The Mystery Blogger Award

I haven’t done an award post for a while despite being nominated for a few lately! I’m sorry I haven’t gotten back to those of you who have nominated me but it’s because I’ve accepted the award previously. I do want to take this opportunity to mention and thank you all though.

In no particular order:

• Blush Off the Haters
• Minats
• Ella May Garrett
• Blossom Bahar

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Last week I was nominated for The Mystery Blogger Award by Faded Rouge – thanks a bunch for thinking of me!

Rules:

• Put the award logo/image on your blog.
• List the rules.
• Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
• Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well.
• Tell your readers 3 things about yourself.
• You have to nominate 10 – 20 people.
• Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog.
• Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question.
• Share a link to your best post(s).

“Mystery Blogger Award” is an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging; and they do it with so much love and passion.”

– Okoto Enigma

3 Things About Myself:

1. I have thought about starting a YouTube channel but I don’t know where I’d find the time. Plus, I’d be super camera shy!
2. I prefer buying physical copies of CDs rather than buying music digitally.
3. I enjoy seeing the reaction on people’s faces when I’ve done something nice for them.

My Best Posts:

1. Review: MAC Patisserie Lipstick
2. 30 Day Squat Challenge
3. Rimmel Match Perfection: Old vs. New

Questions I Was Asked:

1. Winter or Summer? Winter, I hate not being able to cool down.
2. Hot chocolate or tea? I don’t drink hot drinks very often but hot chocolate.
3. Earphones or headphones? I have quite a small head so I prefer earphones, the Apple ones are the best for my small ears.
4. 3 things you would take to a deserted island. (A person does not count!) Music, clothes and tools so I could keep myself occupied, warm and build things.
5. Short or long hair? On myself, long hair. Always.

I’m going to cheat and nominate anyone who wants to do this tag! I’d like you to answer the same questions I was asked.

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Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post!

The MAC Lipstick Tag

Hey everyone! I saw this tag seven months ago on Molly’s blog and I finally got around to doing it! Like most beauty bloggers, I adore MAC lipsticks. The range of formulas and selection of shades combined with outstanding quality is a winning combination! MAC lipsticks are worth every cent and the hype surrounding them is definitely real. Let’s jump straight in to the tag!

1. What was your first MAC lipstick?

My first MAC lipstick was Syrup. I chose this colour after hearing Lily Pebbles mention it in a number of her videos and I couldn’t have been more happy with my choice.

2. What was your most recent MAC lipstick addition?

I haven’t received it yet, but my brother is buying Matte Royal for me for my birthday this month.

3. What is your most used MAC Lipstick?

It’s a tie between Syrup and Patisserie (another Lily Pebbles inspired choice). Both of these shades are lovely as everyday colours as they’re relatively neutral and they go with absolutely everything!

4. What is your favourite nude/pink/red MAC lipstick?

Nude: Blankety – The perfect nude.

Pink: Without Your Love – From Ellie Goulding’s MAC collection.

Red: Ruby Woo – It’s the only red lipstick from MAC I own.

5. Have you ever repurchased a MAC lipstick?

Not yet. I definitely see myself repurchasing Syrup once I’ve used it up and possibly Patisserie as well.

6. Which of the different MAC finishes do you own?

2 x Lustre, 2 x Retro Matte, 2 x Cremesheen and 1 x Amplified making for a total of seven lipsticks. Not a lot, but still a nice little collection.

7. Which shade do you want to wear more?

Blankety. It is such a beautiful nude with an incredible formula and I don’t show it enough love.

8. Which shade doesn’t get enough hype?

All Fired Up. This is the most gorgeous fuschia-red colour which are my favourite shades to wear. Despite being retro matte, this lipstick isn’t drying.

9. Do you regret buying any shades?

Sunny Seoul – kind of. It’s a cremesheen which isn’t my favourite finish and sometimes this shade can take a few layers to build up nicely and provide even coverage. It’s my least worn MAC lipstick but I don’t want to get rid of it because it’s still stunning. Maybe I’ll pass it on to my mum.

My (Soon To Be) MAC Lipstick Collection:

10. What next?

I want to do a thorough swatch test. I especially want to swatch Brave as it is talked about so often and seems like another perfect neutral everyday colour. I’m eyeing up Show Orchid as well for when my current fuchsia shade runs out. I don’t need any lipsticks right now but I can always look for the future, right?!

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I hope you enjoyed reading this tag and definitely give it a go if you’re a MAC lipstick fan!

Blogging Awards

I have been nominated for two separate blogging awards over the past week and I don’t like to leave it too long after being nominated before I post about them. I am always grateful to be nominated and I always enjoy reading these posts and answering the questions so I hope you do too!

First off, the lovely Dannii (A Beautiful Thing) tagged me to do the ‘Entertainer Blogger Award.’ I hadn’t heard of this one before and some of the questions are different from other tags which makes it all the more interesting.

Rules:

• Answer the questions you’ve been given.
• Nominate 12 other bloggers who are funny, inspiring and most importantly entertaining!
• Write up the rules for your nominees.
• Thank the person who nominated you and leave a link to their blog.

1. What do you hope to gain from blogging? 

Blogging started out as a way to keep my mind occupied while I was looking for a job. I wanted something I could focus on and use some creative energy at the same time. I have gained so much from blogging by way of confidence and friendship. I used to be terrified to share images of myself but now I am comfortable with it. The people I’m able to interact with make everything worthwhile, everyone is so friendly. I don’t think there is anything more I want to gain from blogging, as long as I continue to enjoy it.

2. What genre of film entertains you the most? 

I think it depends what the actual film itself is about. I quite like scary movies but then I also like classic love stories e.g. Titanic.

3. Do you consider yourself a writer, and what inspires you to write?

Not in the sense that I write novels. Having this blog makes me a writer but I’ve always seen that as a skill. Being able to write well and edit has always been one of my strengths. Writing is not something I do as a hobby and I don’t intend to become an author but I do like to write. I’m inspired by feelings and things that make me happy. If something’s hard to write about, chances are it’s not enjoyable.

4. Why did you choose your particular WordPress username? 

My WordPress name is simply my first and middle names.

5. What is your favourite book and why does it speak to you?

There’s not one book I re-read all the time but one that has stuck with me is P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern. The storyline is so sweet and it’s written in such a beautiful way. Personally, I don’t think the film does the book justice and I’d advise reading the book first!

6. What is your favourite song and why does it speak to you?

There are so many songs I class as my favourites. I can’t list just one so you’re getting three:

1. Shania Twain – From This Moment On (I want this to be the first dance at my wedding).
2. Steps – Better the Devil You Know (This gives me happy childhood memories).
3. Kylie Minogue – Spinning Around (Reason as above).

7. What is your favourite photograph and why does it speak to you? 

There’s a photograph of me as a child which was taken when I was four years old. It was photo day at kindergarten and I wore my hair in plaits (with mismatching ribbons) and I wore a lemon yellow dress with butterflies all over it. I always smile when I think about that photo and it makes me think how much has happened since it was taken (in a good way). I’ve always been known as the little girl with long, red hair.

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Now onto ‘The Versatile Blogger Award’ which Gwawr (Little Girl From Wales) tagged me to do!

Rules:

• Kindly thank the person who nominated you
• Share the award on a blog post
• Divulge 7 random facts about yourself
• Finally, tag 10 bloggers with less than 1000 followers and let them know they’ve been nominated!

7 Facts About Me

1. Little things make me smile.
2. I take medication for Asthma everyday.
3. I’d much rather be cold than hot.
4. Three is my favourite number.
5. One thing I’d love to learn more about is photography.
6. I prefer Alfie to Zoella.
7. Once I’m up and awake for the day I find it very hard to fall asleep again.

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I’m going to nominate 10 bloggers and if you choose to accept, select which award you’d like to do (maybe even both!)

• Bronagh Loves
• Alice Rambles
• Me, Myself and Everything Else (Kaitlyn)
• Mrs Strawberry Blonde
• Lifestyle Bites 3
• Helpless Whilst Drying
• The Rose Quartz
• The Rose Beauty Files
• Ladies and Lace
• Faded Rouge

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Thanks again to Dannii and Gwawr for their nominations!

Behind the Scenes Tag

I was tagged by the ever so lovely Stash Matters to show you behind the scenes of my blog and allow you to get to know a bit more about me. Thank you Stashy for thinking of me!

Questions

1. What camera do you use?

I use my iPhone 5S. I have a Sony Cybershot point and shoot which I got for my birthday in 2015 and I don’t know whether the quality of the photos isn’t that great or I’m not using the right settings but my iPhone photos are better. I am actually thinking of buying a proper DSLR very soon so let me know if you have any recommendations. (I’m currently leaning towards the Canon 700D).

2. What editing system do you use?

Pic Monkey is my favourite! I just use the free version and if I want unique fonts or extra fonts I download them from DaFont.com for free.

3. Do you use artificial or natural lighting?

Natural lighting. I look at what the weather is going to be like for the week ahead and mentally make note of which photos I need to take and when I’ll be able to take them. Nothing fancy.

4. What is the top item on your filming wishlist?

Probably the DSLR camera I mentioned in Question #1! I’d love to improve my skills and learn more about photography and the flip out screen would be handy for filming videos if I go down the video/YouTube route  😉

5. What is your favourite day in the week to film/write/photograph?

I don’t have a set day for taking photos, it really is dependent on the weather. When it comes to writing posts, I try to get most of that done on the weekends but since I don’t currently have a job I’ve got more free time.

6. Do you plan your posts? If so, how?

Yes I do and I use Excel. I normally plan posts about a month in advance and I post three times a week so I have a spreadsheet with the date the post will be up and the title of the post. Once the post has been published I highlight that cell. This system lets you see everything at a glance and  it’s surprising how quickly the months fill up!

Here’s an example from a few months ago:

7. How long does it take you to write and photograph a post?

It depends on the type of post. If it’s a tag post like this that doesn’t require a lot of pictures, not long at all – I’d say roughly an hour. If it’s a review and something that requires testing and swatching, a bit longer. I normally don’t swatch and then write that post straight away especially if it’s a review, I like to use the item a couple of times so I can give a more informed opinion. For example, I might swatch an eyeshadow palette on a Monday and wear different looks that week, so the post won’t be up for another week or two afterwards.

8. How many hours do you spend editing an average post?

I’d say 30 minutes or less. I like to think I’m quick and accurate. I edit spelling, grammar, etc. as I go. Usually I get all my thoughts out, go away for a little while and come back with a fresh set of eyes. I then spend time taking bits out and rearranging bullet points. I always preview my posts and read through them as if they were getting read aloud as it makes it easier to identify mistakes. I am a real stickler for spelling or someone not using the correct word, and editing was always one of my strengths at school.

9. Favourite types of posts to write?

Beauty in general, really. I love sharing hauls and what I’ve been buying, and I love trying out new products. I do also like more personal, honest posts sometimes, hence my Hey, It’s Okay… series.

10. Do people at your school or work know about your blog?

I didn’t have my blog when I was at school but some of my friends know about it. I didn’t tell people at my old work that I have a blog but my new boss who took over the business found it.

11. What is your process of thinking of a blog idea?

At the start, I used to blog on the fly and if I had an idea I’d post about it then. At the start I also didn’t have a focus on beauty and I blogged about anything. Once I decided to post three days a week I started getting into a better routine and I haven’t managed to run out of post ideas yet. It’s a good idea to have a series or two on your blog so your readers can expect regular posts. There are a ton of post idea lists out there on Pinterest and Bloglovin’ if you’re ever stuck and some of the time inspiration comes from your fellow bloggers. There’s not one thing that inspires a post, they happen at random times. Do note them down straight away though!

12. Do you feel awkward filming in front of other people or in public?

I don’t normally photograph anything in public but I have got my phone out to take a picture of something (not blog related) before and I didn’t feel awkward. If you feel awkward maybe ask a friend to assist you so you’re not on your own and you can bounce ideas off of them.

13. Do you and your blogging friends plan out posts together?

I have done a few collaboration posts before (HERE and HERE) and they are a lot of fun! I used to run a blog series called Meet the Blogger where I would interview one blogger each week and ask them questions about them and their blogs.

One thing I’d like to do moving forward is collaborate with more bloggers. Email me or contact me through social media if you have any ideas!

14. What is your subscriber goal by the end of the year?

I genuinely mean it when I say I don’t worry about the numbers. Of course, I have little goals and milestones I’d like to reach and my next one would be to hit 1,000 followers. I don’t know that I’ll reach 1,000 before the end of the year but that’s where I’d like to be.

15. Who do you tag to do this tag next?

• Hello Kaily
• My Lip Addiction
• Lauren – British Girl In An Aussie World
• Drifting Lexi
• Lor – A Cozy Space
• Doves and Roses

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Thanks again to Stash Matters for tagging me and I hope you enjoyed reading this post!

Get To Know Me

It never fails to make me smile if I have been nominated for an award or to take part in a tag by my fellow bloggers! Last Friday, the wonderful Karen from Confetti and Curves nominated me to do answer these ‘Get To Know Me’ questions. I love reading these posts as much as I enjoy writing them and hopefully you’ll get to learn something new about me!

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What is your middle name?

Hayley.

What was your favourite subject at school?

Weirdly enough, the two I seemed to do the best in; English and Media Studies. My Media Studies teacher is one of the loveliest people and I still keep in contact with her from time to time. Writing and analysing has always been a strength of mine.

What is your favourite drink?

A little bit boring but, water – I don’t get sick of it! I also like raspberry lemonades, a capful of raspberry cordial mixed with a glass of fizzy lemonade – delicious!

What is your favourite song at the moment?

Snakehips – Cruel ft. Zayn. He’s done it again! I am absolutely loving Zayn’s solo stuff considering I’ve never been a 1D girl.

What’s your favourite food?

Crispy, golden hot chips.

What is the last thing you bought?

A new hairbrush.

Favourite book of all time?

I don’t have a particular book that I’ve read over and over again but I did really enjoy P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern. I have seen the movie but I don’t think it’s anywhere near as good as the book.

What is your favourite colour?

Pink – I’m your typical girl.

Do you have any pets?

I have one cat, a little Birman girl called Tango. I did have another cat, Chase but he had to be put down a couple of years ago.

Favourite perfume?

Viva la Juicy by Juicy Couture. I have a big 100ml bottle and most of the time I only wear it if I’m going somewhere nice, it’s too special to be my everyday perfume.

Favourite holiday?

Does this mean holiday to celebrate (Christmas, Halloween etc.) or favourite holiday I’ve been on?

I have never had a holiday in my life and celebration-wise, I’d say Christmas is my favourite. I get to give presents and it’s always a time to over indulge with food.

Are you married?

No.

Have you ever been out of the country, if so how many times?

No, I’ve never been out of New Zealand. I mention this all the time, but I really really really want to go to England!

Do you speak any other language?

I took French at school for about six years and I know some Maori.

How many siblings do you have?

I have one older brother.

What is your favourite shop?

Probably The Body Shop (I’d hate to think how much I’ve spent in there) or MAC.

Favourite restaurant?

Eating out makes me anxious and I don’t do it very often. I am a fussy eater so I always like to look at a restaurant’s menu beforehand and pre-plan what I’m going to order. I’d rather have a burger from McDonalds than a fancy three course meal.

When was the last time you cried?

I actually can’t remember… I think it would have been when I lost my job about a month ago.

Favourite blog?

There’s not one person’s blog I check every single day but I try to scroll through my reader a couple of times a day so I do see your posts!

Favourite movie?

I don’t have one that I always refer to or watch whenever it’s on TV but Grease and Titanic are goodies.

Favourite TV shows?

Pretty Little Liars, F.R.I.E.N.D.S, Gimme Gimme Gimme (it’s a bit rude but it’s hilarious!), Midsomer Murders, The Chase – I could go on forever!

PC or Mac?

I’ve used both and I still have my Macbook, but currently I use a PC. I’d love to get a proper iMac and have it sitting front and centre on my desk.

What phone do you have?

An iPhone 5S and I love it! I don’t mind that I don’t have the newest model and I’m certainly not one of those people who upgrades their phone every year or so when the latest model comes out. I have genuinely never had a problem with my phone and I don’t think the battery life is bad at all, it depends what you use your phone for.

How tall are you?

Teeny tiny, 4ft 11.

Can you cook?

Kind of. I don’t do much cooking but I can nail a good brownie!

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Again, thanks so much to Karen for nominating me! I’d also like to nominate a few people of my own:

Dannii – A Beautiful Thing

 Claire – Eclairs Cares

Molly – The Rose Beauty Files

Gwawr – Little Girl From Wales

Caroline – Iridescent Places

Hope you enjoyed reading this post and reading my answers! Can’t wait to see yours!

The Beauty Blogger Tag 2

A couple of weeks ago I was nominated for this award by Dannii from A Beautiful Thing. I am ever so grateful to be nominated and to Dannii for thinking of me. Make sure you go over and follow Dannii if you’re not already because she is super lovely!

The Rules:

• Tag the blogger that nominated you.
• Answer the questions you were given.
• Nominate 5-10 bloggers whose blog is about beauty/lifestyle/fashion.
• Write 10 questions for your nominees to answer.

Dannii’s Questions:

1. What is your favourite nail polish at the moment? (Brand and shade).

I like to paint my nails regularly but I haven’t done so for a week or two now. I will go with Bubblebath by OPI as I have worn that a lot lately.

2. What is your favourite eyeshadow palette?

‘The Nudes’ by Maybelline.

3. If you could only use three makeup items, what would they be?

Concealer, mascara and lipstick.

4. What makeup or beauty release are you most excited about?

I don’t think I’ve been excited for anything since MAC announced their collaboration with Ellie Goulding. New Zealand doesn’t end up getting lots of beauty releases or gets them after everyone else.

5. Your favourite YouTuber?

I have two: Lily Pebbles and Marcus Butler.

6. Where in the world would you like to live, if you could choose anywhere?

I say this so much, England! If I couldn’t live in England, I would happily stay in New Zealand though, it’s pretty cool!

7. What are you most looking forward to this month? (Can be a holiday, beauty, anything).

The shortest day of the year because it’s a work day 😛 I am also excited about my first blog giveaway which launched last week. I had been planning one for a while and it seemed right to doing one to celebrate two years of blogging.

8. What beauty products have you recently found disappointing?

• Garnier Micellar Water – I loved this when I first got it but I have always been on the fence ever since. It removes makeup fine but I don’t find it the most beneficial for my skin. Maybe that’s down to the six month expiry, I’ve had my bottle for more than a year and am just over half way through. I’m convinced the other bloggers who use up one of these every few months drink it.
• Simple Kind To Skin Moisturising Facial Wash – I got this back in January and have only used it a handful of times. I found it didn’t do much for my skin and I just don’t reach for this product. Unfortunately, I think this will be going in the bin.

9. Favourite song at the moment?

Justin Timberlake – Can’t Stop the Feeling. This song is so happy and full of good vibes. It makes me want to smile and dance around.

10. What one beauty or makeup item would you recommend?

Max Factor’s Excess Shimmer eyeshadow pot in the shade Copper. I have not stopped using this since I purchased it and it is a shade which I think will suit almost everybody. It’s not too shimmery for an everyday eye look and it’s so easy to wear. Normally I swipe this across my eyelids with my ring finger and I’m done. It also looks nice layered over top of brown/taupe eyeshadows (particularly from ‘The Nudes’ by Maybelline) to create a more intense look.

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I know the rules say to nominate 5-10 bloggers but I’m going to be lazy and leave this tag open to anyone who would like to do it or anyone who hasn’t done it before. I’d like you to answer the same questions I did and be sure to leave me a comment if you do this tag!

P.S. Have you entered my GIVEAWAY? CLICK HERE for info!

The Happiness Tag

Happy Monday! (See what I did there?) Last week the lovely Dannii from A Beautiful Thing nominated me to do The Happiness Tag. If you’re not following Dannii already, please do. I love reading her posts and she’s always up for a good chatter in the comments!

The Rules

• List 5 things that make you happy
• List 5 songs that make you happy
• Nominate 5 bloggers to complete this tag

5 Things That Make Me Happy:

1. Singing/music – If I could only do one thing for the rest of my life it would be singing whilst listening to my favourite songs. Hardly a day goes by where I don’t listen to music and I couldn’t imagine life without it.

2. Makeup – I love shopping for makeup, swatching it, applying it, you name it! If it wasn’t for makeup, I probably wouldn’t have taken my blog down the beauty route. As a result, I have learnt about different products and what works for me. Wearing makeup regularly and writing this blog has given me so much more confidence.

3. Kindness – Whether that’s me being kind to someone or being on the receiving end of someone’s kindness, it always makes me smile.

4. Board games – I absolutely love playing board games but I’ll admit I don’t play often enough. I either don’t have anyone to play with or no one wants to play with me. My favourites are Cluedo, Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit.

5. Painting my nails – This is one of my favourite beauty regimes. I love deciding which colour I want to wear for the week and the feeling of freshly painted nails. I have come so far and gotten so much better at painting my nails, I used to be crap. Practice does really make perfect!

5 Songs That Make Me Happy:

1. Shania Twain – From This Moment On – I am a huge fan of Shania and this song has been my favourite of hers ever since I was three years old. I have mentioned this a few times on my blog before, but I want this to be my wedding song.

2. Zayn – Pillowtalk – This is probably my favourite song of 2016 so far! I love the beat, the lyrics and Zayn’s voice. This song is different to others out there at the moment but still sounds current and very radio friendly.

3. Shane Filan – Baby Let’s Dance – I just had to include Shane Filan somewhere in this post! Baby Let’s Dance is one of my most played iTunes tracks and is classic Shane. It showcases his beautiful voice and lyrical ability and has this kind of old soul vibe mixed with pop/country.

4. Ellie Goulding – Something In the Way You Move – This track is one of the best on Delirium, it encompasses the pop/dance feel of the album and the production (Greg Kurstin) is top notch. This track is again very radio friendly and I guarantee you will find yourself bopping and singing along! This song makes me want to dance when I hear it and I can’t wait to hear it live when I see Ellie in October.

5. Kylie Minogue – Love At First Sight – Love At First Sight is a Kylie classic and I remember the video so well from when I was younger. This song will have you dancing in no time and will send you straight back to the early 2000s when I believe pop was at it’s best! I love the lyrics as well.

I Nominate:

1. Rachel’s Beauty Talk
2. Lifestylebites3
3. Adele In Glasses
4. A Brash Attitude
5. Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Thanks again Dannii!

The Miranda Sings Award

Happy Wednesday! I’m aware this month has been very award heavy but I promise this is the last award post for April and again I’d like to thank all of the lovely bloggers who have been kind enough to nominate me. Rhiannon from Smile Sweetie nominated me for The Miranda Sings Award and I really like the message behind it. It’s all about spreading positivity by listing seven things you love about yourself and then passing that onto other bloggers so they can continue the chain.

Here goes!

1. My hair! I know that it’s such a unique colour and only 2% of the world’s population have it which is pretty special.
2. My kind heart. I genuinely never want to hurt anyone and I take pride in being sweet to everybody, even if it means putting myself second.
3. My focus and determination. Whether it was at school or now at work I know what needs to be done and I just get on and do it. I’m not afraid of hard work.
4. I make the best cups of tea!
5. I am pretty awesome at bargain hunting. If you want to buy something, come shopping with me and you’ll probably get it for half off.
6. I’m an individual. I’m not like most girls and I don’t follow the crowd. I have my own interests and strong opinions and morals. I quite enjoy spending time by myself and don’t need to constantly be surrounded by other people.
7. My mind! The way I think is pretty unique and creative and not to blow my own trumpet, I am also intelligent; I did well at school. I’ve got a good memory and find it easy to retain information.

Thanks again to Rhiannon for tagging me. This is such a lovely award and I want to spread as much positivity as possible so I’m tagging EVERYBODY! ❤ Leave a link to your post in the comments!

The Beauty Blogger Tag

Hi everyone, I’ve got another tag post for you today! The lovely Sangeetha from Lifestyle Bites tagged me to do The Beauty Blogger Tag recently and today I’m answering the questions she gave me.

1. What is your key point for a successful blog?

Hard work and determination will always get you far. Also, take time to reply to comments even if it’s just a simple thank you.

2. What is your current favourite Spring makeup look?

It’s currently autumn in my part of the world but I think for spring you can’t go wrong with a light pink, shimmery eye and a bright pink lip. Actually, I love a pink lip all year round!

3. Name three branded lipsticks from your collection.

I’ll go for the three brands I own the most of: MAC, Rimmel and Revlon.

4. Do you use toner regularly and how often?

No. I’ve read mixed reviews about using toner.

5. Do you have any travel wish lists for this year?

Obviously to go to England, but that’s the same as any year! 😛

6. What are your tips on getting a pro-styled smokey eye look?

I’m still trying to master a smokey eye look myself. I think having pale skin you have to be careful and not use too much grey/black as it can look like you’ve got a bruised eye. Adding some brown into the mix warms things up a little.

7. How frequently do you clean your makeup brushes?

I aim to clean my brushes every two weeks.

8. Are you a blush or a bronzer person?

Up until recently I would have said neither. If I could only pick one to wear I would choose blush because it’s easier to find tones to suit pale skin. Blush seems harder to mess up than bronzer, you can always go over your cheeks with your foundation brush to cover up any mishaps but if you do that with bronzer you could end up looking more orange.

9. What is your take on using natural skincare products in your beauty regime?

Honestly, I don’t use any but if you do and you like using them then that’s cool.

10. What are your social media handles?

Twitter: @chanellehayley_

Instagram: Instagram.com/chanellehayley_

Pinterest: pinterest.com/chanellehayley

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I really enjoyed answering these questions and I’ve nominated seven lovely bloggers to take part in this tag if they wish to do so! Check the list below to see if you’ve been nominated and what your questions are.

Nominations:

• A Beautiful Thing
• Annie’s Beauty
• The Pink Impact
• Dannii’s Girl
• A Cozy Space
• It’s Georgia Eloise
• Face Camera Action

My Questions:

1. Favourite drugstore and high-end brand?
2. What’s your favourite makeup tool?
3. Nude lip or bold lip? Why?
4. Favourite way to relax when you’re not blogging?
5. Worst makeup item you’ve ever tried?
6. Why did you start your blog?
7. What does beauty mean to you?
8. What part of your makeup routine do you spend the most time on?
9. Name something on your beauty wishlist.
10. What’s the most expensive makeup item in your collection?

The Lip Product Tag

Two weeks ago Lauren tagged me to do The Lip Product Tag. Lipsticks and lip products are without a doubt my favourite makeup items to purchase and to apply so I’m more than happy to do a tag all about them! Also, make sure you check out the seasonal makeup collaboration Lauren and I did last week. CLICK HERE to read Lauren’s post and CLICK HERE to read mine.

What is your favourite lip balm or treatment?

I have two. Nivea’s Pearly Shine lip balm is really nice for those days when your lips aren’t looking their best and you want to wear something to keep them hydrated and nourished. If my lips get really dry and horrible, popping on some Vaseline before bed works wonders.

What is your favourite eye-catching red?

I don’t know about you but I always feel fierce when I’m rocking a red lip! If I could only pick one red lipstick to wear for the rest of my life it would be Ruby Woo by MAC. It’s a true, blue toned red which helps to make your teeth look whiter and the colour lasts all day (or night).

Best luxury and drugstore product? Also, best MAC lipstick?

I don’t own any luxury lipsticks partly because the price tag would be astronomical. It costs me $40 NZD for a MAC lipstick and if that’s not ‘luxury’ I don’t know what is!

When it comes to the drugstore, I really like Revlon’s Lip Butters. They come in lots of different colours and are so comfortable to wear. The colour can be worn lightly as a stain or built up with a few layers.

MAC lipstick wise my favourite is Syrup. Syrup is such a pretty, everyday colour that would suit just about everyone. This colour is still nude but not your usual brown-toned nude. I also think this would be a pretty lipstick to wear on a first date.

Most disappointing lip product?

BYS Pretty Little Thing. It pains me to say this as my favourite lipstick of all time is made by the same brand but they can’t all be perfect. It’s not the colour I have an issue with but when I apply this to my lips it applies patchy and doesn’t coat my lips properly. I have barely worn this lipstick as a result.

Lip liner: yes or no?

Not for me. I see the point of it but I haven’t ever felt like I need to wear it. Sometimes it’s too obvious when someone is wearing lip liner and it doesn’t look natural.

Favourite lipgloss?

In all honesty I haven’t tried a lot of lipglosses but at the moment I’m loving Rimmel’s Oh My Gloss! in the shade Glossaholic. It lasts well when I wear it to work and is a pretty, pink, everyday shade. The pink colour is more prominent in the tube than on the lips but it still looks lovely.

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I’m going to leave this tag open to anyone who wants to do it as I know there are a lot of lipstick lovers out there! Thanks for reading!