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Let's Chat | Get to Know Me & Q&A


I actually did one of these posts a while back but there are so many more readers of my blog now that I thought I'd do an update and tell you a bit about myself, as well as answer any questions on life, beauty, blogging and whatever else!


10 Facts About Me

1. I've been a pescetarian for 12 years (there's no deep reason). No, I don't miss bacon. Nope, I couldn't care less if we're out to dinner and you order meat!

2. My 'day job' is as a commercial insurance underwriter.

3. My Myers Briggs Personality Type is INFJ (Introverted, iNtuitive, Feeling and Judging), the rarest one, which explains a lot...

4. I'm left-handed.

5. My ethnicity is half English and half Jamaican.

6. I'm from Manchester but live in Woking (just south-west of London) at the moment, however it looks like I'll be on the move again soon...

7. My favourite films include The Prestige, Interstellar, InceptionMemento (yep, that's a lot of Nolan...), American Beauty, Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless MindStraight Outta ComptonBlue is the Warmest Colour, Before Sunrise and... Mean Girls (I don't feel I have to justify myself!)


8. My favourite books include 1984, The Life of Pi, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, the Harry Potter books and Noughts & Crosses.

9. I'm actually writing a book myself. Maybe one day I'll have the guts to share it!

10. I'm a cat person.

Answering Your Questions

Q: If you could only use one makeup brand forever, what would it be?

A: I'd have to say MAC because their range is just so vast I think I'd constantly be discovering new products and I'd never be able to exhaust their entire shade range!

Q: What made you start blogging?

A: I think it was essentially boredom; I'd never been more into beauty than the average woman, however I ran out of the blusher I always wore (then used up and repurchased) and it had been discontinued so I started researching alternatives online. That kind of introduced me to the world of beauty blogs and I was immediately hooked. It was the start of summer and I was definitely in need of a hobby so just decided to give it a go and start my own blog. Fast-forward two and a half years and here we are...

Q: What are your thoughts on growing so much in blogging in recent years? Is it something you think you'll continue to do in the long-run?

A: The last year really has been incredible for my blog (and I'm so grateful to all of you reading it for this!) and I really couldn't have imagined how much it would grow in a pretty short space of time. It has already slowed but I'm not going to complain; just over a year ago I could've counted the new followers I gained in some months on the fingers of one hand! As long as people keep reading and enjoying my content I'll be really happy. As for blogging in general; Jasmine Talks Beauty is here to stay for as long as I can foresee! I still love it and still feel passionate about my content so I'd love to keep reaching new people.

Q: I know your job is unrelated to blogging and pretty intensive so how do you manage your schedule to do both?

A: I think the most important thing for me was to gauge how much I could comfortably blog because I'd much rather consistently put out a smaller number of posts that are high-quality than burn out by trying to do too much. I plan and schedule a lot (including my social media accounts via Buffer) so use iCal to organise which posts will go out when over the coming weeks (it's also really handy because I can immediately access my blog schedule from my iPad, iPhone or MacBook). I also use the Blogger Journal to keep track of press contacts and tasks and have recently got into using the app Wunderlist to create to-do lists. I often also create my Instagram posts in advance via the new drafts function so if I know I'll be out or busy, so the post is ready to go and I only need a moment to hit 'post'. I take my photos in bulk and use my commute and other time spent travelling to write up the text portion of my posts and to deal with any PR emails. If I know I have a lot on at work or an exam coming up then I make sure to work pretty far in advance and ensure I put out content that isn't too time-sensitive.

Q: What are your best tips to juggle full-time work and blogging?

A: As well as the above, I think it's really important not to stress yourself out with blog-related stuff. A lot of PRs will chase you for responses after a day or two, understandably because this is their day job, however it's not yours so managing their expectations can be hard. I find that having generic templates that I can just amend slightly to the recipient in question is really handy - if something is an instant 'no' then it's still polite to respond but you don't need to write an essay. I immediately delete any spam (usually people trying to sell 'guest posts' or 'SEO expertise) and often don't reply to generic emails that weren't sent directly to me if they aren't of interest, unless I'm chased for a response. I also sometimes put an 'out of office' on when I'm really busy advising I will take a few days to reply. I think the key is not to bite off more than you can chew; it's better to do two good posts a week than if you try to do four and miss posting days or put out sub-standard content. Plus you can say 'no' to things if you're feeling overwhelmed.

Q: What are your thoughts on travel and what have you learned from it?

A: I honestly think that I'll always be a person who values experiences over material possessions; I'd much rather go and explore somewhere new than have a designer handbag. I'm actually not the best flyer but I'm determined not to let it shackle me because there's so much I want to see and do. I've barely seen anything of the world and I'm desperate to experience more. There's nothing more valuable or interesting to me than meeting and talking to people from completely different cultures and seeing what other countries have to offer.

Q: What is your biggest fear?

A: It's a bit grim but honestly, my biggest fear is dying. A little bit ridiculous when it's probably the one thing that will happen with absolute certainty... I suppose it's because I don't believe in an afterlife (or any traditional god/intervening deity), so the thought of being nothing is terrifying.   


On that positive note(!) I hope this was interesting and you have found out a little bit more about me if you were curious. Have an amazing Christmas and I'll see you back on Boxing Day with a new post!


Don't forget to follow me on:

Twitter | Bloglovin | Instagram

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39 comments

  1. Merry Christmas Jasmine! I've been following since near the beginning and like the way that, although things like your layout and photography have changed, your personality and principles have still remained the same :-) you are obviously a very driven and clever lady, I could never imagine working full time in a job like yours whilst also running a successful blog! Sian X

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    1. Merry Christmas Sian and thank you so much for your kind words :) xx

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  2. So lovely to hear more about your life Jasmine, especially reading about your work vs blog balance! Also great choice on films, American Beauty is one of my faves!

    Have a lovely Christmas :)

    The Makeup Directory

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    1. Hope you had a lovely Christmas too Sally :) xx

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  3. I'm also INFJ, actually, that might explain why most of your recs really work one me ;) Have a happy holiday, Jasmine, I will be looking forward to your blog next year!

    Selene Addicted

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    1. Thank you :) and that's so cool! I've never actually met another in real life, I don't think! xx

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  4. This was such an interesting post to read! It's always great to get to know the blogger behind the blog :) Have a great Christmas xx

    Lauren | itslaurenvictoria.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I'm glad :) hope you're having a lovely Christmas too xx

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  5. I am an INFJ-T (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging, Turbulent) and after a few years as vegan, I'm now a pescatarian too ^_^

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    1. I think I'm T too :) we have lots in common haha xx

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  6. Love posts like these, I can image how annoying it is when people ask questions around whether you miss meat or not, it's ridiculous! Nice to know more about you, also please share your book! x

    Jodie / jodiemelissa.com

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    1. Yeah I hate it when people assume things about you based on what you do/don't eat instead of just asking you. And maybe I will, eventually...haha xx

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  7. I really enjoyed this post! I really liked learning more about you Jasmine ^_^

    Laila from Townhouse Palette

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  8. Was so nice reading through this, I always love getting to know a bit more about bloggers! You live so close to me too, which is really cool!

    Lucy | Forever September

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    1. Yeah I'm always curious about the people behind the blogs too :) glad you enjoyed this xx

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  9. Merry Christmas Jasmine! Love reading your blog, I can't wait to see what content you produce in 2017.
    xx Dany | The Queens Empire

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  10. This was quite interesting! I love learning about the people behind my favorite blogs. I'm an ISFJ myself and have not meet a INFJ so, nice to meet you!

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  11. Merry Christmas!! I loved reading this - I actually did not realize that you were not a full-time blogger. So, I loved hearing your feedback. I get overwhelmed but then I just remind myself that this ISN'T my job and I do not need to over-commit myself to something that I am doing for fun!

    Kate | katelovesmakeup.com

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  12. I love reading these types of posts. I'm also an INFJ and it most definitely explains a lot! It makes so much sense and it's hard to communicate the thought process to others!

    -Sophie xx | Cherries and Perfume

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    1. I can relate to that! There seem to be a few of us in this post, though I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to come across more INFJs in the blogging world than the insurance world because it totally fits :) xx

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  13. I loved this post - great to see more personal posts on here!

    NINEGRANDSTUDENT: A Lifestyle Blog

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  14. I love this, great to know what you do other than blogging - I am so nosy lol!

    Erin || MakeErinOver

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  15. It was great getting to know you through this post! Happy holidays :)

    Nicole | The Glam Surge

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  16. Thanks for sharing ! Love your blog !

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  17. Wow, I had no idea you had a day job too! That's soo amazing how you've built such a beautiful blog and juggled it with another job too! Amazing job :)

    Neelam | www.neelamjayna.co.uk xx

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  18. Love reading this post, love your blog. :) x

    girlwithanobsession.blogspot.co.uk

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  19. I've not known anyone yet (apart from me obviously) whose favourite book is Life of Pi (oh and I bloody love the HP books too!). Your piece on how to manage full time working whilst also blogging totally related to me, I find it so hard sometimes, especially with PR's (even though I work in PR) when you sometimes have to switch up your schedule and can't get their post out when they would like, like you said, you just need to ensure to still enjoy blogging otherwise it's pointless xx

    www.iridescentplaces.com

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  20. Great post! It was lovely getting to know you Jasmine :D

    www.upyourvlog.com

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  21. Heyy Jasmine!! I must say, I never comment on things, but your blog is BREATHTAKING. We actually have the same Myers Briggs personality type... That is really pretty neat!! :) Also, Black Swan, The Prestige, Requiem for a Dream, American Beauty, Blue is the Warmest Color YES YES & YES!! Here are some others I know you'll love: Melancholia, White Oleander, White Girl, Memoirs of a Geisha, Wetlands, Girl, Interrupted, Virgin Suicides, Goodfellas, Godfathers Trilogy, No Country for Old Men, It Follows, and honestly too many more to even remember! :) Thanks so much for your amazing posts and the effort you put into them. XOXO

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    1. I loved Melancholia and Girl, Interrupted so I'll have to check out the rest as it seems like we have similar taste :) thank YOU so much for reading! Xx

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