Favourite Instagram Accounts #1

Instagram is my favourite social media platform and I kind of see it as an extension of my blog. I post about makeup, I’m fond of sharing a selfie or two (I’m more confident than I used to be) and occasionally I share feelings and general life stuff. I don’t have a theme for my account and I post what I want when I want, I let my feed take on an organic feel. I don’t have a strict upload schedule but I do try to share images a few times a week.

I wanted to share the love and talk about some of my favourite accounts to follow. There’s nothing to say I won’t do another one of these posts in the future so please don’t be offended if you don’t feature this time! ❤

1. Rachael (Account: helplesswhilstdrying)

Rachael’s blog is one of my absolute favourites and her Instagram is no different! She posts a mixture including flatlays, makeup looks, fashion, and snaps of her two dogs. On her stories Rachael also shares hauls and more about her life. Rachael’s reviews and opinions are honest and she is one of those bloggers whose judgement I trust. She shows a very real side of life and what goes on behind the scenes. On top of all of this, Rachael is  such a lovely, supportive blogger and I always look forward to seeing her pictures and watching her stories.

2. Chloe (Account: chloeburfordx)

Chloe’s account isn’t one I have followed for as long as some of the others in this post but that doesn’t make it any less aesthetically pleasing. Chloe is a gorgeous girl and I love the soft, dainty undercurrent that runs through her feed and her images of cute cafes and flowers. Her outdoorsy travel images further remind me how quaint and beautiful England is and make me want to visit even more.

3. Pretty City London (Account: prettycitylondon)

I started following Pretty City London after hearing Fleur De Force mention it. The account does what it says on the tin and you’ll find of plenty of pretty pictures taken in and around London. Flowers, buildings and cafes feature a lot and this account reminds me of Chloe’s above; a beautiful, girly feed.

4. Melanie Murphy (Account: melaniiemurphy)

I’ve followed Melanie for a little while now and if you’re looking to follow someone who tells it like it is, has a kick ass attitude and is down to earth, Melanie is your gal! Melanie is an author and content creator and her videos are not your usual YouTube videos, she talks a lot about sexuality and relationships and topics she’s passionate about. Melanie also mentions her partner Thomas a lot and they make such an adorable couple!

5. Valentine (Account: its_not_snyx)

I’m not a big lover of themed accounts but I do follow a handful. Valentine is from France and sticks to a predominately pink theme but her photography is so beautiful. Sure props pop up more than once but she rotates them round and changes the layout so it’s not like you’re seeing the same thing every third picture. Her pictures are crisp and fresh.

6. Neko & Miki (Account: neko_and_miki)

This is the account I have followed most recently out of all the ones mentioned here. Cute cat pictures make me melt and I was convinced to click the follow button as Miki is a Birman which is the same breed as Halo. Miki is a lilac point and is a lot lighter than Halo (Halo is a seal point) but Birmans are known for being clever and cheeky and they are super adorable!

7. Dannii (Account: abeautifulthing2015)

Dannii is one of my closest blogging friends and I have followed her for years! She is gorgeous inside and out and always has me envious of her days out and gypsy lifestyle (meant as a compliment). She’s always traveling around and finding somewhere new to go or eat out. Dannii posts a little of everything and always leaves sweets comments on my photos. I know I can count on her if I need a friend.

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Let me know which Instagram accounts are your favourite to follow in the comments!

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November Favourites 2017

November’s favourites are all beauty items! I have been using a few new products recently and I’m pleased to say they have left good impressions. All of these products could be used together and I will definitely try a look with them in the coming weeks. In my October Favourites I mentioned I had been suffering bad headaches and this month it has been the polar opposite, I’ve barely had a headache.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. MAC Studio Moisture Cream – I bought the travel size of this moisturiser in July after reading about it on Stashy’s blog and I am a big fan! I am still on the first 30ml tube but I have already purchased a back up for when this one runs out. This moisturiser makes my skin feel smoother and softer than any other I’ve ever tried and it doesn’t irritate my skin or break me out. The scent is also really nice. MAC boasts a super-rich creamy moisturiser boosted with skin-nourishing extracts including passionfruit, spinach leaf, green tea, algae, wheatgerm and coconut.

2. Mary-Lou Manizer – I’ve owned Mary-Lou for a month now and I have been reaching for her on a regular basis. The colour is subtle but I like a light glow and not too much shimmer. I also like using this as a base shadow on the eyelids, it’s got good pigment as a shadow and I am guessing it would help cream shadows set quicker and stay in place longer. Honestly, I don’t think Mary-Lou is my favourite highlighter but I will be using it a lot.

3. Chi Chi Metal Foil Eyeshadow – Spice – Spice is best described as a warm, shimmery pink, and is a shade that would not be out of place in the Naked 3 palette. Despite pink being my favourite colour, I don’t have many pink eyeshadows as they don’t look as good as neutrals/browns on me. I was drawn to Spice because of the slight berry tinge to the pink and thought it would be easy to use due to it’s formula. I have only tried applying this with my finger so far and boy does a little go a long way! This eyeshadow can be a bit slippy so I want to try applying a base shadow underneath to see if that prolongs wear time.

4. NYX Cosmic Metals – Fuchsia Fusion – This lip cream has to be one of the most amazing products I have ever seen! If you didn’t already know, fuchsia is my favourite lip colour to wear and the addition of glitter/sparkle drew me in instantly. The pigmentation is outstanding and the doe foot applicator isn’t too big. One coat of this is enough to last a work day including eating and drinking and there is no transfer onto teeth. The formula doesn’t feel sticky like a gloss and glides onto the lips upon application. The shimmer is noticeable but there isn’t so much that it looks like a disco ball on your lips.

I had to include a close up of the tube so you can see how beautiful the colour looks and the sparkle and shine.

5. Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation in 100 Fair – I wanted to try this foundation in the shade Fair ever since purchasing the second lightest shade Ivory Beige in 2016. New Zealand doesn’t sell Fair so I ordered it from Feel Unique and the colour match is perfect! It’s everything I love about Ivory Beige but one shade lighter and a better match for my skin tone. This foundation has good coverage and makes my skin look flawless. The formula is lightweight and doesn’t emphasise lines or dry skin.

November’s Spotify playlist:

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What were your favourite things in November?

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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!

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!

Blogging Break…

Hey everyone,

For the past few weeks I’ve been thinking of taking a short break from blogging. I started this blog in June 2014 and it has pretty much been non stop for the last year. I feel like now is the right time to take a step back and focus on a few other things for the blog but not the blog directly.

Taking a break now feels natural, I have come to the end of my ‘Meet the Blogger’ posts (for the moment) but I will still email and contact fellow bloggers to see if they want to take part for when I return. I will be working away in the background, there just won’t be any new posts. I also plan to still visit WordPress daily to catch up on blogs I follow, comments and anything else! If I am nominated for any tag posts I promise I will catch up on these when I return.

I’ll be trying to post on Instagram everyday, starting tomorrow (Saturday). I’m also considering joining Pinterest and setting up a Twitter account for the blog. Be sure to let me know your thoughts on these!

Make sure you follow me on social media if you want to keep up to date with what I’m up to or you just want to say hi.

I will be back in two weeks (July 31) with my July Favourites post. Until then, look after yourselves and I can’t wait to catch up properly when I return! ❤

Lots of love,