tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34241716465979890332024-03-17T01:02:28.229-07:00Lauren Annlaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-37754415121862185442021-04-11T11:08:00.002-07:002021-04-11T11:08:54.877-07:00Roccabox April 2021: Contents and Review<p><span style="font-size: xx-small;">* ad - this post contains items gifted from Roccabox.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></p><p>Subscription boxes are so exciting. It's nice having a little treat each month and not knowing what's going to be inside. Roccabox in my opinion is one of the most affordable and quality beauty subscription boxes out there.</p><p>This months subscription box is particularly great as it's an all vegan beauty box! Every single product is vegan-friendly, clean and cruelty-free which is a bonus.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFU2-ELVvUhGUo0C_TAq212MK2BM-cVwjN5qowrCOS0wiUu0SoYqvZmn2rUctOYDpUByPQJXIg6gWoph4SjoANO5QQp6tUsNb6H4Xc5JPE7Oy0AyLty_Auh9kBJ6wd6RL0tp4NOoL-RM/s2048/roccabox+contents.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Roccabox contents" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFU2-ELVvUhGUo0C_TAq212MK2BM-cVwjN5qowrCOS0wiUu0SoYqvZmn2rUctOYDpUByPQJXIg6gWoph4SjoANO5QQp6tUsNb6H4Xc5JPE7Oy0AyLty_Auh9kBJ6wd6RL0tp4NOoL-RM/s16000/roccabox+contents.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">April 2021 Roccabox Contents:</span></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Kat Von D Vegan Beauty - Kitten Mini Tattoo Liner (RRP: £10.00)</span></b></p><p>I've actually tried this tattoo liner before and it is incredible. This is the travel size liner so perfect for travel purposes (not that we can do this currently)! The tip of the bristles come to a crisp point so that you're able to get accurate precision. Considering this is a travel size product, it's actually a generous size and I reckon you'll be able to get plenty of uses out of it.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Grow Gorgeous Haircare - Defence Detoxifying Scalp Scrub (RRP: £6.00)</span></b></p><p>I had never tried a scalp scrub before this one. I didn't even know they were a thing! This apparently helps to remove product build up, dead cells and excess sebum. After using it my scalp and hair did feel a lot cleaner however I found it slightly difficult to wash out so just be careful. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Balance Me Skincare - Collagen Boost Moisturiser (RRP: £10.00)</span></b></p><p>I have always loved Balance Me Skincare and have tried multiple products from this brand. This moisturiser claims to pump out dehydrated skin and boost radiance levels. I love that this contains Hyaluronic-Acid and after using it a few times I've noticed it absorbs nicely on the skin. The only downside I can see so far is that the bottle it comes in is quite small but for the price of the Roccabox I can't complain!</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Beauty Papier - Golden Superfood Anti-Oxidant Shower Gel (RRP: £25.00)</span></b></p><p>This smells amazing! The amount of times I've opened the lid to smell this is unreal. It's packed full of skin-loving superfoods such as pumpkin, argan, aloe vera and orange and it is rich in anti-oxidants. Roccabox has included the full-size of this shower gel which is incredible and I have to say this is definitely my favourite product out of them all.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Vitamasques - Gold Eye Pads (RRP: £5.99)</span></b></p><p>I haven't tried these eye pads yet but they look very promising. 'They are infused with 24 karat gold and hyaluronic acid to reduce the look of fine lines, pump moisture and brighten dark circles.'</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i>And last but not least...</i></b></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Coconut Collaborative - Chocolate Little Pots (RRP: £2.00 x 4)</span></b></p><p>This was a great little bonus in this months Roccabox! I've already eaten both of these chocolate pots and I must say I was very impressed. Considering these are vegan and dairy-free, they taste exactly like chocolate! They are also just 100 calories each which is nice.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Favourite Product - </i></b><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Beauty Papier - Golden Superfood Anti-Oxidant Shower Gel</span></i></b></span></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></i></b></p><p><span><b>Roccabox </b>is just £10.00 a month (plus p&p) and you can sign up by clicking <a href="https://roccabox.co.uk/pages/subscribe" rel="nofollow">this link.</a></span></p><p><b><br /></b></p>laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-90087782260758084852021-01-10T10:10:00.008-08:002021-01-10T10:26:40.129-08:00My favourite loungewear pieces<p> Another lockdown means I'm once again living in loungewear sets, which is fine by me. </p><p>I must admit, I do love getting dressed up in fancy dresses, jeans and a comfy jumper but sometimes it's nice to chill round the house in comfy clothes. When I'm having an admin day, I stay away from pyjamas (so I don't get unmotivated) but a loungewear set is that perfect in-between. I still feel like I'm slightly put together and I can also quickly pop into the post office if needed without getting strange looks.</p><p>So, here are a few of my favourite loungewear pieces this winter:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGeFgAR9Im0VDi4Br5Ao3rqpTPKSUBPNBwTNszT5Q_XGOaPaOS7kfUsOgDQ3bVHaY-Ac_UFnvGhsPMGuSFUKVOAHHV6lILrsp65JLzHpRGJhGOzLefPl2uxmEfFvLUATxEL3B7P2zZwM/s2048/Facetune_10-01-2021-17-12-20+2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGeFgAR9Im0VDi4Br5Ao3rqpTPKSUBPNBwTNszT5Q_XGOaPaOS7kfUsOgDQ3bVHaY-Ac_UFnvGhsPMGuSFUKVOAHHV6lILrsp65JLzHpRGJhGOzLefPl2uxmEfFvLUATxEL3B7P2zZwM/s16000/Facetune_10-01-2021-17-12-20+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MissPap - <a href="https://www.misspap.com/short-sleeve-boxy-loungewear-set/MPP98424.html?color=209"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Short Sleeve Boxy Loungewear Set (Size S/M)</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This has got to be my favourite loungewear set off all time. It is extremely comfortable, and I actually have 3 other colours of this same set. The sage green colour looks chic and the fit is perfect for shorter girls like myself. If you're quite tall, I wouldn't recommend it just because the trousers do come quite far up the leg and I'm just 5'3. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOHi-DCuSjmpTCGC_PvHNe9PN1HiWve1Xe37_lVR2nugr89jVl65vcPh8iGt6gLo94XyN78a5ZVrZSXxHpJruomhrKoRhZEFdJmRkRAc5R_w7P-kJ1SZQKYb7pwXfTvjGJMaV6JOlxHc/s1976/IMG_1819+2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="1976" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOHi-DCuSjmpTCGC_PvHNe9PN1HiWve1Xe37_lVR2nugr89jVl65vcPh8iGt6gLo94XyN78a5ZVrZSXxHpJruomhrKoRhZEFdJmRkRAc5R_w7P-kJ1SZQKYb7pwXfTvjGJMaV6JOlxHc/s16000/IMG_1819+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Misspap - <a href="https://www.misspap.com/boxy-top-and-short-pj-set/MPP91657-3.html?color=209"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Boxy Top and Short Set (Size S/M)</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>This is the second set, which is a short-sleeve top and shorts set. If you're like me and like to whack the heating up, but then get too hot and have to change outfits then this will be perfect for you! The material and fit is exactly like the above lounge set.</div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBW2-GkKnw6yswx-M9QPHMz7LkLF6IxyN1cgg3q45emMQTr0Ntgp3TQNyphvApBbASS9ZK3HXbYREzmqgbDwMW56OGshnvhOa5b1OiLRHXPL9R_uRkOB0ROi73Hhp3VUNsFfPWU1R308/s828/IMG_1838+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="828" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBW2-GkKnw6yswx-M9QPHMz7LkLF6IxyN1cgg3q45emMQTr0Ntgp3TQNyphvApBbASS9ZK3HXbYREzmqgbDwMW56OGshnvhOa5b1OiLRHXPL9R_uRkOB0ROi73Hhp3VUNsFfPWU1R308/s16000/IMG_1838+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boohoo - <a href="https://www.boohoo.com/basic-joggers/FZZ95649-173-16.html?istCompanyId=4bd63293-f970-4d25-8695-422e3c08a364&istFeedId=4213e776-38e9-4fed-89b9-aadfd4011112&istItemId=waaqxilwi&istBid=t&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6Or_BRC_ARIsAPzuer9hCbG8zSQzeo6bSSsw56OXori0FWMSYVejOoeh9RfEQRBELqvk48gaAtDsEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">White Cuffed Joggers</span></a> and ISawItFirst <a href="https://www.isawitfirst.com/products/basic-t-shirt-white-jla024960"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">T-Shirt</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This is a very basic look but an essential in my opinion. The Boohoo joggers fit perfectly and I love that they have a drawstring so you can adjust it accordingly. They also have a fleece lining, making them super warm and cozy!<br /><p><br /></p>laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-6490344465347152042020-09-13T14:21:00.007-07:002021-01-10T10:17:14.041-08:00Styling with Select Fashion<p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Hello everyone! </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.7px;"><span class="s2"></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">I haven’t posted on my blog in a while so I thought I’d come on here and share one of my favourite brands with you - Select Fashion! They kindly gifted me the items that I am about to share with you. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.7px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">As a lot of you may know, comfort for me is key but I still like to look like I’ve spent hours picking out my outfit. Select Fashion have so many incredible clothes on their website, ranging from tops to shoes, dresses, loungewear and coats - all for an affordable price! </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNW0sszamU-5DF0-f0D2yBWQ5C05_Rf6_Gg39dBUf8OSTCDKsgM6jgPfhuzsORbgIBqYLV6ES1wtToOD46XrKFSzi404TavWDYIzWg9IToW0i8IhSDwyZV__pJvOMXVqFfWO7Qf9ifiI0/s1773/34FD2B7B-48B4-43E0-9169-D12023FEA321.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1773" data-original-width="1773" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNW0sszamU-5DF0-f0D2yBWQ5C05_Rf6_Gg39dBUf8OSTCDKsgM6jgPfhuzsORbgIBqYLV6ES1wtToOD46XrKFSzi404TavWDYIzWg9IToW0i8IhSDwyZV__pJvOMXVqFfWO7Qf9ifiI0/w320-h320/34FD2B7B-48B4-43E0-9169-D12023FEA321.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.7px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">The first item I chose from their website was this gorgeous shirt! This looks so classy and sits really nicely when paired with some cream jeans and mules. The tortoiseshell buttons is what made this shirt stand out for me and the rolled up sleeves give the shirt a more relaxed look. I can’t believe that this is currently on their website for just £7.99! It definitely looks a lot more expensive than that. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.7px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">I then wanted to choose a pretty top for when it’s warmer outside, and with the nice weather approaching over the next few day’s this top will be perfect! For reference, this is called the ‘Ecru ruched mesh short sleeve top’. It is currently on the website for only £6.49 and has puffed sleeves which is so in trend this year! I paired this top with some light denim mom jeans and loafers. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Again, it looks like something you’d buy from Zara and has that expensive look to it which is a plus. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifF8TROqqZjco_ClNZrkwtKhAaxynxKScmF1B3ISfxi6tnD3C7pDiwh2XMaS1q1VrqyavmgnDneIpUJwp-BEJIRdIepwgPtO9ceCklE28FZ9fUwYZL_BEUTSd18JHqfFr4NI6ceGnCrpE/s2048/8036CBFC-FB10-4349-A350-06707403BEFA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifF8TROqqZjco_ClNZrkwtKhAaxynxKScmF1B3ISfxi6tnD3C7pDiwh2XMaS1q1VrqyavmgnDneIpUJwp-BEJIRdIepwgPtO9ceCklE28FZ9fUwYZL_BEUTSd18JHqfFr4NI6ceGnCrpE/s320/8036CBFC-FB10-4349-A350-06707403BEFA.jpeg" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.7px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">When looking through their website, I knew I wanted to find some loungewear so I had to pick out some joggers! The ones I found are currently on the website for £12.99 and are called the ‘Chalk pink basic cuffed hem joggers’. These are incredibly comfy and have cuffed hems which is the style of jogger I usually go for. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.7px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">The last item I chose was the ‘Seasalt tie dye ribbed crop tee’. Tie dye has made a comeback this year and I love it! I chose to go for this blue colour as I am not one to go for blue’s and greens normally, so it will be a great way to expand my wardrobe a bit. On the website, this top currently retails for £9.99 but is on sale at £6.99 which is such a bargain! I love the frills on the sleeves and I like that it isn’t extremely cropped so I can wear this with some high waisted jeans and feel comfortable. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.7px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">I hope you enjoyed reading and hopefully you’ve discovered some new clothing pieces that you’re going to love! Let me know which one you love the most. </span></p>laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-21123659055025354032020-07-19T13:28:00.001-07:002020-07-19T13:28:16.569-07:00Creightons Body Bliss Review<span style="font-size: x-small;">* Ad - These products were sent to me for review however all opinions are 100% my own and not influenced by the brand.</span><br />
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Body Bliss is a bath and body range that is vegan, cruelty-free & sustainable. They have made a great advance to using more sustainable packaging for their products and it looks great! Their bottles are made with 50% recycled plastic and are 100% recyclable whilst still being colourful and bright. I had the opportunity to try out their Mango and Papaya hand wash as well as their Pomegranate and Raspberry bath and shower gel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tkSukCC8L9oxP_bkuHR05UVLXrrCcXGydL2A82KYFj_ZEGtitwmd1fidXD0F2Js23SCZKGf43hhwrqEcaWCvJvuKvHK5l5v5l0lEQDRrulHGHsBlB_3CCIR3ixbYcg-gg0iVS0cG3iY/s1600/IMG_9228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tkSukCC8L9oxP_bkuHR05UVLXrrCcXGydL2A82KYFj_ZEGtitwmd1fidXD0F2Js23SCZKGf43hhwrqEcaWCvJvuKvHK5l5v5l0lEQDRrulHGHsBlB_3CCIR3ixbYcg-gg0iVS0cG3iY/s1600/IMG_9228.JPG" /></a></div>
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Starting with the hand wash, I absolutely love this and it is my favourite of the two products. As you can probably imagine, I have been washing my hands like crazy lately so this was a perfect opportunity to try this out.<br />
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I love the smell of mango so I knew this would be amazing. The smell makes me feel so refreshed and it hits you as soon as you squirt it out of the bottle. The product states it is made from 90% naturally derived ingredients which is great and also is another thing that attracts me to this brand. It lathers really well and made my hands feel so soft! I suffer with quite dry, sensitive skin and usually have to moisturise my hands after washing them. However, with this product I don't feel this dries my hands out at all which is always a bonus for me. The size of the product is 500ml so you get a lot of product for the price and it retails for £2.99 on their <a href="https://www.creightons.com/en/Body-Bliss-Mango-and-Papaya-Hand-Wash-500ml/m-1994.aspx" rel="nofollow">website</a>.<br />
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The other product is the Pomegranate and Raspberry bath and shower gel. This makes my skin feel smooth and also lathers really well. As soon as I squirted the product out of the bottle, I could smell the incredible sweet scent of the raspberries.<br />
It comes in a clear bottle so you can see the beautiful colour of the gel and you can also keep on top of how much product you have left. Also, due to the bright colour you can see how much you're putting on your loofah. This again comes in a 500ml bottle and is £2.99 on their <a href="https://www.creightons.com/en/Body-Bliss-Raspberry-and-Pomegranate-Bath-and-Shower-500ml/m-1989.aspx" rel="nofollow">website.</a><br />
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Overall, I'd highly recommend giving these products a go. They're super affordable and you can grab them from your local boots. At £2.99 you can't go wrong!laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-49959915647479002412020-04-06T10:33:00.001-07:002021-01-10T10:14:00.134-08:00Bubble T Cosmetics Soapscription Review - Lauren Ann<span style="font-size: x-small;">* These were gifted to me by Bubble T however, I was not required to create any content for the brand and I am doing so of my own accord. All opinions are 100% honest and not influenced by the brand.</span><br />
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Bubble T Cosmetics are a brand inspired by the popular 1980's drink, Bubble Tea. They make a huge selection of bath and body products, in a variety of fragrances. They use essential oils and tea-infused ingredients to create each product that is free from parabens, SLS and are cruelty-free!<br />
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Bubble T offers a subscription service known as 'Soapscription' which delivers 2 shower gels straight to your doorstep every month for just £4.99. Every subscriber is able to pick the fragrance they want delivered each month and you are able to temporarily pause your subscription if you want to miss the delivery for that month.<br />
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They offer a free trial box when you sign up, which will allow you to try out the product and see if it works on your skin. You can pick from a variety of fragrances for your first box, including:<br />
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<li>Avocado and Kiwi and Pink Lemonade</li>
<li>Vanilla Chai Tea and Coconut</li>
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I have now tried a varity of different scents from the Soapscription boxes and my favourite's so far have to be Rhubarb and Custard (which smells exactly like the sweets!) and Salted Caramel which is included in the most recent Soapscription box. Every shower gel I've used lathers really well and you only need a coin sized amount and it will be enough for almost your entire body.<br />
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So, if you're looking for a good shower gel and want the ease of having them delivered straight to your doorstep then I'd recommend giving Bubble T's Soapscription a try!<br />
<br />laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-68950455820119040432020-03-26T04:48:00.001-07:002021-01-10T10:14:20.235-08:00Federico Mahora FM Perfume Review - 413 IntenseFederico Mahora is a company that makes makes a variety of different cruelty-free fragrances and perfumes that smell extremely similar to designer brands but at a fraction of the price. Their prices range from £14.90-£23.50 which is a bargain compared to a lot of fragrances currently on the market. I was sent a perfume by the brand to test out and review which is Fragrance 413 (Intense). This retails for £18.90 and is very similar to La Vie Est Belle by Lancome which is one of my favourite<br />
perfumes!<br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><u>P A C K A G I N G</u></i></span><br />
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The packaging is very sophisticated and largely reminds me of the Jo Malone packaging which is sleek and simple. It is presented in a glass bottle and is a 50ml perfume which makes it a great size for your handbag or taking on holiday. The box it comes in displays the ingredients on the back as well as the collection, brand logo and brand name.<br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><u>S C E N T</u></i></span><br />
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The construction of this perfume is based on quite sweet and floral notes. The top two notes are blackcurrant and pear which is very apparent when you first spray the fragrance. After a few minutes, the floral notes begin to burst through with Iris, Orange Blossom and Jasmine. Finally, the base layer features praline, patchouli and vanilla which add to the sweetness of the perfume. This scent contains 30% of perfume which makes it a lot more intense and due to all the different components in this perfume, the scent subtly changes the longer you wear it.<br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><u>L A S T I N G T I M E </u></i></span><br />
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I am being incredibly honest when I say that this perfume does last all day! Due to the Patchouli, you can still smell the fragrance towards the end of the day. The fragrance is very strong so you only need a spray or two and that will be enough, otherwise it can be a bit overpowering.<br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><u>O V E R A L L O P I N I O N</u></i></span><br />
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I do really like this perfume. The fragrance is intense (like the bottle says) so I only tend to use one spray and that will last the entire day. It is a perfect perfume for an evening and looks lovely displayed on my dresser. So, if you're looking for a budget-friendly, sweet perfume then give this one a try.<br />
<br />laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-14857894308063972842020-01-26T12:06:00.000-08:002020-01-26T12:06:16.128-08:00My Beauty Empties of 2019<span style="font-size: xx-small;">* Some of the products in this blog post were gifted however all opinions are my own and 100% honest.</span><br />
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We are now at the end of 2019, how did that happen? There have been so many products I’ve tried this year and some of them I’ve loved so much they’re now completely empty. I couldn't possibly include every single product I have finished this year in one post, but I have selected a few that I have enjoyed the most. Being a Blogger and trying out new products all the time, I rarely stick to the same product consistently but there are some that are staples in my routine. I hope you find some products that you may like to try!<br />
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𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐲: 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬 & 𝐅𝐢𝐠 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐡 - I’ve already repurchased this so I’m on to my second bottle and I absolutely love it! Maya Rey are a 100% cruelty free brand that create products that are environmentally friendly and cater to what you need. I have very sensitive skin and I suffer from dyshidrotic eczema on my hands, and I have had no problems using this! Not to mention the smell is absolutely amazing!! Every time I use it, it fills the bathroom with its scent. I’d definitely recommend this one.<br />
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𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐮: 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐚𝐦 - This was gifted by Bilou quite a while ago now, and I finally got round to trying it this month. I have to say, I am now addicted to foamy shower creams! When having a shower, I usually use just a regular gel formula but since trying this I want to purchase all of their shower foam range! It smells exactly like watermelon and when I follow up with a foam lotion, my skin feels so soft. Bilou is a 100% vegan brand and is actually German. They have so many scents available in the shower foam and they also have other products too. I’d recommend having a try of one of their products, you won’t be disappointed!<br />
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𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐱: 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐲 - When Paradox sent me their sea salt spray I was so excited to try it! This was the first sea salt spray I had ever tried so it was completely new to me. At first, I wasn’t sure on how it made my hair feel as it does dry it out slightly but when I started to scrunch it up, I realised why so many people love sea salt sprays! I have naturally curly hair but often straighten it to make it a little more manageable, so when I use this my hair is completely straight. After spraying it in my hair and scrunching it up with my fingers, my hair starts to form little waves as if I’ve just come out of the sea. Obviously, if you’re familiar with sea salt sprays then this won’t be as exciting as I’m making out but for someone like me who had never used one before, it was! The smell is also lovely and the product is 90% plastic-free.<br />
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𝐍𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫 - I bleach my hair every few months and this conditioner (as well as the shampoo) has done wonders for my hair! Noughty are my go-to brand for shampoo and conditioner as I love that they are almost 100% natural! They don’t dry my hair out and actually make it feel so soft. The scent is quite strong but if you like lemon and camomile then you’ll love it! It can be difficult sometimes to get that last bit of product out of the tube but apart from that, the packaging is great. If you have blonde hair then I’d recommend this product. You can get it from their website, Feel Unique, Superdrug and Amazon.laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-74651833043640341962020-01-02T11:57:00.002-08:002020-01-02T12:13:00.238-08:00Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner Review | Life with Lauren<div class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;">* I have been sent glow tonic in the past, however I have since repurchased and all opinions are 100% my own. </span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The exfoliating toner ‘Pixi Glow Tonic’ is one of the most loved products out there at the minute. It contains <i>5% Glycolic Acid</i> and aims to brighten and tone the skin without being too harsh. If you look closely at the ingredients, it contains <i><span style="color: #444444;">Aloe</span></i> which helps with healing and is anti-inflammatory. The Glycolic Acid is what exfoliates the skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Does it actually work? Does it exfoliate your skin? </span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Pixi Glow Tonic is a weaker exfoliant which makes it perfect for sensitive skin. It has a PH of 4-5 but I would recommend using it just once a day so that your skin doesn’t become too dry! Since using this, I have noticed a difference in my skin. Obviously it’s not a huge difference as it is just a toner so it won’t work miracles by itself but it definitely has left my skin looking brighter! </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What does it smell and look like? </span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It smells quite floral and personally I like that however I don’t feel it is needed in a product like this. It’s very watery in consistency but does dry very quickly on the skin so you don’t even feel like you’ve got anything on which I love! The website says to use a cotton pad to apply the product however I would recommend putting it straight on your hands and applying it that way as a cotton pad will just absorb most of it. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What skin types is it suitable for? Where would a toner come in my skincare routine? </span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pixi claims it is for all skin types and I would definitely agree. It is not a harsh exfoliating toner so would be perfect for oily, combination dry and even sensitive skin too. It should be used after cleansing but before any other serums and moisturisers. You also need to follow up with an SPF as the Glycolic Acid makes your skin more susceptible to sun damage.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Would I recommend it? What do I rate it out of 10?</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">100% I would recommend it. Pixi do a 250ml bottle which is great and I have repurchased this twice already! As far as a rating is concerned, I would go for a 9/10 and the only thing that knocks it down is the added fragrance which I don’t feel is needed! Overall, it’s a great product and a definite staple in my routine. </span></span></div>
laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-14763567132279618282019-12-16T11:24:00.000-08:002019-12-19T11:30:59.695-08:00Christmas Gift Guide 2019<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3px;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">* I was gifted the Soap & Folk Soap Bars to include in this gift guide however, all opinions are my own and not influenced by this brand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px;">Christmas is creeping upon us and finding a present to buy for that ‘person who has everything’ can be pretty difficult! Therefore, I have decided to create a little gift guide to help you find some inspiration to make Christmas that tiny bit easier!</span></div>
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<span class="s2"><b>Soap Folk *</b></span></div>
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<span class="s2">If you haven’t already heard of Soap Folk then where have you been? They are a British brand that create natural organic soap and skincare. Their packaging is designed beautifully and is completely plastic-free making it great for the environment! They currently have some Christmassy scents including peppermint and spiced apple, which smell incredible and would make a great Christmas present. I have very sensitive skin so finding a soap that won’t irritate it can be difficult, but I have had absolutely no problems using these! So if you know anyone with sensitive skin or someone that suffers from any skin problems then these will be great! </span></div>
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<span class="s2"><b><u>Maya Rey Cassis & Fig Hand Soap</u></b></span></div>
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<span class="s2">This hand soap smells absolutely incredible! If you know someone that prefers to use a liquid soap rather than a soap bar then this will be perfect for them. Whenever I use this, my whole bathroom just fills with the scent! It is currently on the website for £14.50 for 500ml which is slightly pricey for a hand soap but definitely worth it. Not to mention, they are all handcrafted by a couple in Essex so it’s nice to be able to support them! </span></div>
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<span class="s2"><b><u>Engraved jewellery </u></b></span></div>
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<span class="s2">Etsy and Not on the high street do some beautiful engraved jewellery pieces. There’s so many options for what you can buy and they are all at a reasonable price too! You can even have your handprint or handwriting engraved on to a bracelet or necklace. If you’re looking for something a little more meaningful then this would be perfect! </span></div>
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<span class="s2"><b><u>A Hamper full of their favourite things </u></b></span></div>
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<span class="s2">This is my favourite thing to give to people on Christmas! It shows how well you know the person and also shows that you’ve put a lot of time and effort into making it completely personalised. I recommend buying a wicker basket and some shredded tissue paper to put all the gifts in, and then using cellophane over the top. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">I hope this gave you just a couple of ideas. Have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year! </span></div>
laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-53608055634159109202019-08-26T08:57:00.002-07:002021-01-10T10:17:41.922-08:00Botanics All Bright Range - Review<span style="font-size: xx-small;">* These products were sent to me by Botanics however, all opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way by the brand I am working with.</span><br />
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As you all know, I love my natural, cruelty-free skincare brands which is how I discovered Botanics. I've always been so intrigued by this brand due to its lovely packaging and logo. The brand includes a variety of products such as moisturisers, toners, scrubs and cleansers and they cater to all different skin types. The All Bright range appealed to me the most as it claims to brighten your skin which is what I suffer from the most due to having quite dry, dull-looking skin. The key plant ingredient in the All Bright range is <i>Hibiscus</i> which is rich in AHA's and helps to treat uneven skin tones.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Illuminating Radiance Balm - </i>This is my favourite product of them all. I love radiance balms but this one, in particular, is great because the glitter is tiny and doesn't leave you looking like a disco ball! It's perfect for applying under foundation but I love using it alone as it makes my skin look so glowy! It is also such a great price too which is what I love about Botanics.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Gentle Cleansing Cream - </i>I love that this cleanser is 82% organic! It is kind and gentle on the skin and feels refreshing on the skin. It doesn't leave any residue once you take it off and really feels like it has properly cleansed your skin. It does make my skin slightly dry so I have to follow up with an intense moisturiser afterwards but apart from that, it's a great cleanser.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Soothing Eye Makeup Remover - </i>This does a great job at removing my eye makeup even waterproof mascara! Just be careful not to get this in your eye because it will sting! It is partly oil-based which means it leaves your eyelids feeling a little oily but it's nothing too noticeable. Overall, this product does a great job at removing makeup which is its intended purpose so I'm happy.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Cleansing Facial Wipes - </i>These wipes surprised me as I'm not normally a fan of makeup wipes. They were gentle on the skin and are travel-friendly due to being quite small. My skin did feel cleansed after using them and when I followed up with a toner afterwards, I didn't notice any makeup or dirt left on my skin which is great!<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Micellar 3 in 1 Cleansing Solution - </i>I love this micellar water and feel it removes makeup really well. I've noticed it has brightened my skin since I first used it which is amazing and I am able to use it on my eyes without it stinging. This does contain Benzoic Acid so if you have really sensitive skin then I'm not sure if this would work for you, but it wasn't a problem for me and my skin is quite sensitive. The only problem I have with this product is that I end up putting too much on my cotton pad as there is just one hole for the solution to pour out of. But, apart from that, it's great!<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Refreshing Eye Roll-On - </i>This always feels so nice when I apply it under my eyes. I love putting this in the fridge when it's hot outside to really refresh my under eyes. I love the roller-ball applicator and although I haven't noticed a huge difference in my skin, it is a nice product to have in my routine!<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Radiance Concentrate Serum - </i>For such a small price, the Radiance Concentrate Serum is perfect. I apply this morning and night after cleansing and it leaves my skin feeling nourished but not oily. The glass bottle is a lovely touch too. If you're looking for a serum that's not too intense then I'd recommend going for this one!<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Hydrating Day Cream - </i>A little goes a long way with this product. It absorbs quickly making it a great base for underneath makeup. The scent is quite pleasant and doesn't irritate my skin at all. I also love that it contains SPF too making it a nice addition to your skincare routine in the summer months. The cream comes in a little pot which makes it great for travelling but it is also 50ml so will last you a decent amount of time.<br />
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Overall, I am really impressed with the Botanics All Bright Range! It is very affordable but the products work so nice with my skin. Let me know if you have tried any products by Botanics and how you have gotten on with them!laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-70584394889339905602019-08-18T12:14:00.001-07:002021-01-10T10:16:02.869-08:00I tried Drunk Elephant: Is it worth it?<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(104, 104, 104); color: #686868; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">* These products mentioned were gifted by Drunk Elephant however, all opinions and views are 100% mine and are not influenced in any way by the brand.</span><br />
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The Drunk Elephant Littles 3.0 is an ideal set of miniatures to take with you travelling or to try out before splurging on the full size products. It contains the:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">→ </span>Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser (30 ml)<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">→ </span>Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil (8 ml)<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">→ </span>T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum (8 ml)<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">→ </span>B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum (8 ml)<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">→ </span>C-Firma Day Serum (8 ml)<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">→ </span>C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream (5 ml)<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">→ </span>Protini Polypeptide Cream (15 ml)<br />
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These minis contain all you will need for a full skincare routine without breaking the bank. It's contained in a little blue bag which makes it perfect for putting in your suitcase. They recommend you don't mix other brands with this skincare brand so it was difficult for me to dedicate a few weeks to just Drunk Elephant skincare but I did it!<br />
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I'll start with the <b><i>No 9 Jelly Cleanser</i></b> which contains glycerine to maintain hydration as well as Marula Oil. This works really nicely, it does leave my skin feeling refreshed and lathers well. I use this as a double cleanse just because it doesn't do a great job at removing makeup, but that isn't it's intended purpose anyway so I can't complain. I only use it in the evening as that is advised but overall I am happy with how this works. You can purchase the full size for £27.<br />
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The <b><i>TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum</i></b> is next. I feel this has worked wonders on my skin even though it is an AHA. I love products that you apply overnight as it makes my skin feel so smooth when I wake up in the morning. It has improved the texture of my skin and also doesn't have any scent whatsoever, therefore it doesn't irritate my skin. This retails for £76 so although it is quite pricey, I would definitely repurchase this.<br />
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Next is the <b><i>C-Firma Day Serum</i></b>. I am going to be completely honest here and say that I haven't noticed much difference in my skin with this product however, I have heard differently from other people. It tingles slightly on your skin which is what it's meant to do due to the high levels of AHA. Don't let my experience put you off though because it has incredible reviews online meaning it obviously works for the majority of people. But for me, due to having quite sensitive skin it felt uncomfortable on my skin when I used it.<br />
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My skin loves a good oil so the <b><i>Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil</i></b> was the product I was most excited about! I apply this to my face & neck (although it can be applied anywhere you want a little extra moisture) and usually in the evening. Unlike a few oils I have tried, this one doesn't leave me with huge spots all over my face. It smells lovely and feels very hydrating on my skin without feeling greasy. It doesn't sink into your skin straight away which is why I like to use it before bed but it does leave my skin hydrated and glowy. This retails for £34.<br />
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Up next is the <b><i>Protini Polypeptide Cream</i></b> which retails at £57 for 50ml. I apply this morning and night after I have cleansed. This is quite a light cream so at first, I didn't expect it to work with my dry skin but to my surprise, it's actually a lot more hydrating than what meets the eye. This is perfect to apply before makeup and seems to mix really well with foundation.<br />
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The <b><i>B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum</i></b> is an intensely hydrating gel (as stated in the name) that not only moisturises your skin but also locks in that moisture too. I use this before the Protini Polypeptide Cream and they both work beautifully together. With this product, you have to use a moisturiser over the top otherwise, it will just draw all the moisture out of your skin as you're not putting anything over it. It feels refreshing upon application and it has lasted me a long time just because it's mixed with other products. It doesn't feel sticky and has a thick gel-like consistency. This retails at £44 for 50ml which isn't bad at all.<br />
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Last but not least is the <b><i>C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream</i></b>. I don't have any problems with my under-eyes, therefore, I can't say a huge lot about this product however it does feel hydrating and I have noticed some brightening too! It is quite pricey at £54 for 15ml so this isn't a product I would repurchase personally just because I haven't noticed any dramatic changes.<br />
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I do feel <b><i>Drunk Elephant</i></b> is a great brand that works for the vast majority of people. I will definitely be considering purchasing a few of the full-size products as I have loved using them. I'd recommend giving the Littles set a go as it's a great way to get to try out a range of their different skincare goodies! The steep price tag is probably the only downside to this brand but if they work for you then it's worth the investment.laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-35121533435158706812019-08-11T06:22:00.000-07:002020-03-30T03:21:02.859-07:00Freshly Cosmetics Brand Review | Life with Lauren<br />
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I'm sure if you follow my Instagram (@laurenannbeauty) then you would know that Freshly Cosmetics is one of my favourite cruelty-free brands! They produce high-quality, natural products which are also vegan-friendly and are suitable for a range of different skin types.<br />
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I have been sent (over the course of a few months) a variety of different products from Freshly which I have been testing out to give you all a completely honest and detailed review. In this post, I will be reviewing the Red Velvet Oil Serum, Rose Quartz Facial Cleanser, Multi-Antioxidant Facial Moisturiser and the Blue Radiance Enzymatic Serum. So, let's just dive right in...<br />
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I am going to start off with my holy grail product which is the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Rose Quartz Facial Cleanser</i>. This is a product suitable for all skin types as it doesn't contain any harsh ingredients. It deeply cleanses the skin without leaving it feeling dry and dehydrated. I use it in the morning and at night and then apply a toner on top. It has a gorgeous scent to it due to the range of different oils and fruity extracts. It does remove some makeup however, I would recommend using a makeup remover first to make sure your skin is properly cleansed. I have very sensitive skin and have never had any reaction to this product which is a good sign. I also love the pink packaging, it looks great displayed in my bathroom which is always a bonus!<br />
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The <i style="font-weight: bold;">Red Velvet Oil Serum</i> is a product that was released recently. It contains 15 plant-derived oils and 5 natural active ingredients. Before I even used the product, I knew I was going to love it! Due to having dry skin, serums and oils are great for me. One of my favourite things about this product is that it contains Rosehip Oil which leaves my skin looking so glowy! It has a light scent to it but nothing too harsh that will irritate your skin and I've noticed a little bit goes a long way with this serum. I haven't used it long enough to notice a difference in my skin in terms of redness and texture but I have noticed a difference in terms of hydration and glowiness.<br />
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I had the opportunity to pick a few products from Freshly's website and the <b><i>Blue Radiance Enzymatic Serum</i></b> was one of the products I chose. The colour of the serum is what intrigued me the most! It has a bright blue colour to it which almost doesn't look real. The plant that gives it this unique colour is Criste Marine which is high in Vitamin C and minerals. It claims to do all kinds of things such as exfoliate, rejuvenate, reduce wrinkles, blemishes and many more. I don't have any wrinkles so I can't comment on that aspect of the serum but I can say, it has definitely helped rejuvenate my skin and even made it appear less bumpy in texture.<br />
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The last product from Freshly Cosmetics that I have trialled is the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Multi-Antioxidant Facial Moisturiser. </i>I love the consistency of this moisturiser. It is creamy, quite runny and thin in consistency but sinks into your skin beautifully. Unlike other creams I have which are quite thick, this one makes applying makeup a quicker process as I don't have to sit around waiting for the moisturiser to sink into my skin. What makes this product a must-have for me is that it contains Hyaluronic Acid which is essential in my skincare routine no matter what. I usually use The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 but I don't have to with this product as it already contains it.<br />
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<i>Overall</i>, I have really enjoyed using these Freshly Cosmetics products and I know that I will definitely be topping up a couple of their products when I'm finished with them. If you're looking for a more natural approach to your skincare then Freshly is the brand for you!laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-73296886134080543132019-08-05T12:37:00.003-07:002021-01-10T10:14:35.967-08:00Salt of the Earth Deodorant Review - Natural & Cruelty-Free<span style="font-size: x-small;">* These products mentioned were gifted by Salt of the Earth however, all opinions and views are 100% mine and are not influenced in any way by the brand.</span><br />
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Finding cruelty-free and 100% natural products can be challenging, let alone finding this in a deodorant. The ones I had used before either had a horrible scent to them or just didn't last long under my arms at all.<br />
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Salt of the Earth very kindly offered to send me out a few of their deodorants to test out so I was excited to see if this brand would live up to my expectations. To my surprise, due to it being quite inexpensive, it did!<br />
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Salt of the Earth claims these few things:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial"; font-size: 24px;">‣ </span>Long Lasting Protection<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial"; font-size: 24px;">‣ </span>Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial"; font-size: 24px;">‣ </span>No White Marks<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial"; font-size: 24px;">‣ </span>Not Tested on Animals<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial"; font-size: 24px;">‣ </span>100% Natural Ingredients<br />
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<i>Sounds great right?</i><br />
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Their deodorants are all made in the UK (apart from their crystal deodorant sticks), manufactured in Hampshire. The deodorants that I tested were the Lavender & Vanilla Roll On Deodorant and their Amber & Sandalwood Spray Deodorant which is a new release of theirs.<br />
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The <span style="color: #38761d;"><b><a href="https://crystalspring.co.uk/collections/award-winning-deodorants/products/pure-aura-scented-natural-deodorant-spray">Lavender & Vanilla Deodorant</a></b> </span>is almost completely used up as it is currently the deodorant I am using everyday. It has a <i><b>fresh, floral </b></i>scent but isn't too overwhelming. As many of you probably know, I don't like using Lavender products as it gives me horrible migraines but I can truthfully say, I haven't experienced any with this deodorant as the fragrance is so light. The roll-on works perfectly fine and I've had no problems with this so far. It distributes a good amount of product and although I am not a very sweaty person anyway, I have only used this (at a maximum) twice a day.<br />
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The <span style="color: #38761d;"><b><a href="https://crystalspring.co.uk/collections/spray-deodorant/products/amber-sandalwood-natural-deodorant-spray">Amber & Sandalwood Spray Deodorant</a></b> </span>is described as a unisex deodorant due to its natural scent. It's one of their newest releases and it's definitely a good one! I am not a huge fan of the spray deodorant in comparison to the roll-on deodorant just because I don't feel the distribution of the product is as accurate as I'd like. However, this scent is available in roll-on form so I can't complain!<br />
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Their deodorants are recyclable however, they are heading towards using as little plastic as they possibly can which is why they introduced a plastic-free stick deodorant which is great.<br />
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Overall, Salt of the Earth is a brand I am 100% in love with and I can't deny that I'll be buying from them again in the future.laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-58443175024950455192019-06-12T14:16:00.001-07:002019-06-20T12:09:17.220-07:00Dr Bronners Review - Life with Lauren<div class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">*These products were gifted however all opinions are my own and not influenced by Dr Bronners in anyway.</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Dr Bronners is a Cruelty-Free and Vegan (apart from a few) Soap Company that produce a range of soap and personal care products at great quality! They thrive to help the environment by creating products that can be used in a number of different ways, therefore reducing the amount of (mainly plastic) cleaning and beauty products we buy. I was sent a few products from the company to test out, so I thought I’d share my thoughts with you all! </span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">If you haven’t already tried the Dr Bronners Liquid Castile Soap then you need to jump on this bandwagon! I have been using the Rose scented one and I’ve found it to be so versatile. It has a transparent, runny consistency and a little bit goes along way. Before this, I was using Zoflora and I actually prefer the Castile Soap <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>mainly based on the fact that it can be used for so many different things. Here’s a few examples:</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Brushing your teeth</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Washing your dishes</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Doing Laundry</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">All-purpose cleaning... and so much more! </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The other product I tried out was the Lavender Hair Creme. I’m not normally a huge fan of Lavender as it tends to give me migraines but this hasn’t got a strong smell at all! I have dry, curly hair and it does feel very nourishing without being oily. I’d recommend using no more than a pea size amount though just because I feel too much could make your hair greasy and that’s the last thing you want when you’ve just washed your hair! </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Overall, I really love both products and if I had to pick a favourite it would be the Castile Soap purely based on its versatility! It’s also a product I feel I reach for more often. </span></div>
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laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-31889645265381277292019-05-12T12:38:00.001-07:002021-01-10T10:15:34.417-08:00The Ordinary Brand Review: The Ultimate Guide | Which one's are compatible?<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;">I'm sure every one of you has already heard of the brand The Ordinary by DECIEM. It is a cruelty-free brand which is free from <b>parabens, sulphates, mineral oils</b>... and many other toxic ingredients. They have serums, moisturisers and retinoids to suit every skin-type but they're so affordable, with most of their products being <i>under £10</i>. So many of their products work great together and to answer the most asked question - yes, they do work!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>P r o d u c t G u i d e </i></b></span></div>
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Right, I'm going to start of by explaining a little bit about what each type of product does. I'm not going to go super in-depth because I'll be typing forever but I'll link more thorough explanations beside each type.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Direct Acids</i></span></b> - These are used to tackle skin concerns such as <i>wrinkles, blemishes </i>and <i>skin texture</i>. They are mainly used for exfoliation (with the exception of Hyaluronic Acid) and the key to acids, if you've never used them before, is to start off slowly.</div>
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Some recommended acids are:</div>
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<a href="https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-lactic-acid-10pct-ha-2pct-30ml"><span style="color: #990000;">Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-salicylic-acid-2pct-solution-30ml?redir=1"><span style="color: #990000;">Salicylic Acid 2% Solution</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-glycolic-acid-7pct-toning-solution-240ml?redir=1"><span style="color: #990000;">Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><a href="https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-hyaluronic-acid-2pct-b5-30ml?redir=1">Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5</a> - This is a Hydrator but still classed as an Acid.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6c6e; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Note: You must use sunscreen, especially if you’re using acids and retinoids.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Retinoids</i></span> </span>- </b>They stimulate skin cell production and help with hyperpigmentation, hormonal changes and scarring. Retinoids also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and skin discolouration</div>
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Some recommended retinoids are:</div>
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<a href="https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-advanced-retinoid-2pct-30ml?redir=1"><span style="color: #990000;">Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion </span></a></div>
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<a href="https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-retinol-1pct-in-squalane-30ml?redir=1"><span style="color: #990000;"><span id="goog_833764125"></span><span id="goog_833764126"></span>Retinol 1% in Squalene</span></a><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><a href="https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-granactive-retinoid-2pct-in-squalane-30ml?redir=1">Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalene</a> - I'd highly recommend starting with this one if you've never really used a retinoid before.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Vitamin C </i></span>- </b>Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant that helps to brighten skin tone and improve signs of ageing. Vitamin C is known to boost collagen production and help fight damage against UV radiation (however, these products are <i>NOT</i> an alternative for sunscreen!).<br />
Some recommended Vitamin C products are:<br />
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<a href="https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-ascorbyl-glucoside-solution-12pct-30ml?redir=1"><span style="color: #990000;">Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%</span></a><br />
<a href="https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-vitamin-c-suspension-30pct-in-silicone-30ml?redir=1"><span style="color: #990000;">Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone</span></a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Peptides</i></span> - </b>These also help to improve signs of ageing as well as generally improving skin health. It also helps to improve the skin's elasticity. There are different types of Peptides, some of which can be used in wound healing.<br />
Some recommended Peptides are:<br />
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<a href="https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-buffet-copper-peptides-1pct-30ml?redir=1"><span style="color: #990000;">Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%</span></a><br />
<a href="https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-matrixyl-10pct-ha-30ml?redir=1"><span style="color: #990000;">Matrixyl 10% + HA</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">The Ordinary do have a few other ranges such as oils, anti-oxidants, suncare and hydrators but they are all self-explanatory really. I'd highly suggest looking at The Ordinary Regimen Guide if you'd like to know more information on when each product can be used (AM or PM), whether they need to be applied with a sunscreen and what each product does.</span><br />
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<b style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><i> W h a t p r o d u c t s a r e c o m p a t i b l e ?</i></b><br />
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1. Most products by The Ordinary are either water-based or oil-based. Therefore, water-based products should always be applied first.<br />
2. Products with a similar PH level work best with each other.<br />
3. Don't use too many products that do the <i>same </i>job. For example, using Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid together when they are both exfoliators.<br />
4. Vitamin C and Niacinamide are known to cancel each other out, so it is not recommended to use these products together.<br />
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Low pH products – in order of lowest pH first:</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">Salicylic Acid 2% Solution (pH 3.2-3.5)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">Mandelic Acid 10% + HA (pH 3.5-3.7)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution (pH 3.5-3.7)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution (pH 3.5-3.7)</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> - Use this after cleanser but before anything else.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% (pH 3.8)</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"> (Water-Based)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% (pH 3.8)</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"> (Water-Based)</span></div>
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<span style="color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.741176470588235);"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Higher pH products:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">Advanced Retinoid 2% (pH 5-6)</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"> (Water-Based)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">Matrixyl 10% + HA (pH 5-6)</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"> (Water-Based)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (pH 5.5-6.5)</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> (Water-Based)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% (pH 6-7)</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"> (Water-Based)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">Argireline Solution 10% (pH 6-7)</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"> (Water-Based)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">“Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% (pH 6-7)</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"> (Water-Based)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA (pH 6.5-7)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10% (pH 6.5-7.5)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (pH 6.5-7.5) (Water-Based)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">I'd highly recommend checking out</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> <i><a href="https://m.facebook.com/groups/1152773461498024">this</a></i> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.74); font-family: inherit;">facebook group which is focused all on The Ordinary. People discuss their routines and most loved/hated products which will really help you if you're new to the brand.</span></div>
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<b style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.74);"><span style="font-size: large;">...</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The Ordinary is a great, affordable brand with such high-quality products. Make sure you do your homework first, and really look into what products would work best with your skin type!</span></div>
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laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-42177335867754346322019-04-16T13:06:00.001-07:002021-01-10T10:14:51.835-08:00Monthly Favourites - Cruelty-Free Edition<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">* ad - Products marked with an asterix were gifted however all opinions are my own and I truly do love the products I have mentioned. Although these were gifted, this post was not written as part of a collaboration.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have been trying out so many different cruelty-free brands
in March so I thought it would only be right to do a Monthly Favourites post
featuring all my favourite brands! Since switching to using only Cruelty-Free
Brands, it has made me realise just how many big companies there are out there
that are still testing on animals. It's shocking. Anyway, let's focus on the
brands that don't test on animals and are amazing!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">1. Noughty Haircare - Hello Curls</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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* Anyone that follows my Instagram (<span style="color: #a64d79;">@laurenannbeauty</span>)
will know that Noughty is one of my favourite Cruelty-Free haircare
brands! I was sent their Hello Curls Primer a few weeks ago and it is now
a holy-grail in my routine. It really helps define my curls but doesn't leave
my hair feeling sticky or crispy. I like to use it when my hair is damp as I
feel that's when it works the best but it's still great either way. I much
prefer using this to using a mousse as it's a lot less hassle and not as messy!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">2. XO Balm - Multipurpose Natural Balm</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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* This is another product that I have featured on my Instagram
and you'll see why when I list the ingredients it contains! XO Balm is a 100%
natural product which you can use for pretty much everything. It contains just
4 ingredients which are:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Beeswax, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Chia Seed Oil</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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It is also sustainable by arriving in a tin instead of using
plastic packaging. I've been using it for any dry areas on my body including my
face and haven't found it to clog my pores at all! What's great about XO Balm
is that it has a little mirror on the inside of the tin which makes it great
for travelling. I've been using this balm for a couple of weeks now and it
looks like I've hardly used it, which is great as it'll last for a long time!
I'd highly recommend this for people with dry skin.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">3. Maya Rey - Bath Salts and Liquid Hand Soap</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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* Maya Rey produces some really great products, not to mention
how gorgeous their packaging is! They recently launched their new liquid hand
soaps and I have to say, they smell incredible. I've been using this in my
bathroom and after using it, the scent stays for ages. The Bath Salts also have
a lovely scent which makes me want to fall asleep in the bath! The Coconut Oil
in the Bath Salts (Ylang Yland and Coconut Oil) also make my skin feel so soft.
The main reason why I love this brand so much is the fact that they are
environmentally friendly and use hardly any plastic packaging!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">4. Superdrug Vitamin E Skincare Range<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I haven't stopped talking about this range from Superdrug
since I purchased them last month. I have been using the SPF15 Day Cream every
single day and the Leave On Mask at night. If you follow me on Instagram, you
would have seen the Vitamin E range on my stories and posts multiple times as I
just can't stop talking about how much they have improved my skin! I like to
use the Radiance Face Cream when I want my skin to look extra dewy, it really
shimmers in the light and makes my skin look incredible. It's like sunshine in
a tube! With the Leave on Mask, you can either leave it on for 10 minutes and
wipe it off or just keep it on and that's what I like to do. I love applying
this just before I go to sleep, and waking up with super soft skin! It has a
gel-like consistency and so far I haven't had any issues at all. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you're looking for a cheap but incredible skincare range
then I'd highly recommend the Superdrug Vitamin E range!<o:p></o:p></div>
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5. Dr Botanicals - Lemon Superfood Rescue Balm</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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* This product has such a refreshing scent and can be used as
a cleanser or a deep facial moisturiser. I'd highly recommend this if you have
quite dry skin but it's suitable for normal skin types too! It does contain a
few different oils so does leave your face looking quite shiny which is why I
love to use this overnight! If I know I'll be wearing a full face of makeup the
following day, then I like to use this balm to prep my skin and make it feel
extra hydrated. I have used this a couple of times to help remove my makeup and
it does a pretty good job of that too so it's a great product for travelling if
you've got limited space in your suitcase!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">6. Bilou Coco Cocktail Body spray</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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This smells <span style="color: #93c47d;"> a b s o l u t e l y</span> incredible!
I recently brought this for a friend at work because she loved the smell of it!
It literally smells like you're on holiday drinking a nice cocktail (hence the
name)! Bilou is a vegan brand and they really have an incredible range of body
sprays, shower creams and foam lotions. What's great about their body
sprays is that it can be used as both a deodorant and a spray. I'd highly
recommend this brand if you want to smell incredible all the time!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">7. Yes-to Grapefruit Moisturiser</span><br />
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I have been using this moisturiser for a few years now and it's my go-to moisturiser if I am going out and don't want to suffer from any breakouts a few days before. It's so gentle on my skin and although it is quite a matte feeling moisturiser, it still hydrates my dry skin and makes makeup apply beautifully. I have tried multiple products from Yes To and have loved every single one!</div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">8. Pixi DetoxifEYE Eye Patches</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Last but certainly not least is the Pixi DetoxifEYE eye
patches. They are little patches which are meant to de-puff and revive your
under eyes. I love putting these in the fridge before I put them on to make my
under eyes feel even more refreshed and it also helps reduce inflammation. It
comes with 60 patches which means 30 pairs so you're really getting your moneys
worth. I'll definitely be repurchasing these when I run out!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, there's all my monthly favourites for the months of
March and April. If you'd like any more information on any of the products I've
mentioned then just leave a comment or send me a message on my Instagram
(@laurenannbeauty). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What are your favourite products for this month?</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-73158523925186840982019-03-11T06:18:00.003-07:002021-01-10T10:15:19.550-08:00Coconut Oil - Beneficial or Bad?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web (west european)" , "segoe ui" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "roboto" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;">There have been huge debates as to whether coconut oil is actually ‘good’ for your skin and although I’ve spoken about the benefits of Coconut Oil in the past, that doesn’t mean that it works for everyone. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfjpgBEu78lXaSpHIc7RJo22C3OX5hlPcRZhONtJNqZFxcd2FURhptqyCFpi4ddw-avXgopNl5i-CZb2g40v3G3PNIrgjJHIlHPTO98NZmXQj5AvpxFnDTMaNTqbGPmvGBAZ8bY1PeI0/s1600/Facetune_11-03-2019-13-12-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfjpgBEu78lXaSpHIc7RJo22C3OX5hlPcRZhONtJNqZFxcd2FURhptqyCFpi4ddw-avXgopNl5i-CZb2g40v3G3PNIrgjJHIlHPTO98NZmXQj5AvpxFnDTMaNTqbGPmvGBAZ8bY1PeI0/s1600/Facetune_11-03-2019-13-12-20.jpg" /></a></div>
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<ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; overflow-wrap: break-word;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: center;">♡━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━♡</li>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web (west european)" , "segoe ui" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "roboto" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;">I managed to find some quotes from Dermatologists which may help influence your opinion on Coconut Oil:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web (west european)" , "segoe ui" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "roboto" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web (west european)" , "segoe ui" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "roboto" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;">Dr. Engelman said ' </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , "verdana" , "tahoma";"><i>“Oil-based products are one of the best ways to add moisture back into the skin.” '</i> (</span><span style="font-family: , "verdana" , "tahoma";">https://www.skincare.com/article/coconut-oil-for-your-skin)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: , "verdana" , "tahoma";"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: , "verdana" , "tahoma";">Dr. Bhanusali said ' <i>“</i></span><i><a href="https://www.skincare.com/article/6-reasons-to-use-coconut-oil-in-your-beauty-routine" rel="follow" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4bacc6; outline: none 0px;" target="_blank">Coconut oil has great moisturizing properties</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , "verdana" , "tahoma";">, however, it may actually clog pores in some skin types, particularly oily, acne-prone skin.” '</span></i><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; overflow-wrap: break-word;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: center;">♡━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━♡</li>
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<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web (west european)" , "segoe ui" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "roboto" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;">Coconut Oil has a lot of benefits such as being an antioxidant and full of healthy fatty acids but it does have the potential to clog pores. Coconut Oil is a 4 on the Comedogenic scale which means that most people will break out by using this oil. If you suffer from rosacea or acne then I’d highly recommend staying away from Coconut Oil as it can make your breakouts worse! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web (west european)" , "segoe ui" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "roboto" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web (west european)" , "segoe ui" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "roboto" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;"><i style="color: #999999;">Do I use Coconut Oil?</i></span></div>
<br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #212121;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web (west european)" , "segoe ui" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "roboto" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;">Yes. I am one of a few that don’t suffer from breakouts when using coconut oil and it works wonders on my skin! I only use a pea size amount on my face as it’s very oily so I don’t want to overdo it but after using it, my face feels so soft and moisturised. I use unrefined coconut oil which means it’s in its purest form (as I don’t like the idea of putting lots of additives on to my skin when unnecessary) and I get mine from Holland and Barrett. I don't regularly use Coconut Oil and rarely do I use it to replace my regular moisturiser, but it does a great job at removing my makeup and it is one of the best organic makeup removers I have found.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web (west european)" , "segoe ui" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "roboto" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;"><i>Where can Coconut Oil be used?</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web (west european)" , "segoe ui" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "roboto" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">○ </span><span style="background-color: white;">It can be used on any dry areas of your body such as your elbows and knees! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web (west european)" , "segoe ui" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "roboto" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">○ </span><span style="background-color: white;">For drier skin types, you can use it on your face but only in very small quantities. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web (west european)" , "segoe ui" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "roboto" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">○ </span><span style="background-color: white;">Your hair! It works miracles as a hair mask and really helps treat colour-damaged hair.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web (west european)" , "segoe ui" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "roboto" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">○ </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;">Shave with it! It works wonders as a shaving cream!</span></div>
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If you still want to use a natural oil similar to Coconut Oil then I'd highly recommend using Jojoba Oil or Argan Oil as they rate lower on the Comedogenic scale and have great health benefits too! But to sum up this debate, Coconut Oil is both beneficial and bad it just depends on your skin and whether or not it reacts badly to oils or not. However, if you're looking to use Coconut Oil in replace of your moisturiser then I wouldn't recommend it as it won't do that good of a job.laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-24801850169161876402019-02-11T14:17:00.002-08:002019-02-11T14:20:36.796-08:00Things to do in Birmingham / Life with Lauren<div style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A couple of weeks ago, me and my boyfriend took a trip to Birmingham to discover all the amazing things you can do whilst you’re out there. I was a little sceptical at first but we had such a great time and managed to fit so much in!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you’re thinking about visiting Birmingham then I’d highly recommend booking a hotel and staying for a short weekend, as there’s so much to do while you’re out there so it’s a good idea to spread it out over the weekend. There are lots of <a href="https://uk.hotels.com/de1634057/hotels-near-birmingham-new-street-station-birmingham-united-kingdom/">hotels in Birmingham</a> so you won’t struggle to find one that’s suitable for you! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Me and my boyfriend had already booked a few of the things we had planned to make it a lot easier for us when we arrived. The first thing we did was go to the Ten Pin Bowling Alley in Star City. It was so affordable and is a great place to go if you love Bowling. In Star City, there is also the Adventure Mini Golf and a selection of different places to eat such as Nando’s, Pizza Hut and Harvester. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now, you can’t go to Birmingham without visiting the Bull Ring. This is a huge shopping centre in the centre of Birmingham. It has a good range of shops such as Selfridges, Disney and every other shop you could possibly think of. It’s right next to the train station so if you’re thinking about going by train then it’s a perfect opportunity for you to visit the Bull Ring! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, I’d highly recommend you visit Birmingham if you’re looking for an affordable but entertaining weekend away. There’s lots to do while you’re out there but it won’t break the bank which is always a plus! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let me know if you’ve ever visited Birmingham and what places you’d recommend? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">* The spending money was gifted by Hotels.com for this trip however all views are my own.</span></div>
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laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-23055810584584691432019-01-06T08:54:00.001-08:002021-01-10T10:15:07.615-08:00Why I made the switch to natural skincare | Life with LaurenWhen I was younger I never really payed attention to what I was putting on my face. I would purchase anything that was currently on-trend at that point and just assumed that because it was expensive it was good for my skin. I was wrong.<br />
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I suffer from quite dry skin so I was purchasing products which claimed to <span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><i>nourish</i></span>, <i><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">moisturise</span></i> and <i><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">hydrate</span></i> my skin but, little did I know that a lot of these products were actually doing the complete opposite. Some moisturisers, cleansers etc contain drying agents which will strip your skin of its natural oils, therefore, leaving your skin a lot drier than it was to begin with.<br />
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I remember always being told to never use oils on your skin as it clogs your pores but I've since discovered that using oils is actually one of the best things you can do for your skin. Oil is naturally occurring in the skin which then combines with the water produced by your sweat glands, creating what's called the hydrolipidic film (a thin film that covers the skin to defend it from bacteria). <i><span style="color: #666666;">Complicated?</span></i> <b>I know. </b>When it comes to facial oils, you do have to be careful to not use too much on your skin though.</div>
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I'd highly recommend using either Argan Oil, Olive Oil or Jojoba Oil but you can just do a little research and find what best works for you.</div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><i>Ingredients on labels...</i></span></div>
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Since looking at the ingredients on the back of some of my old 'essentials', I noticed that they contained a lot of ingredients which I didn't recognise and couldn't even pronounce! Harmful ingredients such as Parabens don't just occur in skincare. They also linger in our shampoo's, conditioners and makeup products which can actually have pretty negative effects on our health. In fact, Parabens (such as methylparaben, butylparaben and propylparaben) have been known to encourage the growth of certain breast cancer cells! Why would you want to use that on your skin?</div>
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A website that I use often is<a href="http://www.cosdna.com/"> Cosdna</a> which scans the ingredients in products and tells you how harmful they are to your health. </div>
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One of the most important things to remember is that switching your skincare routine means your skin will get worse before it gets better but that is a vital part of the process! You have to give the natural products time to eliminate all the toxins that were accumulating in your skin from your old products. I'd say allow at least a month for any major changes to happen with your skin.</div>
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Would you ever switch to an all natural skincare regime? If you already have, what are your holy-grail products and tips?</div>
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laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-841140349999396162018-12-30T06:44:00.002-08:002021-01-10T10:15:48.598-08:00DIY Natural Makeup Remover | Life with Lauren<div style="text-align: center;">
I've always had quite sensitive skin which doesn't agree with a lot of moisturisers, serums, cleansers etc. Since trying to switch to more natural skincare, I have been on the lookout for a makeup remover which is both natural and inexpensive. This is where the idea to create my own natural makeup remover came about.<br />
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I thought I'd compile a few different makeup remover recipes by what skin type they work best for. For example, Coconut Oil is better for dry skin rather than oily skin. I hope you find one that works best for you!</div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b><i><u>Dry/Normal Skin</u></i></b></span></div>
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1 and a half tablespoons of coconut oil (liquid)</div>
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1 and a half tablespoons of filtered water</div>
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1 tablespoon of witch hazel (<i>optional</i>)</div>
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or</div>
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Just use coconut oil and a washcloth with water to remove it!</div>
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<i>(which is my personal favourite)</i></div>
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<b style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><u>Oily Skin</u></i></span></b></div>
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4 tablespoons of witch hazel</div>
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2 tablespoons of pure jojoba oil</div>
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2 tablespoons of olive oil</div>
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3 tablespoons of witch hazel</div>
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2 tablespoons of jojoba oil</div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><b>Recipe Notes</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">* </span>Witch Hazel helps to prevent bacterial growth however with all recipes, ensure the makeup remover is used within 3-4 days and stored in the fridge. This is because most makeup removers on the market contain preservatives and parabens which prevent this however they aren't always great for the skin which is why I prefer these recipes.</div>
laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-2443685272323054482018-12-26T07:40:00.000-08:002020-03-30T01:47:15.172-07:00Organic Shop Review | Life with Lauren<div style="text-align: center;">
For the past six months or so, I have been testing out the Organic Shop haircare range as I love to test out Organic & Cruelty-Free products. I've been struggling to find a brand that is natural but also affordable as Organic products are known to be more expensive so when I found out that Organic Shop sells Haircare and Body-care products for under £3 I was pleasantly surprised.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCax8qUAuBMZvtfCv9LcSX1cDfmlBCKIv7_V7A5qKreBm1J3B6FGdV2B1l23KuoeqTAuqjkZs8Emue3Kz2TgbM2rk0wnakLI22Mns_0raw4NyR4h-2SRQuW8VIN7L-nNsAQc0oG1EeDQ/s1600/7520771808_IMG_0823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCax8qUAuBMZvtfCv9LcSX1cDfmlBCKIv7_V7A5qKreBm1J3B6FGdV2B1l23KuoeqTAuqjkZs8Emue3Kz2TgbM2rk0wnakLI22Mns_0raw4NyR4h-2SRQuW8VIN7L-nNsAQc0oG1EeDQ/s1600/7520771808_IMG_0823.jpg" /></a></div>
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Organic Shop has the COSMOS Natural Certification for all of their products which means:</div>
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- No Animal Testing</div>
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- No GM Ingredients</div>
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- No Controversial Chemicals</div>
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- No Parabens and Phthalates</div>
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- No Synthetic colours, or artificial fragrances</div>
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You'll notice if you visit their website, that there are a ton of different ranges such as Avocado and Honey, Pomegranate and Patchouli and Coconut and Shea to name a few. Each range serves a different purpose, so I thought I'd create a little list of which range from the haircare products would be best for your hair type:</div>
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<b>Avocado and Honey</b>: Dry/Damaged</div>
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<b>Pomegranate and Patchouli</b>: Normal/Dry</div>
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<b>Coconut and Shea</b>: Colour Treated and Damaged Hair</div>
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<b>Raspberry and Acai</b>: Normal/Dry</div>
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<b>Argan and Amla</b>: Colour Treated and Damaged Hair</div>
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The <span style="color: orange;"><b><i>packaging</i></b></span> of Organic Shop products are so sleek and colourful. The Shampoo and Conditioner come with a pump which allows for an easy application and the scent of every product is <span style="color: #666666; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">incredible! </span>I don't always notice a huge difference in my hair when I use the products but seeing as they are completely natural, I'd say they do a pretty good job! The hair masks are firm favourites of mine!</div>
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If you're interested about what most of the ingredients mean then here's a quick breakdown:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Cetearyl Alcohol - </span> This is an emulsifier and foaming agent which helps to achieve that thick, foamy texture. It is found in plants such as Coconut and is <b><i>95% natural.</i></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Distearoylethyl Dimonium Chloride - </span>This is an eco-friendly, chemical compound which has anti-frizz properties which is why it is used in hair care products. It has been<b><i> approved</i></b> by COSMOS and leaves hair feeling sleek and shiny.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> Glycerin - </span>This comes from <b><i>natural</i></b> oils like Shea Butter and Coconut Oil and helps to pull moisture within the hair and maintain it. However, it only works this way in moderately moist air as dry/humid air can make it work in the opposite way.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Potassium Sorbate - </span>Potassium Sorbate helps to extend shelf life without using Parabens. It is a very mild and <b><i>natural</i></b> preservative.</div>
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If you'd like to know about any other ingredients then just let me know and I'll do my best to help.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHfb1Tua4tL-2CnhAuASkZumC2DcgWJy42Sq5dQVf3WkmtTndTkF4dFtQRRvrOT711-aveeqaSVbq4TtvH9CvtKtU3rdNfAl1nNfWy3ImIkINdBxwCcSHICC1TtH-GAAeJ1N5GQ__QgM/s1600/Break+Line.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="429" height="33" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHfb1Tua4tL-2CnhAuASkZumC2DcgWJy42Sq5dQVf3WkmtTndTkF4dFtQRRvrOT711-aveeqaSVbq4TtvH9CvtKtU3rdNfAl1nNfWy3ImIkINdBxwCcSHICC1TtH-GAAeJ1N5GQ__QgM/s200/Break+Line.PNG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Do I recommend this brand? <i>Absolutely!</i></div>
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These products are natural, cruelty-free and affordable so I have absolutely no faults for the brand! If you'd like to purchase a product from their range then head over to their website, Amazon or your local Tesco.</div>
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laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-12602639153078417042018-10-20T11:38:00.001-07:002018-10-20T11:47:26.254-07:00The Bloggers Guide to Google Analytics<div style="text-align: center;">
Google Analytics is so useful for finding out how well your Blog is doing in terms of the amount of traffic it gets. It's one of those platforms that everyone knows they need but have absolutely <i>no idea</i> how to use so I thought I'd create a little guide to help some of you out.<br />
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><i>How to set up Google Analytics and Link it to your Blog...</i></span></div>
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1. Set up a Google Analytics account. All you need to know is the URL of your blog and what category it fits into.</div>
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2. Copy the tracking code which will appear once you've created your account.</div>
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3. Install it on to your blog. There are 2 ways to do this, these are:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">♡ Paste the tracking code under the <head> of your blog.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">♡ Install a widget such as this one from <a href="https://en-gb.wordpress.org/plugins/google-analytics-for-wordpress/">Monster Insights.</a></span></div>
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It may take a while for your results to show up on Google Analytics but that's totally normal. It's best to set it up as soon as possible though because unfortunately, it can't track traffic from previous posts.</div>
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<i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Understanding the Dashboard...</span></i></div>
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This is what the Google Analytics Dashboard will look like when you first set it up. I thought I'd explain a little bit about what the tabs mean down the side as that is the bit that looks the most confusing!</div>
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<i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Real-time</span> - </b></span></i>This tab is pretty self-explanatory and isn't really a tab I find myself using very often. It shows you the number of users that are on your page currently as well as how they found your site and also what page they're on.</div>
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<i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Audience</span> - </b></span></i>When you click on 'Audience', a lot of information shows on the screen which can get quite overwhelming. You'll see displayed some of the most useful information about your blog.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">♡ Sessions - </span>This is the number of website visits you get. This is different to your Pageviews as it counts one user as one session, no matter how many pages they visit.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">♡ Users - </span>This is the number of unique individuals that visit your blog.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">♡ Page Views - </span>This is the number of Pageviews you get on your blog. Each page that is visited counts towards your Pageviews.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">♡ Pages/Sessions - </span>This is the average amount of pages someone visits during their session. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">♡ Avg. Session Duration - </span>The average amount of time someone spends on your blog during that session. Obviously, the higher this number is the better.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">♡ Bounce Rate - </span>I explained what Bounce Rate meant in my <a href="https://www.laurenannbeauty.com/2018/10/how-to-improve-seo-bloggers-guide.html">SEO post</a> but it basically refers to when someone finds your blog/post and doesn't click on any other content or go any further than the landing page. The lower the percentage, the better! Anything over 70% is not a good sign.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">♡ New Sessions - </span>Average amount of new visits to your blog.</div>
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You can also visit the Demographics of the users that visit your site too. This includes age and gender of your users, which a lot of brands often ask about when wanting to work with you.</div>
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<i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Acquisition </span>- </b></span></i>This is all about what brings traffic to your blog. Here's a little rundown of the different types of traffic you can get:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">♡ Social - </span>This is all the traffic from any social media you've promoted on.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">♡ Direct - </span>This is traffic from people who manually type in your URL.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">♡ Referral - </span>This is traffic from blogs, sites and other sources.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">♡ Organic Search - </span>This is the number of people that visited your site through search engines.</div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Behaviour</span> - </b></i></span>This is also a really useful tab as it tells you what people search to find your blog. It also tells you your site speed which is really important as it can massively affect your SEO.</div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Conversions</span> - </b></i></span>This is a tab which I don't use very often but if you love to set goals for your blog then this would be great for you! Basically, this tab allows you to measure how well your site meets certain objectives.<br />
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So, that's all you need to know about Google Analytics, well that's all I know about it anyway! I hope it helped and if you have any questions then let me know.</div>
laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-15984765172716440042018-10-20T09:19:00.001-07:002019-01-06T08:59:22.810-08:00Upbra Review<div style="text-align: center;">
A couple of months ago I teamed up with Upbra to create an amazing review on their bra's which seem to have such incredible feedback.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GfR0ECQTvKrRzmNvWcf35sXLE9OyGO9Y2Og4Mhu81tkVD_OLUG4L43bZiIvr-u2c5M3nsL5d7C629cf8vHcxaGRHEcWLIWAceuVuqAC9IlGJEpqRMf2rDsVqvLyVQb-_pK2-8tKSGCc/s1600/IMG_5360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GfR0ECQTvKrRzmNvWcf35sXLE9OyGO9Y2Og4Mhu81tkVD_OLUG4L43bZiIvr-u2c5M3nsL5d7C629cf8vHcxaGRHEcWLIWAceuVuqAC9IlGJEpqRMf2rDsVqvLyVQb-_pK2-8tKSGCc/s1600/IMG_5360.JPG" /></a></div>
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I was sent over the Upbra Convertible in White and the Nude Strapless Bra. I was a little nervous for them to arrive as I wasn't sure if they were going to fit me or not but I didn't have any problems and just ordered my regular size. Now, Upbra is designed to help give you a little lift and push-up however you can adjust them really easily with the hooks if you're wanting less of a lift. This would be amazing for all you ladies out there that have a smaller chest however, you can still wear it even if you're just looking for a little comfort like me, as my White Upbra is by far one of the comfiest bras I own!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ddfWiPQqf2MFLX4_2hl0APsCE_b56iCyxORI-9P8BVke7r0lRei2kU5TBWlJg7vtLKFRO7GzB9vSWk4v3IDYf4EaOv0Yi45jTXgXlA4v7BRrmKglRUbr9_g2xJuNo4qz6VTqie1QvwY/s1600/7525129424_IMG_0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ddfWiPQqf2MFLX4_2hl0APsCE_b56iCyxORI-9P8BVke7r0lRei2kU5TBWlJg7vtLKFRO7GzB9vSWk4v3IDYf4EaOv0Yi45jTXgXlA4v7BRrmKglRUbr9_g2xJuNo4qz6VTqie1QvwY/s320/7525129424_IMG_0530.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where you can add straps if you wanted to! The Strapless Bra does come with straps too which is great!</td></tr>
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I did test the Strapless Bra to see if it would work well when it's hot outside and to my surprise it actually did! The hearts are vinyl so they give it a bit of grip to help it stay up all night, not like a lot of strapless bras that fall down after a few hours. The Bra is quite firm when you first put it on and does take a little getting used to, but after wearing it a few times it fits perfectly! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pWxA1ZhcWED6Nnn97gCn_4_9pFZ1OnrT1y2L0AG_GRc4AP3PR9zhrKBZbOBXVuAlZcfsK3uEKqC1Zr2UsZu7Hf34mU4oaAR3LRBDwJHao36cWIhIRgxdW55dE5tOVkG75wu7q-Q2Qd0/s1600/7525129424_IMG_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pWxA1ZhcWED6Nnn97gCn_4_9pFZ1OnrT1y2L0AG_GRc4AP3PR9zhrKBZbOBXVuAlZcfsK3uEKqC1Zr2UsZu7Hf34mU4oaAR3LRBDwJHao36cWIhIRgxdW55dE5tOVkG75wu7q-Q2Qd0/s320/7525129424_IMG_0529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where you can adjust the 'push-up' using the hooks. The hearts are also to help give the bra a grip when wearing it strapless.</td></tr>
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Upbra also do bikini's too which I'll definitely have to give a try! They can be worn by people with both small chests and large chests as they can help just give you a little more lift. I'd highly recommend giving them a try.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">* I did receive the Upbra in exchange for a review, however, all opinions are my own and are not influenced by Upbra in any way.</span></div>
laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-25762431640851494092018-10-13T15:02:00.000-07:002018-10-13T15:12:18.809-07:00How to use Lightroom - Bloggers Guide<div style="text-align: center;">
Lightroom is the software that everybody is using at the minute to edit their photos - including myself! It seems quite a daunting thing to use but hopefully, after reading this guide, you'll soon be a pro! I'm going to be discussing both the desktop and mobile version.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c; font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">♡ </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Shoot a great photo first!</i></span><br />
Lightroom works wonders but it can only work if you've managed to capture a high-quality photo first. I'd recommend turning flash off (unless it's extremely dark) as sometimes the flash can blur out features and fine details, so if you can use your camera without flash. Lightroom can then be used to turn up the brightness and exposure.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c; font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">♡ </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Download some presets</i></span></span><br />
This is the easiest option in comparison to adjusting saturation, brightness, colour levels etc. Here's a link for some free presets I've found:<br />
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<a href="http://fixthephoto.com/free-lightroom-presets">380 Fr</a><a href="https://sellfy.com/p/vL0V/">ee Lightroom Presets</a><br />
<a href="https://sellfy.com/p/vL0V/">Sunset Preset</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c; font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">♡ </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><i>MY FAVOURITE LIGHTROOM TOOL!!!</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">I have to </span><span style="color: black;">include my favourite Lightroom tool in this post! This tool is especially great if you've got a theme which is a certain colour scheme. So, it is the Colour Mixer. Which you can access on </span><b><i>Desktop</i></b><span style="color: black;"> by clicking the little rainbow circle in the Color tab. If you're using </span><b><i>Mobile</i></b><span style="color: black;"> then you can access it by going to the </span><b style="color: black;">Color Tab - Mix </b></span></span><br />
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Basically, if you'd like to make a certain colour in the post stand out then head to the Colour Mixer and increase the Saturation and Luminance. You can change the Hue of the colour which will change how the colour looks in the photo. If you're wondering how so many people change the sky to a lilac colour then this is usually what they use. </div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>Desktop</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>How to add photos from your computer or camera:</i></span><br />
To upload a photo, all you have to do is go to <b>File - Add Photo </b>however that usually only works if you already have the files on your computer. To upload a photo directly from your camera, you go to <b>File - Import photos and video. </b>This will then open up a window and you will be able to select your camera from the left side of the screen. Your camera needs to be hooked up to your computer first.<br />
<b><br /></b> <i style="color: #666666; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">How to edit photos:</i><br />
This all depends on how you like your photos to look but there are so many ways you can edit your photos. So, here are some of my favourite things to do...<br />
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<b>White Balance and Tone Curve - </b>This setting is great if you're looking to change the tone of your image. I love making my photos slightly warmer during the autumn months so this tool is great for that!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3UoKvMq9Y9WTOfLiIXIlYiS-pPmoGxpOQlPG54S0FQRKAjlq_DYP0FQz-Q7Top7VYOw0yVme5M5yDQdakZ-uatiiKbo8JshPURDbIS2qfR9f6uzL6kblheUGVwU8dDZJLUVPhFW9loc/s1600/screenshot_20181013_224105.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="249" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3UoKvMq9Y9WTOfLiIXIlYiS-pPmoGxpOQlPG54S0FQRKAjlq_DYP0FQz-Q7Top7VYOw0yVme5M5yDQdakZ-uatiiKbo8JshPURDbIS2qfR9f6uzL6kblheUGVwU8dDZJLUVPhFW9loc/s200/screenshot_20181013_224105.png" width="151" /></a></div>
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<b>Saturation - </b>This is an obvious one but it is so helpful if you're wanting your images to really pop!<br />
<b>Exposure - </b>If you've taken a photo in the dark or simply just want to make a photo that little bit brighter then this is the tool for you.<br />
<b>Contrast - </b>This is a setting which can be quite dangerous to play around with as too much contast doesn't look great. But I love this setting for Autumnal photos.<br />
<b>Highlights and Shadows</b><b> - </b>This is another great setting for adjusting the lighting of your images.<br />
<b><br /></b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: medium;">Here's a photo I quickly edited just for the purpose of this post. I have made sure to include all the settings I used down the side:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyRu6hyhHv9V5qmhGoN3ofYkRrNqoGBTDH3rAB04Eq1cNm26EX5bdBPbd0xHf7ZvadVpGTbIHCBWZw6mO2IA9UJpj-VXc9p5_e_Uo8sT9eTV1qU0-IV78n3yBZClwKTxqHj78S_SjyCU/s1600/BeFunky-collage+%25285%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1600" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyRu6hyhHv9V5qmhGoN3ofYkRrNqoGBTDH3rAB04Eq1cNm26EX5bdBPbd0xHf7ZvadVpGTbIHCBWZw6mO2IA9UJpj-VXc9p5_e_Uo8sT9eTV1qU0-IV78n3yBZClwKTxqHj78S_SjyCU/s320/BeFunky-collage+%25285%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KYN5X1xZd3tvztFsQRMGp1PWXDCM10xEjz66Paqf3_2hP5Z8Hb7uIuPQre19yi5lGpMREpzqP5SfuCW0O7E4PPx-eOtSgZIbHjKBkZm_rA7_LD83AD-Y7prBY65IsrkFEtO0Jt4wUVw/s1600/Break+Line.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="429" height="33" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KYN5X1xZd3tvztFsQRMGp1PWXDCM10xEjz66Paqf3_2hP5Z8Hb7uIuPQre19yi5lGpMREpzqP5SfuCW0O7E4PPx-eOtSgZIbHjKBkZm_rA7_LD83AD-Y7prBY65IsrkFEtO0Jt4wUVw/s200/Break+Line.PNG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span> <span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>Mobile</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span> Personally, I use the mobile version a lot more than the desktop version but that's just because it's a lot easier to use and less time-consuming. So, here are some before and after images of some settings I use on there:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwDiuWbNCvonPS53LeMaQALRz5X4fIaVQtwABeKq15WCSAveP3FW2765oCEygsB3eIe443qCpYNusjaZ4TFTDtAmega3YjAj_D9VHOf-XQXCb_oBQnv1778wnq1_VFq8KwkE39NfdMV0/s1600/BeFunky-collage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1486" data-original-width="1600" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwDiuWbNCvonPS53LeMaQALRz5X4fIaVQtwABeKq15WCSAveP3FW2765oCEygsB3eIe443qCpYNusjaZ4TFTDtAmega3YjAj_D9VHOf-XQXCb_oBQnv1778wnq1_VFq8KwkE39NfdMV0/s200/BeFunky-collage.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So, first of all, I like to raise the<span style="color: #666666;"> <b>EXPOSURE</b></span>. As you can see, it makes the image a lot brighter and also a lot clearer. To do this, you click on the <b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Light</b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> tab and slide the </span><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Exposure </b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">to the right. For this image, I went to +1.35.</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0UgURkl6VsKZRplXitx13cGRi5kYuZ4kzuBqqTQKY3wwRKktNh_c-kzJsIjMxLTVSCfgxVVPbDUBLc2Wtu7DtwPYBUlHwRr8VRkrAb8VK7pnX0bHXA20B2eO0jeOSMeT3RybX3sJYug/s1600/BeFunky-collage+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1486" data-original-width="1600" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0UgURkl6VsKZRplXitx13cGRi5kYuZ4kzuBqqTQKY3wwRKktNh_c-kzJsIjMxLTVSCfgxVVPbDUBLc2Wtu7DtwPYBUlHwRr8VRkrAb8VK7pnX0bHXA20B2eO0jeOSMeT3RybX3sJYug/s200/BeFunky-collage+%25281%2529.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next, I increased the <b style="color: #666666;">CONTRAST. </b>This makes the colours stand out more and also is great to create that Autumn feel. For this image, I went to +51.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrZnOTQSF-ECpkY19qhM5v5-zdtBpd-1OCkXuh5f0_gOX-rkTPU9iMaQFTDHHyJF79mPsXHnU-ZXPGPFFQ-uuuvmdn5fRLYwMSDpwAlZGfNu7PZ3-npC_Nlp_te1ysx-1S0kFSMuX6iM/s1600/BeFunky-collage+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1486" data-original-width="1600" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrZnOTQSF-ECpkY19qhM5v5-zdtBpd-1OCkXuh5f0_gOX-rkTPU9iMaQFTDHHyJF79mPsXHnU-ZXPGPFFQ-uuuvmdn5fRLYwMSDpwAlZGfNu7PZ3-npC_Nlp_te1ysx-1S0kFSMuX6iM/s200/BeFunky-collage+%25282%2529.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of you may think that the left image looks better but for my Instagram Feed I like to go for a more 'moody' look. So, I decreased the <b style="color: #666666;">HIGHLIGHTS </b>by -78.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrZnOTQSF-ECpkY19qhM5v5-zdtBpd-1OCkXuh5f0_gOX-rkTPU9iMaQFTDHHyJF79mPsXHnU-ZXPGPFFQ-uuuvmdn5fRLYwMSDpwAlZGfNu7PZ3-npC_Nlp_te1ysx-1S0kFSMuX6iM/s1600/BeFunky-collage+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1486" data-original-width="1600" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrZnOTQSF-ECpkY19qhM5v5-zdtBpd-1OCkXuh5f0_gOX-rkTPU9iMaQFTDHHyJF79mPsXHnU-ZXPGPFFQ-uuuvmdn5fRLYwMSDpwAlZGfNu7PZ3-npC_Nlp_te1ysx-1S0kFSMuX6iM/s200/BeFunky-collage+%25282%2529.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I then adjusted the <b style="color: #666666;">SHADOWS </b>by -8.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hwxKfJRMEA9YW5kV4KFIPkIK-ygzZie_d0lrXoL6arpV5V5JtOyNqbPvyVKsKVYk28oZ4NIQDWKm9rgnXQiCDBQ1bunplNjk1JriPribQpm0L8_TbUQrTmOb5oE4fQK-1xZ2zNgkEsg/s1600/BeFunky-collage+%25283%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1486" data-original-width="1600" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hwxKfJRMEA9YW5kV4KFIPkIK-ygzZie_d0lrXoL6arpV5V5JtOyNqbPvyVKsKVYk28oZ4NIQDWKm9rgnXQiCDBQ1bunplNjk1JriPribQpm0L8_TbUQrTmOb5oE4fQK-1xZ2zNgkEsg/s200/BeFunky-collage+%25283%2529.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I increased the <b style="color: #666666;">TEMPERATURE </b>to +10 which is one of my favourite tools to play around with. It makes the image a lot warmer and by decreasing the temperature, you can also make it cooler.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeV2iovCbfqw8BAURAXGEcME5_Ip9hyphenhyphenw8CtZXR4s3qhBAlSRWMT2xr0Ld-3asHD5zV9ZvR6avWBlM0HhvPgZHWjDtYy1ea4XFXUeEQY1j9FTGLgPWQ1RNdoH6joLYnmr4Ic4zzZZxYLw/s1600/BeFunky-collage+%25284%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1486" data-original-width="1600" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeV2iovCbfqw8BAURAXGEcME5_Ip9hyphenhyphenw8CtZXR4s3qhBAlSRWMT2xr0Ld-3asHD5zV9ZvR6avWBlM0HhvPgZHWjDtYy1ea4XFXUeEQY1j9FTGLgPWQ1RNdoH6joLYnmr4Ic4zzZZxYLw/s200/BeFunky-collage+%25284%2529.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lastly, I increased the <b style="color: #666666;">SATURATION </b>to +12 and the<b style="color: #666666;"> VIBRANCE </b>to +7 and this just makes all the colours pop and makes the image come across a lot clearer!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span> I really hope this has helped some of you use Lightroom. If there is a topic I haven't included in this post then let me know and I'll create a part 2!<br />
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laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424171646597989033.post-67401784734250597492018-10-08T11:04:00.000-07:002019-01-06T11:27:00.625-08:00How to improve SEO - Bloggers Guide<div style="text-align: center;">
I promised I'd do a post all about improving your SEO on my Domain Authority post which you can read <a href="https://www.laurenannbeauty.com/2018/10/how-to-increase-your-domain-authority-da.html">here</a>, as a good SEO will largely help your Domain Authority. I did write a little section on that post which I won't cover in this one so I'd recommend reading that one first as it's all about Permalinks and Keywords. I've seen quite a few websites already that focus on improving SEO but a lot of them are quite long so I'm going to make this a short but helpful guide! Anyway, let's just dive right in...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilawIwR9lT2Gn8c0gMC4VZeGAYaMQlbBFiH1O2hWhs0hXAadg6iV5rR2dRMdc-oVgQ3weviw0xXUIlrkqKyPPO5LouvZC14hd3DS_xOkv_SLqFLZpS12nCbNNf5cqIEnZB1bHBemy-8aY/s1600/HOW+TO+IMPROVE_DOMAIN+AUTHORITY+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilawIwR9lT2Gn8c0gMC4VZeGAYaMQlbBFiH1O2hWhs0hXAadg6iV5rR2dRMdc-oVgQ3weviw0xXUIlrkqKyPPO5LouvZC14hd3DS_xOkv_SLqFLZpS12nCbNNf5cqIEnZB1bHBemy-8aY/s1600/HOW+TO+IMPROVE_DOMAIN+AUTHORITY+%25283%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">What is SEO (Search Engine Optimization)?</span></i></div>
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SEO is basically a term used which determines whether your posts will show up when somebody types in a certain keyword or search term into a search engine. Without a good SEO, your posts just will <span style="color: red;">not</span> show up in Google which isn't great if you actually want people to read your posts. When people are typing things into Google, it means they want to read articles, websites, blogs etc which will help them or interest them. Therefore, if your post is on the first page or two of Google, people are most likely going to click on it!<br />
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Basically, Google tries to show the best results for what the user has typed in. So, to do this Google looks for posts that have the most relevant keywords, best rank, keywords in the title and many other things.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">How to improve SEO?</span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c; font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">♡ Add a Meta Description for your Blog and Posts.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c; font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span> I had no idea what this was for the first year of blogging so I thought I'd show you exactly how to do it on your blog. A Meta Description is the little caption you get under your posts when they show up on Google. For example:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid90xIF2g5BzelOs4TjYBN8xkqcwhZ7FCwjqbj0HKN8T8bgilIKGAFPRsv1KC_uDMVSRpYdc_SSxpqK2Nbz2Xl-n2qtOX52meX4uGdhkf1gqMf7EZ3S0SuNlNfVezIp0PKVG-iTamXNQg/s1600/Caption.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="110" data-original-width="611" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid90xIF2g5BzelOs4TjYBN8xkqcwhZ7FCwjqbj0HKN8T8bgilIKGAFPRsv1KC_uDMVSRpYdc_SSxpqK2Nbz2Xl-n2qtOX52meX4uGdhkf1gqMf7EZ3S0SuNlNfVezIp0PKVG-iTamXNQg/s1600/Caption.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>So, if you're on Blogger or Wordpress then here is how you can do that:</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpQiEgfkAyyk7F7DQW5H4DUVhqOEZ9Sl36bGfO5QUdBMAOncy71QmrxewekR_hEiBQdPiPMt4grKGvvaQxoVc1nYPx4qGOb2fzSNyGlmcix9mdHBBtVz0t5pXWK-SxLYyHVJECk6y_40/s1600/screenshot_20181007_181147.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpQiEgfkAyyk7F7DQW5H4DUVhqOEZ9Sl36bGfO5QUdBMAOncy71QmrxewekR_hEiBQdPiPMt4grKGvvaQxoVc1nYPx4qGOb2fzSNyGlmcix9mdHBBtVz0t5pXWK-SxLYyHVJECk6y_40/s1600/screenshot_20181007_181147.png" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cs7WV9yVKNbAUomqHBU_F8micYjAs0pyXMzQtmctJESmskCIUV0-eWLKUtSSZC4ttjEnjk1KjfHkA2U8CCYvVYHC81WaWPBrUozann-VJDCHYCoXiIbafvklxHAFV2JR-4bIfiCmPM4/s1600/screenshot_20181007_172304.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cs7WV9yVKNbAUomqHBU_F8micYjAs0pyXMzQtmctJESmskCIUV0-eWLKUtSSZC4ttjEnjk1KjfHkA2U8CCYvVYHC81WaWPBrUozann-VJDCHYCoXiIbafvklxHAFV2JR-4bIfiCmPM4/s1600/screenshot_20181007_172304.png" /></a></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to add a description to your posts then it will show up in your Post Settings in Search Description when you next write a post on Blogger.</b></b><b style="font-family: inherit;"></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c; font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">♡ LINKS! LINKS! LINKS!</span><br />
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Internal and External links are both so important if you want to improve your SEO. Your Internal links can be links to your previous posts and External links can be links to other relevant sites. Just make sure you include them because they can massively improve your SEO.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c; font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">♡ Site Speed</span></div>
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It's important that your blog loads quicker than about 4 seconds. This is because people are more likely to click off a site if it takes forever to load up. So, in order to improve Site Speed, I'd recommend using a faster host, compressing your images and switch off any plugins you no longer use.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c; font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">♡ Write high-quality content and improve Bounce Rate</span></div>
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You're probably wondering how your content affects your SEO, well it actually plays quite a big role. If you're familiar with Google Analytics then you would have probably heard of the word 'Bounce Rate'. Bounce Rate is when someone finds your post/blog and doesn't click on any other content or go any further than the landing page. The lower your Bounce Rate, the better your SEO will be. Google will class sites with a bad Bounce Rate as being low-quality posts. Therefore, your posts are less likely to appear in Google Searches</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c; font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">♡ Ensure your blog is mobile friendly</span></div>
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Because smart-phones are becoming more and more popular, Google are starting to penalize sites that aren't mobile friendly. So, if you're using a theme then ensure it is mobile friendly before you purchase it.</div>
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So, there's all my tips and tricks to improve your Blogs SEO. If you have any questions then leave a comment below and I'll answer it as best as I can. </div>
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laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040285191083433502noreply@blogger.com512