BEAUTY | Anja Rubik's Original

doesn't happen all that often on this blog anymore that you would see a traditional review of just one product on its own. Do you miss it? I don't really to be honest with you - blogs which focus on reviewing individual products are definitely one of the hardest & most elaborate to write - I give credit to everyone who's got the patience because I lost it less than a year into blogging. Today I thought we'd go back to backs and all that and I'd tell you my thoughts on a single perfume bottle - Anja Rubik's brand new EDP Original. And you know why? Because this one deserves it.

This scent is a soul baby of Anja Rubik - a model originally from Poland which is now one of the highest paid models in the world walking for the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Michael Kors. The back story is that Anja worked on this scent herself, trying to achieve a subjective scent which would portray her own femininity and chic. Now the argument of numerous reviews is that this scent is not original at all, smells boring, annoying even. Although I'm all for online reviews and when majority doesn't like it, it's probably pants, but this one, this one I will argue. Before you give it a sniff in Liberty, let me tell you what I think about the scent itself.

The scent is very crisp - at first you get very strong, almost androgynous wood & pepper notes. It's all very French & unisex to me up to the point where it develops into a very strong scent of white bitter lilies. Original is a sophisticated every day scent to me which makes me feel a little classier even in a pair of sweats and tee. It will be absolutely lush as a transitional summer-autumn scent. There.    

Oh - just gave Shaun a sniff and apparently it smells like a fruit bowl. Sigh. My conclusion? It's called Original because to every single person it just smells different. Absolutely bloody different. FACT.

anja rubik met gala

Anja Rubik Met Gala

Anja Rubik created controversy at Met Gala in New York, following the same recipe as Belen Rodriguez, when she chose to overexpose one leg in a gorgeous long dress For serious fans of fashion, there’s no bigger red-carpet affair than the annual Costume Institute Benefit—a.k.a. the Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala, or Met Gala The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual Costume Institute Gala is legendary: It’s chicer than Charlotte Gainsbourg’s closet, invites are more coveted than Chanel bags The sheer overlay on Gigi Hadid’s ‘dress’ did not do much to cover the model’s skimpy white bodice at the LA Fashion AwardsMakeup artist Jillian Dempsey and hairstylist Adir Abergel break down the actress’ look from the 2016 Met Gala.Style 118 Photos Of The Fabulous Divas, Exposed Models, Glamorous Goths And More From The Met Gala Red Carpet. Beyoncé went very sheer, Rihanna went surprisingly Thigh-high slits, sheer panels many celebrities are not shy at all.Đến hẹn lại lên, cứ tháng 5 hàng năm là giới mộ điệu toàn cầu lại được dịp mong ngóng Met Gala, dạ tiệc gây quỹ thường It’s no secret Eastern Europe is, well, the secret weapon for the modeling industry. While Argentina is quickly becoming a new hot spot for model discovery, Eastern The model exposes her bare backside when wind catches her dress at BET Awards.

The World's Highest-Paid Models Of 2014: Gisele, Doutzen And Adriana Steal The Show

Year after year since 2002, Gisele Bundchen has made more money than any other model in the world. At 34, she is still sitting pretty at the top of the world’s highest-paid models list, pulling in an estimated $47 million before taxes and fees in the last 12 months.
The Brazilian bombshell out-earned second place beauties Doutzen Kroes and Adriana Lima by $39 million – Bundchen also made about $16 million more than quarterback husband Tom Brady’s $31.3 million annual paycheck. Along with lucrative contracts for H&M , Chanel , and Carolina Herrera, the catwalk icon gets a cut of sales from jelly sandals she designs for shoemaker Grendene. The face of Pantene hair products and Oral-B in Brazil, Bundchen’s line of Hope lingerie – Gisele Bundchen Intimates — also plumps up her paycheck, which has increased $5 million from 2013.

Dutch powerhouse Doutzen Kroes this year bolstered her lucrative L’Oreal cosmetics contract and longstanding Victoria’s Secret deal with H&M, Emilio Pucci and Miu Miu appearances to snag runner-up. Another millionaire minted by Victoria’s Secret is Adriana Lima, the longest-running Angel in the brand’s history, who first posed for them in 2000. The 33-year-old’s supermodel seniority comes with a supersized deal, which she supplements this year by returning to Maybelline and signing a new Desigual contract.
In FORBES’ first-ever Celebrity 100 list back in 1999, just five models made the ranking. Of that group – Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Niki Taylor and Kate Moss - Moss is the only remaining old guard on the roster. This year, the indomitable Brit earned an estimated $7 million before taxes and other fees, from a historic deal with Rimmel cosmetics, plus campaigns for St. Tropez self-tan and Kerastase haircare products.

Kate Upton is the highest-ranked newcomer with an estimated $7 million in annual earnings, thanks to a lucrative Bobbi Brown signing and Express clothing line deal. Upton shot to fame after a video of her performing a popular dance known as the “Dougie” at a sports game went viral; she has since landed campaigns for Sam Edelman, David Yurman and Accessorize. (Upton is just one of five models ranked who has not been a Victoria’s Secret Angel.)

Recommended by Forbes

The highest-paid models list tracks pretax earnings for all models who make the majority of their income modelling, rather than acting or singing. To form the list, we looked at income from cosmetics and fragrance contracts, advertising, endorsements and other ventures. Management, agent and attorney fees are not deducted. Earnings are tabulated from June 2013 to June 2014 and based on interviews with numerous managers, agents and brand executives.
Miranda Kerr and Liu Wen also pulled in $7 million in the last 12 months, just ahead of Alessandra Ambrosio and Hilary Rhoda, who both made $5 million in the last year. The 21 models on the list made a combined $142 million.

2014 was a year of fresh faces: among the list’s new additions were Karlie Kloss, Jourdan Dunn, Anja Rubik and Cara Delevingne. Though long-established catwalk queens, their earnings have only just caught up with their stratospheric Instagram follower counts.
“The first question from brands these days is immediately, ‘how many followers do they have?’” says Ivan Bart, senior vice president and managing director of IMG models. “Models can be more famous than a lot of celebrities out there because they have such a large following.”
“It [social media] has given models a voice and it’s the next way for advertising to reach an audience,” continued Chris Gay, general manager of The Society Management.

Bundchen, who boasts 2.7 million Instagram followers, has earned $386 million from modelling since 2001. Still, her highly-paid cohort are very much the minority – according to the New York labor department statistics on model earnings, the mean annual salary is $43,570. As sociologist Ashley Mears points out in “Pricing Beauty: The Making of a Fashion Model,” models are rarely paid for editorial shoots or catwalk appearances. Similarly, gigs with prestigious names like Chanel or Fendi don’t pay much, but their high fashion cachet lets models cash in with other campaigns gained from the exposure.

7 Polish Fashion Blogs to Follow Right Now

Travel set prepared by Jestem Kasia / I am Kasia. Photo: courtesy of blogger

From girlish blondes with minimalistic tendencies to eclectic divas and edgy glam rock beauties, discover 7 fashion bloggers you may not be following yet, but definitely should. Also, it so happens they’re all from Poland. This lucky 7 not only dictates fashion trends on the Eastern European blogger scene; they make waves all around the world.

Poland, as a former Communist country, might not be perceived as a fashion power. Polyester tracksuits, dresses with puffy shoulders, chequered flannel shirts and trashy jewellery combined with backcombed hair sum up how Easter European style is perceived in general. This is based on a few stereotypes, for example that Poland doesn’t have access to global fashion brands or that everywhere east from Germany people walks around in traditional costumes whistling folk songs from the nineteenth century.
That has to be said straight up: Poland is the motherland of many amazing designers, not to mention top models like Anja Rubik o Monika Jac Jagnieciak. And like everywhere else, blogs are becoming the number one providers of hot new trends.

Make Life Easier 

Kasia Tusk from Make Life Easier. Photo: courtesy of blogger

Make Life Easier is one of the most controversial blog in Poland. Not because of its content, but because its author, Katarzyna Tusk, who established her blog in early 2011, is the daughter of Donald Tusk, former Prime Minister of Poland. At the time, Polish media saw the blog as an element of the politician’s PR strategy before the parliamentary elections in September 2011.
Time proved them wrong. Katarzyna Tusk created one of the most powerful fashion blogs in Poland. To describe Katarzyna’s style in one word is easy: classy. This blogger believes in the power of simplicity and utility, but this doesn’t mean that she wears potato sacks. Quite the opposite: Make Life Easier’s style is very girlish, inspired by Parisians and beauty icons like Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot.

Alicepoint 

Alicepoint. Photo: Magdalena Zielasko

Alicja Zielasko started posting as Alicepoint in 2008. Since then, her style evolved from glam rock to high fashion urban outfits. Alice mixes common brands with top designer pieces. Presently the blogger lives and works in London, where she is considered an ambassador of Polish style in the UK. Apart from presenting her own outfits she also photographs street fashion and documents fashion events.

Jessica Mercedes 

Jessica Mercedes, editorial for Viva! Photo: Marcin Kempski / I LIKE PHOTO GROUP / source: official facebook profile

Glamour, glamour and more glamour. Jessica Mercedes’ style is pure luxury and tinsel. Doesn’t matter if she is attending New York Fashion Week or Woodstock Festival, she always looks perfect.
Even though Jessica writes her blog in Polish, is still visited by millions of people around the world each month. Besides outfits you can enjoy beauty tips and analyses of celebrity style. Jessica Mercedes is a true star: her looks appeared in magazines like Teen Vogue, Joy, Glamour, etc.

Raspberry and Red 

Raspberry and Red and her daily outfits. Source: official facebook profile

Weronika Załazińska entered the fashion blogosphere when she was 14, in 2009. The internet fell in love with her at first sight. Why? Because Weronika is twice unique.
Once because of her modesty and unconcealed rejection of the vanity and superficiality that rules most of the fashion industry. She says:

“I write about simple things – I want my blog to be a site to read and relax to, where people can have a good laugh.  So I chit-chat with my readers and talk to them the way I would talk to my friends”.

Twice, because her posts are complex and well written, especially when she writes about her travels. Among her outfit descriptions, you’ll find many detailed trips descriptions, as well as useful tips and entertaining observations.

Maffashion 

Maffashion. Source: official facebook profile

Maffashion, Julia Kuczyńska’s creation, is highly recommended to street style lovers. Also known as Juliett K, this internet sensation’s fan base counts almost a half million followers.
Maffashion has a bit of a bad girl edge. Her looks change from baggy trousers to tight dresses and high heels. She cooperates with prominent fashion brands and runs her own shop online. Juliett writes her longer posts in Polish, but her daily looks have English captions. You can follow her on lookbook.nu/juliettk, Instagram, YouTube and snapchat.

Jestem Kasia / I am Kasia

Jestem Kasia / I am Kasia daily look. Photo: courtesy of blogge

The stylish girl next door of the fashion blogosphere. Kasia shares her life and style with audiences in the most modest way. She strives towards prettiness rather than beauty. On jestemkasia.com you won’t see extravagant outfits or provocative make-up.
Kasia puts on simplicity and adjusts world trends to her own liking, not the other way around. Her outfits were featured worldwide in leading print and digital fashion magazines.

Macademian Girl 

Macademian Girl in her casual outfits. Yes, she's from Poland. Photo: Karolina Roszak

Last but not least. Macademian Girl is a true phenomenon, and she is almost impossible to describe. Tamara Gonzalez Perea was born and raised in Poland, but in her veins flows Panamanian blood. She is the most extravagant, eccentric and colourful personality on the Polish streets. Each of her outfits is unique. She combines colours, textures, lengths in baroque arrangements that only she can pull off. She is especially noteworthy in the context of the minimalist wave that took over fashion recently.

10 Things You Should Never Share (With Anyone)

Lela London

When you are living with your family or partner, it is easy to mix up the things that you own and use. How many times have you used your sister’s toothbrush before you realised it wasn’t yours?

But, sharing personal hygiene products with your friends or family members, is actually quite risky. Call me micro-phobic but it might even mean you are putting your life on the line. Many medical professionals including dermatologists and microbiologists say there are many items you use on a daily basis that despite looking harmless could be the source of a serious skin disease or other health-related problems. As such, there are some products that you should never share with anyone.
See Also: 10 Hobbies You Should Never Include in Your CV
Check out this list to find out what things you should keep to yourself at all costs:

#1 Toothbrush

Apparently you have to hide your toothbrush well when you are planning to have a sleepover. If any of your friends attempt to use your toothbrush then, they may get sick as your mouth bacteria will be transmitted to their mouth. While your own germs wouldn’t hurt you at all, when you use someone else’s toothbrush you are asking for trouble as this might cause the common cold, strep and many other diseases.

#2 Face Cream

You should never share anything that it is inside a jar including face crèmes or any other hygiene product. When you let others dip their fingers in the jar, it gets contaminated and then bad bacteria can get all over your face or skin. This might cause conditions such as folliculitis and acne.

#3 Earrings

Popsugar

When you allow your friend to borrow a pair of earrings so that she will look good on a night out, you are not doing her a favor. On the contrary, you are increasing the odds of giving her a blood-borne infection this way. If she absolutely must wear the earrings, make sure that you sanitize them with alcohol.

#4 Towels

Mattanditmfunny

Towels are a popular ground for bacteria and fungus to gather. Using a contaminated towel is quite dangerous as it can transmit fungal infections onto your skin such as acne and pink eye. To avoid this, you should always let your towels to dry completely and wash them after three or four uses.

#5 Lip Balm

Even though lip balm doesn’t even look like it could be a public threat, when the same stick is being used by many people it can transfer bacteria through the membranes of your mouth and into your bloodstream. So, if you use someone else’s lip balm, you might catch Herpes, which is an infection that causes painful sores on your lips and even fever and muscle aches.

 #6 Bar of Soap

Stereogum

Contrary to popular belief, bars of soap are not self-cleaning. It may even be the most life-threating hygiene product if it falls into the wrong hands. After a bar is used, it gets covered with little organisms (either harmless or serious pathogens) from your skin. In fact, it gets worse if the soap sits on a wet dish as medical professionals warn this creates moisture that makes it easier for bacteria and other viruses to grow. If you were to use someone’s soap you could expose yourself to the norovirus which results in the stomach flu and other serious illnesses.

#7 Flip-Flops

Marmalade

It is a hot summer day, and you don’t know what type of shoes to wear? Whatever you do, do not borrow your sisters’ flip flops. When sharing flip-flops bacteria can easily travel from one person’s foot to another’s. Since it is one of the most personal items people wear it is best to be avoided as it can allow the molluscum virus to spread to your skin.

#8 Razors

Using someone else’s razor is far more dangerous than you think. Apart from getting possible infections from the bacteria and dead skin cells the razor collects, using a razor that you do not own increases the possibility of getting exposed to serious diseases like hepatitis and HIV. So, it’s probably better if you put that razor down.

#9 Deodorant  

Using someone’s else deodorant isn’t a very good idea. Again, germs and bacteria can be transmitted from one person’s skin to another by contaminated sticks and cause serious infections. While some of the deodorants can kill odor-causing bacteria and protect the skin, most of them just create a layer over the smell, and the germs begin to grow on the stick. Pretty gross don’t you think?

#10 Ear buds

If you ever find yourself in need of ear buds in order to listen to your favorite tunes, you should probably never ask for someone to give you theirs. Several studies have shown that ear buds get contaminated by bacteria from the ears. That gets even worse when you use ear buds during a workout as the moisture encourages more bacteria to develop.

Obviously, sharing is not always caring. If anyone asks to borrow any of these items, you should never give your permission. Have you ever shared any of these things with other people? Let me know in the comments section below...