities that our current world effectively tries to hide. 

The brilliant idea of 5 factions, being Dauntless, Amity, Candor, Abnegation and Euridite, that hold their own values, enabled me to reflect on our current society. I mean to say that society forces us to act, look, believe and feel a certain way. This is evident in the way that our society poses what they believe beauty, success and happiness (for example) to look like. As well as what lack of beauty, little success and unhappiness look like. I feel as though our world is currently fuelling us with utter crap! Instead of telling me that I need to look a certain way, or make my way down a money making path, or try and find happiness by pleasing myself, shouldn't I be driven and taught to live a life with a kind and servant heart, doing what is right (not necessarily what has the highest salary) and looking to what truly brings joy? Note that I didn't use happiness in the previous sentence! Joy is a word misused so often, yet it has so much more substance than the word; happiness. 

To be joyful means to (in a biblical sense) be glad and rejoice in the Lord, for he is a God who brings life. It also means being 'joyful' in your salvation. Being saved through Christ is the only way to be truly joyful.

So why the Divergent reference I here you asking? Well, it was Tris' story that caused me to ponder over what is worth fighting for in the world 'I' live in. Thus, I've come to the conclusion that the message of Jesus is what is truly and utterly worth fighting for. Even though being in the army of God poses challenges and threats day in and day out, I will fight for this one truth. The truth that Christ did indeed sacrifice himself for all those who are lost, but also conquered death, ultimately bringing life. 

I find Luke chapter 21, specifically verse 19 which states: "By standing firm you will gain life" an encouragement. It was my brother that introduced me to this hope giving verse a few years ago. I find that this verse exemplifies the point of life. Stand firm in the Lord and you will not perish, instead, you shall find true life in him. Physical beauty, earthly success, or self-gratifying happiness won't produce life, but a relationship with Christ will! 

So, inevitably my point about our world's lies is that beauty, success and self satisfying happiness can't give you life, but Christ can! So don't try and discover yourself in a world full of lies and dead ends, instead pick up that dust covered Gideons bible and flick to one of the gospels to find out more about this Jesus guy (aka the J-dog)!

Also on a side note: always read! It broadens your vocabulary! And you never know, you may even discover something new, just as I have…..

And to your left is my dog Maggie and myself re-enacting the famous 'Twilight' meadow scene: aka Edward and Bella lying down in a meadow of flowers whilst gazing into each others eyes. I'm obviously the handsome and mesmerizing Edward. Just for the lols…...












Keep it real!

Mwah, Tarriiaaa

My first ever Napolean Perdis purchase!

Hello everyone,


Setting the scene:

*You're in a shop

*A beauty or makeup store to be exact

*You've promised both yourself and your purse that you won't buy anything………………..

Although, at that specific moment, you've been captured, captured by such a wonderful product. Something that you definitely need…... It's that lipgloss, or mascara that you've totally always wanted. Right? I mean, it's not like you have one like it at home! Similar, but not as good! 

We all find ourselves in this trap every now and then, and that's completely okay. As long as you don't find yourself spending more that you earn, that is! I myself have done a little bit of spending the past few weeks. Well, I redeemed a gift card at 'Napoleon Perdis' and then spent some hard earned cash on 'Nude by Nature' products. I for one deem that as completely adequate. Although I definitely didn't "need" anything I bought, more so: I "wanted" it all….. Anyway, I will now review these products, I'll try to make it as short and as sweet as possible!

So Firstly: Napoleon Perdis!

My first every NP purchase (eeeeeepppp), exciting I know!

I'd always walked past the shop, staring in and dreaming of buying everything in there. I'd need quite a few trolleys to get it all to the car though…..

For my 16th birthday I was given a $99 gift card from a dear family member, and I was obviously so excited to use it. So a few months later, I finally used it all! Well not exactly, I still have $4 on it. I guess I can buy some NP packaging with it…. ha ha ha (wasn't that funny, I apologise).

So, before entering the store I decided to do some internet 'window shopping' so as to know exactly what I wanted when entering. I figured that this way of thinking would prevent my jaw dropping by the price of everything. I'm still in school and currently unemployed so "cheap and cheerful" is how I've been shopping. 

NP 'Bronze Patrol' and Nude by Nature 'Contour Brush'

I focused my internet 'window shopping' to bronzers and gel eyeliners, as I am limited in that area at the moment. After finding the products that my heart desired. I decided to make the HUGE decision of actually getting out of my ‘hobbit hole’ and entering the store. This was really quite a feat for me, entering the REAL world. It's so bright and involves talking to people…. hmmmm. Well buying Napoleon products was well worth it!

Apply under cheekbone and forehead for a flawless look

The bronzer that I decided to purchase looked even better in person than it did on the website (rare, I know!). This particular bronzer is called ‘Bronze Patrol’ and is so beautiful that I have only used it once. The beautiful coloured pigments in the bronzer give a natural glow to the skin. It also isn’t overly shimmery which is also a plus for an everyday look. The only thing is that it looks so nice that I didn’t want to put my brush to the product, in fear that I would destroy it…. (It’s okay, I used it and it still looks beautiful). I’ve decided to keep it to use for special occasions. I do this for a lot of my favourite and slightly more ‘pricey’ items.

Napolean Perdis: China Doll gel eyeliner

My second purchase was the gel eyeliner. I’ve always just used your standard pen eyeliner (felt) or, for a more smoky look, an eyeshadow (works exquisitely with an angled brush). The NP gel eyeliner that I decided to buy is called ‘China Doll.’ I would highly recommend this gel eyeliner if you haven’t used many others before. It is super easy to apply with an angled brush or silicon liner brush, giving a flawless look. The only thing I would say negatively about the product is that there isn’t much of it. Although, this is a good thing for someone who hasn’t used a gel eyeliner before, as you won’t be left with a full pot if you happen to not like it. I haven’t quite mastered a flick with the gel eyeliner yet but as they
say: 'practice makes perfect.'

Left: Real Techniques silicon liner brush
Right: Nude by Nature angled brush

Left eye: winged eyeliner
Right eye: natural thick line
(excuse my pasty skin, thank you camera flash..)
Thought this might give an idea of the possibilities...

The Overall Look:

Overall Look! :)

Nude by Nature products used:
Undercover Airbrush Primer
Liquid Mineral Concealer (Light)
Natural Mineral Cover (Light/Medium)
Mineral Finishing Veil

Napolean Perdis products used:
Bronze Patrol 
China Doll Gel Eyeliner (Black)

Rimmel London product used:
Scandel Eyes Rockin Curves

Revlon product used:
Colour Burst Lip Butter (Sugar Plum)

Brushes: Real Techniques and Nude by Nature


Well anyway, I hope you found this review helpful!!

Xx Tarriiaa

Beauty??

Beauty??

Beauty

Have you ever woken up in the morning, looked in the mirror, and felt embarrassed or discontented?

Well I can tell you that I have, multiple times at that. Why do we feel that way sometimes? I'm sure many people have different answers to this question, but here's a question that I struggle with sometimes: Am I good enough? This question plays in the back of my mind as I get ready for school, doing my hair and sometimes makeup, when I get ready for, or am at a party, and even when I'm at church. I think that as a girl, ways that I should look are thrown at me from left, right and centre by the world. Advertisements on buses, billboards and tv's constantly place an idea in our minds as to how we should look. It's not that I'm jealous of those girls, it's just that sometimes I feel like I'm not accepted because I'm not 6 feet tall, with long hair and an hour glass figure.

 It is at these times in my life that I rethink my behaviour. The way I'm thinking, "not good enough," isn't helpful for anyone. When I try and compare myself to other people, I'm actually telling God that the way he made me isn't beautiful. 1 Peter 3:3-4 says: "Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." After reading this, I am left feeling comforted. My God made me special and beautiful. Regardless of what the world says beauty is, I am found beautiful through Jesus. This bible verse is a comfort as I am told not to put my trust in things that make me appear beautiful and desirable, but that beauty comes from within. I truly believe that we all Christian or not) should strive to be loving and humble, because true beauty can't be physically seen. It is how we act that defines our beauty. This is not to say that dressing up, braiding your hair and wearing makeup are bad things. I think they are actually great things that are to be enjoyed! I just want to stress the fact that you shouldn't find your identity in them. I love doing my hair in new ways, trying different makeup styles and wearing nice clothes. It is how we value these things that matters!

xx Humbly Beautiful (ps. I don't consider myself as the Humble and Beautiful person in the world. I just think that beauty comes from humility!)