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I started following blogs in 2007 and the first blogs I subscribed to was Rural Glamour. I left a comment telling her lived in a neighboring city and enjoyed her blog. I mentioned that we both are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc and her reply was, I KNOW YOU! Come to find out we met back in 1998 when I was and a débutante for the local graduate chapter with whom her undergrad chapter was affiliated. How ironic was that? Needless to say, we've been blog buddies ever since. From accurate beauty product reviews(hair, skin and nail) to giveaways from exclusive beauty lines, Rural Glamour is the blog for you. Soon she is expanding to include, " .... fashion, food, kids, life as a mommy, eco-friendly, fitness( yes, honey!) and lifestyle." Last week she posted a blog entry entitled Traveling Beautiful: Top 5 Beauty Products For Travel and guess who it featured? Moi! I was geeked. So this week I decided to present my source when it comes, "Real Life, Real Beauty, Rural Glamour".
1) What inspired you to create your blog?
In 2004, I moved back to my small hometown after living on the outskirts( Rock Hill SC) of Charlotte NC for 9 years. What transition it was! I missed Sephora, Nordstrom, the mall, the food....I was city sick or what my friend called "City-itis". LOL. I started the blog to talk about how I was handling the transition of being a high maintenance beauty and fashion addict to a stay at home mom of twins in a very small town.
In 2004, I moved back to my small hometown after living on the outskirts( Rock Hill SC) of Charlotte NC for 9 years. What transition it was! I missed Sephora, Nordstrom, the mall, the food....I was city sick or what my friend called "City-itis". LOL. I started the blog to talk about how I was handling the transition of being a high maintenance beauty and fashion addict to a stay at home mom of twins in a very small town.
2) How do you define beauty?
Beauty is authenticity. Beauty is your feel good, whether its getting hair done once a week or buying makeup, you define what makes your honest beauty. Some would say "Oh, Beauty is what is within in you" Yeah, that's true, but, let be realistic, beauty is makeup, lip gloss, mascara, waxing, flat irons....lol!! My beauty is addiction...to beauty products.:)
3) What culture(s) do you think are the most influential on the international definition of beauty?
I would say from a business perspective, the Asian culture has huge influence on the beauty industry. Its the way they shop and buy. Beauty companies such as MAC will release collections that are Japanese releases only because they know the consumer will buy without fail. Also their focus on skin care is often rivaled and imitated in various skin collections we see. The use of acai and other berries in skin care are asian influenced. Some the most popular beauty bloggers and you tube gurus are Asian. They speak and girls shop.
4) If you could travel to any where in the world to study makeup, where would you go and why?
I would travel to New York. It is the base of beauty and fashion. Plus, I've never been to NY as a tourist. I've always gone as a visitor to my relatives who live in Queens. They don't even frequent the city.
5) What is your dream destination (both domestic and international)?
My domestic dream destination would be a cross country trip in a car to hit all the great shopping spots across the US. Elle magazine used to do a feature that had two of their editors travel in a camper cross country to visit all the vintage shops. I love that feature and I wanna recreate it! Plus, I'm a history junkie and I would like to hit the historical sites as well. My international destination would be London. I love the British take on fashion, so London would be the international destination of Rural Glam Fabulousness!
6) What is your favorite beauty quote?
"...if you don’t look, kissable, then scrub it off and start over.”( Rachel Zoe)
Beauty is authenticity. Beauty is your feel good, whether its getting hair done once a week or buying makeup, you define what makes your honest beauty. Some would say "Oh, Beauty is what is within in you" Yeah, that's true, but, let be realistic, beauty is makeup, lip gloss, mascara, waxing, flat irons....lol!! My beauty is addiction...to beauty products.:)
3) What culture(s) do you think are the most influential on the international definition of beauty?
I would say from a business perspective, the Asian culture has huge influence on the beauty industry. Its the way they shop and buy. Beauty companies such as MAC will release collections that are Japanese releases only because they know the consumer will buy without fail. Also their focus on skin care is often rivaled and imitated in various skin collections we see. The use of acai and other berries in skin care are asian influenced. Some the most popular beauty bloggers and you tube gurus are Asian. They speak and girls shop.
4) If you could travel to any where in the world to study makeup, where would you go and why?
I would travel to New York. It is the base of beauty and fashion. Plus, I've never been to NY as a tourist. I've always gone as a visitor to my relatives who live in Queens. They don't even frequent the city.
5) What is your dream destination (both domestic and international)?
My domestic dream destination would be a cross country trip in a car to hit all the great shopping spots across the US. Elle magazine used to do a feature that had two of their editors travel in a camper cross country to visit all the vintage shops. I love that feature and I wanna recreate it! Plus, I'm a history junkie and I would like to hit the historical sites as well. My international destination would be London. I love the British take on fashion, so London would be the international destination of Rural Glam Fabulousness!
6) What is your favorite beauty quote?
"...if you don’t look, kissable, then scrub it off and start over.”( Rachel Zoe)
Merdi's favorite beauty quotes.
Great interview. Great tips she has as well. Really funny also, I have family in Queens who never get to the 'city' as well :D
All the best!
Thanks for reading.
I love her. Wonderful interview.
Lisa xx
I follow her blog as well! Great post!