My Makeup Collection: The Setting Powders

I've been putting off this post in the series as I think powders are soooooo boring. Although I use them on a daily basis I don't tend to bother splashing out so they are pretty similar, and aren't really too interesting to write about - but I thought I can't not include them as they occupy a whole drawer in my collection. Plus, some of you may be in the market for a new powder so this post is mainly here for you to browse. I have a couple of powders as I keep one in my handbag, one in my car and then have the ones I apply at home when I'm getting ready. I've used various different powders for years, one of the first makeup items I started wearing as a teen was a little powder compact from Boots to keep that shine at bay. Despite having used a ton of powders of the years, I only really repurchase the ones in this post as I deem them the best for my skin type at this moment in time. From illuminating powders, to mattifying marvels, I have a couple to show you - and here we are...

For a quick fix I like to use the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, I have a couple of these in slightly different shades and these are the ones I generally take out on the go. They aren't really practical as they don't have a mirror or anything, but I like this for touching up throughout the day. I've been using it for nearly six years so it has to have something good about it right? If I'm going somewhere and want a mirror in my bag as well, I use the Soap and Glory One Heck Of A Blot powder. I freakin' love this powder! It is one of my all time favourites. Nowadays I tend to sway towards more translucent powders as in my opinion they give a much better finish and look less cakey on the skin. Plus it's super lightweight so your skin can breath making it a perfect fit when wearing makeup over the summer.

If my skin is looking a little lack-lustre, I like to use the Sleek Luminous Powder as it has a slight shimmer running through it. Nothing major - it won't leave you looking like a unicorn or Edward Cullen, but it does give you a little glow that can be well appreciated in the winter months! And as for my everyday go-to face powder, the Maybelline Matte Maker powder is my all time favourite. It used to me known as the Dream Matte Powder, but they changed the name and packaging last year. I find it gives the perfect amount of mattifyingness (yes I know that's not a real word), without looking cakey or unnatural.

What is your favourite powder at the moment?

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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How To Get Your Blog Noticed

I have yet another post for all you newbie bloggers and those who are simply looking to up their game and get their blog out there! With new blogs popping up left right and centre, it can be difficult to make sure your's is one of the ones that gets noticed. Every blogger will at some point feel like their blog deserves to get more attention (including me!), but there are certain ways in which you can help yourself by making your blog somewhere that people want to go and visit! So here is my advice for getting your blog noticed!

Photos

This is personally the thing that I feel is most important when it comes to running a blog. Make sure that your photos are as good as they can be. Compose them in interesting ways, edit them to make colours stand out yet look realistic. Photos are key in getting your blog noticed as many people like to simply look at the pictures and if you have dark, grainy photos they are less likely to revisit your blog. If people like your photos, chances are they may even read the content that goes alongside it. If you are new to blogging and are looking at improving your photos - I have written a bunch of tips, even sharing how I take and how I edit my blog post photos.

Content

Create content that you yourself would want to read. Make it interesting, do your research on products and topics, and think of what could be appealing to likeminded people. If you use the Blogger platform, you can even use Google Analytics to see what your readers are interested in so you can tailor your posts to suit your audience. And remember - personality gets you everywhere! So crack jokes, use italics, bold and underlines to convey your tone of voice. It seriously helps your readers connect with you and your blog. 

Check, Check and Check Again!

Always, and I mean always make sure you proof-read your posts before publishing them. There is nothing more embarrassing than finding a mistake after people have read the post and it is too late. Alongside your blog posts, check all the links work in your side bar (or wherever you have them). It is so annoying when you go to click an Instagram/Facebook/Twitter link to get the 'this page does not exist' message.

Get Your Name Out There
Comment on other people's posts, and I don't mean something along the lines of "check out my blog" or "follow for follow"! Leave feedback engaging with their content, constructive criticism, and make sure you leave a link at the end of your comment and people in the comments may pop over and visit your blog! Talk to people on social media, just be yourself and people will start to take notice of you.

Design

If your serious about getting into blogging, it can be worth investing in a template from places like Etsy. Since I took the plunge and purchased one from PipDig in January, my blog has had so many more visitors and I think this was the reason why! The look of your blog is extremely important. It needs to be well laid out with a clear blog title, social media links and a brief description of yourself. You should create pages so its easy for readers to navigate around your site. And most importantly, your blog posts should be easy to see and read - with a comments section so you readers can get in touch and leave nice messages!

Got any tips of your own? Leave them below and share the love!

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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A Beauty Detox Revisited

Around the same time last year I shared with you my tips on how to give your beauty collection a little clear out (here), and so many of you really seemed to relate to the post as I got tons of tweets telling me you were going to have a spring clean! When the winter season starts transitioning into spring, I religiously have a big clearout. My wardrobe has a big sort through, I clear out all unnecessary tat, I even review who I follow on social media as I simply don't have the time for annoying or negative people in my life (*goodbye to the girl who I spoke to for approximately 30 seconds during freshers week and have never seen again*) - I basically just like to take the time to declutter my entire life. SO! I thought I'd do a slightly updated version of what I told you last year and share with you some quick tips on how to declutter!

Pull everything out of one drawer/cupboard. The only way to assess the situation, is to take one drawer out at a time and empty the contents onto the floor. There is no point getting all of your possessions out at once as you will just get overwhelmed and give up before you've even started. The best thing to do is to have a little sort the things from the drawer and divide into three separate piles. One of things that should actually go in that particular drawer, one of things that belong in another places, and one of stuff to get rid of/donate/sell. Do a quick (or thorough if you have the time) clean of the drawer and put the things that should go in that particular drawer back in. 

Put a load in your car to take to charity/take rubbish outside. If you’ve bagged up a fair amount of stuff to go out, chances are it's starting to take over an area of your room. So take a couple of minutes to take the stuff out to the car so when you are next going out, you can drop it off and get rid of it. By doing this you will have more space to carry on clearing out, and it will stop you rummaging through stuff and changing your mind!

Pick up 10 things, and find a place for them. These should be things that you actually use, but that you just put down because you don't have the time to put them away properly. Like when you are doing your makeup on a morning and you leave your products tipped out on the bed because you have to dash off to catch the train. If you don’t actually have a place where these things belong, you have to find and designate a spot for them. Having a place for everything makes you much more likely to put something away after you've finished using it - trust me!

Clear everything off a surface. For example a bedside table, is there a mug from last night's cup of tea? Clear off everything possible, except maybe one or two essential things like a candle or your lamp - give the surface a quick clean, and arrange it nicely. While you're at it you can even give the ornaments a quick clean too!

Look at each item individually and decide whether or not you need it. Looking at each thing one at a time makes you more likely to make a better decision when deciding whether you want to keep it or not. With each item, ask yourself whether or not you actually need it - and if not give it away to charity or someone who will make proper use out of it!

Will you be having a spring clearout this year?

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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