#Aud being overly dramatic

[leclsrc]

Just saw the last Carlos fic and I LIVED for it… but can never get enough of my manz… Carlos x driver!reader (friends to lovers) where it’s hard to be a female f1 driver because everyone is waiting to brand you as overly emotional and dramatic. What if the reader has a bad crash and she claims to everyone including her driver friends that she is completely fine, only to collapse later because of an injury she hid from everyone

silver lining – cs55

genre: drabble, angst?, fluff, yearning

auds here... whatta painful req anon! am trying to get reqs done so i start anew for 2023 but i write painfully slow. anyway i hope you enjoy this. title from silver lining by the nbhd :)

Silverstone is cold and windy when you snag P2 beside Carlos. 

Immediately, you’re ushered into the media pen to answer questions, after the usual physical check-up and initial celebrations. Something tugs at your leg, a dull pain that seems to grow, but you clear your throat and put on a smile for the interviewer. With drivers, the questions are an endless cliche: what was your strategy, did it go down well with Max, your teammate, were there prior discussions of how to handle this and that and conserve that and this.

But with you, the cliche reaches a whole new level. Apart from the usual, it’s: how do you keep your hair so shiny even when racing, any favorite workouts, what’s the female F1 driver diet. It’s tiring, draining to constantly overhear your male coworkers answer more objective, driver-oriented questions. 

It never helps to speak up against it. You’ve got most of the Internet on your side, but there’s the occasional semi-viral tweet that brands you as emotional and dramatic, sometimes backed up by so-called F1 experts. You’ve been the topic of multiple TikToks, podcast episodes, and think pieces that all bring you down.

“Did you feel nervous at all going into Q3, considering there’d been a minor complication with the car?” You feel for the interviewers, though, knowing they have to repeat all these for hours. You swallow your nerves and spout an answer of your own. The pain grows sharp.

The man pauses and reviews his notepad, then. “Did you maybe wish you could’ve gotten P1 today instead of Sainz? Prove the whole ‘girl boss’ notion?”

“My desire to win has nothing to do with ‘girl boss’-ing,” you clarify. “I’m very happy for Carlos, but at the end of the day this is my career, so obviously I’d say yes to wanting to get first place. It’s not an odd answer.”

Your gut churns with dread, knowing this will be spun into a nasty headline later. But you flex your leg, and it sends you into a silent fit of pain—something’s wrong, a muscle pulled or trapped. The interviewer thanks you after a few more questions, and you swallow the rest of your water in hopes of being distracted, albeit momentarily.

Seb bumps into you, notices the grimace on your flushed face. “Everything alright?”

“Tired,” you say, wanting nothing more than to be done with it and sleep the leg pain off. It increases with every step you take, but if you start showing signs of it here, the headlines will only worsen.

You pass the rest of the pen and wobble back to your motorhome. Much to your surprise, Carlos waits there, a towel slung over his shoulder. Like Seb, he notices the dull, dry pain written on your eyes.

Unlike Seb, he doesn’t leave the issue alone. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” you say. You and Carlos have always been close, harboring the same age gap as he and Charles but a more levelheaded relationship. “Are we celebrating tonight?”

“You definitely aren’t with the way you’re walking,” he says pointedly. “En serio?”

“I said nothing,” you say, sharpening your voice. “Leave it.”

He follows you slowly, until you’re both isolated by the door of your room. It’s quiet when you let him in, your irritance and standoffish behavior still evident.

He tries again, because if he’s learned anything from years of knowing and loving you, it’s that you’re a truly stubborn son of a bitch. “Tell me,” he says, solemn. His loud mood always tones down with you, not because you bore him, but because he feels more comfortable with himself.

Inversely, you’re always louder around him, more bubbly, unlike your typically stoic self. It’s the kind of connection neither of you can label, or explain. It’s the both of you, always. “I think my leg’s injured,” you say, letting the confession leave you in one breathless sentence. “It really, really hurts, Carlos.”

You lean against the wall and exhale. “I’ll get it checked,” you tack onto it, so he doesn’t worry even more. He worries a lot. Especially with you.

“Why didn’t you say anything at first,” he says, voice aghast with concern. He mumbles something in Spanish. When he’s caught in fits of emotion, you notice, his English is always the first to go.

“It wouldn’t have been taken seriously,” you reason, wincing. “I never am.”

“Fuck that,” he says. “You need to say these things.”

“Carlos,” you say. 

He takes his hand in yours. “You make me worry. I worry.”

You nod along, gripping his hand with whatever energy you have left. You know as early as now that you’ll be okay, that this annoying leg will be taped up and rested tonight, because that’s Carlos—always caring, always there. You have so much of him in your heart.

There’s a glimmer of something there, just in the undergrowth. You can’t wait to find out what it is.

#f1 #carlos sainz #carlos sainz drabble #carlos sainz smut #carlos sainz imagines #carlos sainz fanfic #carlos sainz x reader #f1 x reader

[kreiarchives]

Silent Lovefool / introduction of characters 2

part 3 - part 1

Student Council + Popular faces

With an age nobody seems to actually know, Dazai is an overly intelligent, mysterious yet also an extremely dramatic student.

Being the student council secretary, he is a well-known student despite never actually seen doing secretarial work. Many people find him charming and often funny, many find him concerning and straight-up annoying. He’s a suicidal enthusiast who seems to always be covered in bandages, which is rumored to be the result of his excessive trips to hospitals.

Being friends with pretty much everyone in Aude University, Dazai is still a smart, confident and sharp-witted student who is able to be very, very serious when the time calls for it desperately. Behind that almost lazy demeanor, he is one who can plan out situations not many could do, and even surprise teachers with quick replies once trying to dare him with questions when Dazai looks like he is not listening to lectures.

Similar to Atsushi, he doesn’t seem to be open with his major. To go even further, he probably doesn’t even have one yet—for even the teachers seem to be clueless on this. Yet when asked, Dazai will claim it as ‘a secret’.

Depicted as 20 years old. A hard-working and overly talented student, being quite prideful at times.

Chuuya was once the student council’s vice president, but he was quickly removed from this position once he suddenly asked for it. He had to go through many inquiries and even debates on why he shouldn’t leave—but in the end, his reasons and counters to these contradicting words leave him with the freedom of letting the position go. Chuuya received a lot of temporary dislike, but because of his undeniable charm and his close mix of both love and hate of a relationship with Dazai Osamu, his fame was quick to shine positive and is known as one of the most popular students in Aude.

But unlike Dazai, he is not so “buddy-buddy” with everyone. While he is acquainted with most—he prefers to have a selected group of what he considers friends. With his prideful demeanor and almost competitive add to the mix, it’s quite difficult to find people who will genuinely understand and get along with Chuuya. But he manages.

His major, according to him, is criminology, but considering the fact that he seems to be pretty knowledgeable on a lot of things, he could practically take on any major if he simply asks for it.

Depicted as 20 years old. One of the most intelligent identities in Aude University, yet with an extremely childish personality that makes him sound similar to Dazai Osamu.

Yet, quite unlike Dazai, Ranpo’s childish behavior is much more discarded as nothing because of his role; the student councils president. The highest role any student can catch in Aude. While many still understand the presence of such playful behavior, students still have faith in him due to his unremarkable intelligence. But despite the cleverness, Ranpo is unable to do basic tasks which ends up in his friend, Yosano Akiko, to help him everyday in school. Suppose that everything has a price.

In regards to Ranpo’s relationships… well, give him sweets and he’ll easily be your friend. Ranpo has an insane love for sweets of all kind—so it’s very easy to take in the friendlier heart of this president. But do be aware, he is still cautious about those of which students will call negative names, and as he is president, he will always try to understand the situation of said student before letting them all be buddy-buddy. ‘Try’… yet he always succeeds in what he does.

Ranpo’s major is criminal justice, or also criminology like Chuuya. Yet with how smart he already is, Ranpo seems to not think too heavy of his major, always not attending to it as if he does not find it important. To be fair, he only did take a major to stop the blabbering of one of his teachers that insisted him that he should take a major with how far he could go with what he has. You could say Ranpo likes being praised, for when the teacher was quick to use this card up their sleeve, Ranpo was immediately taken in and ended up taking criminology despite how he doesn’t even need it.

Depicted as 19 years old. A feminist who holds the traits of being graceful at all times, Yosano is a student many have admiration for.

She is not a student council member, however, like Chuuya’s situation—her extremely close friendship with Ranpo Edogawa brings her to be one of the most known students in Aude. She was once voted to be the treasurer, however she denies the role for she does not find interest in it.

Yosano is able to make friends with almost everyone. That is not a shock because of her calm and elegant demeanor who is still able to give a laugh in situations humorous. She is a student that many people admire just as much as the previous three, and a lot find her determined for her chosen major. But with positivity comes with another side—for she is also seen as a sadistic person behind that strong character when she’s mad. She enjoys the thought of gruesome situations and be the cause of it, which makes her a scary opponent to any other party.

Her major is biology—mainly human biology. She aspires to be a well-known doctor in the future, and she fails to show any sign of her determination dripping away, for she is even gotten as far as helping the schools nurse whenever students are in serious situations. She was quickly seen and joked as the another nurse for the school, to which she has mixed emotions to. Despite how overwhelmingly hard her major is, she keeps on trying her best to soon aim her straight to the job of an actual doctor.

#silent lovefool

[unpopularly-opinionated]

I’ve been watching this Catalonian show called Merlí. Sapere Aude, super cute, dubbing is a bit off at times, or at least I assume it is. I don’t speak Catalonian, or even much Spanish, but there are times where what is said in the dub makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, it’s strange. It doesn’t help that the show is also written kind of like a soap opera with characters having completely out of nowhere and overly dramatic outbursts of emotions, but you get used to it I think. It makes the show feel quirky. Apologies to any Catalonians if that’s just generally how your TV shows are, this is the first I’m seeing.

If anyone’s interested, both seasons are on Netflix. I can’t speak to the second one yet since I’m just starting it, but the first was pretty good. It’s definitely more gay-oriented, but also works if you’re bisexual, or just open-minded about sex, I guess (everyone kinda fucks everyone). And if it wasn’t obvious by that last sentence, there’s a fair amount of sex and nudity in it. I would say the main focus of the show is Philosophy, as it’s about a bunch of college students in a Philosophy class, but as college kids tend to do, they fuck, drink, and have parties a lot.

I’m going to spoil the major thread below so if you plan to watch it, don’t read further but I wanted to geek out over something I thought the show did really well that I’ve not seen done well in any other media before, personally.

One thing it does that I don’t think I’ve seen any other show do, least of all a US show, is show unrequited love properly. Every single time I see unrequited love done in a show it happens the same exact way: Person A has a crush on Person B. Person A and Person B have a “heart-to-heart” where Person B tells them plainly that they do not see Person A as anything more than a friend. Maybe some unnecessary added drama from Person A to pad the runtime. Person A gets over their drama, and resumes their friendship with Person B. Person A seemingly no longer has a crush on Person B, at all, almost like they never did.

It always feels incredibly cheap and like just a quick narrative byte to draw in shippers with false hope. And don’t get me wrong, this show definitely draws you in with what I can only really describe as false hope, but it’s sort of a good false hope. Like, you want Rai to like Pol back, but at the same time you maybe relate to Pol better because Rai doesn’t like him back. Or at least I did, maybe I’m projecting there lol.

I loved that even after the big reveal where Pol admits his feelings to Rai, and Rai shuts him down, those feelings are still evidently there. That’s not the end of the narrative. Pol still has a crush on Rai, only now he knows the heartbreaking, gut-wrenching feeling of rejection, and now has to find a way to cope with simply being Rai’s friend.

And I also LOVED how it didn’t just make Rai a flat character. Even though I almost wish they took this bit just a tiny bit further, I was glad that they showed that Rai was somewhat suffering from this revelation too because he knows he’s hurting Pol by not loving him back. He just want to be Pol’s friend, and nothing else, and it really sucks that feelings are getting in the way of that. And most importantly, it’s not Pol’s fault, but nevertheless it’s still stressful and saddening.

Having been someone who was/is crushing on someone who, despite rejecting my feelings, is still a close and dear friend, this show hit me and it hit me hard lol. Granted, I didn’t get to kiss my crush multiple times like Pol ends up doing, but whatever we’ve hugged so that’s good enough I guess.

#Merlí. Sapere Aude #TV shows #review #Netflix #streaming #foreign tv shows #catalonia #spain #gay #LGBT #bisexual

[brakken-spideyverse]

So, as part of my anticipation for No Way Home, I am rewatching all the live-action Spidey movies, and thought I would share my thoughts on them as I go.

Spider-Man (2002)

It had been a while since I revisited this one. It captivated me when I was younger, so I was excited and curious to see how much it held up.

The movie does a great job at guiding you through its story. I appreciate Peter’s narration as a nod to the comics’ monologues, and then it’s outta there as soon as we’re given enough steam to get the story going – it bypasses the need for an overly long introduction and backstory to Peter, which could have been an issue since we don’t spend much time with him before he gets his powers. It’s strange to think how very little we actually get of Peter interacting with Uncle Ben & Aunt May before the bigger narrative moments, yet they still manage to feel like this small and familiar piece of his life.

The weaker part of the opening is how they go about presenting ‘Peter is a loser’. From getting tripped on the bus, to MJ waving at her friends over his shoulder, it’s all a little too obvious and sticks out when there’s much subtler storytelling surrounding it. I love the scene with Harry and Norman in the car – they manage to tell you so much about that relationship, those characters. And then following with Peter and Norman meeting, the movie introduces this notion of parental pride, which flows so effortlessly in that scene that you don’t even feel its significance until their final encounter.

I think MJ probably suffers the most from the pacing. There is clearly intended depth to her character, but despite the story claiming to be ‘all about a girl’, she doesn’t really involve herself in the broader events of Peter’s life, so we don’t get a solid idea of why this is the girl that Peter’s so taken with, beyond a bit of – when it comes down to it - surface-level compliments about how when she looks at him he feels good. They have some nice interactions throughout the movie, but it’s a shame that it’s on Peter to do the ‘work’ to win her affections, while the writing seems content to let her simply exist and he is in love with her.

This next point is ultimately a nitpick, but a big setback on rewatching this movie is the look and age of the actors. The Hollywood filter really hit these supposed teenagers hard, and at times it’s tricky to go along with, say, Flash getting lectured by his teacher when they could be the same age. I think there is merit in really showing Peter’s youth, and how absolutely out of his depth he is with this life-changing burden he’s been given. But here, it’s easy to forget he’s only meant to be 19 or so by the end of the movie.

Tonally, I don’t think the Raimi films get a free pass for being ‘goofy’, but this movie strikes a fairly consistent balance with when and how it achieves that. I think it’s somewhat of a shame to not have a more loudmouthed, obnoxious Spider-Man, but it’s not like it’s entirely devoid of it. The score tells us that this story is mythic in nature, which the rest of the movie sells.

The wrestling scene comes with the most tonal whiplash. We go from this dramatic conversation between Ben and Peter – then it’s like Peter crosses through a threshold into a different movie – one where Macho Man Randy Savage has legal right to kill you, where Spider-Man can be casually homophobic, and forgets to use his Spider-Sense so he can be hit by a chair. Then as soon as that’s over, we’re right back into that harder tone. Parts of it have its charm, and can function as the high before the low, but I found my immersion getting thrown this time by just how sudden it changes.

The Raimi films are the king of having these great little ‘unnecessary’ moments and details that make the world feel more real – more lived in. I love the robber taking the cupcake from the bodega, and the hammy little montage of regular New Yorkers’ opinions of Spidey. It’s earnestly goofy, and doesn’t ‘wink’ at its audience in any way that becomes distracting.

That said, it’s an utterly strange choice to have major characters go entire scenes without acknowledging Spider-Man’s existence. We get all these shots of how the people are reacting, and then Jameson demanding photos (who is 10/10 in this movie). But then… we get a scene with MJ and Peter on the sidewalk talking about their lives as normal, followed by Harry brushing off questions about his ‘new girl’ and Norman offering to help Peter find a job. They’re both solid scenes that move the story forward at a brisk pace. But it’s simply odd that the first moment Spider-Man is actually mentioned by any of our main cast is when MJ says he’s incredible to Harry over the phone, after being rescued by him - and the scene then goes on to not mention Spidey again. The next time Harry mentions him? His father’s funeral. Meanwhile, you could make an argument that for this movie, Aunt May doesn’t even know Spider-Man exists.

Since Jameson doesn’t pay me to be a sensitive artiste, I will say that Green Goblin’s costume leaves a lot to be desired. I don’t hate it, but there’s something so primal to the comics version that would be  fitting to Willem Dafoe’s performance - it’s hard not to wish for a more ‘accurate’ look. And I get it’s the flight-suit, and that works for the lore, but if he can make a silly goblin mask, he can certainly embellish the rest of his get-up. And how dumb is it when he’s wrapped in the blanket and Spidey can’t tell, even though the dumb goblin head is stickin’ out all weird-like? I digress.

For the finale, I want to talk about ‘We are who we choose to be’. It’s what the movie is about, and what Goblin is forcing him to decide on the bridge, but I love that the movie doesn’t have the villain make that character decision for him. I mean, naturally we’re wanting to see him save the day so that Nickelback has a hero to wax poetic about, but it’s still a powerful moment when he manages to deny Goblin’s choice as to which identity holds more sway. In that moment, it isn’t a choice. In that moment, he has to be Spider-Man, not Peter Parker. And Spider-Man has to save everyone. It’s only later, when everything has settled, when that choice catches up to him. And he makes it. He chooses Spider-Man, but he does so on his terms, not Goblin’s.

‘Don’t tell Harry’ is my favourite moment in the entire Raimi trilogy. It gives this final, tragic layer to Norman as he dies – revealing that he still wants to be the man that his son respects and loves. And that line alone is the perfect evocation of the struggle in Peter’s dual identity. He saved the day, he beat the bad guy, but his best friend’s father is dead, and he can never tell him why.

Lastly I want to talk about a realization I had on this rewatch. Now, I’m inclined to think this is reading much further into it than the writers intended, but I like it, so it’s canon now. I had always wondered in the field trip scene why we get the showcase of the different spider abilities, but the movie never did anything with spiders being able to ‘change color to blend into their environment’. I wasn’t necessarily expecting Spidey to have a camo power, but the line sticks out as something we’re told they can do, and I wanted to see a callback to that somehow. I think you could make the stretch that his costume is him changing colour, but it doesn’t exactly make him blend in. Then it hit me. It’s Peter who brings up that fact about spiders, and at the end of the movie, it’s Peter who has to pretend he has no feelings for MJ, who has to lie to his best friend… who has to blend into his environment. Genius storytelling that is definitely deliberate and canon.

Anyway, I like this movie a lot. As a kid it was my favourite film, I watched it over 30 times and could quote every line. And after all this time and all these other Spidey movies, it’s nice to see it’s still pretty darn solid.

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Rating:

#nonmakeover #max talks about spidey #long post

[creativity-is-rebellion]

Body Shop Haul

I love shopping ethically, and no big brand is more synonymous with ethical sourcing than The Body Shop. I have purchased items at The Body Shop for many years, and have always found their products to be effective in addressing any skin concerns I may have, as well as having great makeup, such as lash-extending mascaras and long-lasting matte lipsticks. All products are non-animal tested and cruelty-free, and they conduct fair-trade practices in sourcing the goods they make in many corners of the world, such as Morocco and Kenya. I started buying Body Shop products when they opened in 1997, with the first product I bought being their Born Lippy lip balm in Strawberry. Since then, I graduated first to their Tea Tree range, which was the most effective in ridding my face of blemishes during my teenage years and early 20s. After that, I started using their Vitamin E products, which restored moisture to my dry skin. Lately, some of their products, such as the lip butters and body yoghurts, have been removed of bee’s wax and other items, making them 100% Vegan certified, which is amazing (and may require a separate haul-related post). Here are my brand-new purchases which I bought in bulk the other day. I will evaluate them below. Enrich not exploit!!

Items I purchased:

Vanilla Pumpkin Hand Cream, $7 AUD

This is a limited-edition hand cream, made especially for Halloween as part of The Body Shop’s Fall for Pumpkin range, which also includes a Body Butter, and a Shower Cream. I found that the hand cream absorbs quickly and effortlessly into the hands, leaving them feeling soft and moisturised. It has a non-greasy feel, and the scent has pleasant undertones of pumpkin (of course), vanilla (of course) from Madgascar, and hints of tonka bean, hazelnut, and maple syrup. The scent lasts up to 3-4 hours. I highly recommend this product and give it a 5 out of 5. Get it quick before October 31st!

Coconut Hand Cream, $7 AUD

This hand cream reminds me of an endless summer, and the scent lasts as long as the Vanilla Pumpkin Hand Cream. It glides on and is non-greasy, and leaves hands feeling soft and hydrated. It smells amazing and is the ultimate handbag must-have. It contains both community trade organic virgin coconut oil from Samoa in Polynesia, and community trade Shea from Ghana. I highly recommend this product, 5 out of 5 stars. Experience that summer fragrance all year round!!

Drops of Light Pure Resurfacing Liquid Peel, $37 AUD

This amazing peel, which for optimal results you should use 2-3 days a week, instantly leaves skin feeling illuminated after one use. With continuous use, it reduces the appearance of skin marks and freckles, and gives a more brightened and even skin tone. I personally like it better than the Vitamin C and Drops of Youth Peels, probably because I struggle with freckles and skin marks. It contains Red Algae Extract harvested from the North Atlantic Ocean, and is rich in Vitamin C Minerals. The only thing is that it can be difficult getting rid of dead skin residue straight away after the peel has been applied, and takes about 2 rounds with the skin cleanser to get it all off. I recommend this product for the results it gives you. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Vitamin E Hydrating Toner, $19 AUD

This toner is best applied with The Body Shop’s Luxury Facial Flannel (which I have previously purchased), or cotton wipes, in order to preserve its longevity, and maximise it’s effectiveness. Made with Vitamin E extract and Community Trade Soya oil from Brazil (another ethically-sourced product), this product is alcohol-free, and leaves skin feeling refreshed and hydrated. I have learnt the importance of using a toner as part of my skin beauty regime over the years, and this toner has always given me maximised benefits, and is therefore one of my favourite skin products. It effectively removes traces of makeup and skin cleanser. Using a skin cleanser to remove makeup is usually never enough, and using it on it’s own can leave the skin feeling dry, and this is where the benefits of using the Vitamin E Toner come in, ensuring the skin is both properly cleaned and that it’s natural hydration balance is restored. I highly recommend this product, and give it a 5 out of 5 stars.

Tea Tree Targeted Gel, $14 AUD

This little beauty is fantastic for targeting specific blemishes in a particular region, so as not to dry out other parts of your face. It is made with Community Trade Tea Tree from Kenya, and is 100% ethically-sourced. It is quick-drying and effective in reducing blemishes quickly. I had a break-out recently, and it was a god-send in drying out my blemishes within two days. The only thing people might not realise (but I do, so here’s the warning) is that you need to wash and wipe thoroughly the wand applicator each time after you apply it to an affected area, so as not to spread the blemishes. I recommend this product and give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

Tea Tree Mattifying Lotion, $19 AUD

This lotion is great to use as an everyday moisturiser on oil-prone and blemish-prone skin, and is effective in drying up and reducing blemishes. It is light-weight and non-greasy to apply, and, like the Tea Tree Targeted Gel, is enriched with Community Trade Tea Tree Oil from Kenya. It provides hydration without clogging pores, and is fine to use under make-up without causing further break-outs. I cannot express how much I love this product, and I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash, $15 AUD

This wash is a beauty regime must-have for blemish-prone skin. I have been using this product off-and-on for around 19 years now, whenever I have a break-out, which usually happens in summer due to the high level of humidity where I live. Again, it is made with ethically-sourced Tea Tree Oil from Kenya (enrich, not exploit), and leaves skin feeling refreshed and super clean. It tingles a little after applying, which is always a good sign if you want to know that a product targeted toward reducing blemishes is working. I give this product a 5 out of 5.

Matte Lipstick in Sienna Rose (No. 430), $21 AUD

Who doesn’t love a nude-coloured lipstick that goes with anything, and glides on seamlessly, providing total matte coverage, and long-lasting colour? No-one, that’s who. This lipstick is perfect for everyday wear, and is a beauty essential. I ate lunch, and this little beauty still persevered, and did not require a re-application afterwards. What a trooper. Also, it is enriched with Community Trade Brazillian Nut Oil,and is 100% Vegetarian. To those who are allergic to bee’s wax, it would probably be safe to avoid this product, as it contains bee’s wax. I recommend this product, 5 out of 5 stars.

Matte Lipstick in Rio Fuschia (No. 423), $21 AUD

Repeat what I’ve said above, but also, this colour is bold and bright. I love a dramatic lip colour if I decide to dress up, and this lipstick definitely does the trick. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Softening Body Butter in Warm Vanilla, $9 AUD

This is an early-release Christmas fragrance addition (the other two of which will be Rich Plum and Juicy Pear). It has undertones of jasmine, caramel, and, of course, vanilla extract ethically-sourced from Madagascar, and handcrafted Shea butter from Tamale, Ghana. It adds 24-hour moisture, and is great for normal-to-dry skin. It leaves skin super soft and silky, and it smells amazing. I found it is great for night-time application, as the fragrance calms me down and helps me sleep better. The only negative is that it takes a while for the skin to absorb it, like most of the Body Butter range. Great for getting in that Christmas spirit. It’s probably not for non-lovers of vanilla though. Grab it while it lasts!! I recommend this product and give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

Moringa Bath Bubble and Candied Plum Bath Bomb, $6 AUD

I love the bath bubble and bomb range, I just wish they were bigger!! I tend to combine up to two fragrances per bath routine (as one causes fragrant bubbles and the other gives the bath a fragrant, milky texture), and this time I chose this combo. There are so many fragrances to choose from, including Green Tea, Pink Grapefruit, Coconut, Strawberry, Mango, Candied Plum, and Moringa. The three new fragrances that will be introduced this Christmas (Rich Plum, Warm Vanilla, and Juicy Pear) will also have bath bomb/bubbles variations. I adore nothing more than a good fragrant bath, coupled with some Sauvignon Blanc and Netflix on my iPad, perfectly balanced on a bath caddy, while relaxing with some candles. The bath bubbles are not overly frothy, and the bombs provide an interesting texture. There are also bottles of bubbling bath variations ian Wild Argan Oil and British Rose available for $20, but at just $3 per bomb/bubble (and a 4 for $10 special), these little beauties are a bargain!! I recommend this product, but I’m taking away a star, because of their size. 4 out of 5 stars.

Happy Go Lash Mascara, $23 AUD

This mascara is fantastic for lengthening lashes without them clumping, and is an update on The Body Shop’s old formula, which is why I had to try it for myself!! It is definitely new and improved. It didn’t dry out my lashes or make them flaky, and made them look lush. A down-side for some people is that it is only available in black (it’s not a problem for me, because I have dark hair and eyebrows). It thickened and defined my lashes perfectly!! It is made from 99% natural ingredients and is enriched with Community Trade beeswax from Cameroon and Community Trade organic virgin coconut oil from Samoa in Polynesia.  The only issue I had was that it was not the easiest to remove, even with makeup remover. I recommend this product, and give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Born Lippy Lip Balm in Passionberry, $6 AUD

The Body Shop finally brought back this Born Lippy shade after discontinuing it, but only for a limited time. I love this lip balm colour and scent to death, as it was amongst my first Body Shop purchases when I was a teenager. It is hydrating and nourishing, and gives lips just a hint of colour. Made from Community Trade beeswax from Guide D’Espoir in Cameroon. It does what it is supposed to do (moisturise), and is a bargain at only $6 AUD. The only downside is that it doesn’t stay on your lips for long. I recommend this product, and give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Strawberry Softening Body Polish, $15 AUD

Strawberry-scented products from The Body Shop are among my all-time favourite products in their catalogue of goods. I used this product before my last shower, and was amazed with the exfoliating result after washing it off. It gently refined my skin, and buffed away dead skin cells, whilst leaving my skin silky-soft and hydrated. It contains cold-pressed strawberry seed oil, which is what provides the exfoliation, and is also infused with Community Trade honey from Ethiopia. I highly recommend this product, and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil, $33 AUD

A must-have for the summer!! Gives you a sun-kissed, shimmery look, which is great for glamming it up for a night out on the town, or for sparkling in the sunshine.  Packed Community Trade honey from Ethiopia, the non-greasy formula delivers a warm hint of shimmering colour. It drys quickly and won’t rub off on your clothing. It is my go-to for a tan-enhancing shimmer, and is great for a one-off, bronzed look. This is probably the only downside, as I wished it lasted longer than just a one-off tan application. But for what it is, it is an enduring product that can last up to 6-8 hours on your skin. I recommend this product, and give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser, $35 AUD

This product left my skin practically glowing and feeling ultra-hydrated. It provided a necessary skin boost when my skin was looking dull. It’s lightweight and non-greasy, and gave me a natural glow. It is made with ethically-sourced  Vitamin C rich Camu Camu from the Amazonian Rainforest in Peru, as well as Community Trade Aloe Vera. I highly recommend this product, and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Overall Verdict:

I will continue to shop at The Body Shop for their ethically-sourced, high-quality and relatively inexpensive beauty products. They have a wide range of attractive and beautifully fragrant products that are appealing to purchase, and provide you with a feel-good mind-set, as all products are natural and cruelty-free. Long live The Body Shop!!

Total Price: $287 AUD

#thebodyshop #ethicalbeautyproducts #enrichnotexploit #veganproducts #naturalingredients #beautyreview #beautyhaul #bodyshopproducts #creativityisrebellion

[forextraderpost]

Australian Dollar Blossoms on Strong Local Jobs Data, Better Times Ahead?

Australian Dollar, AUD/USD Analysis, RBA, Australian Employment Data – Talking Points

Australian Dollar popped on better-than-expected local employment data

RBA has pointed to signs of recovery but warned it will be bumpy, uneven

Economic stabilization may push AUD higher, tension with China a risk

AUD/USD Jumps on Australian Jobs Data

The Australian Dollar popped higher after local jobs data broadly beat expectations. The actual employment change came in at 111K, dramatically outpacing the -50K estimate and prior print at 114.7K. The unemployment rate for August came in lower than anticipated at 6.8%, over 1 percent lower than the 7.7% estimate.

AUD/USD – 15-Minute Chart

AUD/USD chart created using TradingView

Data out of Australia has started to plateau after a brief interim of outperformance brought about partially by overly-pessimistic assessments of the virus’ economic impact earlier this year. The recent publication of stellar jobs data comes in sharp contrast to what markets were anticipating, though the real question is how will it impact RBA monetary policy?

RBA Monetary Policy Decision Recap, Outlook

At the latest monetary policy meeting, the Reserve Bank of Australia announced no change to its cash rate and yield target for 3-year sovereigns at 25 basis points. They also announced an expansion of the size of its Term Funding Facility due to its effectiveness as part of a broad parcel of stimulus measures implemented during the credit crunch in March.

The central bank conveyed a strong tone of support for financial markets, stressing that “the Board is committed to do what it can to support jobs, incomes and businesses in Australia… [and] will maintain highly accommodative settings as long as is required and continues to consider how further monetary measures could support the recovery”– RBA.

The central bank said that it will continue to purchase government securities as necessary with an intent to keep the yield target in place until “progress is being made towards the goals for full employment and inflation”. While a recovery is underway in most of Australia, the uneven global recuperation will likely weigh on Australia’s export sector.

Read my weekly Australian Dollar forecast here!

China Tension Not Helping Australia’s Economy

Australia has also been under stress by virtue of escalating bilateral tensions with China, the former’s largest trading partner. The geopolitical friction escalated after Canberra called for an international investigation into the origins and handling of the coronavirus. China has unofficially responded by slapping numerous tariffs shortly after those measures were proposed.

Looking ahead, if data continues to show signs of stabilization and the urgency to introduce additional stimulus wanes, AUD may rise. Having said that, the extraordinary uncertainty of the situation means that the Australian Dollar could quickly reverse if other external factors – like tension with China or the multi-iterated ripple effect of the US election – dampen risk appetite.

— Written by Dimitri Zabelin, Currency Analyst for DailyFX.com

To contact Dimitri, use the comments section below or @ZabelinDimitrion Twitter

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