Blogger spotlight: MsDriftedSW – An Exception to the Rule

Posted on 22/03/2011 - 22:35

This week it's Maria from 'An Exception to the Rule' who sits under our blogger spotlight. You may also know her as MsDriftedSW on Twitter. Maria was one of the winners of our first competition with Brighton Fashion Week and since then we have learnt that she is a big supporter of affordable brands such as ours. So we're showing our support back.

Of course there's also a competition to WIN 2 beautyuk products of your choice to go with it!! Read through to the end to see how to enter. It's super simple.

So let's switch that spotlight on and see what she's got to say…

Age: 26

Location: London

How long have you been blogging and what do enjoy most about it?

I started blogging about 2.5 years ago, but the blog died because I didn’t have the time and money. Restarted blogging including a youtube channeland twitter, facebook and tumblr 3 months ago. I really enjoy interacting with people. Sometimes they find out something they didn’t know before so that’salways a plus. And I get to play with my makeup for other people’s benefits.

What do you think it is about your blog that attracts your followers?

I think my blog looks very sleek and uncluttered and people can find what they need easily. There’s a lot of information on small, independent brands aswell as drugstore brands. I think people appreciate that I don’t constantly blog about high end products that just rip a hole in your wallet. And I try to coverproducts from all over the world as well.

Other than your own, of course, can you recommend 3 other beautyblogs worth checking out?

Not so much blogs, but talented youtubers:

Maria reviews some of our salon professional nails range

What is it that you look for in a blog before you decide to follow it?

It needs to be clean and uncluttered. I like it when people write about drugstore/cheap/easily accessible products. I prefer those over blogs thatconstantly write about big brands that everyone already knows. I love it when someone writes about a brand I never heard of!

Do you work or study?

I currently work full-time but I’m resuming my university degree in Septemberfor my final year at uni.

What are your other passions outside of beauty/fashion/blogging?

That’s quite varied. I love designing and coding websites as well as dancing (Salsa). At the moment though I live for my blog & youtube channel!

What would you consider the most important piece of beauty advice youhave been given?

And is there any advice of your own you would like to share? “Forget about the high end brands” was probably the most important advice. When I started becoming so passionate about makeup and beauty a lot ofthings I spent a lot of money on were high-end and very, very expensive. There are numerous brands out there that do equally good or even better products than some high-end brands and I’m glad I listened to the advice and save more money now!! That’s the advice that I’d pass on to others as well.Oh and: Don’t listen to the ‘rules’ that state only this and that color go with your eyes/skin tone. Screw it! Just live out whatever you feel inside!! Oh and,DON’T PUT YOUR BLUSH ON THE APPLES OF YOUR CHEEKS! (it makes you look old)

Which product makes your statement the most? And how do you achieve your look?

Mascara - I couldn’t leave the house without eye liner (unless it’s part of the look I wanna wear). I would feel naked. Sometimes I even forget to put mascara onbecause the line I created makes my lashes look so full! I use it for waterline, upper lash line and tight-lining (upper waterline).

What is your favourite ‘look’ at the moment?

Anything 50s. I love nude/neutral (satin/matte) eye shadows looks with flicked/winged eye liner with a bold lip.

Which celebrities do you think are the current fashion and beauty trendsetters?

Definitely Rihanna. I think she’s like the newer, better, more provocativeversion of what Madonna used to be. I’d also say Katy Perry.

If anybody ,who in the public eye has inspired you personally the most?

I find Sam & Nic from Pixiwoo very, very inspiring. They are gorgeous girls, their family seems lovely (their mum even has her own youtube channel!) and they give great tips and don’t necessarily follow the trend of using high-endbrands only!! They are just sooo stunning!!

What is your favourite clothing label and why?

I love clothes from Dorothy Perkins and shoes from New Look.

If you could be living anywhere in the world right now, where would you be? And why?

Wherever my man is! Living apart is sooo hard! If I could have him come withme, I would move to Paris or Vancouver!

Tell us one thing your followers may not already know about you

Something serious: I used to have eating disorders, but overcoming them opened my eyes in so many ways. Something fun: I have three older brothers (pain in the bum!) and have 5 nieces and nephews; my oldest niece is 23 and getting married before me! She’s beating me to it!!

How long would you last without ANY makeup?

Depends on the circumstances really! If I really had to, I could live without makeup, but if I don’t have to, then definitely not longer than a week!

What do you spend most of your money on?

Definitely make-up. Followed by my partner and family and socializing.

If you could create your own signature beauty product for beautyuk what would it be and what would you call it?

I would create a gorgeously creamy, highly pigmented, very long lasting lipstick (and I MEAN long lasting as in surviving the entire day through smoking and drinking and food). The lipstick would be a shade between redand plum and would be called Pixiwoo or Alex B (for Alex Box)

When did you first hear about beautyuk? And where did you hear about us?

I heard about them when I moved to the UK 7 years ago!

What are your favourite beautyuk products?

Eye shadow palette No.4 (Earth Child) and the Smokey Lilac Glam Nails