www.womanthismonth.com August 2016 35 Simone Gannon first popped onto our radar when she was living in Bahrain. Now based in Dubai and managing director of Bright Room Digital, we still keep a close eye on her blog, Simone Loves Makeup, for ideas and products. Georgina Jensen, the original blonde with a blog and a dog (two now) who writes at blondeinbahrain.com and has more than 24,600 followers on Facebook! How did Simone Loves Makeup come about? I was living in Singapore many years ago and rambling on to friends at home about all of the cool and crazy makeup products I was buying. Blogging was a relatively new thing at the time so I figured I would give it a go as it would be great to talk about everything in one place, and then I could send my friends the link! You’re mum to a young boy, how do you find the time to blog as well as being a successful businesswoman? It can be hard to juggle everything at times, but I generally manage to keep all the balls in the air. My husband is great and supports me in my blogging and vlogging efforts, which really helps. I’ve always enjoyed blogging and making YouTube videos, it’s become a real passion - so even when I’m really busy, I’ll squeeze in time during the week or at the weekend. What tips would you offer to anyone wanting to start their own beauty blog? I would say just do it! It’s easy to set up a blog and pretty low-cost, you just have to shell out a few BD on buying the domain name and setting up hosting. Figure out what you want to talk about and get going! What’s been the strangest question or reaction you’ve experienced on your blog? Probably people asking me where I live, right down to which street I live on, which can be a bit strange! Apart from the occasional odd question, the blog readers are lovely and big beauty fans, just like me! What beauty product can you not live without? Eyeliner. I wear eyeliner every day as I like defined eyes [and it helps me look awake!]. My two favourite liners are L’Oreal Perfect Slim Liquid Liner and Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Get Liner. Both excellent, long-lasting and easy on the wallet too. UK and Europe. Globally, there are numerous women who dress modestly, who are not necessarily Muslim and/or hijab wearers. They seek inspiration from bloggers like myself as we have become a 'modest fashion' community. What was the best piece of advice you were given when starting out? Invest in a proper domain name and write about subjects you are truly passionate about. Who is your beauty/style inspiration? Style Inspiration: Olivia Palermo. Beauty Inspiration: Jennifer Lopez – her skin has never looked better and she's 46! I know, I still can't believe her age. The Make-up Lover The Original Bombshell Simone Gannon What made you decide to start a blog? I started blondeinbahrain.com as a creative outlet, as I love to write, create and take photos. I’ve lived in Bahrain since 1998 so know the island well, and have always known that there are a lot of great things going on here – sometimes they're just a little harder to find, especially for expats. I wanted to showcase the beautiful places and talented people, and throw in a few handy tips as well. What would you say is the secret to your success? Commitment, consistency, and kindness. I’ve worked hard to get my blog where it is, and dedicated a great deal of time to it. It also pays to be nice to people – whoever they may be. What’s the best opportunity you’ve been offered thanks to your blog? It’s impossible to pinpoint one single opportunity, but the biggest benefit is that being part of the blogging scene has allowed me to make the most amazing friends – many of them fellow bloggers. Despite being very diverse, we’re such a tight-knit group and always support each other. What’s your own favourite beauty product? It’s got to be a bright, bold lipstick in either fuchsia or red. I just love Chunky Funky Lips, and Extreme Wear Lip Lacquer – both WOW by Wojooh. They’re both super-pigmented and stay on all day. What’s next for the Blonde in Bahrain? I'm looking forward to more collaborations – between brands I love and, of course, with my fellow bloggers. Georgina Jensen
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