Advice on Starting Up a Blog

Hi everyone,

I'd thought I give you some advice on starting up your own blog. A blog is your own personal space for you to create and write about subjects and hobbies which interest you; and a place were you can call home in the big wide world of the online community.

Decide on What You Would Like Your Blog to be About
This could be on absolutely anything from food, music, clothes, beauty, books, artists, movie genres, hobbies and interests, festivals, latest films, horse riding, sports, video games, and interior design; just to name a few. But make sure whatever subjects and areas you choose to write about interest you.

Decide What Platform You Would Like to Host Your Blog
They are two options which are either Blogger or Wordpress.
Blogger - Gives you 5GB of free space before you start paying for your blog, but don't panic as they are different price plans for you to choose from. You don't have to pay for your blog straight away, as this depends on how often you post, how much storage you have got to use, and also how successful your blog has become. Also, Blogger is really user friendly, once you have got used to it. Don't panic if you don't get your blog right the first (I didn't), as you can always start it again
Wordpress - This I've heard is harder to use and not as user friendly. But, you can do more with it if you have IT geek as a friend who is willing to help you. Also, I think you have to start paying for it straight away.

Make sure your blog is very user friendly, and also easy on the eye.

Blog Photography
When starting a blog just start off by using a compact digital camera, and basic photo editing software. As you can, if you so choose to upgrade your camera and editing equipment later on. 
When I started doing my blog I just used a compact digital camera, and basic editing software. But I decided to upgrade to a DSLR camera, which I actually prefer. You don't have to spend a huge sum of money to get great blog photos. You have to do what is best for you and blog at the time. Also, if your new photography just practice, practice, and even more practice. Or even, if you can try and talk to a professional photographer about trying to get around photography issues; or book onto private photography lessons, just so then you can master the basics and get the best use of the camera you currently own whether that'll be a compact camera or a entry level DSLR camera.

Planning Your Blog Posts
When I start planning my posts one of the first things I do is to research that particular area/ brand/ product, and then from that research I will then make notes. From these notes I will then write a rough draft of the post before I write it into my chosen blogging platform. Also when I writing it into my blogging platform I also do a few other things before I publish it; and these are: -
Labels - I just label it whatever the title of the blog post is going to be called
Schedule - Would you like to send your post out automatically, or would you like to set your date and time. I personally like to set my own date and time
Search Description - Key words, Blog Title

Skincare Tips & Advice

Hi everyone,

In this weeks post I'd thought I would share the skincare advice; which I've been given over the past few years, and also a few things that I have picked up myself along the way.

Get Into a Skincare Routine as Early as Possible

The earliest I'd recommend somebody to get into a routine is around mid/ late teens. Also, the earlier you start to get into a routine; the better it will be for the skins overall health.

Have a Skincare Consultation 

By having a skincare consultation you will be able to find out what is current skin type, as well as being able to address any concerns that may be bothering you. Also, by having a skincare consultation you can also find out which types would be suitable for your current skincare needs.

Do Brand Research

I know it sounds a bit daft to look into individual brands, but it will give you an overview of what that particular brand stands for and then from there you will then be able to decide if that brand will fit in with you lifestyle, morals and ethics. A few brands I would recommend you looking into are:- Simple, Origins, Philosophy, Elemis, Clinque, Nivea, Garnier, Kiehl's, L'Oreal, Clarins & Estee Lauder.

Look at Product Reviews

This is also an important step to do, especially if your planning on spending a small sum of money on a skincare product. By researching and looking at product reviews it will then help you to decide whether or not you would like to purchase a certain product. Personally, I do this in a few different ways depending on what it is I'm looking into buying. The tools I like to use are Youtube, reading other blogs, using review sites such as Make Up Ally and also knowledge from the sales assistants.

Try Samples

When you are looking into buying high end skincare, ask the assistant if they have any samples which you can take home and try for a week or two. As this way you will then be able to try the product without spending a penny; and if it doesn't suit your skin type, then you wouldn't have wasted any money buying the full size product.

Have a Professional Facial

By having a facial done professionally every three months you will be helping your skin even more. As by having a facial done by someone who is professionally trained then they will be able to address any of your skin concerns, use products that are suitable for your skin's present condition, and also help to eliminate any toxins when carrying out the facial message. 

Removing Make Up

When removing make up I would advise to only use either micellaire water or a cleansing oil, as it is a more gentle and more effective option than using face wipes. 

After Removing Your Make Up

When you have taken your make up off it'll time to carry out your skincare routine. These steps are cleanse, tone, serum, moisturise.

When cleansing your skin make sure you do this for a good two minutes, as this will make sure that your pores have been cleaned out thoroughly. To remove the cleanser I personally like to a hot flannel, as it has the added benefit of a gentle exfoliation. Also, it might be good idea to invest in a separate cleanser from the one use to remove your make up, as they'll be used to two completely different reasons. For the start of your facial routine I'd look into getting a creamy cleanser, as they are more hydrating to the skin.

Exfoliation

Make sure you exfoliate your skin once a week to remove any dead skin cells. Both manual and chemical exfoliators are recommended. Manual exfoliator = Origins Modern Friction; Chemical Exfoliator = Alpha H Liquid Gold or the Pixie Glow Tonic, these are just some examples of which you can get on the market. If you like to do the idea of using both types of exfoliation, then you can alternate them on a weekly basis; as both types are recommended.

Review: Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask

Hi everyone,

I'd thought I would review for you a overnight mask that I have been using for around six months.

The Origins Drink Up Intensive mask has a thick consistency and it has a mango fragrance. The mask contains ingredients such as avocado, mango and Japanese seaweed, as well as hyaluronic acid.

The aim of the mask is to help the skin feel smoother and hydrated, and it does this by going deep into the skins layers and helping to improve the moisture levels from inside out. Due to the mask containing Japanese seaweed it will also help the skin not loose any hydration in the future, as well as slowing down the signs of premature ageing.

I've been using this mask on a twice weekly basis, and my skin seems to benefit a lot from this mask; as it isn't as dehydrated when I wake up in the morning after using this. Also, when I use this I find a little bit goes a long way.

The Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask currently retails at £22 in the UK

Review: Origins Ginzing Moisturiser

Hi everyone,

This week I thought I'd review a moisturiser that I've been using for around months, and give you my thoughts about the moisturiser.

The Origins Ginzing moisturiser is a lightweight, oil free, gel-cream formula, and it does have an orange/ citrus fragrance. The Ginzing moisturiser is also formulated for all skin types, but its also a moisturiser that I would recommend to someone who is just starting to get a basic skin care routine in place.

The Ginzing moisturiser is a skin energy drink, and its formulated using the finest natural skin boosting ingredients such as Panax Ginseng and coffee bean, which helps to boost the hydration levels and radiance. It will leave the skin looking refreshed, revitalised; as well as having a natural healthy glow.

When I first started using this it took a while for my skin to get used to this moisturiser, but now my skin loves it. I like to use this moisturiser as part of my night time skin care routine.
Its a lovely moisturiser to use due to it being lightweight, and also like the gel-cream formula; and personally I think my skin prefers the gel-cream formulation of moisturisers. Also, a little bit goes a long way.

If you fancied trying this I'd recommend that you pick up a small sample first, just to see if your skin is fine with it; especially due to it having a fragrance to it. If you do get a sample, ask if you could enough for a week. That way you'll definitely know if its ideal for your skin type, and get a good enough idea of how your skin reacts with the moisturiser.

The Origins Ginzing Moisturiser currently retails for £23 in the UK