1. Kelly Mazur - Writing Portfolio

2. Ibiza: More Than Just Nightclubs,
Parties and Drugs
September 30th, 2016
Ibiza is the world’s best example of a ‘ying­yang destination’. For every sweaty dancefloor, there’s a
pristine beach. For every party starting at 3am, there’s a yoga class beginning at 6am. For every pill
of ecstacy, there’s an organic smoothie with your name on it.
Sure ­ most people know Ibiza as a party island (and rightfully so), but there’s a completely different
side to Ibiza that makes it one of the most beautiful and spiritual destinations I’ve ever visited.
Although I don’t think I could ever visit Ibiza without dancing till dawn at Amnesia, it would also be
equally as hard for me to visit Ibiza without indulging in “the other side” of the island.
Here’s my list of reasons why Ibiza is much more than just a party:
It’s foodie heaven
From sushi to Italian, Ibiza is home to some incredibly authentic restaurants that will dazzle your
tastebuds with fresh ingredients. Talents chefs from all over the world open restaurants in Ibiza, which
is really no surprise... because who wouldn’t want to live on this island? Of course the local Spanish
food is not to be overlooked either, with plenty of restaurants serving mouthwatering paella and tapas.

3. The beaches belong on a postcard
There are dozens of beaches to choose from in Ibiza, each one of them with a slightly different vibe.
Playa d’en Bossa is one of the most popular beaches, lined with restaurants and sprawling resort­style
hotels. For a more authentic experience, head to one of the lesser­known beaches in the north end of
the island where you’ll have no problem finding a secluded section of the beach where you can tan
topless, have a picnic and feel like you have your own private slice of paradise for the day!
Ibiza Town is a shopaholic’s dream
Leave me unattended in Ibiza Town for a few hours, and I’ll max out every credit card in my wallet. The
local ‘Ibiza style’ is so laidback and cool ­ just like your vacation ­ so naturally it’s hard to resist bringing
that vibe home with you, in the form of a new wardrobe. The tiny streets of Ibiza Town are lined with
independently owned boutique shops that make Ibiza the perfect shopping destination.
You’ll find the best sunsets in the world at San Antonio
The west coast of the island is home to a town called San Antonio where every night people gather at
beachfront restaurants to watch a spectacular sunset finish off the day. The chill house music,
endless champagne and unobstructed views at Cafe Del Mar is a sunset experience like no other!
The island was made for long, lazy brunches
Whether you’re hungover or not, the best way to start your day in Ibiza is with a 3 hour brunch at your
favourite cafe. Order ‘pan cot tomate’ and ‘cafe con leche’, and try to enjoy the authentic Spanish
experience when your waiter takes more than 30 minutes to bring you your meal. This is Ibiza baby,
and everyone is on Spanish time!

4. How To Look Hot In Your Passport Picture
July 17th, 2016
When Kim Kardashian’s passport picture hit the internet last year it left me wondering whether this
was reality or not. It looked more like a supermodel headshot from a casting call than a passport
picture. But this is when reality hit me: there’s nothing stopping any of us from looking hot in our
passport pictures.
Just because you can’t smile doesn’t mean we have to show up for our photos looking like we just
rolled out of bed with a miserable look on our faces. If we treated ‘passport photo day’ like an
important event and took the time for semi­professional at­home make up application, than we’d have
passport pics worth flaunting on social media too.
To come up with a fool­proof plan for even the most cosmetically­challenged woman to follow, I called
on my past experience as a make­up artist for Lancome, Dior and Clarins. I’ve been to countless
training schools and I’ve learned first hand what kind of makeup looks best in photographs.
I’ve also had to take my share of passport pictures in the last few years working as a freelance travel
writer. Between passport renewals, international drivers licenses and visas, I understand exactly what
it takes to get a great looking passport photo! So here are my tips for looking hot in your passport
photo:

5. Take the time to do your hair properly, but don’t look “overly done”. If you usually wear your hair
straight don’t spend hours creating bombshell curls…. just blow­dry it properly and clean up your
ends by using a hair straightener. Finish off a small amount of oil to tame flyaways and give your
hair some shine!
Make your eyes look clear and bright by using redness reducing eye drops. The drops tend to run
down your cheeks when you use them, so be sure to use them before you start doing your
makeup.
Use a foundation to even out your skin tone and cover blemishes. If you don’t have many
imperfections you can get way using a beauty balm or tinted moisturizer instead. Using the right
shade is crucial when you’re trying to create a natural look. Grab a mirror and head outside to see
how your foundation looks in natural sunlight. If your foundation passes this test, you’re good to go!
Avoid a shiny face by using a loose powder after your foundation. A loose powder works better
than a pressed compact because it looks more natural, and less cakey! Use a big fluffy brush and
lightly dust the powder across your forehead, nose and chin.
Define your eyes naturally, using neutral colours. Apply matte eyeshadow in beige, followed by
brown eyeliner and brown mascara. Using brown instead of black makes your appearance look
softer, and more natural. Avoid shadows and liners that have shimmer, as the sparkle doesn’t
photograph well. Finish by lightly filling in your eyebrows to frame your face.
For lips, use a tinted lip balm in a colour that’s slightly redder than your natural lip colour. Avoid lip
glosses because they look too shiney in pictures, and stay away from unnaturally bright or dark
lipsticks.

6. To avoid looking washed out, finish your look with bronzer. The trick here is to give yourself a
natural glow, not an unnatural orange tint! Lightly apply bronzer to where the sun would normally
hit your face – your cheeks, nose and above your eyebrows. Make sure you’re using an
appropriate colour for your skin tone. It can be tempting to buy a darker colour because you want
to achieve a deeper tan, but stick to one that compliments your natural skin tone.
A few more tips for a successful passport picture:
Wear a plain black shirt for a clean look. Avoid wearing a white shirt as some photos get denied
because the white shirt blends into the white background.
Tuck your hair behind your ears to get all of your hair off your face (another requirement for most
passport photos).
Just because you’re not allowed to smile in your pictures doesn’t mean you should look angry! Try
to keep a relaxed face and “smile with your eyes”.
Ask to see your picture before it’s printed to make sure you like it. Take your time looking at it and
don’t be shy to ask them to take another shot if you don’t like the first one.