I found this new fun site via springwise and thought it was a nice use of social media!

Based in New York, GoTryItOn lets users upload digital snapshots of themselves in various outfits. Along with each outfit, they can list the brands included and indicate whether the look is intended for a particular occasion or event. Next, they decide whether to share the look with the site’s whole community or keep it private and share only with friends. Either way, those allowed to see the outfit can then vote for or against it by clicking the upward- or downward-facing hangers, signifying “wear it” and “change it,” respectively. They can also leave comments for the person in the outfit, including any suggestions for modification or improvement.

It has so much advertising opportunity and am a bit surprised that it is not being used for direct purchasing… I imagine this concept on a site like asos where people can suggest what might look better or what accessories might compliment the outfit. The commenters also appear really constructive and nice with the feedback! Might give it a go!

Yesterday was the launch of All For Eve, a new cause related lifestyle brand started by George Hammer in memory of his sister-in-law Nadia who tragically died of ovarian cancer in 2008. The brand sends all profits straight to the Eve Appeal where monies are put into research into gynaecological cancers.

The All for Eve initial capsule collection features bath and body products created by Urban Retreat, an ‘Eve red’ lipstick created by Daniel Sandler, an ‘Eve red’ nail polish created by Sophy Robson and a Swarovski Crystal nail file.

I love the fact that there this is not just cause related marketing, but a cause related brand. When you buy ‘all for eve’ products you are choosing to make a difference to the loves of all women across the UK.

At the moment you can just buy it at http://www.allforeve.co.uk/ but from May you will also find it in Harrods, Fenwick, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols.

I wish we had the guts to do this…

Cape-based advertising agency, Bester Burke, tapped into the disappointment and despair experienced by legions of female fans last Tuesday, 29 March, with Ricky Martin’s confirmation on his website that he is gay.  Styled along the lines of a newspaper headline poster, the advert factually stated “RICKY MARTIN GAY” with an image of Yardley’s Triple Lash Tear-Proof Mascara. The advert ran in Saturday’s Weekend Argus on 3 April, four days after the big announcement.

Working in the beauty industry, this is an interesting topic for me! Grazia Mag has asked its readers what they think about airbrushing and I am interested too..

First we had Twiggy proudly baring her ‘life’ lines in Olay‘s anti aging commercial, then actress Miranda Richardson doing the same in No7‘s Lift and Luminate campaign and now cult body brand  Mama Mio have launched their first ever totally un-retouched advertisement. Starring  42 year old mum of two Simone and her amazingly flat, smooth baby-weight-free stomach! The latest in what’s quickly becoming a very definite trend – beauty brands such as Dove, No7 and Olay were the first to jump on board, this au natural campaign has got beauty insiders all of a twitter!

But do people really buy it? Does seeing an un-retouched model make you want to buy a product? Or do you want to aspire to un-achieveable beauty knowing you can probably come 80% of the way? Also, how do we deal with the harshness of lights, cameras etc. on beauty shoots…everyone must retouch a little!

In my mind, its a tricky one to figure out … if you drop the spray can and your competitors keep it then it is a disadvantage as everyone expects airbrushing… if you stand your ground and don’t touch a thing, do people realise or think it is just a bad performing product?

and that is why I have started this new blog.

After almost 1 year of writing at www.internationalrevelations.com I have decided to open the door a little wider because I think I have a lot more to say (not necessarily good or interesting, just more ;-p)… International Revelations stared as a personal exercise to give me the discipline to read more and keep in touch with my passion. I needed an output and so the blog was born. I was then surprised that people seemed to like my blog and my writing and so I started involving myself more in the blogosphere, reading other people’s blogs, commenting and socially connecting.

I love the debate that is out there on many topics and I love socially interacting with people I would never meet in real life, but I was always frustrated that I could only post about politics and international affairs and not some other topics that interest me. So here we are…after 3 months of going off the web completely to think about it, and after much consultation with my blog mentor, I have got myself a bigger soapbox. These are the topics that you might be hearing more about from me and why:

As an Assistant Brand Manager at P&G for Max Factor – As I make a big career change on July 1 (from Finance to Marketing) I’ll be writing about what I am learning about Marketing. As someone that is 3 years into their career, I will also right about work and career related topics.

As someone that has just spent 3 years working in the Fragrance industry and about to start working on Cosmetics, I’ll also post any interesting beauty topics (no, I am not going to post videos on how to put your make-up on!).

As the founder of IamGenerationY.com and typical GenYer, I’ll write about Social Media, GenY issues and perspectives and link to amazing GenY content creators.

As someone with a Masters in International Relations, I’ll still post at internationalrevelations.com and post the best articles on current affairs here.

And I am sure there will also be some random topics.

So there we go-  new (blogging) year, new job & new thesis theme …  I hope that you enjoy seeing the world a little from my perspective and hearing more about the things that interest me or that happen in my world….

I know everyone says this but please comment – it is such a buzz.

Cheers, Sarah