Thursday, November 06, 2014

Blogging Tips: For Newbies and Oldies to Blogging

Recently i've been producing a lot of sponsored, wish list and event posts and while I love to swoon over clothes I can't always afford, I lost the will to blog (rather over dramatic there).
 I fell out of love with blogging; this was really bugging me because sitting down and writing a post or email became a chore rather than a pleasure.
When reflecting I feel this really due to what I blogged about, as I had topped writing about things that excited me and things I was passionate about. So as you may have seen I took a break from  took a blogging; not just because I was moving to university (post coming soon) but because I wanted to re-experience the feelings of when I first started blogging.


 I read through dozens of tutorials on photography, organisation, engagement,productivity and more; and now I have decided to compile all the information I read through into a few simple blog posts for you. I found all these articles to be incredibly helpful so I hope mine will be as helpful to you as they were to me.I will be going into more detail with some aspects (mainly the ones typed above) in the future but for now here is my five top tips for both newbies and oldies to blogging:

What are you blogging for:
(trying not to start singing songs from Mulan)
A lot of bloggers forget this simple tip like I did. The most key thing to blogging are the questions: Why do/did you want to write a blog? What do you (want to) write about? I feel every blogger needs to reflect on these questions a little more often, especially when suffering with writers block or the dreaded "I'm bored of blogging" scenario. 

Dont underestimate social media:
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, etc they are all amazing tools to have in your arsenal. Im pretty more than half my views come from Twitter and the rest are from Facebook and Instagram. /most people know this however forget how essential they are if you want people to come read your blog. No-one is going to know about your blog if you don't shout about it to the world!

The visual stuff matters:
Your blog design, your photography and your branding are the things people are going to notice first when they look at posts; quite the shallow part of blogging. Bluntly, if you don't have pretty pictures it doesn't attract new readers, but when a blog is well designed,  visually appealing and has photography which makes you lust after products or experiences, people are going to want to read.

Make an effort and others will to:
I have to admit this is one of my worst habits; putting effort into every aspect of your blog to make it great. This means creating a posting schedule and sticking to it, commenting on other peoples blogs, replying to your own comments, keeping your social media sites updated and actually posting on them etc. I feel a lot of people coming into the blogging world don't understand how much work goes on behind the scenes and sometimes it does mean hard work! The more effort you put into blogging they more you'll get out of it.

Promote individuality:
No-one wants to read a copy of someone else or dozens of the same styled posts (I rest my case with the "whats in my bag" post). What makes you YOU? What makes you that slightly bit different from Zoella, Sprinkle of Glitter or Tanya Burr? Its these differences that will make you and your blog stand out. I admit being individual in a world with thousands/millions of bloggers is rather difficult, but even if its the way you write, the pictures you post of the style of posts you do; people recognise the smallest bits of individuality and will reward you for being one of a kind. 

Hope thats helped some of you out, please do tell me in the comments if it has, or even if you don't agree with my tips write it in the comments and we can have a discussion.

Whats your top blog tip?

Anna xoxo

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Emma Stone/Gwen Stacy Inspired Makeup Look

Last Friday I was treated to a night at the cinema to watch The Amazing SpiderMan 2, and may I just say it was spectacular! Although I'd say it was a Rom-Com/Action movie (focusing a lot on Peter and Gwen's relationship and it's natural quirks) it was still filled with plenty of full-on action scenes. 
     

I particularly loved Gwen Stacy's minimal makeup, so I wanted to recreate her effortless look using affordable drugstore products.
So here are the products I used:

Collection Smokey Eye Palette in Purple || Bourjois LRP in Healthy Mix 41 || LOLA Smudger Brush || LOLA Pen Eyeliner || LOLA Mascara || Garnier BB Cream in Light || Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Light || Revlon LipButter in Peach Parfait and Tutti Frutti

I first applied my Garnier BB Cream (giving my face an even and healthy glow) and covered any spots,redness or dark circles with Collection Concealer (concealer is not necessary). For blush I lightly dusted Bourjois LRP over my cheeks to make it look very natural. On my lids I first used LOLA Eye Primer, then applied the Collection Smokey Eye Palette's highlight to my lid and used the LOLA Smudger Brush to add a dark blue shadow to my crease from the same palette. I finished off my eyes with LOLA Pen Eyeliner creating a small/thin cat eye and LOLA Mascara on my top and bottom lashes. Lastly I used a combination of Revlon Lip Butters to keep my lips looking natural and healthy.


That's the look! I hope I did it justice although my blusher doesn't really show in these pictures (it's a coral colour in real-life). I hope you enjoyed this mini tutorial/make up look, I really enjoyed researching and doing it!

Leave a comment below!



Sunday, April 06, 2014

FOTD: Bird's of a Feather


Hello there lovelies! Recently I got sent a big package from LOLA by perse with lot's of goodies inside for me to try; including some bright eyeshadow from their new spirited away collection. Im not one for bright's myself preferring nude's but I thought I'd give it a go!

I started off with my daily base: 

LOLA Illuminating Base || Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation || Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer || Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer || Nars Orgasm 

I then primed my lids with LOLA Eye Base and applied LOLA Eyeshadow in 035 (blue) to the inner corners of my eyelid. Using the LOLA Smudger Brush I lightly dusted LOLA Eyeshadow in 045 (Peach) to my crease line and outer corners, I used the brush to make the line less harsh (but you can use your fingers too!)I even added a little dash of yellow in the middle to help the two colours blend.


There it is, my first "Brights" FOTD! Its not brilliant but hopefully with a little bit of practise one day I can bring you something "exotic"! ;)


Why don't you try something new with your makeup today?

Tweet me your looks at @anniemacblog

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