It's just see you soon.

♥

To be honest, I've spent sleepless nights this summer standing at a crossroad and finally, I've come to a decision.

I thought I could take my usual cheeky and sometimes sarcastic approach and play it down but I thought why bother?

Gritty Pretty is about raw beauty and that's exactly what this particular post is. Raw.

You, my dear reader, mean a lot more to me now than you could ever imagine so despite how difficult this is, I'm going to make this as truthful and heartfelt as my writer's fingers will allow me.

After almost 2 wonderful years as FAMOUS magazine's resident Beauty Editor, I'm hanging up my hat, I mean, my lipgloss.

Yes folks, I'm leaving!

Working with the most incredibly talented bunch of editors, writers, graphic designers, stylists and photographers has by far been the most humbling experience of my life.

I know what you're thinking. Why the hell am I leaving then if it's so damn jizz worthy? Am I leaving to become a full-time ninja and part-time bleeding lipstick fighter? Am I leaving to take up a full-time job as a gelato taste tester? Am I leaving to teach others how to knit shoes for elephants?

No.

The truth is as of next Monday 14th February, I am joining the team at InStyle magazine as their resident Beauty Editor.

Sure, FAMOUS' Editor-in-Chief will forever hold me as a traitor (Kidding! You don't really. Right? Buddy? Pal?) but it's been a life-long dream of mine to work for a monthly women's lifestyle title. It's an incredible opportunity - one that I am busting with excitement from!

Working at InStyle is going to be a life-changing experience. It's an opportunity that is going to allow me to become a brilliant editor, be mentored by the very best and also give me the experience to work with people of such a high calibre. I truly cannot wait to contribute to such a strong title and international brand.

InStyle is published in 17 other countries and with such an incredible role comes a huge amount of responsibility and sadly....  here's the part where I'm starting to become emotional because that means Gritty Pretty has to be put on hold.

Back in 2009, Gritty Pretty started one day as an idea. Now, just 10 months after it launched online, it's so much more than that. Gritty Pretty is a meeting place. Gritty Pretty is a place where you and I can discuss beauty, fashion and style together. It's also where I pull most of my shit jokes, yes?

But more than anything, Gritty Pretty is where I can be myself!

I would never have met all of the incredible readers, collaborators, fellow bloggers and many more wonderful individuals if it weren't for Gritty Pretty. And Gritty Pretty simply wouldn't be the edgy, monotone wonder site that it is without the incredible talent that is Eli Rae from Tolstoy Design. And for those reasons alone, I am eternally grateful!

I hope you can see this decision not as if I am abandoning you but simply as a young writer from Sydney making the decision to focus heavily on her ultimate dream job.

Heck, if you miss me you could always buy the latest issue of InStyle?

Plus, it is NOT forever!

Gritty Pretty's domain will be dormant but still exist online and if you ever need beauty advice, simply go up to the top right-hand tab, click on 'search' and type in what you're after. Otherwise, you can write me through Gritty Pretty's facebook fan page here to say hi. Or why not forward me some spam and viral emails of hipsters at eleanor@grittypretty.com.

After all of the product giveaways, if there is anything I can give you, it's my promise.

I promise I will return and when I do, I look forward to catching up with all of you over tea, tim tams, peach blush and powder illuminator.

So, without boring you with my novel of a blog post..... Hey! You're half reading, half watching T.V aren't you? Hey! I said get out of it!

Where was I? Yes, that's right. I want to thank each and every one of your for being so supportive whether it's reading my ramblings, leaving comments and feedback, participating in competitions or simply asking me for advice. I love it because I do it for you!

At this point in time, Gritty Pretty receives 22, 000 views per month and it still continues to blow my mind every single time!

So for now my kind, wonderful and incredibly supportive Gritty Pretty readers, I will miss you.

And remember:

It's not good bye.

It's just see you soon.

I think I have a new man crush...

Do you like?

Or do you dislike?

Last Thursday, my sidekick FAMOUS Magazine Junior Fashion Editor, Sadaf and I flew down to Melbourne for styling sessions at the Chadstone auditions. Whilst down there, we found this stunning 16-year-old who we couldn't help but think looked a lot like, well, me... only several years younger, of course!

We were blown away by the amount of stunning young girls! Although, out of the hundreds that auditioned in front of ANTM judges Sarah Murdoch, Charlotte Dawson and Ursula Hufnagl from Chic Model Management only 22 made it through to the next round.

Auditions will be held in Sydney's Pitt Street Mall tomorrow from 3pm - 7pm, in Parramatta at Westfield Parramatta this Saturday 5th February 11am - 3pm and also in Brisbane at Queen Street Mall on Saturday 12th February 11am - 3pm.

If you're around the city, come down and say hi to myself and the amazing FAMOUS Magazine team.

Are YOU Australia's Next Top Model?

Here's some quick tips to perfect your pout:

1. Line your lips using a kohl red lip pencil. Don't worry about getting too much pencil on the lips - just along the lip line, it needs to be perfect and straight. If you have shaky hands, rest your elbow on a table and apply looking into the mirror - the hard surface will make application easier. Also, using a lip pencil will prevent your lipstick from bleeding onto your skin.

2. Apply your bold red lipstick either directly or by using a lip brush.

3. Take a tissue, fold it neatly and blot your lips. This will 'stain' your lips allowing more of the pigment to penetrate your pout.

4. Reapply your lipstick again.

5. Finish by lightly dusting a loose translucent powder over the top of your lips. This will give your lippie long-lasting power from day well into the night!

I've got a penchant for them all.

The latest brass beauties I'm currently lusting over are these Bec & Bridge rings from Beginning Boutique (bottom left).

I need the entire collection in my life. Now!

Paired with a little Bloom Nail Polish in Lucy I, $19.95 (www.bloomcosmetics.com) of course.

Because one ring is never really enough. Is it?

P.S Happy Australia Day for tomorrow. Don't forget to slap on plenty of sunscreen!

I have just three weeks left - and I promise I'll reveal which magazine I'm joining as Beauty Editor very soon!

But for now, enjoy this simple picture post of leather and leopard; two of my all-time favourite things.

Yes, you read right about the second one my dear readers!

You already know about my girls trip to LA and NYC in April (not to mention three glorious days at Coachella Music Festival) but most of you might not have heard the news that I have a brand spanking new job!

I'm ridiculously excited for a new challenge!

I will be revealing which magazine I will be joining next month as Beauty Editor very soon.

More importantly, who else is going to Coachella? Holla.

Left. Right. Left. Right. Left.

Sounds like an army march, doesn't it?

Wrong!

Sounds more like eye shadow application techniques if I've ever heard one!

Y'see ladies, khaki tones aren't just designated for army pants and combat missions. Military style is not only big news in fashion but it's bigger news in beauty. Bomb-worthy even. Too much? OK, I'll halt. I mean, stop.

This season, khaki is body-rolling it's way onto your nails and eyes for a chic and understated look. Yes, khaki is the new black. Well, for now, anyway.

Instead of working your grungy greens safari-style, go tough in cargo pants, power army jackets and tailored high-waisted shorts.

To complement your look, go for sandy and khaki-toned shadows that will make eyes greener and brown and blue eyes stand to attention.

For eyes, prep your lids with a khaki pencil before sweeping M.A.C Eye Shadow in Sumptuous Olive, $32 (www.maccosmetics.com) onto your eyelids for a smouldering and smudged smoky eye.

For nails, you can't go past the forever-trend-setting-brand-that-is-Chanel. Chanel Le Vernis in Khaki Vert, $39 (www.chanel.com) which looks primped and polished on perfectly manicured nails.

Now, get back to work and start scouring the web for some army and taupe tones stat.

Hurry up soldier! That's an order...

But today, I'm about to do just that!

Gritty Pretty teamed up with the amazing Melli Cosmetics to giveaway twenty-one Beauty Pods.

Gritty Pretty once again had an incredibly overwhelming response of participants and it truly warms my heart to see so many people passionate about beauty.

So without further ado.

Drum roll please...

The winners are:

1. Leigh Anne Clark

2. Lindsey Scartozzi

3. Samantha Clarke

4. Nicole Coombes

5. Kim Brekelmans

6. Sophie Grace

7. Kim Dillon

8. Heather Larsen

9. Sarah Fleming

10. Amy Bennett Kane

11. Christina Matthewson

12. Rispa Donegan

13. Kelly-Anne Wong

14. Claire Broony

15. Krystle Field

16. Carolyn Walsh

17. Christina Berry

18. Toni Quandt

19. Kimberley Burrows

20. Brooke Leanne Cashman

21. Anna Barglowski

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to the very lucky winners! You'll have a flawless foundation finish in no time.

If your name has been listed as a winner, please email eleanor@grittypretty.com before this Friday 21st January to claim your prize. Don't forget to include your name and postal address in your email so we can post your prize off to you pronto.

Thank you again to everyone who participated! It's truly humbling to see how many people adore regularly reading Gritty Pretty.