tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276141438655240292024-03-18T14:21:19.155+00:00sparklyvodkaUK beauty, fashion & lifestyle blog written by a 28 year old graphic designer and mumCarolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.comBlogger614125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-39460829335984029372019-07-27T21:00:00.000+01:002019-07-27T21:04:38.645+01:00 Five Ways To Look & Feel Your Best<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9CvVNfQNHFbvqs0dkHc36q0z3nWwUfRzzOoC65st6pvoCBb4bxNYu95lrZPzJEUHrWiCPEN1ZhSOywL12-M0B8p5TknaDovPqKyvaCrwTFBUMudUJOmHOa84U3nLU-MOPm3G8GKcBw/s1600/peachgoldnails.png"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">If you're struggling when it comes to looking & feeling your best then don't worry, there are many simple things you can do to improve the way you see yourself. Although you may feel as though you've lost your way when it comes to your physical or mental health, it's important you do everything you can to find yourself back on your feet. When we're feeling down, it's dangerously easy to let our healthy habits slide & in the end that will only make you feel worse. Whilst it may seem incredibly difficult at first, there are lots of things you can do to ensure you're feeling better in no time. With that in mind, here are five ways to instantly boost your self-esteem: <br />
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<b>Do Your Hair & Makeup More Often</b><br />
One of the easiest ways to look & feel your best is to ensure you're doing your hair & makeup as much as possible. You might not be leaving the house or going anywhere special but getting yourself ready is a great way to boost your mood. It's been proven that feeling good about your appearance can help when it comes to mood & positivity so if doing your hair & makeup helps you to feel good, you should definitely be doing it as often as you can. Taking some time to go through your skincare regimen & complete <a href="https://www.today.com/series/morning-routine/4-minute-morning-makeup-routine-will-save-your-morning-t82991" target="_blank">your morning makeup routine</a> will make you feel so much better. Who cares if you're only popping to the supermarket? Throw some glitter on your eyelids & embrace your glam side, even if you just need a fresh loaf of bread!<br />
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<b>Go For Regular Appointments At The Salon</b><br />
On a similar note, going for regular trips to the salon can really help when it comes to boosting your mood. Whether you have your hair done or you get a fresh set of acrylics, there's no better feeling than walking out of a salon after being pampered. If you can't fit regular salon trips into your monthly budget, you might want to think about how you can <a href="https://www.herworld.com/beauty/easy-diy-beauty-treatments-salon-experience-convenience-your-own-home-lip-scrub-honey-natural-artisanal-homemade-skincare-regime-masks" target="_blank">recreate the salon experience at home</a>. Foot spa machines can be incredibly affordable & make you feel like you're getting a luxury pedicure when you're just sat on your sofa. If you want to go one step further, invest in a LED lamp & do your own gel manicure at home.<br />
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<b>Consider What Will Make You Feel Better About Your Appearance</b> <br />
Another important thing to consider when it comes to looking & feeling your best is thinking about what is going to make you feel better about yourself. Whether this means focussing on <a href="https://www.sparklyvodka.com/2019/07/how-to-become-more-body-positive.html" target="_blank">body positivity</a> or undergoing <a href="https://www.weymouthstreethospital.com/blog-post/gynaecologist-london/" target="_blank">cosmetic gynaecology</a>, it's important you're thinking about whether or not these are changes you want to make. For some people, going through with cosmetic procedures is the only way they can feel more comfortable in their own skin. If you're unsure, speaking to someone you trust about how you're feeling might be worthwhile.<br />
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<b>Surround Yourself With People That Make You Happy</b><br />
A great way to ensure you're always feeling your best is to surround yourself with the people that make you happy. Spending as much time as you can with your family & friends will always make you feel better. Plus the happy memories you make with these people can help you to get through tougher times. If someone makes you unhappy it's perfectly reasonable to cut them out of your life. Toxic relationships can be so unhealthy, it doesn't matter whether it's a family member or your boyfriend. Similarly, unfollowing people on social media that make you feel bad about the way you look or your life in general is one of the best things you can do for your mental health. After all, comparison is the thief of joy.<br />
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<b>Practice Self-Care Where Possible</b><br />
Finally, it's important to practice self-care whenever possible. Mindfulness is a fantastic therapeutic technique that is vital for proper self-care. It involves being more aware of the present moment & allows us to notice habits or negative thoughts that don't serve our wellbeing. Mindfulness is especially useful because it ensures that we use self-care for the right reasons. Without a mindful attitude, we may use self-care as a form of distraction to avoid our feelings or put off doing important tasks. Self-care can take many forms & it doesn't have to be incredibly fancy. Sometimes it can be something as simple as getting dressed, brushing your teeth or washing your hair. If you do want to partake in something more indulgent, take the time to enjoy a hot bath, read a good book or go for a long walk - you may be surprised just how much of a difference it can make to your mood.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com73tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-4414280211037614052019-07-26T21:35:00.000+01:002019-07-26T21:35:15.751+01:00Bravura London Moisturisers<img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8676/29778775566_dce693924d_o.png" alt="Bravura London Azulene Moisturiser Glycolic Acid Night Treatment"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Hardly a week goes by without the launch of some new skincare products. These launches can be difficult to ignore because it's only natural to want to try something new & improved. As a beauty blogger I love trying new things, especially when it comes to skincare so it can be quite rare to come across a product that I will continue to repurchase again & again. I change up the actives & serums constantly but one thing I have stuck with for a very long time is my moisturiser. These two little pots of joy come from <a href="https://www.bravuralondon.com" target="_blank">Bravura London</a>. They have a perfectly curated range of skincare products designed to treat the problems that come with many different skin types. I love the First Cleanse Oil for removing my makeup & their <a href="https://www.sparklyvodka.com/2017/06/bravura-london-chemical-peels.html" target="_blank">chemical peels</a> are simply fantastic. I don't use as many of their products as I used to ever since The Ordinary came along but I have stayed loyal to their moisturisers for several years.<br />
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<img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8261/29731832481_a12242f591_o.png" alt="Bravura London Azulene Moisturiser"><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.bravuralondon.com/collections/moisturise/products/azulen-moisturiser-50ml" target="_blank">Bravura London Azulene Moisturiser</a></b> (£10.20 / 50ml)<br />
A quick search through my inbox revealed that I first bought this moisturiser back in 2016 & have repurchased it a countless number of times over the past three years. If that doesn't tell you how much I love this product, I don't know what will! It's a really lovely way to finish off your skincare regime whether you have normal, oily or combination skin. I sometimes switch to their <a href="https://www.bravuralondon.com/collections/moisturise/products/collagen-moisturising-cream" target="_blank">Collagen Moisturising Cream</a> during the Winter when my skin gets a bit drier but for the most part, this particular moisturiser is the best thing for my personal skincare needs.<br />
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The blue colour of this moisturiser comes from one of it's most important ingredients, azulene. This is a natural, botanical extract from chamomile flowers that helps to soothe sensitive skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to prevent the formation of blackheads & blemishes. Don't let the colour put you off, the Azulene Moisturiser looks completely normal once you've applied it to your skin. If anything, the ever so slight blue tint makes your complexion look brighter & less sallow. You only need to use a small amount of product so each jar tends to last me quite a long time. This light, emollient cream is fragrance-free but in my opinion, it smells a tiny bit like marzipan. The Azulene Moisturiser has an aloe vera base so it never feels heavy or greasy. In fact it has stopped my skin from producing as much oil, probably because it has helped to keep everything properly hydrated. It absorbs quickly & feels really comforting. Along with azulene & aloe vera, this moisturiser features rosemary, sage & hop extracts to help calm irritation & heal the skin. The combination of hazelnut, wheatgerm & avocado oils provide lightweight yet effective hydration without clogging pores. This is why it's such a great product for my blemish-prone skin.<br />
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I use this moisturiser every morning without fail because it helps to keep excess oil at bay & has an almost matte finish. Yet it still provides all the hydration that my skin requires. The Azulene Moisturiser makes a wonderful base for makeup. It works really well with the rest of my skincare routine & doesn't cause pilling. The soothing formula has helped to prevent breakouts & reduce redness. It leaves my skin feeling softer, smoother & a whole lot healthier. I also use it at night because those healing properties are always welcome after some chemical exfoliation. You can mix it with a few drops of something like rosehip oil, argan oil or squalane for some extra hydration. This simple trick turns the moisturiser into more of a luxury treatment to really pamper your skin before bedtime.<br />
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<img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8441/29778778696_e1082ef268_o.png" alt="Bravura London Glycolic Acid Night Treatment"><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.bravuralondon.com/collections/moisturise/products/glycolic-acid-15-night-treatment-50ml" target="_blank">Bravura London Glycolic Acid 15% Night Treatment</a></b> (£17.40 / 50ml)<br />
Although I do mainly use the Azulene Moisturiser mixed with a facial oil at bedtime, I'm also a big fan of this moisturiser that has been supercharged with glycolic acid. I adore Bravura London's chemical peels as they are extremely effective but they can be a bit of a faff to use. Sometimes I'm just way too tired to do my full skincare routine at night even if my complexion is crying out for help. When I'm feeling lazy I just wanna wipe off my makeup with some micellar water, pop on a tiny bit of moisturiser & jump into bed. But that's probably not the best thing for your skin. So to combat my chronic idleness, using a rich moisturiser infused with a high percentage of glycolic acid means I get some much needed exfoliation & nourishment at the same time. I've tried moisturisers with acids in before but none of them have been quite as effective as this one.<br />
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The Glycolic Acid 15% Night Treatment is ideal for dry, mature or problem skin. It's particularly good for blemish-prone skin that gets too dry when using gel moisturisers or oil-free lotions. However it should be avoided if you have really sensitive skin. The cream is quite thick & luxurious with a lovely buttery texture. You only need to use a tiny amount & have to massage it in really well. It doesn't smell quite as pleasant as the Azulene Moisturiser but the scent soon dissipates after application. I find that it can make my skin sting a bit when first applied, especially if I have any active spots but it doesn't cause irritation or redness. After a couple of minutes it melts into the skin & makes my face feel incredibly soft. It also kills off any blemishes, clears blocked pores & fades scarring. I honestly noticed a difference after just one use as when I woke up my face was glowing. When you first start using this moisturiser, you should only apply it every other night so that your skin can adjust to the high acid content. Over time the glycolic acid in this moisturiser will make your skin look smoother & scars will become less noticeable. As well as exfoliating the skin, it stimulates the production of collagen which will give you a more youthful & plumped up complexion. It also allows your moisturiser to penetrate the deeper layers of skin to provide some truly intense nourishment.<br />
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Another way I like to use this moisturiser is as a targeted blemish treatment. You can just apply it directly on top of any congested areas to quickly tackle any pesky spots. Many fast-acting spot treatments tend to dry out the skin & that often makes things look worse, especially if you want to conceal it with makeup. Just like the Azulene Moisturiser, the Glycolic Acid 15% Night Treatment has aloe vera & safflower oil as the two main hydrating ingredients so it will keep your skin feeling perfectly moisturised whilst banishing blemishes. This product really does make your skin look clearer overnight & it allows you to streamline your skincare routine so you can get even more beauty sleep. Brilliant!<br />
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<center><img src="http://i38.tinypic.com/mb0gon.png"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-7322983049554728572019-07-17T17:12:00.000+01:002019-07-17T17:12:43.222+01:00How To Become More Body Positive<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBexWd8LM0txBjxSDYMhJalC7wrt-Nw-M0KTiEAxy0nuVvAg2JrnO6tVQdmcdPELAEoEwpCac3NVUANGRp7_3Oyi5XwmyRj_61lTjT5yopogC6Zn3XJCEOd2kPpRkZG03by0jZnM2Dg/s1600/bodyconfidence.png" alt="Self Love Brings Beauty Body Confidence"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">We all beat ourselves up about our bodies & our looks from time to time but for some people, it can be a real issue. Living with a negative image of ourselves can really get us down. It can cause us to withdraw & avoid social situations. When trying on <a href="https://www.sparklyvodka.com/2019/03/four-looks-from-femme-luxe.html" target="_blank">clothes</a>, we might think that an item doesn't fit or suit us & that we need to change ourselves instead of society. It can cause people to lose their sense of self & can affect their confidence in every aspect of their lives, including at work or in personal relationships. We are constantly bombarded with images of what we should look like through advertising, TV, film, social media & celebrity culture. Magazines run articles about dangerous fad diets or how to fit into this outfit & it can make us feel as though if we're not doing these things, there is something wrong with us.<br />
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Breaking out of this cycle of low self-esteem can be very difficult but it is certainly achievable. The types of thinking associated with having a negative body image can be contagious & hard to stop. We all need to be a little kinder to ourselves when it comes to our appearance. It's not merely a case of not putting yourself down or thinking positively. It involves changing our entire outlooks and using new inclusive language & phrases to evoke a greater sense of self-worth. This may seem like a challenge but it's one that's definitely worth the effort.<br />
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<b>The Human Body Is An Amazing Thing</b><br />
You are an amazing person. Allow yourself to take that thought in. Everyone on this planet is unique & there are so many things about you that are special to you. You will have personal qualities, talents & abilities that you should be proud of and you will have features that you should be proud of as well. Focus on celebrating these instead of dwelling on the things that you don't like about yourself.<br />
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<b>Dressing To Feel Good</b><br />
Shopping on the high street can be frustrating, looking at mannequins with impossibly small figures & clothes racks full of items that don't go much higher than a size 16. It can leave you feeling frumpy & like there's nothing you could possibly look good wearing. However there are plenty of companies that specialise in <a href="https://www.theiconic.com.au/womens-curvy-clothing/" target="_blank">plus size clothing</a> that is designed to make you look & feel good. Shopping for clothes online can be a much less stressful experience because you can try on clothes in the comfort of your own home & there's a much better selection available.<br />
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<b>Avoid Comparing Yourself To Others</b><br />
Looking at others & thinking that they are perfect can spell trouble for our minds. We can often fixate on elements of another person & subsequently <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/prescriptions-life/201803/how-stop-comparing-yourself-others" target="_blank">compare ourselves</a> to them. But in truth, you don't know how that other person feels about themselves. They may be racked with self-doubt & they will probably have hang-ups surrounding parts of their body too. Set your sights on becoming the best version of yourself, no one else matters. <br />
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<b>Think Health Goals</b><br />
Changing up your diet & exercising is absolutely fine. In fact, making sure you're getting plenty of the right nutrients and enough exercise to keep your heart & body healthy is definitely recommended. But when we've got a problem with our body image, we often focus on trying to lose weight or change something about our bodies. It's not the best reason to do something. Doing it for health reasons is far more productive & a lot more beneficial.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i38.tinypic.com/mb0gon.png"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-10688439257084807692019-07-04T14:01:00.000+01:002019-07-04T14:01:03.622+01:00June Favourites<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48188656602_b7ca7a6ecd_o.png" alt="NYX Bare With Me Spray, NYX Tinted Skin Veil, Revolution Fast Base Concealer, NYX Matte Liquid Liner, Fenty Setting Powder"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="https://www.feelunique.com/p/NYX-Professional-Makeup-Bare-With-Me-Prime-Set-Refresh-Spray-130ml" target="_blank">NYX Bare With Me Prime Set Refresh Spray</a></b><br />
My love for NYX has well & truly been rekindled with the launch of their Bare With Me Collection. I picked up a few different pieces from them last month & the first item that really impressed me is their Prime Set Refresh Spray. This multitasking spray can be used before, during & after the makeup application process. It's infused with aloe & cucumber extracts so it's ideal for sensitive skin. It primes your skin for makeup, helps your makeup to last throughout the day & adds a hit of hydration whenever you need it. You get a whopping 130ml for £10 so it's really good value for money, especially when compared to Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray & it'll keep your makeup in place just as well. I always use a spray such as this when working with powders to stop them from sitting on top of the skin. If you spritz a bit on top of your cheekbones before applying highlighter, it really makes the pigment pop & allows you to buff in the powder to perfection. One thing I don't like about this product is the spray nozzle. It seems to spurt out randomly rather than giving you a nice fine mist. I often end up with more of it on my t-shirt than on my face! I like the spray itself but I think I'll probably decant it into a different bottle.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.feelunique.com/p/NYX-Professional-Makeup-Bare-With-Me-Tinted-Skin-Veil-BB-Cream-27ml" target="_blank">NYX Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil</a></b><br />
The next product I bought from the Bare With Me collection is the Tinted Skin Veil in Vanilla Nude. My skin has been pretty good lately so I wanted something really lightweight with minimal coverage for those super hot days when I don't want to wear a ton of makeup. This stuff fits the bill perfectly & works as a fantastic base when you just want to lightly even out your complexion. Like most foundations, I think it looks best when applied with a BeautyBlender but this is the kinda product you can quickly smear on with your fingers when you're in a rush to leave the house & you'll still look great. It looks very natural & allows your skin to shine through whilst covering any redness. The finish is quite matte but I think that adds to the whole natural appearance & means that it doesn't break down on the skin. It stays put for a surprisingly long time & even survived the recent heatwave. I picked up Vanilla Nude which is the lightest yellow toned shade & it's a pretty decent match. It actually has more of an olive undertone but it works well to correct any discolouration in my skin & blends in seamlessly. I just really love this product. It's so easy to use & helps you to look a bit more put together with hardly any effort. It's a lazy girl Summer staple.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.superdrug.com/Make-Up/Face/Concealer/Revolution-Fast-Base-Concealer-C1/p/758270" target="_blank">Revolution Fast Base Concealer</a></b><br />
Revolution have two foundation ranges that I really love - Conceal & Define and Fast Base. If you haven't tried the Fast Base Stick Foundation I highly recommend it. I was interested to see how its concealer counterpart performed especially as this concealer is only £3! The packaging is very similar to the Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer with the round fluffy applicator on top. This concealer provides lightweight buildable coverage & is ideal for brightening up dark circles. The formula is very creamy & easy to blend with just your fingers. You can easily pop this in your handbag for touchups throughout the day using the small cushion applicator. I really like the coverage & it delivers instant radiance with a really smooth, natural finish. This is one of the cheapest concealers I've seen in the likes Boots or Superdrug but it's actually one of the best. Think Touche Éclat but at a fraction of the price!<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/nyx-professional-makeup-matte-liquid-liner.html" target="_blank">NYX Matte Liquid Liner</a></b><br />
Another NYX product that I've been loving is their Matte Liquid Liner. I usually prefer felt tip pen style liners & was previously using their Epic Ink Liner. However the nib started leaking weirdly & began to dispense way too much product. The liner kept bleeding when I applied it & would sometimes run into my eye which I did not appreciate after spending an hour on my makeup! So I decided to pick this one up instead because I saw <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/By6ES_NDg87/" target="_blank">this gorgeous look by Alyssa Marie Artistry</a> where she used this particular NYX liner. The Matte Liquid Liner comes with a fine tipped brush so you can get a really crisp line & a sharp wing. The liner is extremely pigmented & dries down to a fully opaque true matte black. It's really long lasting, doesn't smudge & doesn't make my sensitive eyes water. I thought the brush would be difficult to work with because I'm so used to felt tip liners but I've had no problems with it at all. It's a great liquid liner & I'm much happier with this product than the Epic Ink Liner.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.boots.com/fenty-beauty-pro-filtr-instant-retouch-setting-powder-10263149" target="_blank">Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Setting Powder</a></b><br />
I've been dying to try some products from Fenty Beauty for so long but I could never decide what to buy first. I finally got the chance to play with their products in person when they recently launched in the Trinity Leeds branch of Boots. I had originally planned on getting the foundation but the finish is way too matte for my liking. In the end I came away with the Instant Retouch Setting Powder in Butter mainly because NikkieTutorials raves about it. I've been using translucent powder for a while but I wanted something with a bit of pigment to help brighten up my dark circles. Butter is a light yellow colour so it's a great match for me & adds just a touch of colour for a flawless finish. The powder itself is so finely milled & feels silky soft on the skin. I don't think I've come across such a superfine or lightweight loose setting powder before. It literally feels as light as air. It also has a subtle sweet scent which I really like. Once applied it has a blurring effect on the skin, hiding pores & smoothing over fine lines. It sets my foundation & concealer really well whilst airbrushing my skin to perfection. The finish is matte but not cakey at all. You can reapply it throughout the day & it'll keep your skin looking fresh. I've worn it out in the blazing sun, felt sweat pouring down my forehead & my makeup hadn't budged an inch. This setting powder is everything!<br />
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<center><img src="http://i38.tinypic.com/mb0gon.png"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-88429133090879455092019-06-07T19:31:00.000+01:002019-06-07T19:31:27.212+01:00CODE Beautiful Fabulous Lip Duo + Giveaway<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47973803878_f229ec1c41_b.jpg" alt="CODE Beautiful Fabulous Lip Duo"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">If social media has made me self-conscious about anything, it's the size of my lips. I wish my top lip wouldn't disappear when I smile & that my bottom lip wasn't wonky from a childhood accident. Lip fillers seem like the best solution to my issues & even though I've found a fantastic nurse to perform the procedure, I'm still a bit anxious about getting it done. It's impossible to scroll through Instagram without seeing thousands of girls with cosmetically enhanced lips & most of the time, it looks amazing on them. However you often come across people who have gotten the most awful looking trout pouts. You can get weird lumps & the risk of necrosis is also pretty scary. Plus despite my previous snakebite piercings, I'm not the biggest fan of needles! So for something a little less permanent, lip plumping products are a much safer alternative. Visually you won't get quite the same impact but at least you don't have to worry about butchering your face in the process. I've been testing out a couple of lip enhancing products that I was kindly gifted by <a href="https://code-beautiful.com" target="_blank">CODE Beautiful</a>. They specialise in creating handbag essentials that are effortlessly effective & flawlessly reliable. As such they only have four products in their whole collection. I received their Lip Intense Plumper & Soft Smooth Lip Liner which promise to deliver more defined, volumised & hydrated lips without a needle in sight. Both products are cruelty free & vegan friendly.<br />
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<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47973802963_6dde923166_o.png" alt="CODE Beautiful Lip Intense Plumper Nude Rose"><br />
<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47973855566_ebbabb1f67_o.png" alt="CODE Beautiful Lip Intense Plumper Nude Rose"><br />
<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47973803058_b80b771e63_o.png" alt="CODE Beautiful Lip Intense Plumper Nude Rose Wand"><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/CODE-LIP-Lip-Intense-Plumper/dp/B071NW1J6P/" target="_blank"><b>CODE Beautiful Lip Intense Plumper in Nude Rose</b></a>* (£20)<br />
This plumping lip gloss has such a unique formula. The gloss has been infused with coconut oil, sweet almond oil & castor oil for an instant boost in moisture as well as peppermint oil to give it a tingly plumping sensation. However the special ingredient is something that CODE Beautiful have called Hilurlip. This is an exclusive blend of hyaluronic acid, tripeptide-1 & dimethicone to help redefine the natural contours of the lips & create a more sculpted look. It promises to give you fuller lips over time. Hilurlip also contains compounds that protect the lips from sun damage & help to minimise the appearance of small vertical lines. The more you apply the lip gloss, the better the results!<br />
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The gloss comes in this gorgeous rosy pink shade which naturally makes your lips look larger. It's nowhere near as pigmented as it looks on the wand, in fact it becomes a very sheer baby pink that just adds a pretty tint to your lips. When you first apply the gloss you will feel an intense tingling sensation that lasts for about twenty minutes. During this time your lips will gradually plump up, creating a fuller pout whilst smoothing out the appearance of fine lines. The Lip Intense Plumper won't last through eating or drinking but the effects are still noticeable even after the gloss has worn off. I find it really comfortable to wear, it feels instantly moisturising & isn't sticky at all. It's one of the smoothest, silkiest glosses I've used & applying it becomes very addictive! After about a week of use I noticed that my lips were looking fuller without any product on so it definitely has a long term boosting effect. The results are very natural looking but it still makes me feel more comfortable with the size & shape of my lips.<br />
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<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47973803138_de4f4e8568_o.png" alt="CODE Beautiful Soft Smooth Lip Liner Nude Blush"><br />
<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47973794912_9dd4f9b6f9_o.png" alt="CODE Beautiful Soft Smooth Lip Liner Nude Blush"><br />
<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47973803253_d2c7dfd2b7_o.png" alt="CODE Beautiful Lip Duo Swatches"><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/CODE-SSL-Soft-Smooth-Liner/dp/B072BQRC1G/" target="_blank"><b>CODE Beautiful Soft Smooth Lip Liner in Nude Blush</b></a>* (£18)<br />
Although the gloss looks pretty by itself, the real magic happens when you combine it with this lip liner. The formula of this lip liner is one of the nicest I've ever tried. It glides over the lips with the greatest of ease & blends out smoothly with no harsh lines. It's a lip liner, lipstick & lip plumper all in one. The liner is packed full of ingredients to stimulate collagen, condition & give volume. You can just wear it as a traditional liner to prevent feathering or contour your lips but I prefer to fill in my lips with liners as a long lasting lipstick. This allows you to overline your lips without it looking too obvious. I think the rosy pink shade is beautiful & naturally enhances the colour of my lips. It makes my lips look so smooth & youthful. If you wear it with the Lip Intense Plumper it doesn't last through eating but if you wear it by itself the colour will stay put for hours. One of my favourite things about this lip liner is the packaging. It features innovative self-sharpening technology so you get a perfectly pointed tip every time. You just turn the lid clockwise until you hear it click & your lip liner will be ready to go!<br />
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<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48018344453_24a5944254_o.png" alt="Bare lips"><br />
<center><i>Bare lips</i></center><br />
<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48018327801_b0b11a1602_o.png" alt="Wearing CODE Beautiful Lip Intense Plumper"><br />
<center><i>Wearing the Lip Intense Plumper</i></center><br />
<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48018421352_b80bb29845_o.png" alt="Wearing CODE Beautiful Soft Smooth Lip Liner"><br />
<center><i>Wearing the Soft Smooth Lip Liner</i></center><br />
<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48018421397_ff1e7ff4bb_o.png" alt="Wearing CODE Beautiful Fabulous Lip Duo"><br />
<center><i>Wearing the lip duo</i></center><br />
<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48018421277_40abe40340_o.png" alt="CODE Beautiful Fabulous Lip Duo On Lips"><br />
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Overall I'm really happy with these products from CODE Beautiful. They both look gorgeous whether worn alone, with each other or combined with other lip products. I love how they feel on my lips & although the results are subtle, they look fantastic. Plus this natural level of fullness is certainly more believable than suddenly getting 2ml of Juvederm injected into your lips! This fabulous lip duo will instantly enhance the look of your lips as well as increasing volume over time so they're well worth trying for both short term & long term results.<br />
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Fancy winning a set of these amazing lip products? I have teamed up with CODE Beautiful to offer a Soft Smooth Lip Liner & Lip Intense Plumper to one lucky person! Just use the widget below to enter. The giveaway ends on the 18th of June 2019. The full terms & conditions can be seen at the bottom of the widget. Good luck!<br />
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<a class="e-widget no-button" href="https://gleam.io/axyLq/win-the-fabulous-lip-duo-from-code-beautiful-14" rel="nofollow">Win The Fabulous Lip Duo From Code Beautiful #14</a><script type="text/javascript" src="https://js.gleam.io/e.js" async="true"></script><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-336037897988342682019-06-02T19:31:00.000+01:002019-06-02T19:31:41.505+01:00May Favourites<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46917119735_bedbbd6859_o.png"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="https://www.superdrug.com/Make-Up/Face/Concealer/e-l-f-16hr-Camo-Concealer-Fair-Warm/p/772887" target="_blank">e.l.f. 16hr Camo Concealer</a></b><br />
Does anyone else remember the early days of blogging when you couldn't look at a single beauty blog without seeing e.l.f. hauls everywhere? They were a bit of a novelty for a while because you could only get their products online in the UK & the prices were absurdly low. I, for one, am so grateful that they now have stands in Superdrug because they have so many new products & it's really helpful to be able to swatch everything in person. One product that immediately caught my eye was their 16hr Camo Concealer. I love anything full coverage & the shade range really impressed me because there's something for everyone whether you have cool, neutral or warm undertones. I picked up Fair Warm which is an extremely pale shade with light yellow undertones. I swatched it next to few other concealers in Superdrug & it's so much lighter than Revolution's Conceal & Define Concealer in C1. This really sold it to me because I've always wanted that highlighted undereye look without having to use a true white concealer. The 16hr Camo Concealer provides full coverage with a matte finish. The formula is quite thick but it applies smoothly & feels lightweight on the skin. It dries down really quickly so you have to work fast, preferably applying it to one area & blending it out before moving on to the next. It covers everything exceptionally well, lasts all day & definitely gives me that brightening effect. In fact it might be a little too light for my skin so I sometimes mix it with something else. I'd say that the only downside is that it can be quite drying & if you have a lot of fine lines under your eyes, this might not be the best option. But if you want something that will cover every single imperfection, this is a great concealer.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.superdrug.com/Make-Up/Face/Foundation/Liquid-Foundation/Revolution-Conceal-%26-Define-Foundation-F1/p/768749" target="_blank">Revolution Conceal & Define Foundation</a></b><br />
As a huge fan of Revolution's Conceal & Define Concealer, I was really looking forward to trying its foundation counterpart. I bought the shade F1 because I use the concealer in C1 & it's a great match for my skintone. My first impression was that it's basically the same as the concealer, just in a bigger bottle with a even larger doe foot applicator. After using it for the past few weeks, I'd say that's a pretty accurate assessment & I'm okay with that! This foundation provides lightweight but buildable coverage with a satin finish. I absolutely love how it looks on the skin. It hides blemishes & pigmentation whilst giving a smooth flawless finish. You can really layer it up for a truly full coverage base without it looking cakey. The formula feels creamy & comfortable to wear. I've had no issues with creasing & it doesn't emphasise any dry patches. It does last a long time on my skin but my t-zone gets noticeably oilier by the end of the day. Nothing a little powder won't fix but you might want to bear that in mind if you have very oily skin. Overall I'd have to say it's one of the best foundations I've tried in a long time. If you like the concealer, you will love this foundation.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.boots.com/schwarzkopf-got2b-glued-spiking-glue-150ml-10117364" target="_blank">Schwarzkopf got2b Glued Spiking Glue</a></b><br />
This little yellow tube of hair gel is a multipurpose marvel. I originally picked this up because I saw some makeup artists using it instead of brow gel. You just get a little mascara wand, add a tiny bit of gel & brush the hairs upwards for natural looking bushy brows. I've tried it a few times now & really love the effect. If you have unruly brow hairs, this stuff will soon whip them into shape! Then I noticed some people on YouTube using it to secure lace front wigs. Now that I've sworn off the bleach I can't dye my hair fun colours anymore so I thought that wigs could be a great alternative & lace fronts give you the most realistic looking hairline. I never thought that hair gel could be used to glue wigs down but this gel is so powerful, it kinda makes sense! I also use it as a traditional hair gel in conjunction with a medium-bristled toothbrush. I mainly use it when I go to the gym because I have loads of annoying short bits near my hairline that always fall down when I put my hair in a ponytail. By brushing those bits of hair with the gel & the toothbrush, you can get really close to the scalp & they'll stay in place through even the most extreme workouts.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.boots.com/pixi-vitamin-c-tonic-100ml-10263703" target="_blank">Pixi Vitamin-C Tonic</a></b><br />
I've really started getting into Pixi skincare lately. I loved their Retinol Tonic so much that I had to go out & get the Vitamin-C Tonic right away. Just like with retinol, it can be difficult to find vitamin C products that are effective without irritating the skin. Pixi's toners aren't the most concentrated products but they still work wonderfully. The mild formulas are suitable for all skin types & are gentle enough to use on a daily basis. Vitamin C is such an important ingredient in skincare because it helps to promote healthy collagen production whilst boosting the skin's luminosity. This toner is a fab way to supercharge your skincare routine with vitamin C. It's made from a blend of citrus extracts & ferulic acid to brighten the complexion and gently exfoliate the skin as well as protecting against free radicals. The probiotics in this brightening toner help to protect & balance the skin's barrier. The toner feels very fresh & hydrating on the skin so it's really lovely to use. It has a gorgeous sweet citrus scent that reminds me of orange sherbet. Over time this toner promises to gradually diminish signs of sun damage, fine lines, scarring & other imperfections. I've been using it every day for a whole month & I've definitely noticed a difference in my complexion. My skin tone looks much more even, my pores are less visible & my face is glowing. This toner hasn't irritated my skin at all, which is something I was slightly worried about when I first bought it. I'd highly recommend this product as a gentle brightening solution & will be repurchasing it when I run out as I love the results!<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.beautybay.com/p/anastasia-beverly-hills/dipbrow-gel/dark-brown/" target="_blank">Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Gel</a></b><br />
ABH brow products are my absolute fave & their Dipbrow Pomade is probably the best thing I've ever put on my eyebrows. So when they announced the arrival of their Dipbrow Gel, I knew I had to get my hands on it. The timing was perfect because every Anastasia brow product I own is in the shade Medium Brown which was looking a little ashy on me with my new hair colour. I went to the ABH counter in The Trafford Centre so that I could try out the other shades in person & ended up coming away with Dark Brown. It's a little bit deeper & warmer than Medium Brown which is exactly what I was looking for. Dipbrow Gel is basically a liquid version of Dipbrow Pomade. It's a highly pigmented brow gel with a long-lasting, waterproof formula so you can rub as much as you like, your brows won't be going anywhere. The unique formula adheres to brow hairs, creating the appearance of fullness & dries down to a seamless matte finish. It has made the process of doing my brows quicker & easier than ever before. One of the things I love most about this product is that you can dip a brow brush into the gel to add more definition or create individual brow hairs for a more realistic, natural look. It's an incredibly versatile gel & I rarely feel the need to use anything else. It might well replace every other brow product in your collection!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-36361084704841322142019-05-23T18:12:00.000+01:002019-05-23T18:12:19.905+01:00Ways To Take Your Blogging Game To The Next Level<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnbd-6BCQ9x-73o0xhdmsT-pSzOia4c8yCU1cPdfmFlQ6aJCvMgfjKiAOe1yziufyDvEYauU9QC9d3RrW1IRrEO_aywkqlpwLOmDl6KYTlIGh96D2MepTSl0umK7SIwEQQnP-7efhjg/s1600/blogplanning.png"><br />
<center><i>[AD] Collaborative Content</i></center><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">When you first start a blog or if you're thinking about starting one, you don't always know what to expect. Although <a href="https://www.sparklyvodka.com/2018/12/tips-for-perfecting-professionalising.html" target="_blank">blogging</a> has been around for some time now, when you're a newbie you often feel unsure of what you're doing. As long as you're enjoying creating your content, that's all that really matters. When you put in the hard work, your blog will begin to grow organically & opportunities will start to flood your inbox. If things are going really well you might consider turning your blog into a business instead of a hobby. Taking your blog as a serious business can actually be a lot of fun & it doesn't have to be a big deal or a lot of pressure. Sometimes you think that in order to take things to the next level, you have to put in a lot more time & effort. However you can continue to do it with the same passion & enthusiasm as you are now, just with a few simple changes to get some incredible results.<br />
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It's important to remember to work smarter, not always harder. That's quite often the difference between blogging for fun & blogging as a business or earning money from your blog. Most of the time, you can still put in the same amount of work (or perhaps a little more) but notice that the results you're getting are just infinitely better. When you've been blogging for a while you naturally become more knowledgeable & have a lot more experience in order to propel your blog to the next level. Blogging is an ever changing industry so there's always new things to learn & new ways to improve your results. Here are a few handy hints to help you to develop your blog & achieve professional success.<br />
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<b>Set Goals For Yourself</b><br />
Setting goals gives you a clear purpose of why you're doing this & what you want to achieve. I'd highly recommend coming up with a set of <a href="https://theblogpress.com/blog/blogging-how-to-define-goals-and-make-them-happen/" target="_blank">goals for blogging</a> because they give you a reason to keep going when you feel like giving up. You can always go back to your goals & remember why you started blogging in the first place. Goals hold us accountable, especially if we share them with others. You might have a huge goal to strive towards like earning enough money to give up your regular job or it might be something much smaller like being able to pay for your weekly food shop using your blogging income. Come up with a positive statement or mantra & use this as motivation.<br />
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<b>Create A Better Brand</b><br />
Something that a lot of new bloggers often overlook is that you need to think about creating a brand for your blog. What is your blogging niche? Do you want to provide the best makeup swatches or inspire people with your stylish outfits? Do you like sharing delicious recipes or documenting the lives of your children? There's nothing wrong with being an all-rounder but there are some clear benefits to having a distinct topic for your blog. You can target specific clients & show them that you're a specialist in that subject. Plus you'll only be writing about stuff you love which makes the whole process so much easier. Also think about how the way your blog looks represents your niche. You might decide to use different styles of photography for each subject. Colours, fonts, imagery - all of it matters.<br />
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<b>Redesign The Blog</b><br />
To help you make sure that you're creating the brand that you want & bring it to life, you could also think about redesigning the blog. Sometimes your old blog design might not look all that professional, nor does it suit your niche or what you're trying to achieve. You may find that you can <a href="https://www.blogtyrant.com/blog-design/" target="_blank">improve your blog design</a> to better suit your brand. When you do this, you'll feel so much more professional because of it. There's plenty of wonderful designs on Etsy that you can customise to your heart's desire or you might commission a web designer to make you something truly unique. If your blog looks good, it'll showcase your content in the way that it deserves.<br />
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<b>Come Up With A Marketing Plan</b><br />
Next you'll want to make sure that you have a plan for your marketing. This can seem quite daunting as there are so many different areas to focus on. When it comes to your social media, you'll want to be strategic about it. Make sure you post regularly, even if you don't have new blog content to share. Tag brands that you've featured on your blog because this can be a great way to find new contacts. Try to include SEO in all of your posts. Simple things like adding alt tags to your images & correctly naming your photos can make a huge difference. You may also want to start a newsletter to further interact with the people that love your blog. You can offer something in exchange for their subscription such as a free E-Book or some Photoshop Actions for them to download.<br />
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<b>Get Your Name Out There</b><br />
If you want your blog to be able to grow, it needs to be known. In order to be successful, it's important to get your name out there into the world. Brands won't offer you any opportunities if they don't know that you exist. So as you're coming up with your marketing ideas, make sure that you know how you're going to deal with your own <a href="https://www.digitalox.co.uk/online-reputation-management/" target="_blank">online reputation management</a> or get help with it. You can do this with social media but there are other PR tactics to consider too & that's why it might be a good idea to enlist the help of an expert.<br />
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<b>Work With Experts</b><br />
As blogs become bigger businesses, many people have started to hire others to help them out. If you become really successful you might want to hire an assistant to go through your emails or edit your photos. Not many people are quite at that level yet but you might still want to think about working with experts to help you grow your blog. This could be a graphic designer, a web developer, a marketing consultant or even an accountant, to help you with all the behind the scenes stuff. That way you can carry on creating content without being bogged down with the finer details.<br />
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<b>Monetise In New Ways</b><br />
When it comes to levelling up, you'll definitely want to think about how you can make more money. To do this, you need to consider diversifying the ways in which you do it. Are you using affiliate links, advertising or sponsored posts? If not, can you use all three to take your earnings up a notch? Personally I've found the most success from sponsored posts & affiliate links. Most of the time brands approach me for sponsored posts but I've recently started sending out pitches & it's not as scary as it sounds. Choose some brands that you love or are planning to feature on your blog anyway & ask them if they would be interested in working with you. Make your pitch personal to the client & explain what you can bring to table. Give them examples of your best work & tell them about your experience. Include some of your personality & finish with a subtle call to action. An easier way to do this would be to create a media kit with your stats & rates. It'll make you look really professional to boot!<br />
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<b>Take On Freelance Work</b><br />
One of the ways that many bloggers earn money is by offering freelance services. You might think that you can only make money from the blog itself but you can also use your skills & experience to find other work. This is where the idea of being a <a href="https://www.goodfinancialcents.com/how-to-become-a-freelance-writer-and-get-paid" target="_blank">freelance writer</a> can come in. You can write for businesses or media outlets & these often tend to pay better than sponsored blog content. Another thing to consider is registering for freelance job boards such as PeoplePerHour, UpWork or Fiverr. They might only be small jobs but they can certainly set you on the right path when it comes to making connections, building your portfolio & getting references. You never know, a client might really like your work & hire you for a much bigger project.<br />
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<b>Create A Product</b><br />
Another idea for you here is to launch a product. This could work in one of two ways. You could think about downloadables such as E-Books, online courses or design services. Some people are willing to pay a lot of money for your photo editing secrets. But another thing to consider is making merchandise. A lot of YouTubers come out with merch but there's nothing to stop bloggers from doing it too. Maybe you like the idea of creating t-shirts or notebooks or anything else related to your niche? I'd love to design a set of enamel pins based around makeup or skincare products. Let me know if you'd be interested in buying some haha!<br />
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<b>Write A Book</b><br />
Now this may not be the case for you but if you love blogging because you really love to write, then maybe you've always wanted to <a href="https://jerryjenkins.com/how-to-write-a-book/" target="_blank">write your own book</a>. If this is the case, you may find that you're actually put off from doing it because it feels like such a distant dream. But as you're building your blog, & essentially your online presence, you may find that it's the perfect time for you to think about writing that book. While you will need to actually get to writing, find yourself an agent & aim to get published. You could even publish it yourself via Amazon as the Kindle book market is growing all the time. There are so many bloggers, YouTubers & even Instagram influencers that have come out with books now so there's no reason why you can't write one yourself.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i38.tinypic.com/mb0gon.png"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-59424928409640971082019-05-22T17:00:00.000+01:002019-05-22T17:00:42.693+01:00Ultrasonic Beauty Algae Peel-Off Mask<img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4812/32005575288_a44d8b58fb_o.png" alt="Ultrasonic Beauty Algae Peel-Off Mask"><br />
<img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4913/44963544205_bc4daf3f8c_o.png" alt="Ultrasonic Beauty Algae Peel-Off Mask Powder"><br />
<center><i><a href="https://www.ultrasonicbeauty.com/collections/face-mask/products/algae-peel-off-mask" target="_blank">Ultrasonic Beauty Algae Peel-Off Mask</a>* - £23</i></center><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Face masks will always be the most fun way to treat your skin at home. I really enjoy trying them out, especially when they're as unique as this one. Not only does this mask come in powder form, you get to peel it off your face! The Algae Peel-Off Mask from Ultrasonic Beauty is designed to tighten & lift your skin. It is suitable for all skin types but has been specially formulated to treat tired, mature skin that has started to show visible signs of aging. This mask would be great for anyone with dry, dehydrated skin, wrinkles, loose skin, signs of fatigue or enlarged pores. It can also be used to soothe the skin after professional cosmetic procedures. I'm only 30 but sadly I have to admit that my face has already started to look puffier & saggier than before so I was rather keen to slap it on my skin & get peeling!<br />
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Inside the tub you get 200g of powder which you mix with water to create the peel-off mask. You only need to use a little bit each time so there's enough in here for several applications. The only other powdered mask I've tried is the <a href="https://www.sparklyvodka.com/2016/09/august-favourites.html" target="_blank">Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay</a> which I mix with apple cider vinegar to create a supercharged clay mask that will eliminate all impurities from deep within your pores. Mixing masks up yourself can be a bit messy but it's also kinda enjoyable. Much like the Aztec Secret mask, this one has a very short ingredient list but it's packed full of nutrients to rejuvenate the skin. As the name suggests, the star ingredient here is algae in the form of spirulina. This blue-green algae is an extremely rich natural source of essential vitamins (A, B1, B2, B12, D, E, K) & minerals including zinc, sodium, calcium, selenium, iron, phosphorus, potassium & magnesium. When used topically spirulina intensively moisturises, reduces inflammation, tones the skin & encourages cell turnover to promote a more youthful looking complexion. As well as your face, this mask can be applied to the neck & décolletage so that they can also benefit from the firming & lifting properties. We often neglect these areas when using skincare products but they tend to be some of the biggest telltale signs of age, since the skin on our chest area is very thin & sensitive.<br />
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<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47809783992_2ff576a2a6_o.png" alt="Ultrasonic Beauty Algae Peel-Off Mask Mix"><br />
<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47809784042_3cf372ce27_o.png" alt="Ultrasonic Beauty Algae Peel-Off Mask Applied"><br />
<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40895451923_b31d5d5296_o.png" alt="Ultrasonic Beauty Algae Peel-Off Mask Peeled"><br />
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The instructions recommend using 2-3 tablespoons of the powder mixed with water to create a thick paste. However they don't tell you how much water to use. Personally I found that a 1:2 mixture of powder to water worked best. It kinda looked like thick green glacé icing once I found the right consistency. Another thing to bear in mind is how much of the mask to apply to your face. If you put too much on, it'll take forever to dry down. If your application is too thin, the mask will crack & won't actually peel off your skin. You want a nice even layer of product to truly benefit from the mask & make it easy to remove. The amount I tested on my hand was perfect & peeled off in huge chunks so I knew exactly how much to use on my face & neck. The wet mask mixture feels extremely cooling & refreshing on the skin. About 20 minutes after application, the mask will harden to a rubbery finish providing an instant lifting & firming effect. It doesn't feel tight on the skin like a clay mask but I definitely noticed that firming sensation. I then peeled the mask off starting from the bottom first.<br />
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As long as your application was decent, the mask is fairly easy to remove. It comes off in chunks rather than one huge piece but it's still really satisfying to peel it off your skin. There was a powdery line around my face where the edge of the mask had been but this is easily removed with a flannel & some water. After peeling off the mask you're left with super fresh, well hydrated skin that looks visibly lifted. It also leaves the skin feeling much softer & gives it such a healthy looking glow. The algae mask almost acts as a skin serum, helping to regulate the acid mantle. This increases elasticity & improves skin tone. It helps to smooth out fine lines & soothe irritation, minimising pores & imperfections. In terms of results it's very much like a sheet mask. You'll notice an immediate difference to your skin but the effects aren't particularly long lasting. Overall, I was really impressed with the Ultrasonic Beauty Algae Peel-Off Mask. I was amazed at how quickly it had de-puffed my skin & brightened up my complexion. It does a brilliant job at making the skin feel firmer & more hydrated whilst also minimising the appearance of pores. This mask is definitely worth checking out if you want younger looking skin without resorting to cosmetic procedures!<br />
</div><br />
<center><img src="http://i38.tinypic.com/mb0gon.png"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-5864162891120958532019-05-16T16:11:00.000+01:002019-05-16T16:11:17.526+01:00April Favourites<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47833400121_87dbee5858_o.png"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="https://joshwoodcolour.com/products/frizzy-brunette-shampoo" target="_blank">Josh Wood Colour Renewing Shampoo For Brunette Hair Prone To Frizz</a></b><br />
When I dyed my hair back to brown, I needed to get some new products to help maintain the colour. Being brunette is much lower maintenance than platinum blonde but when you use a darker dye over bleached hair, the blonde bits will inevitably start peeking through over time. Using the wrong kind of shampoo & conditioner can make the colour fade even quicker. To keep these chocolate tones looking fresh I picked up some of the Josh Wood Colour products specifically for brunette hair. They contain advanced UV filters to prevent fade as well as saffron & turmeric to keep brunette hair looking glossy & vibrant. The shampoo & conditioner for brunette hair prone to frizz are a dreamy duo that have made my hair look healthier than ever before. They make my hair feel really clean & soft whilst keeping frizz in check. I love how gloriously shiny my hair looks & I'll definitely be picking up some new bottles this week as I've just ran out!<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.boots.com/soap-and-glory-call-of-fruity-bubble-in-paradise-refreshing-shower-gel-500ml-10248181" target="_blank">Soap & Glory Bubble In Paradise Refreshing Body Wash</a></b><br />
Soap & Glory make some fabulous shower gels with utterly gorgeous scents. I normally go for their Sugar Crush Body Wash because I love the fresh citrusy notes but a couple of months ago I couldn't find it in any Boots store for some reason. In it's absence I decided to try their Bubble In Paradise Body Wash. This product is part of their Call Of Fruity scented range which is their exotic new fragrance with mango, papaya & coconut. It's such a lovely tropical scent that completely fills the bathroom. The formula is really creamy & feels moisturising on the skin. It lathers up well so you only need to use a tiny amount & having a shower with this beaut body wash is a great way to start your day.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.boots.com/maybelline-dream-urban-cover-protective-makeup-10261975" target="_blank">Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Foundation</a></b><br />
IT Cosmetics are so annoying. They've made one of the most gorgeous looking foundations of all time & yet they refuse to fully expand the shade range. 12 shades is nowhere near comprehensive enough & when drugstore brands like Revolution manage to bring out 50 shades of foundation, it just makes IT Cosmetics seem like they don't care. So when I heard rumours that Maybelline's latest foundation was a dupe for the Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream, I went out & bought it immediately. Maybelline are yet another drugstore brand who have a very inclusive range of foundation colours & 100 Warm Ivory is a perfect match for me. I use their Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation in the same colour so I knew it would be a safe choice. The foundation has quite a liquidy formula & it feels very lightweight on the skin but it still delivers in terms of coverage. I wouldn't say it's as full coverage as they claim but it certainly does a excellent job of concealing any redness & hiding the vast majority of my skin imperfections. I love the healthy natural looking radiance it gives to my skin & the smooth satin finish. The foundation provides SPF 50 & is enriched with antioxidants to protect against pollution. This is definitely my base product of choice for this Summer. The extra sun protection is always welcome & it lasts all day long on my skin. I don't think it's a perfect dupe for the IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream because it's not as moisturising & gives more coverage but it's still a brilliant foundation.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.feelunique.com/p/Origins-GinZing-Energy-Boosting-Moisturizer-50ml" target="_blank">Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturiser</a></b><br />
I used to be really obsessed with Origins skincare products but I kinda fell out of love with them as newer brands such as The Ordinary began to emerge. One product I always meant to try is their GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturiser & I recently got this little sample bottle from a beauty box. I'm a big fan of gel formulas because they work really well for oily/combination skin types. The lightweight formula provides just the right amount of hydration & sinks in really quickly so you can get on with applying your makeup. It has a gorgeous orange sherbet scent which makes it a joy to use. If your skin is looking a little tired then I'd definitely recommend trying this moisturiser. It's fortified with panax ginseng & coffee bean to instantly energise the skin giving you a healthy looking, vibrant glow. It really perks me up in the morning & has an immediate effect on the brightness of my complexion. I never looked this good without makeup until I tried this moisturiser. For super soft radiant skin, Origins GinZing is a wonderful product.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nu-Skin-Colour-Plumping-Balm/dp/B07BYG49JK" target="_blank">Nu Skin Nu Colour LightShine Lip Plumping Balm in Pink Tinge</a></b><br />
I still haven't 100% decided if I want to get lip fillers or not. I've found a fantastic aesthetic practitioner to perform the procedure but I'm just worried it won't look right on my face. Until I fully make my mind up I've been trying out different lip plumping products to achieve a similar but less permanent effect. One of my favourite products I've discovered is this Lip Plumping Balm from Nu Skin. This lip balm feels silky & deeply moisturising on the lips. Rose hip oil is one of the main ingredients so it's rich in fatty acids. These fatty acids help the lip balm to improve the elasticity & moisture levels of the skin whilst giving your lips a full & even glow. There is a slight tingle when applying the lip balm because it contains menthol which improves blood circulation. It doesn't quite give you Kylie Jenner lips but it adds a more natural plumpness. This makes it a great base for lipsticks because it gives your lips a smoother appearance, so anything you put on top will be less likely to sink into fine lines. It also looks really pretty used by itself because it tints your lips with a soft baby pink hue.<br />
</div><br />
<center><img src="http://i38.tinypic.com/mb0gon.png"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-26927278910769688322019-03-28T13:57:00.000+00:002019-03-28T13:57:58.976+00:00Brunette Bombshell<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7847/47430213461_aa18efeae3_o.png" alt="Brunette Lob"><br />
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7899/47430213351_c030f955bc_o.png" alt="Brunette Hair"><br />
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7915/40464532563_2a70cc88de_o.png" alt="Dark Chocolate Melt Hair"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Having spent the last decade as a blonde, this year I decided that it was finally time to rejoin the dark side. Personally I think I look a lot prettier as a blonde & I loved being able to use pinks, purples or silvers to change it up whenever I got a bit bored. But when your hair is naturally as dark as mine, there are so many downsides to being platinum blonde. I hated the upkeep as my hair would only look good for a matter of weeks before I needed my roots done again. Sitting in a hairdresser's chair for over five hours was beyond annoying. Olaplex wasn't a thing when I first started getting my hair bleached so I've had to put up with ridiculous amounts of damage, breakage & chemical burns. My hair would never grow past a certain length because the ends would always look like straw & require cutting. Not to mention constantly staining the bathtub purple with toning shampoos! Basically it was a lot of work & although I did love the look, I've gotten to the point in my life where it became way too much effort. I wanted something super low maintenance that would cut my hairdresser trips down to the bare minimum.<br />
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That's how I ended up with this delicious dark chocolate melt! I went to Niché Salon in Huddersfield where Michelle gave me a rich all over colour with some free hand ombré for perfect subtle tones. It's a lot darker & warmer than my natural colour but I love it. I've had to change up my makeup a bit & go HAM on the bronzer most days because I can look a bit too goth without that warmth in my face. I think I need to get some new brow products though because ABH Medium Brown is a little too light & ashy for my current hair colour. Michelle also cut my hair into a blunt lob with some shorter pieces at the front to frame my face. I wanted more of a Bardot fringe but maybe I'll save that for next time. At least she cut off most of the blonde so my hair feels really thick & healthy for the first time in years. Anyway I'm really happy with my new low maintenance hairdo. I'm sure some people won't recognise me as I almost look like an entirely different person! Maybe that's a good thing?<br />
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<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7848/40353521103_7f16f92ae7_b.jpg" alt="Josh Wood Colour Renewing Shampoo Conditioner Brunette Hair"><br />
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Of course, new hair requires new haircare! I always used purple shampoos & deep conditioning masks to maintain my blonde locks but brunette hair comes with a completely new set of challenges. As my hair is no longer dried out from all the bleach I have to wash it a lot more often to avoid looking like a grease bomb. But washing your hair all the time can mean that your colour fades a lot faster. There's still a little bit of blonde towards the ends so I don't want it the brown to fade & look brassy. There are quite a few products marketed specifically towards brunettes out there but a lot of them have really bad reviews. I spotted these Josh Wood Colour products in Boots & having checked the reviews on their website, they seemed like the best option. I decided to pick up the <a href="https://joshwoodcolour.com/products/frizzy-brunette-shampoo" target="_blank">Renewing Shampoo & Conditioner For Brunette Hair Prone To Frizz</a> (£10 each). They also do a <a href="https://joshwoodcolour.com/products/fine-brunette-shampoo" target="_blank">shampoo & conditioner for fine brunette hair</a>. I went for the frizzy one because my hair is feeling a lot thicker these days. I also like my hair to look really sleek & polished.<br />
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The Renewing Shampoo & Conditioner have been specially formulated with shade-specific ingredients to leave your brunette hair feeling clean, radiant & lustrous. They are suitable for all brunette shades because they're not colour depositing products. This means that they won't make your hair any darker but they will keep your colour looking fresh. They also won't stain your bathtub! The products contain advanced UV filters to prevent fade as well as saffron & turmeric to keep your hair looking glossy & vibrant. They have a slight herbal scent which won't be to some people's taste but I quite like it. I really love these products because they make my hair feel so clean & impart such a beautiful shine. They keep my hair feeling velvety soft & have definitely helped to lock in the colour. You get a professional finish at home & that's exactly what I wanted!</div><br />
<center><img src="http://i38.tinypic.com/mb0gon.png"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-77336578313864638342019-03-27T18:25:00.002+00:002019-03-27T18:26:53.545+00:00Annabelle Minerals<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7882/33552279548_2680e0f737_b.jpg" alt="Annabelle Minerals"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">When I first started getting into makeup as a teenager I found myself rather intimidated by the thought of using a liquid foundation. Somehow it seemed so grown up & way too heavy for my young skin. For one of my first attempts to cover up the abundance of spots on my face, my mum bought me a compact of MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation as powders seemed like an easier alternative. However I soon found that MAC foundations only made my skin worse, whether that was because something in them broke me out or I just wasn't removing it well enough I'll never know. So I started to look into mineral foundations because the natural ingredients are supposed to be better for your skin & provide coverage without clogging pores. I used Lily Lolo & Bare Minerals products for quite some time but I think I eventually stopped wearing them because they always ended up looking a bit too powdery on the skin. In more recent years I have purchased the <a href="https://www.sparklyvodka.com/2014/06/laura-mercier-mineral-powder-spf-15.html" target="_blank">Laura Mercier Mineral Powder</a> & still use the discontinued pressed version to freshen up throughout the day. But these days I almost always reach for a liquid foundation. Most major beauty brands don't do mineral foundations & I think we've all become so accustomed to watching YouTubers apply liquid foundation with a BeautyBlender that most us of probably don't even consider using mineral makeup anymore.<br />
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<a href="https://www.eshopannabelle.com/eu/en" target="_blank">Annabelle Minerals</a> recently sent me some of their products to try out & since then I've been having a bit of a mineral powder renaissance. I think when you stop using mineral makeup you forget just how good it can be & I have to say I am thoroughly impressed with these products. Annabelle Minerals are a Polish cosmetic company who have just launched in the UK & as such it can be difficult to find reviews written in English. The power of mineral makeup comes from their ingredients. They formulate products containing only four mineral ingredients - mica for illumination, zinc oxide to mattify & treat minor blemishes, titanium dioxide for good coverage & sun protection as well as iron oxides to give them colour. This combination of ingredients helps to perfect your base without skin irritants such as parabens, talcs, artificial colouring, silicones or preservatives. Their products are also vegan & cruelty-free.<br />
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<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7898/46705061614_a4a81b5e01_b.jpg" alt="Annabelle Minerals Face Powders"><br />
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7915/33552279608_67f86f17be_o.png" alt="Annabelle Minerals Coverage Foundation Sunny Fairest, Mineral Blush Nude, Radiant Powder Pretty Glow"><br />
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7851/33552280018_5af7f45ccb_o.png" alt="Annabelle Minerals Coverage Foundation Sunny Fairest, Mineral Blush Nude, Radiant Powder Pretty Glow Swatch"><br />
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7818/32486308957_a86303d6e0_o.png" alt="Annabelle Minerals Packaging"><br />
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I received three base products from Annabelle Minerals. These are the Coverage Foundation in Sunny Fairest, the Mineral Blush in Nude & the Radiant Powder in Pretty Glow. All of their base products are packaged in a durable plastic pot that comes with a moveable sifter to prevent spillage. In each pot you get 4g of product, which doesn't sound like much but is actually a really decent amount. They also have 10g pots of the foundation available to purchase if you want it to last even longer.<br />
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<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7905/33552279668_0cbcebb4f4_o.png" alt="Annabelle Minerals Coverage Foundation Sunny Fairest"><br />
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7899/47478918481_0624cb176a_o.png" alt="Annabelle Minerals Coverage Foundation Sunny Fairest"><br />
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Let's start with the foundation. Annabelle Minerals have created mineral foundations with three finishes to suit all skin types - Coverage, Matte or Radiant. There are 22 shades to choose from with four different undertones. Unfortunately the colour range doesn't go very deep but I do appreciate the amount of undertones. I have a pale yellow undertone so I knew that I would be best matched to one of the Sunny range. Sunny shades were designed for women with warm undertones. They have strong notes of lemon yellow with distinct hints of gold. I received the <a href="https://www.eshopannabelle.com/eu/en/coverage/212-sunny-fairest-coverage-foundation-410g.html" target="_blank">Coverage Foundation in Sunny Fairest</a> (£11.75) which is ideal for women with a very fair, warm toned complexion dominated by pastel yellow & white hues. At first the powder looked almost Simpsons yellow but it actually suits my skintone really well. For reference I wear NARS Siberia or MAC NC10.<br />
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The Coverage Foundation comes with an increased amount of titanium dioxide to fully conceal any discolouration, redness & skin imperfections. This also means that it gives you UVA/UVB protection with SPF 15. The formula is meant to provide full coverage & is suitable for most skin types, even those with dry skin. If you haven't tried a mineral foundation before, they are so easy to use. You just pour some of the product onto the lid, swirl your brush into the powder, tap off the excess & buff it onto the skin. The foundation looks best a few minutes after application, when the minerals have had enough time to melt into your skin. Unlike some mineral foundations, it's not drying at all & it doesn't look powdery. When I first applied this foundation I was amazed by how well it covers. Although I have a yellow undertone, I do have some surface redness in my face & this stuff immediately balances out my complexion.<br />
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The coverage is buildable without looking cakey or like a mask. When I use this foundation I don't have to use any concealer at all. I just use a smaller kabuki brush to concentrate the foundation in the areas that need a little more attention. The result is very natural looking with a subtle luminosity. The foundation feels really lightweight & comfortable to wear. It seems to smooth over my pores & doesn't gather in fine lines. I was surprised by how long it lasts on my skin. I have combination skin with an oily T-zone & it only starts to break down around my nose after about 8 hours of wear. My forehead gets a little shiny too but otherwise, it looks pretty flawless after a full day. I love the way it looks on my skin so I'd definitely recommend this mineral foundation!<br />
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<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7804/32486309067_ef1a622ee6_o.png" alt="Annabelle Minerals Mineral Blush Nude"><br />
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7894/46705060554_928c5b18bd_o.png" alt="Annabelle Minerals Mineral Blush Nude"><br />
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When I first saw the <a href="https://www.eshopannabelle.com/eu/en/blushes/15-nude-mineral-blush.html" target="_blank">Mineral Blush in Nude</a> (£12.50) in the pot, I wasn't too impressed with the colour. It just looked really boring at first but as soon as I swatched it on my arm I fell in love. Blending it out on the skin transformed it from this almost brown looking powder to a fresh pretty pink. I love the colour so much & it looks absolutely beautiful on the skin. It features delicate pearl particles to illuminate & even out your cheeks. The blusher is very buildable & it gives such a natural flush of colour. I think it makes my cheeks look bright, perky & youthful which is certainly a welcome feature now that I'm in my 30s!<br />
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<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7843/33552279728_c55db0af50_o.png" alt="Annabelle Minerals Radiant Powder Pretty Glow"><br />
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7834/46705061454_234223c8fb_b.jpg" alt="Annabelle Minerals Radiant Powder Pretty Glow"><br />
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The <a href="https://www.eshopannabelle.com/eu/en/mineral-powders-and-highlighters/216-pretty-glow-radiant-powder.html" target="_blank">Radiant Powder in Pretty Glow</a> (£17) is such a lovely way to set your makeup. Although it looks fairly pigmented in my swatch, it becomes transparent when blended over your foundation. The Radiant Powder doesn't provide any additional coverage or alter the colour of the foundation at all. It simply imparts a luminous glow which makes the skin look fresh & well rested. I still felt the need to use my regular highlighter on top to make my skin extra glowy but I really like this finishing powder. It would be ideal for dull, tired complexions with fine wrinkles. I love the way that it almost airbrushes the skin for a naturally flawless finish.<br />
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<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7893/40462535993_1b9e7fe882_o.png" alt="Annabelle Minerals Eyeshadow Lollipop, Lilac, Cappuccino"><br />
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7829/33552279808_a332613f14_o.png" alt="Annabelle Minerals Eyeshadow Lollipop, Lilac, Cappuccino"><br />
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7901/33552279978_fd11e55964_o.png" alt="Annabelle Minerals Eyeshadow Lollipop, Lilac, Cappuccino Swatch"><br />
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7859/33552279488_72d781b3d9_o.png" alt="Annabelle Minerals Purple Eyeshadow"><br />
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Annabelle Minerals have some truly lovely mineral eyeshadows. Some of the colours are so stunning & as soon as I saw these pretty purple shades on their website I knew they would fill the lilac coloured hole in my makeup collection. Here we have <a href="https://www.eshopannabelle.com/eu/en/eyeshadows/163-lollipop-mineral-eyeshadow.html" target="_blank">Lollipop</a>, <a href="https://www.eshopannabelle.com/eu/en/eyeshadows/160-lilac-mineral-eyeshadow.html" target="_blank">Lilac</a> & <a href="https://www.eshopannabelle.com/eu/en/eyeshadows/170-cappuccino-mineral-eyeshadow.html" target="_blank">Cappuccino</a> (£9.75 each). My absolute favourite has to be Lilac, it's such a fun pastel purple shade & it's really pigmented too. I used it all over my lids for a bright pop of colour & it looks utterly gorgeous. Lollipop is a much lighter & sheerer pastel violet so I wouldn't use it on it's own. In this makeup look I used it to highlight the inner corners & my brow bone, the effect is quite subtle but very sweet. I was surprised by how much I liked the Cappuccino shade, it's a staple coffee brown colour that naturally enhances your eyes. I think I'll probably get the most use out of this colour because it's a great eyeshadow for everyday wear. Here I used it mixed with Lilac to slightly darken the shadow underneath my bottom lashline.<br />
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I was really impressed with these eyeshadows. The loose eyeshadow powders feel silky smooth to the touch & have a shimmery satin finish. I was worried that they would be messy to use but there was hardly any fallout & they blend out so easily. My eyes can be quite sensitive & water a lot depending on which eyeshadows I use but I'm happy to report that these didn't irritate them at all. I'd never really considered trying mineral eyeshadows before but the natural ingredients definitely agreed with my eyes.<br />
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I also received the <a href="https://www.eshopannabelle.com/eu/en/accessories/129-mini-kabuki-brush.html" target="_blank">Mini Kabuki Brush</a> (£9) to use with the eyeshadows. The brush is excellent quality & the handle feels really sturdy. The densely packed bristles are soft & flexible, allowing you to sweep eyeshadow all over the lid with minimal effort. I used it to blend the foundation underneath my eyes too as it's the perfect size for concealer.<br />
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<center>Are you a fan of mineral makeup? Have you tried any products from Annabelle Minerals before?</center></div><br />
<center><img src="http://i38.tinypic.com/mb0gon.png"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-79093513264179630192019-03-23T17:36:00.001+00:002019-03-23T17:36:45.059+00:00Keep Yourself Confident In The Way You Look<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7840/47449880611_d7a1254eb9_b.jpg"><br />
<center><i>[AD] Collaborative Content</i></center><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Feeling confident in the way that you look is easier said than done but each one of us has a reason to feel beautiful. What is that reason? You are already beautiful! Every single one of us is beautiful in our own way. No matter what you look like or any of the things that you usually worry about, you need to remember that you can be <a href="https://www.sparklyvodka.com/2014/07/ten-of-best-beauty-subreddits.html" target="_blank">pretty like you</a>, not like someone else. Even the most objectively attractive people can feel like they're not good enough at times & I think that social media has a lot to answer for in this respect. Sometimes it can be really difficult to look in the mirror & not start picking out all of your flaws or take a selfie & not Facetune it to death. But the more comfortable you become with your appearance, the more confident you will appear to others. So if you're looking for ways to get this feeling of confidence, here are some ideas to help you out!<br />
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<b>Stop Comparing Yourself To Others</b><br />
Comparison truly is the thief of joy & at times comparing myself to others has really knocked my confidence. Instagram can be a great place to get beauty & fashion inspiration but scrolling through your feed can also be a very toxic way to spend your time. You might be feeling perfectly fine until you come across someone with perfectly clear skin or an impossibly skinny waist & wonder why you can't look the same way. This train of thought can really damage your mental health & possibly lead to disordered eating, wasting money on cosmetic procedures or using apps to make yourself look unrecognisable. Chances are that the people you envy on Instagram don't look that way in real life either & the manipulation of photos can manipulate your sense of self. If using social media is making you feel so awful about your natural appearance you need to just delete the apps for a few days & stop engaging with that content. Don't follow people who make you feel bad about yourself & don't let what other people are doing affect you.<br />
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<b>Practice Self Love Every Day</b><br />
Learning to love yourself can take a long time but it can hugely boost your confidence. There are lots of simple ways you can practice self love, some of which can be done on a daily basis. Taking care of yourself shows the rest of the world how you deserve to be treated. Being kind to yourself about your appearance is pivotal to your own happiness & when you feel happy, you'll feel more confident too. It's easy to focus on the things that we dislike about our appearance so take the time to appreciate the things that you do like. Maybe your skin is looking really clear or your nails are long & strong. Write a list of these qualities that you can read whenever you need a quick pick me up. Learn to cherish all the things that your body does. Sure your arms might be a little flabby but they allow you to hug people, draw, write & carry things. You might not have a thigh gap but you can dance, run, jump & skip with your legs. Our bodies allow us to do so much & should be treated with respect, not self-loathing. We can be so harsh on ourselves that it verges on bullying & it's vital to take the time to fight this negative self talk.<br />
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<b>Get Enough Sleep</b><br />
One of the most important things you can do is ensure that you are getting enough sleep! It doesn't matter what your reasons are or how difficult you find it to get to sleep, it is essential that you get the rest your body needs. When you do this, you will find that you wake up feeling refreshed & your skin looks better than it has done in ages. Once you notice this, you are immediately going to feel far more confident in the way that you appear & that's just the start of it! If you do have trouble getting the right amount of sleep, there are a few hacks that you can try. Having a warm drink before bed, taking magnesium supplements or diffusing lavender oil in the bedroom can all help to promote natural sleep. Another helpful tip is to remove all the electronics from your bedroom so that the blue light doesn't disturb you. You might be thinking that you don't have a blue light but this is something that your electronic devices are constantly emitting which has been linked to difficulty sleeping. As such, this little trick is well worthing trying if you are trying to get the <a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/sleep-needs-get-the-sleep-you-need.htm/" target="_blank">recommended hours of sleep</a> in!<br />
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<b>The Perfect Smile</b><br />
Another thing that you should look at is your smile. It might be the case that you already love the way you look when you are smiling, a lot of people do because that's when we all look our best. It really is true to say that nobody looks better than when they have a smile on their face! But for some, they just don't feel confident in the way they appear. In fact I never smile with my mouth open in photos because I don't want people to judge me for having crooked teeth. Like I said, self love can be difficult & my teeth are the thing I struggle with most of all. That is where a company like <a href="https://www.leighjournal.co.uk/news/17288651.all-smiles-for-firm-founded-in-leigh-listed-among-britains-fastest-growing-businesses/" target="_blank">Instasmile</a> can help you. Providing you with the perfect smile is what a service like this can do for you, which will do wonders for boosting your confidence. You might not realise it now but once you feel beautiful when you are smiling, you are going to radiate confidence & the whole world is going to look at you in a different light!<br />
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<b>Exercise Is Always A Good Idea</b><br />
Finally, keeping fit is an excellent way to ensure that you feel good about the way you look. It doesn't have to be about weight loss, going to the gym is also fantastic for your mental health. When you exercise, the sweat clears out your pores giving you that refreshed glow that people are always talking about. But you will also notice that you start to look at yourself differently. It only takes eight weeks to see a difference & if you want to feel confident, you should certainly consider hitting the gym to tone up. I love the way that exercising makes me feel. I'm addicted to the rush of endorphins I get after a Body Pump class. I enjoy being able to lift heavier weights & pushing my body to do different things. I like that sense of fatigue in my muscles & being able to feel a little bit more muscle definition each week. Even gentler classes like yoga & pilates can have a strong impact on your body. I hardly ever run on a treadmill because it doesn't make me feel good about myself. Exercise should be something that you enjoy & when you start noticing those small changes in your body, your confidence levels will skyrocket.</div><br />
<center><img src="http://i38.tinypic.com/mb0gon.png"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-63914032484056373432019-03-10T19:41:00.000+00:002019-03-10T19:41:52.744+00:00Four Looks From Femme Luxe<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7914/32369303757_9f7e498de7_o.png" alt="Femme Luxe Animal Snake Print Biker Jacket"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Shopping for clothes online can be very hit & miss. It seems like there's a new fashion brand popping up every week & what you see on a website isn't always what you get. When you first buy from a new brand it can be impossible to tell what the sizing will be like or whether the material will be cheap & nasty so I always appreciate honest reviews. I've been on the lookout for cute, on-trend pieces at affordable prices & in that respect <a href="https://femmeluxefinery.co.uk" target="_blank">Femme Luxe</a> seemed to tick all the boxes. They kindly offered to send me four different pieces to review. Their style of clothing is very similar to the sort of thing you often see on Missguided, Boohoo & Pretty Little Thing so I wanted to see how they compare.<br />
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<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7817/40346180463_52c4e9107e_o.png" alt="Femme Luxe Animal Snake Print Biker Jacket"><br />
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7831/40346180503_97d5b1a2a9_o.png" alt="Femme Luxe Animal Snake Print Biker Jacket"><br />
<center><i><a href="https://femmeluxefinery.co.uk/products/animal-snake-print-biker-jacket-pearl" target="_blank">Animal Snake Print Biker Jacket - Pearl</a>* (£21.99)</i></center><br />
Biker jackets are one of my favourite ways to add a bit of an edge to any outfit & you'd have to be mad to leave the house without one in this weather. Whenever I find a <a href="https://femmeluxefinery.co.uk/collections/coats-jackets" target="_blank">jacket</a> I love, I will wear it to death & that's exactly what happened to my faux leather jacket from Primark. To be fair I'd had it for ten years but I literally wore it on every night out ever. It was a staple piece in my wardrobe & as soon as it started disintegrating I started searching for a new one but the only leather ones I liked were £300 from All Saints. So when I spotted this snake print biker jacket on the Femme Luxe website, I knew it'd be an awesome on-trend alternative. I wasn't quite sure which size to get as it comes in S, M & L but their size guide only covers numerical sizes. I went for the Medium & luckily, it's a really good fit. I only ever wear biker jackets undone but if I do zip it up, it's exactly the right size. The overall fit of the jacket is quite slouchy & it's really comfortable to wear. The only thing I'm not too keen on is the belt buckle as it looks a bit messy hanging off the jacket so I just tucked it into the pockets. This was definitely my favourite item that I received as I'm really into snake print right now & it works with so many different outfits. Here I've styled it quite simply with a black smock dress from The Whitepepper & some white snakeskin flats from All Saints.<br />
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<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7905/40346179943_7219c8d3b0_o.png" alt="Femme Luxe Wine Loungewear Tracksuit Set"><br />
<center><i><a href="https://femmeluxefinery.co.uk/products/wine-loungewear-tracksuit-set" target="_blank">Wine Loungewear Tracksuit Set</a>* (£14.99)</i></center><br />
Femme Luxe have some really cute <a href="https://femmeluxefinery.co.uk/collections/lounge-wear-sets" target="_blank">loungewear sets</a> so I decided to order a couple of those. The first one is this burgundy long sleeved top with matching leggings. I am obsessed with burgundy, I wear this colour constantly & I think it suits me really well so getting this set was a no brainer. I ordered size M/L (12/14) & it's a good fit on me. I wanted something comfy to wear around the house & to be fair that is what I received. However this tracksuit is so thin & see through, I couldn't possibly wear it out of the house even just to take out the bins! There's fashionable loungewear that you can wear out of the house & then there's loungewear like this that you can only wear as pyjamas. You can completely see my underwear through it & it's so unflattering around the crotch area. I'm sure the trousers are more see through than the top so they look ever so slightly lighter in colour & it's a bit weird. They would be passable as pyjamas but I would never wear them for anything else.<br />
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<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7921/32369302507_4f301546d8_o.png" alt="Femme Luxe Black Off Shoulder Loungewear Set"><br />
<center><i><a href="https://femmeluxefinery.co.uk/collections/lounge-wear-sets/products/black-off-shoulder-loungewear-set-blake" target="_blank">Black Off Shoulder Loungewear Set - Blake</a>* (£15.99)</i></center><br />
The second one I ordered was this black off the shoulder loungewear set. Despite being the same M/L (12/14) size as the burgundy set, this one was a lot tighter. The trousers were okay, again a bit unflattering around the crotch but at least the material was a lot thicker. I wasn't aware that the top was cropped when I ordered it but I don't think it makes my stomach look too bad. The top didn't fit very well though as I struggled to make it actually be an off the shoulder top on me. I think it looks okay overall but I'm far too self conscious about my belly to wear something like this outside. This style of tracksuit would look amazing on someone who is a size 6 but I'm a 12 & it just doesn't sit right. You could definitely wear this out with heels & a duster coat if that's your kinda thing. I prefer loungewear to be a casual thing though I just wore it with my <a href="https://www.adidas.co.uk/superstar-shoes/C77124.html" target="_blank">Adidas Superstar trainers</a>.<br />
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<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7879/32369302617_07133a5452_o.png" alt="Femme Luxe Mustard Extreme Polo Neck Oversized Jumper"><br />
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7856/40346180063_3d0a1599a2_o.png" alt="Femme Luxe Mustard Extreme Polo Neck Oversized Jumper"><br />
<center><i><a href="https://femmeluxefinery.co.uk/products/mustard-extreme-polo-neck-oversized-jumper-amber" target="_blank">Mustard Extreme Polo Neck Oversized Jumper - Amber</a>* (£13.99)</i></center><br />
The last item that I ordered was this oversized yellow polo neck jumper with some huge bell sleeves. I think that <a href="https://femmeluxefinery.co.uk/collections/mustard-jumpers" target="_blank">mustard jumpers</a> look really nice with brown hair so I had visions of me wearing this & looking super fashionable. Sadly, as you can see, that was not the case. The jumper is extremely oversized & I didn't want it to completely swamp me so I ordered the S/M (8/10). Everywhere fits really well apart from the neck. The neck was so tight that it felt like I was being strangled by this jumper. I'm pretty sure it pushed all the fat from my double chin further up so my face looks rounder than ever. The colour is fab & the fabric is decent but I don't enjoy looking like a <a href="https://boohbah.fandom.com/wiki/Humbah" target="_blank">Boohbah</a>! I wore it with some <a href="https://www.asos.com/river-island/river-island-molly-mid-rise-reform-skinny-jeggings-in-black/prd/5098937" target="_blank">black Molly jeans from River Island</a> & ankle boots from Topshop which I feel were good style choices but the jumper just lets everything down. It had so much potential but I strongly dislike this jumper.<br />
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<center>Have you ordered anything from Femme Luxe?</center></div><br />
<center><img src="http://i38.tinypic.com/mb0gon.png"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-85129040130320768762019-03-06T18:30:00.000+00:002019-03-06T18:30:15.537+00:00February Favourites<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7827/33416968538_bac093bc1c_o.png" alt="Heimish All Clean Balm, Pixi Retinol Tonic, Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, Jordana Ticia Cosmetics Lipgloss in BonBon, Peaches & Cream Loose Eyeshadow Pigment in Gatsby"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="https://beautyandseoul.co.uk/products/heimish-all-clean-balm" target="_blank">Heimish All Clean Balm</a></b><br />
Double cleansing is such an essential part of my skincare routine. I use sun protection every day regardless of whether I'm wearing makeup or not so it's the only way to ensure that everything has been properly removed before I go to sleep. It's been quite a while since I last used a cleansing balm but the more I heard about <a href="https://www.sparklyvodka.com/2019/02/heimish-all-clean-balm.html" target="_blank">Heimish's All Clean Balm</a>, the more I knew that I needed to give it a go. In this beautifully designed tub you get 120ml of thick, white cleansing balm & a little spatula to hygienically scoop out the perfect amount of product. All Clean Balm undergoes a three step transformation from a balm, then to an oil & finally to a cleansing milk. This allows it to get rid of every last trace of makeup without leaving any residue on the skin. The balm is really gentle & has a lovely herbal scent. It doesn't sting my eyes or blur my vision at all. It's basically a dupe for Banila Co Clean It Zero but with better ingredients, a natural fragrance & more product for your money.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/pixi-retinol-tonic.html" target="_blank">Pixi Retinol Tonic</a></b><br />
Retinol is a wonderful skincare ingredient with the power to combat both acne & wrinkles. The trouble is finding a formula that your skin can tolerate & a product that doesn't cost the earth. I normally use <a href="https://www.sparklyvodka.com/2017/05/deciem-the-ordinary-serums.html" target="_blank">The Ordinary's Advanced Retinoid 2%</a> but I fancied trying out Pixi's Retinol Tonic as their toners tend to be pretty darn good. This toner features a unique time-release retinol that helps to smooth & soften the skin alongside powerful antioxidants & botanicals to soothe sensitive skin. I do wish Pixi would tell us the percentage of retinol they use in this formula but I'm guessing it's fairly low as the toner is gentle enough to use every day without irritation. It has a faint scent of lavender & feels very refreshing on the skin so I find it really pleasant to use. The formula is quite hydrating as it hasn't dried out my skin at all & that's something you have to be careful of when introducing retinol into your skincare routine. My skin has been looking really smooth & bright lately as this toner has helped to plump up any fine lines & fade hyperpigmentation. I enjoy using this every day as a gentle retinol solution because using something hardcore can often be a mistake. If you've never tried a retinol product before then this would be a great way to start.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.feelunique.com/p/Color-Wow-Dream-Coat-Supernatural-Spray-200ml" target="_blank">Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray</a></b><br />
I first heard of this product back when Kim Kardashian bleached her hair white blonde. Her hairstylist, Chris Appleton, said that Dream Coat was his secret weapon for fighting frizz & keeping her hair looking super sleek. As a result, Color Wow couldn't keep it in stock but luckily I managed to snag one of Marks & Spencer's beauty boxes with a deluxe sample bottle inside. This innovative spray coats each hair with a heat-activated waterproof shield that locks the cuticle down & seals in moisture whilst stopping humidity from wreaking havoc. It's almost like a raincoat for your hair! The product feels really lightweight & gives your hair the most incredible shine without making it look or feel greasy at all. I generally like my hair to look sleek & polished so this has been my go-to product to spritz on before a blow dry. I'm obsessed with how beautifully glossy it makes my hair look as the shine is simply unreal. I'll definitely be repurchasing this wonder hair product to protect my locks from the great British weather!<br />
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<b><a href="https://jordanaticia.co.uk/product/bonbon/" target="_blank">Jordana Ticia Cosmetics Lipgloss in BonBon</a></b><br />
Recently I've found myself gravitating towards lipglosses again instead of matte lipsticks. I went off them for a while because I don't like having to touch up my makeup & my hair always gets stuck in them. It's so much easier to pop on a matte liquid lipstick & forget about it because you know it'll still be there eight hours later. But glosses just look so pretty! I love these ones from Jordana Ticia Cosmetics because unlike other lipglosses they are ultra pigmented & stay put for hours. They have a creamy texture with no tackiness & provide a high shine finish. They're also vegan, cruelty-free & have the most deliciously sweet scent. I have eight of them but BonBon is currently my favourite colour. It's such a pretty soft pink shade. The high pigmentation means that you don't have to wear a lipstick underneath but I love pairing it with one of my Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheats for some extra definition. The colour of BonBon is very close to <a href="https://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/lip-cheat-pillowtalk.html" target="_blank">Pillow Talk</a> so I either use that or <a href="https://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/lip-cheat-supersize-me.html" target="_blank">Supersize Me</a> if I want something a tiny bit darker around the edges. I feel like lipgloss is coming back in a big way & these ones are some of the best I've tried!<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.fabulousmakeup.co.uk/gatsby" target="_blank">Peaches & Cream Loose Eyeshadow Pigment in Gatsby</a></b><br />
Peaches & Cream are a Liverpool-based beauty salon who have created their own fabulous range of makeup. Their products are extremely popular with Instagram MUAs & they are probably best known for their brilliant loose eyeshadow pigments. I actually used to be quite scared of using pigments because I tend to hate anything messy but this brand has completely changed my mind. As long as you use a good primer & the right kind of brush, pigments are really easy to use & you can create some truly spectacular looks with them. You simply can't achieve the same finish with regular eyeshadows & their loose pigments are all about the glamour. One of their most popular shades is Gatsby which is an ultra fine, pale champagne gold sparkle. It's utterly gorgeous on the eye & instantly adds a bit of gold glam to any look. I love doing a cut crease with Gatsby on the lid, the colour is incredibly versatile & goes well with so many other eyeshadows. Loose pigments might be a bit messy but they really do take your makeup to the next level.</div><br />
<center><img src="http://i38.tinypic.com/mb0gon.png"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-38207635730460053662019-02-27T10:00:00.000+00:002019-02-27T10:00:05.412+00:00Heimish All Clean Balm<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7920/40190706093_fdd3e7d70f_o.png"><br />
<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7910/32213699787_5eaf6c53e3_o.png"><br />
<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7862/33280472418_4076c42ed9_o.png"><br />
<center><i><a href="https://beautyandseoul.co.uk/products/heimish-all-clean-balm" target="_blank">Heimish All Clean Balm</a> - £14</i></center><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">At the end of each day I always look forward to pampering my skin with an array of wonderful skincare treats. Cleansing balms are one of my favourite ways to start off the process by gently removing my makeup. The way that everything melts off your face is so satisfying to see & it's a chance to indulge in a bit of facial massage. The latest addition to my nighttime routine is this All Clean Balm from the Korean brand Heimish. I recently started using this product to double cleanse my skin followed by the <a href="https://www.lookfantastic.com/cosrx-low-ph-good-morning-cleanser-150ml/11401192.html" target="_blank">CosRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser</a>. Double cleansing is a staple part of any Korean skincare routine. It doesn't matter whether you wear a lot of makeup during the day or just a light layer of sunscreen, everyone should be double cleansing at night. It's the only reliable way to properly remove any oil-based products from your face & clean away any sweat or dirt your skin has produced throughout the day. Double cleansing ensures a deeper clean that can help to reduce breakouts & provide the perfect starting point for the rest of your skincare routine. I've worked my way through quite a few Korean skincare products but hadn't tried a cleansing balm yet. I had originally planned to purchase <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Banila-Clean-100ml-sherbet-cleanser/dp/B0080M092E" target="_blank">Clean It Zero by Banila Co</a>. It's something that people really rave about but then I noticed that they had changed the formula a few months ago & some people were very unhappy with the new version. However this led to the discovery that some of the people who founded Heimish used to work at Banila Co & apparently took inspiration from Clean It Zero whilst improving the formula to create their All Clean Balm. Of course I only want to use the best quality products on my face so I went for the Heimish balm instead.<br />
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Heimish All Clean Balm comes in this beautifully designed white plastic tub with a pink tropical leaf print on top. I really like the packaging, both in terms of form & function. It comes with a flip top lid & a little spatula to help you hygienically scoop out the perfect amount of product. The tub contains 120ml of cleansing balm & as you only need a small amount each time, it should last for a few months. The thick, white balm inside the tub has a fairly solid consistency but it soon melts down to a smooth & silky oil once applied to dry skin. I was previously using the <a href="https://www.bravuralondon.com/products/first-cleanse-oil" target="_blank">Bravura First Cleanse Oil</a> to remove my makeup but the one downside to oil cleansers is that they can be quite messy. This balm does the job just as well but without running or dripping everywhere when you're massaging it into your face. All Clean Balm has a lovely herbal scent which adds a slight aromatherapeutic quality to the product. It's quite subtle but that's because the fragrance is entirely natural. I'm not really a fan of artificial scents in skincare or makeup because they can often irritate my skin so I appreciate products that smell nice by themselves. The cleanser is made from a base of shea butter & coconut fruit extract to inject some moisture into the skin during the cleansing process. It also features lots of other fabulous fruit & flower extracts to brighten the complexion.<br />
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Once the balm has transformed into the oil stage it feels very lightweight & gentle when working it into the skin. I think this gentleness is what makes this balm so special. Removing makeup becomes an effortless task as you don't have to rub your face raw to get everything off. There is a coolness to this soft balm as well & you can feel that refreshment on your skin as you start your cleansing. After massaging it into your skin, the balm undergoes a third transformation into a milky fluid as it emulsifies with the addition of water. This allows the cleanser to rinse off with the greatest of ease whilst removing even the most stubborn makeup. I always use it in conjunction with a cleansing mitt to make sure all the makeup has been removed. I would never normally use a balm or oil as a morning cleanser because that's just asking my skin to break out but the way that this cleanser emulsifies means that it leaves absolutely no residue on my face. It doesn't sting my eyes at all or give me blurry vision which are my pet hates when it comes to cleansers. It simply leaves my skin feeling clean & refreshed without stripping it of moisture. It also brightens & clears up my complexion. My forehead in particular has been looking very smooth since I introduced this balm into my routine & that's always been a hotbed for closed comedones!<br />
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<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7865/33280472228_e07164d549_b.jpg"><br />
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Overall I have to say that I'm really happy with this purchase. I tend to stick to the same skincare products these days but I'm glad I took a chance on this cleanser. Before trying Heimish's All Clean Balm the only balm cleanser that I've truly loved was <a href="https://www.sparklyvodka.com/2012/11/emma-hardie-amazing-face-natural-lift.html" target="_blank">the Emma Hardie one</a> but I've never repurchased it because it's such an expensive product. Investing in Korean skincare tends to work out a lot cheaper & £14 for 120ml was a really good deal. The cleanser doesn't irritate my skin or eyes, it's a piece of cake to use & it cleanses away your makeup almost instantaneously. What more could you possibly want? Taking your makeup off at the end of the day can be a lot of effort so if you like your skincare routine to be quick & easy, you will love this balm cleanser. I'm keen to try out some other products from Heimish so if you have any recommendations please leave them below!</div><br />
<center><img src="http://i38.tinypic.com/mb0gon.png"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-52627481377812627862019-02-26T12:40:00.000+00:002019-11-21T19:34:31.359+00:00Life At Thirty<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7834/31645358957_8f5e8e510d_b.jpg"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">It probably goes without saying that I haven't been the best blogger over the past couple of years but I'm finally back with a vengeance. Even though I was constantly taking & editing photos of products and coming up with new ideas, the posts just never seemed to materialise. I sometimes struggled to put up one blog post a month! There's currently over 140 draft posts on here with fully edited pictures waiting for me to write some interesting copy. Blogging is still one of my main passions in life but I could never find the time or energy to invest in it & that's mainly because so many awful things were going on behind the scenes at home.<br />
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I took these photos last August on my 30th birthday because if you don't take some photos with gold number balloons, did you even really have a birthday? The original plan was to put up an outfit post of me in <a href="https://joanieclothing.com/product/zooey-floral-collar-dress-field-poppy/" target="_blank">this fab dress from Joanie Clothing</a> & write about what a great time I had in Manchester, eating at Home Sweet Home & going on a shopping spree in Affleck's Palace. Yet again, I couldn't get the words out & my efforts were going to waste. This time it was more than just 'blogger's block', I was completely broken as a person. How could I possibly have written about frivolous stuff like makeup & clothes when my world had fallen apart?<br />
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<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7830/46534376102_173c940080_b.jpg"><br />
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You might remember when I wrote about my 29th birthday back in 2017. A few weeks before, our holiday to Spain had to be cancelled because Chloe had caught chicken pox at school & wasn't able to fly. The holiday was probably a last ditch attempt to save our relationship so things really went south between us when it got cancelled. But when you've been together for so long it's hard to admit that you need to split up, especially when there are children involved. My relationship with Andy has never been healthy or stable. Even when we first met, he would dump me because I took too long to text back & then beg me to get back with him. I, being a young idiot in love, always did. Things got even worse in 2018 when he decided to break up with me for good.<br />
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I thought that 2019 would be a fresh new start. Despite everything, we were still on friendly terms & all three of us stayed up to watch the fireworks together on New Year's Eve. I had planned to get my hair done for the first time since Summer 2017, get my passport & driving licence renewed, start blogging again properly, look for a new job & then get a new flat. But on January 5th, I got told that I had to move out immediately. I was completely shell shocked & my anxiety went into overdrive. I couldn't eat or sleep or stop shaking. I would give anything to be able to move back to London or Leeds as there's literally nothing for me here apart from Chloe's school. But she obviously comes first so I found a flat just around the corner from our old house, paid the extortionate agency fees & we've now moved in. I'm poorer than I've ever been in my life so please understand the sudden influx of sponsored posts. It's not great but I'm beginning to like it more with each passing day. I can hear cars driving past 24/7, some of the walls are a bit mouldy & I have no furniture but at least we're free.<br />
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2019 is the year that I start putting myself first. Due to my slave status I never got to go on any nights out as I always had to put Chloe to bed but last year I started going to drag shows. When Andy & I had our first major breakup back in 2012, RuPaul's Drag Race (& lots of therapy!) basically got me through it. I've wanted to see some of my favourite queens live ever since but I just never got the opportunity. Jinkx Monsoon has been my absolute favourite drag artist since season five first began & I finally got to see them at The Comedy Store in Manchester! It was such a fantastic night & I hope I get to see them again soon. Jinkx is even more lovely & charismatic in person. I also got the chance to go to the Dragula UK tour & it was one of the best nights out I've ever had. I loved seeing Biqtch Puddin & Vander Von Odd perform but Abhora, Meatball & James Majesty were all brilliant too. I even got to meet the Boulet Brothers at the end which was a dream come true even though my iPhone completely messed the photos. Thanks to Strongbow Dark Fruits for giving me the confidence to line up for the meet & greet! This year I plan on attending more drag shows & music gigs & video game/anime conventions because those are the things that bring me the most amount of joy in life. I'm a massive nerd & now I feel like I can finally embrace this without being judged. These things also help me to be more creative in my own work & heaven knows I've been lacking on that front! I don't really care about getting into a new relationship right now but if I do find someone on Tinder, he would have to love all of those things too because I don't have time for any negativity about the things that I truly enjoy.<br />
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My life at thirty years old is nothing like I expected it to be. I thought Andy & I would've gotten married in Vegas, I'd have an amazing graphic design career & we'd own a cute apartment together but instead I'm starting from scratch as a single mum. Thankfully I think I'm finally starting to get over all the pain & stress that the last few years have caused me. At long last I'm ready to focus on myself & I plan on making my thirties a whole lot better than my terrible twenties. After all, life begins at thirty!</div><br />
<center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4z6kQ1Be30gTxkEC6Bsu83pjtRH5r5bEbAjo6U7sZpqnpjpgiNnVYQ_WcnwoLdh_J52vgSAk5LVOxQ-g60fAyneBC9VD7aDwDxlgkJziEW1muEztfmrbXHSTloFKnxhPdCBT7LeQ0g/s1600/siggy.png"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-5243193384008384142019-02-21T16:16:00.000+00:002019-02-21T16:16:24.496+00:00How To Improve Your Personal Presentation<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7800/40190772293_76273b2d1d_o.png"><br />
<center><i>[AD] Collaborative Content</i></center><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Fashion & beauty are things that some people just take to like a fish to water. Plenty of girls (and guys, too) are absolutely obsessed with customising their style so that they always look & feel their best. An ever increasing amount of services & industries exist specifically to serve that purpose & that's because there's such a high demand. Just think about all the aesthetic clinics that started popping up as soon as Kylie Jenner first started getting lip fillers. At the same time, however, some people are chronically unhappy with the way that they look & lack the confidence to actually take steps to improve the way that they present themselves to the world. Of course, this isn't good either. If you find that you've been unhappy with your <a href="http://www.sparklyvodka.com/2019/01/simple-strategies-for-expressing-your.html" target="_blank">presentation</a> for some time now, here are a few tips to get you started on levelling up your look today.<br />
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<b>Invest In Your Clothing</b><br />
Some people are naturally driven to take a purely pragmatic approach towards their clothing choices. They will buy things because they perform a certain function or because they're within a certain price range and will pay just about no attention at all to how they actually look & feel. While it's good to be pragmatic at times, a total 'function over fashion' mindset & approach is not always a good thing. If your wardrobe makes you feel frumpy & unattractive, it's having a negative impact on your life as a whole & that's something that you need to weigh up against whatever benefits you may get from those clothes. Fashion should be a fun, creative outlet that allows you express your personality through your clothes. Start treating your clothing as a real <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2016/05/26/six-investment-opportunities-more-entrepreneurs-are-exploring-3/" target="_blank">investment</a> instead & go for quality over quantity. That means quality in terms of appearance, as well as function. Only buy things that you actually like the look of & that make you feel good about yourself. Life is too short to be miserable in boring outfits that fail to spark joy. Take inspiration from Marie Kondo & discard the items that have served their purpose. Be willing to spend a bit more, for the greater benefits that come with this. And don't be afraid to return things to the shop!<br />
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<b>Develop Your Confidence</b><br />
A lot of the time when people aren't putting much thought into their presentation, it's because they have such low confidence & self-esteem that they feel it's futile or embarrassing to even try. This isn't a problem that can be solved <a href="https://www.dreamessentials.com/articles-001-how-to-choose-a-sleep-mask" target="_blank">overnight</a> but it is something that you absolutely need to work on. If your confidence is chronically low, look into avenues to improve it. Consider going to see a therapist & take up hobbies that will make you feel good about yourself. Things like drama or exercise classes, adult choirs or book groups are all great ways to meet new people & learn a new skill that can help you to become the best version of yourself. Some of these hobbies might have nothing to do with the way that you look but personally I've found that blogging has greatly helped me to build my self-confidence. No matter how unstylish you think you are, there will be someone out there who loves the clothes that you wear or the way you've done your hair & makeup. Blogging, either through a traditional written blog or Instagram, gives people a place to comment on your personal presentation. It can be really scary to put yourself out there but on the whole, people will respond well to your bravery & the comments will be positive.<br />
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<b>Take Advantage Of Modern Technology</b><br />
There are a bunch of benefits that come with living in the digital age. These days there are numerous modern technologies that can help you to improve your looks & presentation almost effortlessly. Many of these benefits have to do with how easy it now is - with the help of certain technologies & techniques - to look your best. If you want to level up your look, investigate services that can help streamline this process. If you're self-conscious about your teeth but don't like the idea of wearing braces as an adult, consider <a href="https://www.bhandaldentistry.co.uk/cosmetic-dentistry/invisalign" target="_blank">Invisalign</a> as an option. If you don't know much about makeup, start watching beauty gurus on YouTube. If you want to improve your personal style, start reading fashion blogs for inspiration. The Internet is a wonderful thing & it's one of the best ways to find out about the latest trends. Use it to your advantage & you'll be feeling better about yourself in no time at all!</div><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-66868115806577108942019-02-20T20:45:00.000+00:002019-02-20T20:45:05.895+00:00Things I Loved In 2018<div style="text-align: justify;"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7856/46585413901_966622826a_o.png"><br />
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<center><b>Song<br />
<i>Billie Eilish - When The Party's Over</i></b></center><br />
Billie Eilish is one of the freshest new artists around right now. Her sound is unlike anything else in the music charts & I find her completely captivating as a person. She released <i>'When The Party's Over'</i> late last year & it immediately struck a chord with me. Her vocals are so hauntingly beautiful & the lyrics are filled with raw emotion, which is even more impressive when you consider that she's only 17 years old. I get the feeling that she's been through some shit & I like the way that she expresses that through her songs. This song has such a sad, melancholic vibe to it which is only amplified by the accompanying music video. It's visually arresting & a welcome change from all the boring videos that most musicians keep putting out these days. I can't wait for her album <i>'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?'</i> to be released as I'm sure it'll end up being one of my favourite albums of 2019.<br />
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<center><b>Other Faves:</b> <i>Nicki Minaj - Chun-Li / Smashing Pumpkins - Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)<br />
RuPaul - Call Me Mother / BTS - Idol / BMTH - Wonderful Life</i></center><br />
<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7907/31644377137_38938ed544_o.png"><br />
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<center><b>Album<br />
<i>Nicki Minaj - Queen</i></b></center><br />
I've always loved Nicki Minaj but she really cemented her status as the true queen of rap with her latest album, aptly titled <i>Queen</i>. I'm a huge fan of Cardi B too but <i>Queen</i> is just that bit more cohesive as a full body of work than <i>Invasion Of Privacy</i>. As soon as Nicki released <i>Chun-Li</i> as a single I knew she had totally stepped up her game & I was definitely here for it. The rest of the album certainly didn't disappoint as Nicki is spitting rhymes harder than ever. Her lyrics are full of that signature Nicki charisma & attitude while her flows are equally aggressive & animated. Some of my favourite tracks on the album are <i>Barbie Dreams</i>, <i>Good Form</i> & <i>Coco Chanel</i> but <i>Majesty</i> is simply on another level. Nicki's collabs with Eminem are always a treat for the ears but their chemistry on <i>Majesty</i> is better than ever & I could quite happily could listen to this song on repeat for hours. In fact I probably have done seeing as my iPhone decided to delete all 45GB of music I had on there & this was one of the few albums left!<br />
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<center><b>Other Faves:</b> <i>Smashing Pumpkins - Shiny & Oh So Bright / Cardi B - Invasion Of Privacy<br />
Christina Aguilera - Liberation / Ariana Grande - Sweetener / Eminem - Kamikaze</i></center><br />
<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7806/44767537030_d09e0caa4a_o.png"><br />
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<center><b>Film<br />
<i>Mandy</i></b></center><br />
There are few things I enjoy more than watching Nicolas Cage lose his shit. He's one of my favourite actors & if you don't agree then I suggest you watch <i>Leaving Las Vegas, Face/Off, Vampire's Kiss, The Family Man, Con Air, The Rock, Matchstick Men</i> or <i>Lord Of War</i>. He's delivered some brilliant performances over the years but to be honest I've sat through some pretty awful films starring him, in the hopes that he'll freak out & give us a classic Cage moment. More often than not, I'm left feeling disappointed & annoyed at myself for wasting time watching them but last year Cage finally came through. <i>Mandy</i> is a psychedelic action horror film directed by Panos Cosmatos. It's set in the Shadow Mountains where a couple, Red & Mandy, are living peacefully in the woods. One day, a cult called The Children Of The New Dawn pass Mandy on her way to work & their leader is enamoured with her beauty. He kidnaps her & it's up to Red to get her back. One of the best scenes in the film is when Red locks himself in his bathroom, downs a whole bottle of vodka & starts screaming for several minutes. It's a great performance from Cage & definitely something that needs to be added to those YouTube compilations. As a film, <i>Mandy</i> is quite a surreal horror. The cinematography is eerily beautiful with intense lighting & colour techniques. The soundtrack is also fantastic & the film starts off with King Crimson's incredible song <i>Stardust</i>. It's quite an odd choice as my favourite film of the year but <i>Mandy</i> was just so different to anything else I've seen, especially when it comes to the horror genre.<br />
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<center><b>Other Faves:</b> <i>A Star Is Born / Coco / The Incredibles 2 / Teen Titans Go! To The Movies / Ralph Breaks The Internet</i></center><br />
<img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4910/45861207654_3f3baf4122_o.png"><br />
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<center><b>TV Show<br />
<i>Westworld</i></b></center><br />
To be completely honest I didn't pay much attention to season one of Westworld until the very end. The whole robot cowboy theme park thing seemed kinda interesting but it wasn't until the true nature of Bernard & the identity of The Man In Black were revealed that I considered it to be worth watching. By the time season two rolled around I was stoked to see the outcome of Ford's new narrative & the aftermath of Dolores' uprising. This season the characters have become fully formed as the war between Delos & the hosts takes place. There's even more secrets & mysteries behind Ford's true intentions as well as William's journey through Westworld to The Valley Beyond & his relationship with his family. We also got to see some of the other parks, Shogun World & The Raj. The different timelines in season one were confusing enough but it gets even worse in season two, especially as Bernard has scrambled his memories & even he doesn't know which timeline we're following. This allows the show to flashback & flashforward in a Lost-esque fashion which reveals some truly crazy shit. Personally I found the scenes with Jim Delos, William & their families even more interesting than what was going on in Westworld itself. I can't wait to see where the story goes now that the hosts have the possibility of existing outside of the parks.<br />
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<center><b>Other Faves:</b> <i>The Circle / Dragula / Atlanta / Better Call Saul / RuPaul's Drag Race<br />
American Crime Story: The Assassination Of Gianni Versace / American Horror Story: Apocalpyse</i></center><br />
<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7814/45861210844_a1e3485011_o.png"><br />
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<center><b>Animation<br />
<i>JoJo's Bizarre Adventure</i></b></center><br />
I've been meaning to start watching <i>JoJo's Bizarre Adventure</i> ever since I saw a couple of guys cosplaying as Jotaro & Kakyoin at Majikkon but I struggled to find a decent stream for it. There were so many different series & I wasn't sure where to start. I also wanted to understand all the Jojo's memes & references that the Internet is so keen on pointing out. Last Summer it was announced that Part 5: Vento Aureo was going to be adapted into an anime & some people on Reddit were doing a rewatch of the whole series before it began. I decided to join in & soon found myself completely obsessed with the Joestar family. I couldn't stick to the one episode a day rewatch schedule & started getting through at least five episodes per day. The show tells the story of the Joestars, whose various members discover that they are destined to take down supernatural foes using the unique powers that they possess. There are many different parts, each following the story of one member of the Joestar family & all of their names can be abbreviated to 'JoJo'. The first season is set in England during the 1880s when Jonathan Joestar takes on his evil adopted brother Dio Brando after Dio uses an ancient mask to turn into a vampire. Part 2: Battle Tendency is probably my favourite part & features my favourite Joestar, Joseph. Things really take off in Part 3: Stardust Crusaders with the introduction of Stands, which are physical manifestations of mental strength & fighting spirit. The Stands get even more inventive through Parts 4 & 5 so the battles get really crazy & the villains are even more iconic. <i>JoJo's Bizarre Adventure</i> is one of those rare shows that just keeps on getting better as it continues plus the songs are so damn good! It's impossible to choose a favourite. I often stick on a JoJo soundtrack compilation before doing any housework as the songs really get you hyped up! It's fast become one of my favourite anime shows of all time (tied with <i>Attack On Titan</i>) & I've even started reading through all the manga parts that haven't been adapted yet. I'd say it's worth getting into for the memes alone but that would be selling it short. If you're into anime at all, you owe it to yourself to start your own <i>Bizarre Adventure</i> with the Joestars.<br />
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<center><b>Other Faves:</b> <i>Steven Universe / Yokai Watch Shadowside / Adventure Time / Summer Camp Island / Apple & Onion</i></center><br />
<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7830/45861213284_bf0d0c5bd2_o.png"><br />
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<center><b>Game<br />
<i>Octopath Traveler</i></b></center><br />
JRPGs are my favourite genre of video game & when I heard that the team behind <i>Bravely Default</i> were working on something for the Nintendo Switch, I knew it was gonna be good. That something turned out to be <i>Octopath Traveler</i>, a turn-based role playing game with a gorgeous 'HD-2D' aesthetic. You play as eight different characters, each with their own jobs, skills & tragic backstory. Each chapter reveals more about their individual stories as they travel together on a journey to defeat those who have wronged them in the past. Some of the stories can get extremely dark, especially Primrose's which has a lot of references to brothels & sexual abuse but I found all of them to be really compelling. The characters are great fun to play as & I loved the combat system which expands upon the 'brave' & 'default' mechanics from <i>Bravely Default</i> in a really cool way. I started off as Therion the thief but you can team up & switch between each character to progress further in their individual storylines. Unfortunately they don't really link up at all but there is a final boss at the end that has had an impact on each of them. The soundtrack is amazing, as you would expect from Square Enix & it was just a blast to play. I really hope they come out with a sequel as I would love to spend some more time exploring the world of Orsterra with these eight travelers.<br />
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<center><b>Other Faves:</b> <i>Pokemon Let's Go, Eevee! / Super Smash Bros Ultimate<br />
Undertale / Hyrule Warriors / Super Mario Party</i></center></div><br />
<center><img src="http://i38.tinypic.com/mb0gon.png"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-6048112463072837892019-02-14T18:10:00.000+00:002019-02-19T17:28:20.968+00:00Valentine's Outfit Ideas With Quiz Clothing<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7849/46178605595_4d714fa7b6_b.jpg"><br />
<center><i>[AD] This post is sponsored by Quiz Clothing</i></center><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Valentine's Day is finally upon us & whether you're going out with your significant other or still looking for love, it's important to dress to impress. As well as all the loved up couples, there's plenty of singletons out there at this time of year who would love to find someone to be their Valentine. I'm sure lots of people will being going out tonight but there's still time to buy a dress for this weekend. A fancy new outfit can make you feel so much more confident & confidence is always sexy. If you haven't managed to find anything yet in your search for a Valentine's outfit then Quiz Clothing have got you covered. They have a fantastic range of <a href=" https://www.quizclothing.co.uk/clothes/dresses/going-out-dresses/?utm_source=sparklyvodka&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=going out dresses&utm_campaign=QuizUK" target="_blank">going out dresses</a> that are sure to attract attention without breaking your budget. I think it's fitting to go for reds or pinks as those are the colours most often associated with love & romance. I put together this collection of dresses that I think would be perfect for this occasion, along with some trusty LBDs thrown in for good measure. I'm currently obsessed with burgundy clothing so I would definitely go for any of the first four dresses. There's just something about this colour that I find irresistible. It's starting to overtake the amount of black in my wardrobe! My favourite one has to be the <a href="https://www.quizclothing.co.uk/clothes/00100017604.html" target="_blank">Berry Velvet Lace Bodycon Dress</a>. Lace & velvet are such a beautiful combination. I love the lace panels on the side & the sweetheart neckline, both details really make it stand out. Which one would you choose?<br />
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<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7860/46368728414_87060ccc36_b.jpg"><br />
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Quiz Clothing also have their own men's range called Quiz Man. So if you fancy picking up something special for your fella, they have loads of sharp tailoring options for the fashion-conscious man. It might be cheesy to some but I love the idea of wearing complimentary clothing when going out as a couple. Not in a Justin & Britney double denim disaster kinda way obviously! I think it's nice to wear similar colours though so if you were to choose one of the burgundy dresses above, it'd be cute to dress your boyfriend in a burgundy <a href="https://www.quizman.com/clothing/coats-and-jackets/blazers/?utm_source=sparklyvodka&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=mens blazer&utm_campaign=QuizMan" target="_blank">mens blazer</a>. These tux jackets come in plain block colours or with embroidery details so they all look really different. I think all of these blazers look super stylish & if I came across someone wearing one on a night out, he would definitely catch my eye!</div><br />
<center><img src="http://i38.tinypic.com/mb0gon.png"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com353tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-72591129484570117232019-02-13T16:45:00.000+00:002019-02-13T16:45:07.749+00:00Rosina's Lotions & Potions St. Valentine's Gift Box<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7842/33206326388_ca969e9863_o.png"><br />
<center><i><a href="https://www.rosinaslotionspotions.com/products/st-valentines-gift-box" target="_blank">Rosina's Lotions & Potions St. Valentine's Gift Box</a>* - £47</i></center><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Whether you're celebrating Galentine's or Valentine's Day this year, either one is a great excuse to treat yo' self or your loved ones. As a newly single lady, this week I'm putting myself first & indulging in some self care with this lovely gift set from <a href="https://www.rosinaslotionspotions.com" target="_blank">Rosina's Lotions & Potions</a>. Founded in 2008 by Sophie Cooper, Rosina's Lotions & Potions has fast become one of the UK's leading natural luxury skincare brands. Their products are inspired by Sophie's grandmother Rosina, who had a penchant for mixing up her own skincare concoctions. They have a gorgeous range of cruelty-free skincare & bath products that are all made in England from natural ingredients. The brand kindly sent me this gift box so that I could try out some of their very best creations. In the St. Valentine's Gift Box, you get their Kale & Pomegranate Exfoliating Face Mask, a bottle of their Rose Perfecting Oil, two flannels & their Signature Rose Scented Candle. All of the products can be purchased separately but the gift set is much better value for money. Everything inside the box has been wrapped with care & the vintage inspired packaging is absolutely beautiful. I'll definitely be keeping this box for storage as it's far too pretty to throw away!<br />
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The skincare items are all lovingly packaged together with this super cute ribbon. At first I thought that the flannels were regular cleansing cloths but they're more like mitts which is actually what I prefer to use. I have some <a href="https://www.feelunique.com/p/Sarah-Chapman-Skinesis-Professional-Cleansing-Mitts-x-4" target="_blank">cleansing mitts from Sarah Chapman</a> that I always use to remove my makeup but these are a much more affordable alternative. The fabric feels soft yet manages to be rough enough for removing cleansers or masks. I was really looking forward to trying the <a href="https://www.rosinaslotionspotions.com/collections/skincare/products/kale-pomegranate-face-mask" target="_blank">Kale & Pomegranate Face Mask</a> (£25) because it's a multi-purpose product that can also be used as a daily cleanser. The mask/cleanser has a somewhat gritty texture even though it's not a physical exfoliant. That's because the base is made from sweet almond seed meal & oil which also give this product it's yellow appearance. It uses phyto-active pomegranate enzymes to gently exfoliate your skin & reveal a smoother, brighter complexion. Kale is the other main ingredient & is brilliant for dehydrated skin. The mask also features healing probiotics, Griffonia extract and vitamins C & K to protect the skin from oxidative stress. The fresh, natural scent makes it a pleasure to use & after washing it off with the mitt, my skin felt much softer. Any dry patches had been gently sloughed off & I could immediately tell that my skin was better hydrated as I was practically glowing! Personally I prefer to use this product as a mask instead of a cleanser as I think you get the maximum benefits from all those lovely natural ingredients. I think this mask/cleanser would be a fab choice for most skin types but I'd especially recommend it for those with dry or dehydrated skin.<br />
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My skin always feels a bit drier at this time of year so I love trying out new facial oils & I have to say I'm extremely impressed by the <a href="https://www.rosinaslotionspotions.com/collections/skincare/products/rose-perfecting-oil" target="_blank">Rose Perfecting Oil</a> (£22). The first thing you'll notice when you open the bottle is the divine scent of Rosa Damascena. It's not overpowering, just perfectly sweet & fragrant. Damask Rose is often used in skincare because it has mild astringent properties that can help to reduce inflammation. The bottle uses the same kind of plastic stopper that you get in essential oil bottles, so it's difficult to pour out too much oil. I've been using about 5-10 drops every morning & evening before my moisturiser. I've noticed a huge difference in my skin's hydration levels since I started using this oil. It's deeply moisturising yet feels really lightweight on the skin. The Rose Perfecting Oil makes my skin feel incredibly silky soft without any greasy residue at all. It's the kind of product that just makes you want to stroke your face all day! Applying the oil feels so luxurious & indulgent that I look forward to putting more of it on each time I wash my face. Damask rose is rich in antioxidants that play a key role in the synthesis of collagen & elastin to keep your skin looking healthy. It also has excellent moisturising properties to soothe irritation & redness. This oil is truly a must-have for all skin types.<br />
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Despite being a skincare fanatic, my favourite item in this gift set has to be the <a href="https://www.rosinaslotionspotions.com/collections/candles/products/signature-candle" target="_blank">Signature Rose Scented Candle</a> (£20). Having just moved into a new flat, I'm currently obsessed with keeping it clean & filling all the rooms with fragrance. The soft warm scent of tuber rose is such a classic & I've loved burning this candle in my bedroom. The hand-poured high quality pink beeswax comes in this fancy hand-printed glass jar & features a cotton wick for a clean burn. The scent completely fills the room & makes you feel as though love truly is in the air. It's the perfect accompaniment to a pamper day & if you're a fan of rose scents then this is definitely the candle for you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-27781468315930985582019-01-12T17:27:00.000+00:002019-02-18T21:41:42.267+00:00Simple Strategies For Expressing Your Personal Style<img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/19480634939_aa142078d1_o.png"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">There is no one else in the world quite like you & one of the best ways to express your unique personality is through the way that you dress. In fact, you can have a whole lot of fun when it comes to showing off your own personal style. I love over-accessorising my outfits to really make them stand out even if I'm just wearing something basic like jeans & a nice top. The process of customising your look is super simple & I thought I would quickly share some tips to help you express yourself through your accessories.<br />
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<b>Jewellery can provide a little edge</b><br />
When it comes to jewellery, our minds often go to delicate necklaces or Tiffany diamond rings. However it's crucial to remember that just like the rest of your outfit it can be used to reflect your own personal style especially if it is a bit edgy or left of the mainstream. After all, you can look equally as gorgeous as those with more traditional taste & feel more yourself by wearing jewellery in the form of piercings in the nose, lip or the top of the ear. You can even choose two or three items from the same <a href="https://piercingmania.co.uk/helix-earrings" target="_blank">helix piercing</a> range & then layer them together for a truly customised look. Some pieces will also have a dual purpose so you can wear them in your ear one day & your nose the next, ensuring that you will never run out of options to express your own personal style. I used to have loads of different piercings including snakebites, an industrial & stretched ear lobes. I loved how they looked & really wish I hadn't taken them out, especially as I've now been left with random holes in my face!<br />
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<b>Jazz up plain clothing with carefully placed accessories</b> <br />
Even the most boring of outfits can be lifted & personalised with some smart & funky accessories. I'm still obsessed with my gold name necklace, as there's nothing more personal than your own name. Jackets are a fab place for accessories, especially enamel pins or brooches. We're not talking your grandma's brooch here either, but chunky graphic designs made from plastic <a href="https://www.tattydevine.com" target="_blank">like these</a>. Something that you can get customised with your own message or with a bold, kitsch design will make them particularly striking. You've probably seen my beloved Primark jacket (which I recently wore to death, literally!) about a million times in my outfit posts & most recently in this <a href="http://www.sparklyvodka.com/2016/05/dolly-dotty.html" target="_blank">post here</a>. I accessorised it with two eye-catching brooches & they're a great example of how easy it is to spice up a plain leather jacket. When I do eventually pick up a new leather jacket, you'd better believe I'll be accessorising it with these brooches again. They're also a great conversation starter. I mean, who doesn't love gin?!<br />
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<b>Pick colours that you love & make you smile</b><br />
Some folks only wear colours that they know will go well with their hair & skin tone. However if you really want to embrace the art of expressing yourself, it's best to pick colours, patterns & designs that make your heart sing! Who cares if you're just doing the weekly food shop? There's nothing wrong with a bit of glitter fabric if you're feeling the vibe! I'm talking bright bolds & neons, chunky rainbow embroidery à la Frida Kahlo & anything else that just makes you smile. After all, putting on an outfit that you love & that makes you feel confident each morning is one of the most positive ways to start the day.<br />
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<b>Add a headscarf for an instantly retro look</b><br />
Lastly, a quick & easy way to customise any outfit is to add a headscarf. It is also something that can help you to achieve a nice retro vibe as well. In fact, you may wish to head over to auction sites to find <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/Bojubonbon/vintage-hermes-scarf/" target="_blank">genuine retro</a> scarves for this purpose. Although shops like Zara & Lush are doing some pretty good reproductions at the moment too. I picked up this spooky neon headscarf from Lush at Halloween & it's one of my favourite hair accessories right now. It definitely brightens up my day & has a bit of retro cool about it.<br />
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Oh & don't let not knowing how to tie them properly put you off, as I've got you covered with the video above. When I first got my headscarf I had no idea how to put it on either but it really is incredibly easy to figure out. So all you need to worry about is just being you!</div><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-69783222723438687032018-12-31T20:52:00.000+00:002019-01-09T11:35:43.757+00:00Party Season Sparkle With JD Williams<img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4805/45630421255_e81afeb109_o.png"><br />
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<center><i><a href="https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/black-sequin-shift-dress/GL169/product/details/show.action" target="_blank">Black Sequin Shift Dress</a> / <a href="https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/alice-silver-sequin-clutch-bag/ja112/product/details/show.action" target="_blank">Silver Sequin Clutch Bag</a> / <a href="https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/flexi-sole-sandals-standard-d-fit/bl311/product/details/show.action" target="_blank">Silver Glitter Sandals</a></i></center><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I love getting dressed up for Christmas party season. This is the one time of year when there's no such thing as too much sparkle & everyone gets themselves looking as glam as possible. You certainly can't go wrong with a glitzy sequin dress & I've been wearing this one from <a href="https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk" target="_blank">JD Williams</a> non-stop. They have an <a href="https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/womens/dresses/party-dresses/_/N-1yth62e/products/show.action" target="_blank">amazing range of party dresses</a> with something to suit every taste, budget & dress size. I picked it out along a few other pieces from their website to wear at all the parties I'd been invited to throughout the Christmas season. It's a real statement piece so you don't need tons of accessories to make it work. I really like this dress because it's so comfortable to wear but makes it look like you've made a lot of effort getting ready. Sequin dresses have the potential to be quite irritating but this one is made from a soft, stretchy jersey fabric so the sequins won't scratch your skin at all. The classic shift shape skims over any lumps & bumps so it would be flattering on most body shapes. The flared angel sleeves are great for hiding bingo wings & the neckline shows off my cleavage without being too revealing. The dress is available from size 10 to 32 & there's even a silver version if you fancy reversing my look. It's such a jazzy dress with a lovely shape & I'll be keeping it for many party seasons to come!<br />
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I decided to go with silver accessories as I normally always wear black & gold together. I wanted something a bit different but equally as sparkly to wear for Christmas parties. These glittery sandals come with a cushioned flexible sole which makes them surprisingly easy to dance in & they look even prettier in person. It might be cold outside but that will never stop me from wearing heeled sandals instead of shoes! It can sometimes be difficult to find high heels that come in different widths but like most shoes from JD Williams, these are available in D, E & EEE. I fell in love with this little sequin clutch bag as it goes beautifully with the dress & is just the right size for keeping all your party essentials safe. You can wear it as a clutch or as a cross body bag as it comes with a delicate silver strap inside.<br />
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To keep the silver theme going, I wore these fab Kiss Gel Fantasy false nails in Fanciful. They're nude with silver glittered tips & I can't think of a more appropriate style for party season. Of course, I also had to incorporate some silver into my makeup. I used the Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow in Diamond Dust all over my eyelids. I'm obsessed with these, they're so sparkly & add some instant glamour to any eye look. I can't get enough of red lipstick at this time of year. I mainly stick to pinks or nudes for everyday wear but Christmas & New Year's parties demand a red lip. I'm wearing Jordana Ticia Liquid Lipstick in Paint The Town. It's super bright & bound to draw attention to your lips as the clock strikes midnight.<br />
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Whether you'll be dancing the night away or finishing off the last of the Christmas leftovers on the sofa, I hope you have a wonderful time tonight as we celebrate the end of 2018. I'm definitely looking forward to the new year & I'll see you all tomorrow in 2019!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-31695769876385253632018-12-18T14:51:00.000+00:002019-02-18T21:42:39.938+00:00Tips For Perfecting & Professionalising Your Blog<img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4818/45644252894_7c75f0f83f_o.png"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Like most bloggers I started out writing blog posts as a fun hobby that also helped me to connect with people who had similar interests in beauty & fashion. After working with brands on collaborations for a number of years, the progression to becoming a professional blogger was gradual & almost accidental. Many people still don't see blogging as a real career & wonder how it's possible to make money from writing stuff on the Internet but the amount of hard work that goes into running a blog could easily prove them wrong. Blogging is an already crowded market & a lot of the people who have become really successful were simply in the right place at the right time. However one of the best things about blogging is that there truly is room for everyone. No matter what you want to write about, there's bound to be someone out there who wants to read it. People are naturally drawn to websites that are easy to navigate & pleasant to look at so it's important to make your blog look as professional as possible even if it's only something you do in your spare time. It can also increase your chances of getting to work with the brands you love! Turning your blog from a hobby into something that you can pursue as a career isn't an easy task but there are a few simple changes you can make to create greater success for your blog. Perfecting & professionalising your blog will take a lot of time & dedication but trust me, it will all be worth it in the end. Whether you're improving your <a href="http://www.sparklyvodka.com/2012/09/new-camera-blog-photography.html" target="_blank">blog photography</a> or working hard to improve your writing skills, there are many ways to better your blogging business. I thought I would share some tips that can help to catapult your blog from simple to spectacular.<br />
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<b>Buy A Business Address</b><br />
When you collaborate with brands or receive letters from your followers you might not want to let them know that your blog is actually based from the corner of your bedroom. Although that is nothing to be ashamed of, you want to come across as professional as possible. For privacy's sake, it's not the best idea to give out your home address to anyone & everyone. Head to <a href="https://physicaladdress.com" target="_blank">PhysicalAddress.com</a> & see how you can obtain your own business address to receive blogging mail. PR samples are a great perk of blogging but you never know which courier they're gonna use. Having your own business mailbox means no more waiting in for parcels from the likes of Hermes or Yodel for fear of them getting left in a bin. You can even check your mailbox from your mobile phone, so you can go and collect your bits & bobs as soon as they arrive.<br />
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<b>Update Your Equipment</b><br />
When starting out as a blogger you might not have the best camera or editing software but this is definitely something you should invest in. If you want to professionalise your blogging business you need to get up to date with your equipment. Whether you're updating your laptop, investing in new lighting or splashing out on a state of the art camera, it will all be worth it when you see your blog succeed. Blog photography is so important & it's harder to take good pictures without a decent camera. I started out blogging with a Canon 400D & then moved to a 650D when I wanted something a bit better. I now use a 70D which is brilliant for both photo & video. Lenses are also really important as they can totally change the feel of a shot. I switch between a 18-135mm, a 50mm, a 40mm & a 24mm depending on what kind of picture I'm taking. A lot of people don't seem to realise that it's totally acceptable to use your iPhone camera for blog photos. The newest iPhones have such fantastic cameras that you don't even really need to get a DSLR anymore. I currently take all my photos in natural lighting but it can be a struggle at this time of year. I've got some soft boxes but I'm planning on getting a ring light as they tend to be easier to move around. In terms of software, Photoshop & Lightroom are the best for editing photos. If you're just getting into video editing, iMovie is more than enough but if you want something really professional then Final Cut Pro is the way to go.<br />
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<b>Reach Out To Brands</b><br />
Back when I started blogging, brand collaborations mainly involved being sent samples for review purposes. I'm still more than happy to produce content in exchange for products but nowadays sponsored posts are the norm. If you have yet to land your first paid brand collaboration, then now would be the perfect time to start chasing. It can take a long time to actually get paid by a brand for endorsing their product so the sooner you can start the process, the better. Even if you start by buying one of their products yourself & doing an honest review about it, this is an excellent start. As long as you tag the brand, they should notice you & you might gain a PR contact in the process. Keep up this consistent work & you will land that dream collaboration in no time.<br />
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<b>Improve Your Writing Skills</b><br />
It's true that not all bloggers have a background in writing, in fact many just start up their blog because they have a passion for a niche topic. The way in which you write your blog posts is what will make them stand out from the rest. Think about tone of voice. Do you want your blog to impartially review or inform your readers about products? Or do you want your blog to be informal, friendly & personal? Either way, learning how to become a more professional & polished writer will start to bring you more success. In order to <a href="https://www.themuse.com/advice/10-simple-ways-to-become-a-better-writer" target="_blank">become a better writer</a> you just need to practice, practice, practice. Write all of your initial thoughts down on the page, then learn how to refine & edit them into something entertaining & flowing. Always perform a spell check before publishing your posts. It's so easy to make simple mistakes when you're busy typing away but being pedantic about grammar & spelling can make all the difference in terms of professionalism. Take an online course if you really want to become a super serious writer!<br />
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<b>Your Website Platform Is Important</b><br />
When someone clicks onto your website, they are going to make a million first impressions from the way it looks & navigates. There are so many awesome platforms out there for you to choose from, whether it's Blogger, WordPress or Wix. It's always worth paying to upgrade your platform so that you can make full use of the customisable options. If you struggle with customisation, Etsy is full of amazing blog templates that will take your site to the next level. I still use Blogger as I'm more than happy with the way it operates but I would recommend buying your own domain name. This gives you your own personal space on the Internet & increases your chances of landing brand collabs. The more unique your website can be, the more seriously people are going to take you. Make sure that your blog is optimised to work on all devices. If you spend some time checking that your website is slick & sophisticated, you will have peace of mind that your followers are in for a great experience.<br />
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<b>Create Aesthetically Pleasing Social Media</b><br />
Although this is not the be all & end all of being a successful blogger, it really does help to have aesthetically pleasing social media. Your Instagram grid should be consistent & pleasing to look at, so that your audience can determine exactly what you're all about right away. I still struggle with this & definitely don't post on Instagram as much as I should do but I think people mainly watch Instagram Stories now rather than scrolling endlessly through their feed anymore. I still believe that blog posts have much more permanence than Instagram pictures. Blogs are easier to search through, they're more informative & you retain full ownership of the content. A lot of bloggers that I've followed for years have abandoned their sites in favour of Instagram as there's more money being pumped into the opportunities there. It's such a shame as there are so many flaws to Instagram & even the best content can be completely lost to the algorithm. Organic reach has become more difficult & things like the swipe up ability being locked behind a 10k follower wall makes it harder for the vast majority of people. I think it's important to make your Instagram look good but don't forget that long form content should be your priority.<br />
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So try out some of these ideas & see how your blog could be turned into something much more professional. With a business address, all the high tech equipment you need & a wonderful website, you will be setting yourself up for long term success. All of these updates & improvements won't happen overnight but if you put in the hard work you will start to see results sooner than you might think!</div><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-61518030346725829822018-11-23T10:00:00.000+00:002018-11-23T20:52:26.639+00:00Image Skincare Vital C Travel Kit<img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/892/29045853588_3c23601636_o.png"><br />
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<center><i><a href="https://www.imageskincare.co.uk/skincare/collection/vital-c.html" target="_blank">Image Skincare Vital C Travel Kit</a>* - £28</i></center><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Travel kits are a great way of testing out new products before committing to a purchase. They're also really convenient for taking on holiday as you don't have to worry about decanting anything or being forced to throw away restricted items at the airport. I'm always eager to try new skincare products that are infused with vitamin C so I was really excited when <a href="https://www.imageskincare.co.uk" target="_blank">Image Skincare</a> kindly sent me one of their Vital C Travel Kits. After trying & loving their fantastic <a href="http://www.sparklyvodka.com/2017/08/image-skincare-i-masks.html" target="_blank">sheet masks</a> I was keen to see how the rest of their products measure up. They're an American skincare brand so their products aren't very well known over here but I've heard loads of good things about this range in particular. In this set you get four products from their Vital C range & one product from the Prevention+ collection as well as an adorable silk eye mask designed by <a href="https://dannijo.com" target="_blank">DANNIJO</a>. This luxurious mask feels so soft & comfortable to wear. It blocks out the light really well & will ensure that your beauty sleep remains completely uninterrupted. Unfortunately I don't think that the eye mask or the pretty pink packaging are available in the UK but all of the skincare products in the Vital C Travel Kit can be purchased from Image Skincare.<br />
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The Vital C range is Image Skincare's original & best selling collection. It promises to rehydrate, repair & renew your skin. The products would be ideal for those with dry, dehydrated, redness-prone, sensitive or aging skin types. Vitamin C is especially good for brightening up a dull complexion so it's always an ingredient I look for when buying new products. Apart from the Hydrating Repair Crème, all of the Vital C products have a strong orange fragrance so if you don't like citrus scents, this might not be the best range for you. I managed to get one week of use from this kit so I definitely got a good feel for the products & noticed some visible results within that time. There were a few items that I completely fell in love with & some that I would probably avoid in future but I'm glad I tried this tester kit as it has given me a better insight into Image Skincare as a brand overall. After using some more of their products, it's easy to see why they're so well loved across the pond.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.imageskincare.co.uk/hydrating-facial-cleanser" target="_blank">Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Facial Cleanser</a></b><br />
This creamy, hydrating cleanser feels so refreshing to use. The pale yellow cream turns clear as you massage it onto the skin. Image Skincare suggest massaging your face for one minute before rinsing it off. You can just use your hands for this but I found that it works brilliantly with my <a href="http://www.sparklyvodka.com/2017/06/foreo-luna-mini-2.html" target="_blank">Foreo Luna Mini 2</a>. It turns slightly milky & emulsifies when combined with water. This removes impurities whilst infusing skin with high levels of vitamin C to brighten as it cleanses. The cleanser has also been enhanced with retinyl palmitate to boost radiance & brighten sun-damaged skin. It left my skin feeling really fresh & balanced afterwards so it was well prepped for the rest of my skincare routine.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.imageskincare.co.uk/copy-of-vital-c-hydrating-anti-aging-serum-1-7oz" target="_blank">Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum</a></b><br />
The next step is to apply the Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum. This is one of Image Skincare's best selling products & it is also my favourite item from the travel kit. Similar to the cleanser, this serum also has a creamy texture. It's really hydrating & adds instant radiance to a dull complexion. The serum helps to support collagen production which plumps up the skin & softens the appearance of wrinkles. It also protects against oxidative stress & environmental damage. This wonder serum greatly reduces redness & immediately makes my skin tone look more even. When I first tried the Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum I was shocked by how quickly it had transformed the appearance of my skin. I would definitely purchase the full size version of this serum as the results are truly amazing!<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.imageskincare.co.uk/hydrating-repair-cr-me" target="_blank">Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Repair Crème</a></b><br />
I really enjoyed using the Hydrating Repair Crème. This rich, emollient moisturiser would be great for dry skin that is prone to redness & sensitivity. It intensely hydrates & provides long lasting moisture to the skin without making it look greasy. This cream features hyaluronic acid & ceramides which help to prevent the evaporation of moisture by forming a healthy barrier on the skin. The antioxidant formula protects against free radicals and it combats the visible effects of stress, fatigue & other environmental factors. It feels deeply nourishing & leaves my skin feeling exceptionally soft. This moisturiser would be the perfect way to revitalise & repair your skin overnight.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.imageskincare.co.uk/hydrating-enzyme-masque" target="_blank">Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Enzyme Masque</a></b><br />
Another product that I would repurchase is the Hydrating Enzyme Mask. This product strongly reminds me of the <a href="https://www.feelunique.com/p/Elemis-Papaya-Enzyme-Peel-50ml" target="_blank">Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel</a>. Some chemical exfoliants can be too powerful for those with sensitive skin so fruit enzymes are a much gentler way to resurface the texture of your skin. This mask uses papaya & pineapple fruit extracts to gently dissolve dead skin cells. The fruity ingredients give it a gorgeous scent so it's a real pleasure to use! The creamy mask format keeps the skin feeling hydrated & it also features hyaluronic acid to further plump up the skin. It infuses skin with protective antioxidants & vitamins to reveal a healthy looking glow. I managed to get three applications from this little tube which is how often they recommend using it per week. You simply apply a thin coat to freshly cleansed skin & leave it on for 30 minutes before washing it off with cool water. I'm accustomed to using really strong acids so I was surprised when it made my skin tingle. This sensation only lasted for about five minutes but it must be pretty potent! It's a fab mask to use whilst soaking in the bath or chilling out with a good book. It left my skin feeling super soft, smooth & hydrated. My pores looked really refined too. I'd highly recommend this mask as it manages to exfoliate the skin without irritation or compromising moisture.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.imageskincare.co.uk/daily-hydrating-moisturizer-spf-30" target="_blank">Image Skincare Prevention+ Daily Hydrating Moisturiser SPF 30</a></b><br />
When using vitamin C products, it's really important to wear sun protection so I understand why they added this product to the kit. It's just a shame that this moisturiser was such a let down. I don't mind moisturisers with added SPF but they're not my favourite thing either. I'm a fan of the <a href="https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/alpha-h-daily-essential-moisturiser-spf-50.html" target="_blank">Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 50+</a> but it's still much better to wear a regular day cream & a separate sunscreen. This particular product is proof of that. The moisturiser feels really rich so it'd be great for dry skin & it doesn't pill when applied over the serum. However on anyone else it soon deteriorates into a greasy mess. The sun protection comes from zinc oxide so it's a mineral sunscreen. These sit on the surface of the skin creating a physical barrier against UVA & UVB rays. The main downside of physical sunscreens is that they leave a white cast on the skin. They're also thicker & greasier than chemical sun protection products. For me personally, combining this kind of sunscreen with such a rich moisturiser is a recipe for disaster. Worst of all, it never fully dries down. When I wore this it made my skin feel slightly tacky all day & touching my face felt rather unpleasant. I couldn't wait to wash it off at night! Overall I loved the Vital C range but this Prevention+ moisturiser definitely did not work for me.</div><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614143865524029.post-30282537691050942032018-11-22T10:00:00.000+00:002018-11-22T10:00:10.933+00:00October Favourites<img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4806/31045620567_0c0e9a1eea_o.png"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="https://jordanaticia.co.uk/product/stargazer/" target="_blank">Jordana Ticia Cosmetics Base & Sparkle in Stargazer</a></b><br />
I have well & truly fallen down the rabbit hole of Instagram beauty brands. When you start following loads of Manchester-based makeup artists you'll notice that a lot of them use products from the same few brands & one that kept popping up in some of the most glam pics I came across was Jordana Ticia Cosmetics. They mainly sell lip products but Base & Sparkle is easily their best product. I've started favouring loose pigments over pressed eyeshadows for when I want something really pretty on the lid & I am completely obsessed with this easy to use eye duo. You simply apply the metallic cream eyeshadow base onto the lid with a flat eyeshadow brush like a MAC 242 & then pat the pigment over the top. Together they create the most beautiful, high shine effect on the eyes. Base & Sparkle comes in four different shades but Stargazer is definitely my favourite out of the bunch. It's a gorgeous soft sparkling gold that instantly adds a bit of glam to any eye look.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.dollbeauty.co.uk/products/doll-light-like-a-diamond" target="_blank">Doll Beauty Doll Light Highlighter in Like A Diamond</a></b><br />
Another brand that I discovered via Instagram is Doll Beauty. They are probably best known for their incredible false lashes but their highlighters are absolutely stunning! They do a couple of different shades that I often combine for a blinding effect but if I could only buy one it'd be Like A Diamond. It's a bit lighter than Shine Bright so it's better suited to my skin tone & makes my cheekbones glow like nothing else. It looks super smooth on the skin & shimmers without being glittery or highlighting texture. I find that it works best if I apply it after spritzing some MAC Fix+ over my face as this amps up the pigmentation even more & allows the powder to really melt into my skin. I've been a fan of <a href="https://www.feelunique.com/p/theBalm-Mary-Lou-Manizer-Luminizer-8.5g" target="_blank">theBalm's Mary-Lou Manizer</a> for the longest time & this is the only powder highlighter I've found that has managed to surpass it's power whilst matching the pale yellow undertone. It's such a beautiful product & if you like your highlighters on the blinding side, then this is the one for you.<br />
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<b><a href="https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-ascorbic-acid-8pct-alpha-arbutin-2pct-30ml" target="_blank">The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%</a></b><br />
We all know how much I love The Ordinary but when I tried one of their earliest Vitamin C formulations, I wasn't too impressed. It had a gritty texture which was cosmetically inelegant & made it generally unpleasant to use. They have since released various other forms of Vitamin C & I decided to take a chance on their Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%. I went through a whole bottle of their <a href="https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-alpha-arbutin-2pct-ha-30ml" target="_blank">Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA</a> & was really impressed with how quickly it faded my post-blemish scarring. By combining it with Ascorbic Acid they've created a super-charged serum that reduces the signs of aging & lightens hyperpigmentation as well as brightening & evening out the skin tone. The texture is lovely to use, there's no stickiness, greasiness or grittiness. The propanediol base makes it feel perfectly smooth on the skin but it still absorbs quickly. I starting seeing results after about a week & it's managed to lighten my scarring even faster than the Alpha Arbutin alone. My complexion looks much brighter & fresher now, I'm really happy with the way my skin looks since I started using this product every morning. This powerful combo of ingredients is pure genius & definitely worth adding to your skincare routine.<br />
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<b><a href="https://shop.balibalm.com/products/bergamot-grapefruit" target="_blank">Bali Balm Lip Balm in Bergamot & Grapefruit</a></b>*<br />
Winter weather calls for a hardcore lip balm & this year my product of choice comes from Bali Balm. This luxury vegan lip balm is incredibly moisturising due to the fantastic blend of coconut oil, castor seed oil, kukui nut oil & candelilla wax. It instantly makes my lips feel soothed & hydrated which is exactly what you need at this time of year. This intensive lip treatment will shield your skin from the elements & will stay on your lips for hours. The rich formula contains active botanicals that are high in antioxidants & boast antibacterial properties. One of the best things about this lip balm is the bespoke flavour. Bergamot & Grapefruit is a wonderfully potent combination. The bergamot provides the soothing familiarity found in Earl Grey tea whilst you get bittersweet citrusy notes from the floral grapefruit. These ingredients give the lip balm a clean, crisp & fruity taste. Bali Balm are a really eco-friendly brand. Not only are their products vegan & cruelty-free, you can also send your packaging back to them for recycling once you've finished with the lip balm. Beauty products must generate a huge amount of plastic waste so it's great to find a brand that are so dedicated to minimising their environmental impact.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13854/59897/products/makeup/lips/lipstick/lipstick-jamie-genevieve" target="_blank">MAC Jamie Genevieve Lipstick</a></b><br />
Jamie Genevieve is one of my favourite YouTubers of all time. She's such a beautiful person, inside & out. I love watching her full beat makeup tutorials as well as her weekly vlogs with Jack & Drogba. In terms of makeup Jamie is probably best known for her blinding glow, dark smokes & nude lips so it made perfect sense when she announced that her collaboration with MAC would be the ultimate nude lipstick. I went out to Selfridges in Manchester & bought it immediately. The lipstick is a medium beige with warm yellow undertones & it has a satin finish. Obviously as Jamie is really tanned it's a nude on her but it looks brown on me. I still really like the colour though as it's hard to find true beige lipsticks without any hint of pink. I love how Jamie always wears a darker lip liner & I think that her lipstick looks best with MAC Stripdown. I hope she comes out with more collabs soon as I'm pretty sure I'd buy anything she brings out. I recently picked up her <a href="https://jgenevievemerchandise.com/collections/t-shirts/products/tired-girl-club" target="_blank">Tired Girl Club t-shirt</a> & it's one of the comfiest tops I own!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">twitter</a> / <a href="http://sparklyvodka.tumblr.com" target="_blank">tumblr</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">youtube</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2056186/sparklyvodka" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a></span></center><br>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591166256830968181noreply@blogger.com0