GRATITUDE.

As we venture to Sydney tomorrow for the Australian Regency Pageant, Filming. I would like to take my time to display my appreciation and respect for the woman that has a plan from A to Z.

Kim Cancellier, our beautiful & incredible Director, has restored my faith, hope and motivation for pageantry since the beginning of this whole, crazy journey. As someone who was disrespected and used as a titleholder for past systems, I was very much done with the community.

My mum entered the National Australian Miss Pageant in 2019, as she stepped outside her comfy bubble to do something new. I supported this step in her life but never wanted to participate in this journey the following year... Until...

Kim offered her assistance to mum, never stopping to make sure the team was supported and cared for. She never missed a question and always treated her queens, well, like queens.

I truly respected this and after many reasons, I decided to join the system which led to my Regency Win in October 2020.

"Every day I am blessed to have so much support from our Director, Kim. Her actions made me want to become the best representative for her system and with that, my confidence and goals in life have peaked!"

I think everyone gets my point when I say, "SHE IS THE BEST DIRECTOR", but the reason I am writing this blog is because of her recent actions that go above and beyond.

Next Month the 2020-2021 Australian Team were meant to be heading to Vegas for the Regency International Pageant, but, because of the virus that shall not be named... We were unable to travel.

Many directors would have said, "Well sorry girls, Looks like we can't compete." but Kim fought hard to have us compete internationally from our own Aussie soil. With months of preparation we had secured our hotel and venue in Rosebery, Sydney, everything was perfect...

But with a week before the event, "The Virus" did the thing it does best and made Rosebery a No Go Zone! So our director contacted 50 or so new venues to try and arrange a new filming location and accommodation... after many hours and honestly, I think no sleep. Kim managed to get us all a new venue in Eastern Creek.

Last night at 6 pm, Queensland News said that anyone travelling to Sydney would have to Hotel Quarantine for 14 days when returning or flying into the state. our interstate girls were devastated, half our team would miss out on the international opportunity, but Kim once again made magic happen.

Into god knows what hour in the night, She arranged for our Queensland team to have their own day of filming in Coffs Harbour two days after the pre-arranged Sydney event.

Who would have thought our director would be a legit superhero! Every day these past two weeks have been inspiring as this mum of four battles the world to offer all she can to our Australian Team.

From Me to You, From Queens to Director, We Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

THANK YOU KIM!

- Ruby xxx

YOU KNOW YOU NEED IT.

With only 2 weeks to go before our Australian Regency International Pageant Filming, I thought now would be the perfect time to talk to you all about my TOP 5 Pageant Product Favourites.

These past few months I have sourced from many different brands to prepare for the big day and I am so happy to share with you all what I consider the best of the best!

So, without further ado, let's dive in.

1 . Formula 10.0.6

The Formula 10.06 brand is one I stumbled across recently after seeing great product reviews, and guess what... You can find Formula 10.0.6 at Kmart & Priceline Australia as they are a stockist! (WooHoo!)

My first purchase was the TOTAL LOCKDOWN - Spot Defending Moisturiser and the results after one week were incredible. I had a few blemish scars which seemed to never disappear but after using this one product, the scars have completely vanished!

The Spot Defending Moisturiser is a part of the Hemp & Salicylic Acid range which is :

"Perfect for blemish-prone skin, Salicylic Acid will help to treat breakouts, while Hemp calms and soothes redness."

The range also contains a Breakout Fighting Toner, Anti-Blemish Treatment, Blemish Busting Cleanser & a Pore Clearing Face Scrub.

The entire Hemp & Salicylic Acid Range costs only $56.95!

2 . Bondi Sands

Nothing beats the Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foams. I have had many professional spray tans in the past but the 3-4 hour wait where you feel sticky and stain every towel in your bathroom just wasn't for me, especially when you get a very average, still very pale look.

"With dual tanning actives and our signature coconut scent, this lightweight self-tanning foam will develop into the darkest Australian tan."

The Bondi Sands Ultra-Dark Tanning Foam is so easy to apply, dries instantly and the colour lasts!

If you want to look like a bronzed goddess for your next pageant or event, don't skip on Bondi Sands!

3 . Pure Hair

Pure Hair Extensions are the best in my personal opinion. They are made from 100% human hair and they style and blend beautifully.

I ended up purchasing the Deluxe Volume, 16 inch extensions and I absolutely adore them!

Pure Hair has a range of different colours available but if you can not get a perfect match, do not worry as they take colour very well, so no one misses out.

If you are in need of Clip-ins, Tape-ins, Halos, Micro-loop, etc, Pure Hair has got all my Aussie & International Babes covered.

4 . SHEGLAM

I came across this brand recently and I am OBSESSED!

The SHEGLAM Makeup Brand was made for pageant girls, I swear.

Not only does their COMPLEXION PRO Foundation give you a beautiful long-lasting, matte finish but the Product comes in its own protective velvet bag! (Talk about Luxurious)

So far I have Purchased their Foundation, 24 Hour - Full Coverage Concealer, Velvet Matte Lip Liners, Matte & Glow Blushers, Lacquer Allure Lip Glosses & their Sunkissed Body Highlighter Trilogy. Everything is very hydrating, moisturising & I just adore their rich feeling formula.

"At SHEGLAM, we offer luxury-grade makeup at the same drugstore price. How? By using the same manufacturers as leading luxury beauty brands, cutting out the middleman, and scaling back on excessive marketing costs."

Currently, they are collaborating with FSC-IFaw with the release of five beautiful eyeshadow palette to support Wild Animal Welfare. So, why not test out this brand and make a change.

BONUS... Nothing is over $20.

5 . SHEIN

If you know me, you would have already guessed this online store was going to be on this list!

SHEIN is the perfect place to find an outfit for Pageant Check-Ins, Orientation, Interview, etc.

This online store has pretty much anything you can think of, from dresses to suits, accessories to shoes or even storage to stationary. No one should be showing up in something generic when you have a brand like SHEIN!

Some of my favourite brands available on SHEIN that I recommend for your next Pageant are :

Love & Lemonade, Adyce, Missord & DKRX.

So, there you go, My TOP 5 Pageant Product Favourites...

Did you enjoy this list? & What is your TOP Products?

- Ruby xxx

YOUR JOURNEY STARTS NOW.

With only one month to go before we reach the second half of the year, I feel it is important for us to reflect on the year we have had thus far.

In October 2020 I was given the opportunity to represent my message of Authenticity & Individuality as I won the title of Miss Australia Regency International for 2021. My first appearance as an ambassador for this message was competing in the National Australian Miss Program as someone who was 100% confident in themself and their style.

I arrived at the competition in all my quirky, fun-loving glory. I photographed in retro pieces and posed like the dramatic queen that I am. I presented my personality in interview with no fear of what the judges would think of me and with an '80s inspired makeup look and a sassy strut... I won the title as a complete individual, I won for being me.

In years past, I have always tried to change myself to be the best candidate, but no matter what I did, I was still treated as someone who was less than perfect.

I was belittled for my height, my looks, my goofy personality and when impossible expectations were not met, I was tossed away. My service as a titleholder was overlooked, and I was left as someone who had forgotten everything that I once was.

Moments will change you, for the better or worse and although this moment in my life will forever remind me of all the negativity that came my way, I am forever grateful for being taught that I am worthy of something better. I deserve respect and I never want anyone to be treated as less than.

The COVID 19 Pandemic lead me to believe that there wasn't all that much I could do to support my message. I posted to Instagram & Facebook day by day but is that really enough?

I thought I was doing everything I could to bring awareness but I forgot that virtually... There are no limitations. I have the whole worldwide web at my fingertips and yet I only provided via two platforms.

The month of April was where I shook my head and said...

"Ruby, You can offer so much more, You are a digital mastermind... Get to it!"

I began to plan and plan and plan! and with a month to go before the Regency International Pageant, I am proud to say that your journey starts whenever you wish for it to start.

It is never too late!

With a Month to go, I plan to launch this Website. (NAILED IT), run The Prep Talk Workshop focusing on Pageant Interview, start Recording your first "The Confidence Cult" Podcast Episodes, start Filming for the "This Is Me" Empowerment Video & begin Writing and Illustrating for my first children's book.

With so many fun projects in the works, you better believe my mind and motivation is never-ending. Together we can give so much, so, Let us end this year with a BANG!

- Ruby xxx