Why I WON'T Purchase Benefit Anymore

UPDATE - Benefit have personally emailed me and others who tweeted and/or wrote blog posts in regards to this issue. I have personally been in contact and listened to what Benefit have had to say in regards to what happened. They are deeply sorry and completely wish they could take back the remarks made. I'll be personally talking with them further on how they can redeem themselves after this issue. Watch this space!

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Source - Twitter

So, It's rare I normally break my blogging schedule as I usually post

on a Saturday but yesterday there was an... 'incident' over on twitter which sparked rage with Benefit Cosmetics Customers in the UK.

The incident, for those who haven't seen or heard about this on Twitter; was in regards to this tweet posted by Benefit UK over on twitter... It may seem like 'fun' to tag onto trending topics on Twitter - but from a Brand who should know much better?

Yes. It may be 'funny' to some to follow this hashtag on Twitter - but you don't see a hashtag of #MakeaMovieASkinny (no offence to any of my slim followers - I'm just using that as an example on the other end of the spectrum).

Source - Twitter

Benefit promptly deleted the tweet - but that doesn't mean it went unseen. Many people picked up on the tweet and started tweeting Benefit asking why they made such a body shaming tweet considering part of their clients are plus sized or not of a slim build.

Source - Twitter

They then made things a million times worse for themselves at Benefit...

They apologised for 'any offence caused' - now I studied English Language at college and many others picked up on this as well... They apologised for those who got offended for what they said; not apologising for the remarks that one person on their social media team made. Sorry, really is the hardest word it seems.

So after chatting to many ladies over on my personal twitter I and Bethany Owen (a lovely MUA I was chatting to in regards to the subject) got a tweet from the Benefit US page...

Source - Twitter

Source - Twitter

Now I will definitely give credit to the US sisters for picking up on the damn right stupidness of the tweet made by the UK sister page. But really? Their US sisters had to apologise for the UK page?
Thank you to the lovely people over the pond at Benefit for realising the mistake was made... but I don't think anyone was really happy with regards to Benefit UK - why should Benefit US apologise for a mistake Benefit UK made?

They also sent me a lovely tweet (left) in regards to me saying how it doesn't really make me feel any better about myself after what Benefit UK posted.


Was it over? Nuh uh.

Benefit UK Tweeted out:
"We made a big mistake. We joined a hashtag in bad taste. We truly believe beauty comes in all shapes & sizes. Please accept our apology."

Frankly Benefit UK? I won't. I accept Benefit US's apology as they reacted as soon as they heard of the incident. But not Benefit UK.
You tried to defend your remarks by apologising for the offence people took - not an apology of your actions until around 12.30 midnight? Ironic no? That a majority of people would be in bed by then anyway - this tweet should've been released straight after the offensive tweet was posted.

They also tweeted me after my response to their second apology (see right) - I got the usual robot apology that everyone else got.

This was a mistake that could make people become self conscious with their bodies - you are a brand Benefit UK - what sort of idealisms does it give to young girls using your products if you post such offensive tweets?


Overall for me, as a plus size model who built up their make-up portfolio for me to do my make-up on shoots using Benefit products - I will no longer be using these products and I will re-build my modelling make-up box using other brands from now on. Cosmetic brands should be about making people feel beautiful and better about themselves, not make them feel as if they aren't beautiful because of their size.

Also as a beauty and plus size blogger as well as a body positive advocate - I don't stand for people to ever discriminate anyone no matter what their size. You should never skinny shame or fat shame - everyone has a reason as to why their body is the way it is. And as a brand with a PR and social media team you should know much better then to be posting such an opinion on these type of hashtags.

I fully understand that this was NOT the view of the whole company - however it was posted using the companies twitter page - not a personal twitter account. Which, frankly, is disgusting and completely utterly wrong.

I won't ever purchase Benefit products again, and will most definitely not be recommending them as a good brand to purchase from either. Despite having wonderful products, their reputation is completely tarnished for me and many others.

Sometimes something that may seem like 'harmless fun' - can hurt someone's feelings and mock their appearance. If you ever see something like this, then stop, and think how it would feel if someone had said that about you or someone you love. 

Everyone makes mistakes; but some mistakes are inexcusable. Sorry Benefit but you've lost the custom of this plus size model, plus size blogger and beauty blogger.

Rub A Dub Dub - My Basket of Goodies!

Another beauty related post! I thought I'd share with you all my stash of body goodies that I use when I want to feel luxurious, beautiful and when I want to smell divine. This is my little basket of goodies, some of these were gifted to me and others were either given to me, or I bought myself - I have a huge mixture of bits and bobs that I've accumulated! And some of these products may be familiar, others may not! So have a nosy at my stash!

Body Creams
I have 4 different body creams and butters. I'm currently using my Morrisons Cocoa body butter and then will be moving onto my Johnson's cream.
My cocoa body butter is definitely one of my favourites I will repurchase when I run low on my last pot that I have of body cream. Its completely affordable, available at Morrisons and smells divine!
The Johnson's bedtime cream is also super soft and I love putting this on when I've freshly shaved my legs!
I'll be using my Sanctuary Spa Body Butter in conjunction with my other products at the same time (because I adore using matching products!)
And we all know I just love Soap and Glory - vintage, cute, adorable, and bloody amazing products! I've used the righteous butter millions of times before and I've never been disappointed!

Hand and Foot Creams
I'll start with the Sanctuary Spa Hand Cream, I'll be reviewing this in detail with my other SS products at a later date, but what I will say is I love the smell of this and it makes my hands feel fab!
Again, we can see I have 2 Soap and Glory products - I have the Hand Food and Heel Genius.
The Hand Food is a product that, again, I've used a million times. It smells dleicious, and makes my hands feel amazing, especially in the dry and humid summer! I get dry hands quite badly so always have one of these on hand! I currently have a hand food in my handbag also.
I also have really bad dry and cracked heels on my feet (tmi sorry!) and this does help a little. I wouldn't say its a miracle product; but it does help! I probably need something with more strength but this will do!

Soaps
I have all sorts of soaps! These are some that are in my basket! All of these were gifted to me! I love them, they are so cute! I can't wait to get round to using them! My best friend bought me some before (the two on the bottom) and they smelled amazing, so I can't wait to open one of these beauties again!
I also love body shop one as its my favourite thing ever... Shea Butter! I adore Shea Butter - its amazing!!

Body Scrubs
You can't beat a good old scrub! Again you can see I have my ongoing love for Soap and Glory (my friends know me way too well!) and I'll admit, I do have an undying love for Soap and Glory if you  hadn't guessed. These two are great for when I'm travelling as they are travel size - although I haven't been away or travelling for ages, so I might hold them back for when I do.

Body Washes & Gels
Again the S&G Clean on me appears... this has been regularly in my pocession ever since this product was released. I've always had a Clean on Me whether it be travel size or the big bottle - I LOVE it! I also have the SS Body Wash - this smells amazing, and I just love the hue of orange too!
A new product is the Daisy Eau So Fresh Shower Gel - this came with my perfume in a gift set, and I haven't tried it yet, but it smells magnificent!

Body Lotions
Sometimes I don't always grab the body butter - sometimes I like a light lotion, especially in the hot summers! These are just some of my favourites that I have!
I love the So.. Sinful lotion because it smells amazing, and sinful is my middle name!
The Johnsons Baby naturals cream is also amazing, I use this with after sun when I'm burnt in the summer and its smells amazing and makes my skin feel cooler too.
It's a Skin Thing I got as part of a set, I personally find this lotion extremely watery - its not one I'd re-purchase if it was sold singularly.
The Feather and White one I'm currently using along with the body wash - I love this little bottle and its cute!
I haven't used the Marc Jacobs one yet because I haven't used the body wash, but it smells magnificent and is one I'm extremely excited to use!
Last but not least is the good old Vaseline - this is perfect for dry skin which I get badly in the summer - use a generous amount of this and it will work a complete dream!

Body Sprays
I love to smell sexy and demure - its something that gives me confidence to smell amazing. If I smell sexy and divine, then hopefully a man will too (lets hope that doesn't make me sound desperate...)
Again we see the Soap and Glory Glam-A-Lot Soft and Sexy Fragrant Body Spray - its so lovely. It has a demure musky scent and is just gorgeous... I've re-purchased this about 6 times previously after being gifted it.
I also again love the So...? Sinful - its that sort of strong, dominant sort of fragrance, so if you want a subtle application, I'd only use a little of this!

YouTube - Pinup Picnic in the Park Vlog

In case you guys didn't see over on my YouTube Channel - I vlogged my day at the Pinup Picnic in the Park! Its only a short little video but I hope you still enjoy it!

The Pinup Picnic in the Park was held and presented by The British Belles on 27th June 2015 in London's Hyde Park.

OOTW; Quietly Casual

Hello my lovelies! I hope you are all okay and I'm sorry that its been so long since I've done an Outfit of the Week - I've not had enough time in my schedule to even be able to do one, and I'll be honest, with working and being ill I've not really had any 'amazing' outfits to show you, just boring old outfits which are purely for leisure. Which really aren't interesting; but I'm back and doing some new outfits! I'm aiming to post an OOTW up every 2-3 weeks depending on my schedule! (I'll be doing a YouTube video soon explaining what's been going on the past few months soon!).

Outfit

Black Strapped Midi Dress - New Look, £12.99

Size 18

Purple Checked Shirt - M&S (about 2 years old), £9.99

Size 18

Reef Flip Flops -  Blue (Shop no longer around), £5
Size 5

Stone Snakeskin Panel Satchel - New Look, £15

One Size

Black Metal Brow Trim Sunglasses - New Look, £5.99 

You can either wear the shirt loose or tie it off under your bust for that country chic look. On myself, if I tie the shirt off at the waist it helps to define my waist a little better, but wearing it lose can also hide my stomach if I'm not wearing shapewear.

I always forget to paint my toenails - I like my nails to match but I'm constantly changing my nail colours. I'm tempted to go with a nude palette of colours for my pedicure's this summer. Watch this space for my favourite nail polishes over the summer.
I love this pair of flip flops. I've had them for years, probably about six years now. They are exceptionally comfy, and reasonably sturdy too. They are still in great condition despite how old they are.

My favourite lip product at the moment when not using tinted lip balms or lipsticks is the Carmex lip balms. I've always had a love for these, but recently rekindled my love after I found them on sale in Boots the other week.

Seeing as I was just running errands and doing adult stuff, I just had a little bit of concealer and mascara on for my make-up.
I don't dress up for everything, I like to dress down a lot too.
I had my hair in a ponytail and a clip - I love my hair like this!

My peace sign earrings are from my visit to New York when I went to the Hard Rock Cafe. Bought as a single pair for about $6 if I remember correctly.
My corkscrew scaffold bar was bought in an independent piercing shop in Brighton for £5.

I'm also really loving these natural shots lately.

And just look at how long my hair is now!

Well thank you for reading, and I hope you liked my new sort of layout for OOTW's!

Emma Victoria
xoxox

ANNOUNCEMENT & YouTube Video!

A quick announcement from me to go up before this Saturday!

I'm going to be attending the Pin-up Picnic in the Park THIS SATURDAY (27th June) - I'll be wearing my Collectif Pink Hibiscus dress, Blue Sparkly Shoes (they are so cute!)!

If you want to come and meet me, you absolutely can! Come & have a chat, grab a selfie and come meet me - I'd love to meet some of you lovely bunch!
I'm going to be with fellow Pin-up model, Vintage Doll Laura - so come and say hi to us!

All details are below of the Pinup Picnic if you are thinking of going! 

https://www.facebook.com/events/385274238311877/

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So I did a little catch up video over on my YouTube explaining what's been happening the past few months! Just a quick video - but its just to let you guys know what's been happening! 

Lots of Love

Emma Victoria

xoxoxox

What's in My Cupboard? - My Daily Essentials

I'm doing a mini series called 'What's in My Cupboard?' I've finally got round to re-organising my cupboard into key sections and thought it would give you a little insight as to what I use, my favourite products that I use and just so you can be nosy!

I've found little boxes and cute little bits to put my things into - it means I can be more organised and there is no excuses for me to say I can't find anything I need (I have a habit of getting it out and just 'chucking' it in the wardrobe.. just to complain that I can't find it the next day).

So first let me say, all these products are what I use once or several times daily. These products are all what I find works best for me and products that help with my skin. However, these are always changing depending on me trying new products.

So I hope you enjoy being nosy and I hope that these products just give you a sort of insight into what I use and what I like!





Starting with the most obvious - deodorant! For me Sure works really well, I normally use one of the fragranced ones (the pink one with flowers? I'm terrible at remembering the illustrious name) but I just needed something to see me through till I went shopping again so I got this one for £1 (on discount in Waitrose). It works well, has a fresh smell and keeps me not sweaty and smelling nice throughout the day!





Next is my two wonderful moisturisers, my No.7 Essential Moisture Day and Night Creams. These are still the tester posts, but they are nearly finished and I will have to re-purchase these when I have more money! I love these, they make my skin silky and soft, and definitely make the dry spots and creases on my face feel so much nicer!



Another product I use for moisturising and protection is Sun cream... Not only is it good for just when its sunny but I use mine in tow of using my moisturisers, I only use a tiny little amount but it helps keep me protected all the time. Considering I get burnt for literally walking outside sometimes; by using a tiny amount of sun cream it means that because I don't have any SPF in my moisturiser, unlike some other moisturisers. However, I don't use this daily, I probably use this once every 2-3 days, and in the spring and summer months only.




For breakouts I'm currently using the Simple Rapid Action roll on treatment. This is another product that has nearly run out, however I can't decide whether to re-purchase or to go back to my usual Freederm products that I used to use. This works for the odd small spot with constant use, but definitely not a product for the short term for myself. I do think this is a good product, for the right person - maybe just not for me!





For make-up removal I'm currently using the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water with cotton balls. This is another product I'm running out of, I've got about 1/5 of the bottle left. I'll be honest, there isn't anything I find wrong with this product, it does the job, it gets my make-up off and it doesn't make my eyes sting but I wouldn't say this product does miraculous wonders, because it is only cleansing water. I may repurchase it, I may not, I may see if there is another product for me to try - who knows!

This product is still relatively new into my collection of Essentials. Its Palmers Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks. Yes, I'm a big girl and I have the odd stretch mark, they are especially bad on my boobs and I'll literally do anything to help get rid of them, and even if it doesn't at least its a really nice moisturising cream for my skin! I do like this product, its lovely, feels great, and smells pretty good too! This product is especially good if you are pregnant as well (for any of my pregnant followers!). I'm going to see how I get on with this product, its hard for me to say if I'll re-purchase it just yet, but if it goes as well as it has already than I may repurchase it!




My last product is a hair product. My hair lately, especially with the upcoming summer and heat - my hair can become brittle and frizzy and just plain ugh. The John Freida Frizz-Ease serum, gives my hair that super silky and smooth feel which I absolutely love. Also when my hair is in this horrible state, I do a double hair wash in the shower (Shampoo, Conditioner, Shampoo, Conditioner). I've been using this product in the summers (and after curling or straightening my hair) for the past 7 years - so it is a product I very much love!


Well I hope you enjoyed this post! It was just something I thought I'd do and considering I hadn't done a beauty related post in a while I thought it would be nice!

Emma Victoria

xoxox

Atomic Festival 2015 Pictures with Vintage Kisses!

Warning! Picture heavy post! I've been waiting to get the chance to upload all the images from my phone from Atomic Vintage Festival back at the beginning of May.. and here they finally are!

Also my outfit components are...

Hell Bunny August Dress in Size 18 - £39.50 (Available Here) 
Fur Coat is a few years old from Primark £30
Bait Footwear, Robbie in Sparkly Blue - £50 (Available from Campbell Crafts) 
Hair Bow and Chiffon Ribbon - Dolly Cool Jewels (Etsy Store Here)
Hair Orchid Flower - Bow & Crossbones 

Also if you can pretty please go and like Vikki's Page that would be amazing! She's an aspiring plus size model and she's bloody gorgeous!!

Vikki's Page - Vintage Kisses 

I hope to be doing more events this year and I will be attending the Pinup Picnic in the Park! Find me on Facebook if you want to meet up at the picnic!

Emma Victoria

xoxox